Hola y Hello: A tool for translation

The Garfield Park Neighborhood Watch group met today. Although "child safety" served as the primary focus of the meeting (I'll post the presentation if we obtain permission to do so), the tidbit of information I found most exciting is that the Crime Prevention Unit has a nifty broadcast system to help translate meetings conducted in one language into another language. A translator translates the meeting; her or his words are broadcast into earphones worn by people who speak the second language.

Big woot for widgets

I've spent wayyyyy too much time surfing the internet for exciting widgets to add to the blog. In particular, I'm looking for a tool we can use to make our SARA meeting wish list (instead of the list being connected to a particular post that moves down the page, I'd love for it to hold a stable spot on the page). No luck just yet. But, I did find two other widgets I think might be useful in our efforts to bite crime and build community.

In the upper right corner you will find a single-item poll. If you have a question you'd like to see answered via the poll, drop me a note.

A second widget appears in the middle right of the page -- Pomona in the news. Some interesting feeds coming through there.

Pomona Press Releases: Come out, come out, wherever you are

I know our fair city puts out press releases. I see them referenced in papers, radio broadcasts, and the like. Yet, poking around the city web page, I can't seem to find a listing of all press releases.

Sure, there's the link on the city's homepage, but the page shows only the happy-sunny press releases -- exciting grants, Pomona becoming a Tree City USA, etc. I guess "press release" translates roughly to "public relations."

Where's the more gritty stuff? The stuff appropriate for a crime blog (play theme music now -- OK, so we don't have any theme music just yet; feel free to pitch your wares)?

I recall a few months ago searching for information about the officer-involved shooting the took place right next to Garfield Park. I talked with an investigator at the LA County Sheriff's Dept; he told me I could find info in the press release. I couldn't find it, and I was highly motivated to do so given all of us on the park were really freaking out about all the crime tape and the many police and sheriff cars on the block.

So, I'm going to add an issue to the "wish list" for the SARA meeting -- tell me where to find press releases. In the meantime, here's a story from the Contra Costa Times (yeah, I hadn't heard of 'em either); hey look, they got their info from a press release -- more evidence press releases exist ...somewhere:

http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_11758024

POMONA MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED IN HEMET

POMONA - Police officers with assistance from other law enforcement agencies have arrested a 29-year-old man suspected of killing an acquaintance in December.

Ruben Michael Alvarez was arrested in the 500 block of Wild Rye Court in Hemeton Friday at 3 p.m., according to a Pomona police news release.

Alvarez was spotted by agents with the State Parole Board and U.S. Marshals Office at a home on that street, according to the release.

The Pomona resident was taken into custody after Parole agents, Marshals and Hemet police officers surrounded the house.

Alvarez was arrested after he and other residents in the house came out.

He was returned to Pomona where he was booked into Pomona City Jail on suspicion of murder. He is being held in lieu of $2 million bail.

The victim, George Antonio Tamayo, 46, of Pomona was found shot to death in a vacant apartment in the 700 block of East End Avenue at 6:08 p.m. Dec. 14, authorities said.

Pomona police Detective Jennifer Turpin said the suspect and victim were friends who had known each other for three or four years.

"The suspect is a gang member, but the victim is not a gang member and this was not gang-related," Turpin said.

Several people were in the apartment with the two at the time of the shooting.

Detectives still do not have a motive for the shooting.

Issues to Discuss at March 10 SARA Meeting

The next SARA meeting is Tuesday, March 10 at 7PM in Council Chambers. During the February meeting, the PD made clear it would like to figure out an efficient mechanism for alerting the SARA meeting organizers about citizen concerns prior to the SARA meetings. Having a heads-up about questions or issues will allow the PD time to look into the concerns and respond in the meeting.

To this end, all are invited to post concerns/questions to this blog thread. I'll send any concerns/questions posted by March 3 to Brian Haggerty. (A one-week lead time will provide time to look into specific issues.) Be as specific as you can so the PD can likewise respond with specificity.

Your Ideas Needed: Special Topics for NW Meetings

I'd like to generate a list of special topics NW groups might wish to engage during monthly meetings (in addition to the always-present "what are we worried about right now"). Here are some initial brainstorms -- would love to hear others.

* Emergency preparedness
* Child safety
* Using neighborhood curb appeal to increase likelihood of selling foreclosure properties

What topics have other NW groups engaged? What kinds of things do you think people might be interested in learning and talking about?

Motion-Activated Solar Security Lights

In case you're like me and don't have an electrician in the family, solar powered security lights can be useful to shed a little light in an otherwise dark corner. I'll warn you that these aren't the prettiest of lights to look at, but for a cost-effective security tool, they can't be beat.

The only major requirement for installation is choosing a location with access to direct sunlight. All the models that I've looked at, attach the PV (photovoltaic) panel to the battery with a 10-20 foot extension cord, giving the homeowner a little more flexibility in maximizing the sunlight. A couple of screws to hold down the PV panel and a couple more to mount the light and you're done! Well, almost done. The manufacturer may ask you to turn the light off for at least a day to charge the battery, so rather than climbing on a ladder twice, you may find it easier to charge the light before you install it. You may also want to hold off on the final installation until close to dusk, since it facilitates positioning the light and PIR (passive infrared) motion sensor.

I've purchased models from OSH and Home Depot and didn't have a problem with either. New models are coming out all the time and many appear to be migrating towards using LEDs instead of halogens. If you have experience with either one, please leave a comment. The prices tend to fall around $60, and I can only speculate whether paying a premium really provides you with a superior product. Certainly the brighter the better, so more LEDs or more watts will probably yield the better resort. Of course, "a candle that burns twice as bright, burns half as long", so the increased illumination may influence the battery life or cycles between charges. As for longevity, I'd recommend that you choose the location of the PV panel carefully. In addition to facing south, a location that may allow an occasional shot from the hose to clean it off, may not be a bad idea. In case you didn't know it, bird poop and dirt is detrimental to PV output.

My only warning is that these lights are not for high traffic areas, but if you're looking to illuminate an alley or side of your house, these are wonderful.

Next time, I'll look at wireless remote motion sensors.

Dogs and Guns

While looking for additional information on the recent homicide in Claremont, I came across this story of a Claremont police officer shooting a pit bull. Although it doesn't exactly relate to Pomona, I thought it was compelling for the mere fact that I never heard anything about this shooting. Although four shots were fired by a police officer in the middle of the residential area of Claremont Village, only the dog was struck. The 80 pound pit bull was eventually transferred to a veterinary hospital where it died the next day. It isn't clear why the story wasn't covered by the Daily Bulletin or even the Claremont Now blog sponsored by the Bulletin. The Claremont Insider blog did report on the shooting and it was covered in the Claremont Courier which is the link above.

Still no information on the first homicide in Claremont since 2006.