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.
If in your misery, you want company, count me in. Distributing press releases and yet not posting them on the website isn't exactly boldly stepping into the future.
ReplyDeleteAnd according to the Book of Finders Keepers, Ruben Michael Alvarez is a resident of Hemet.