October 2010 Archives
Public safety will be the topic of discussion for Long Beach Fire Chief Alan Patalano and Deputy Police Chief Robert Luna at a meeting in the city's 2nd District Tuesday night.
The community is invited to attend the meeting, hosted by Vice Mayor and 2nd District Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal.
Lowenthal will talk about recent council legislation at the 6:30 p.m. meeting, which will be held at the Shoreline Yacht Club, 386 Shoreline Drive South, in Long Beach.
The community is invited to attend the meeting, hosted by Vice Mayor and 2nd District Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal.
Lowenthal will talk about recent council legislation at the 6:30 p.m. meeting, which will be held at the Shoreline Yacht Club, 386 Shoreline Drive South, in Long Beach.
Trial was delayed Wednesday for the 2009 shooting of a 4-year-old innocent bystander.
Defendant James Leland Landrum Jr., 47, is charged with attempted murder for the shooting of Josue Hercules, who survived the incident.
Josue was playing with his older sister and another child when a street fight broke out near their home, in the 2100 block of Earl Avenue.
Jose was hit in the back of the head by a single round, which skirted his skull and lodged behind one eye. He suffered no brain damage and was released from the hospital a few days later.
Landrum, who had fled the city, was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol authorities at a checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, Texas, two days after the shooting.
The defendant faces multiple counts, including a gang enhancement, and, if convicted on all counts, the possibility of a lifetime in prison.
He has been held at the Men's Central Jail in lieu of $3 million bail since his 2009 capture and was ordered Wednesday to return to the Long Beach Superior Court on Jan. 24, 2011 for trial.
Defendant James Leland Landrum Jr., 47, is charged with attempted murder for the shooting of Josue Hercules, who survived the incident.
Josue was playing with his older sister and another child when a street fight broke out near their home, in the 2100 block of Earl Avenue.
Jose was hit in the back of the head by a single round, which skirted his skull and lodged behind one eye. He suffered no brain damage and was released from the hospital a few days later.
Landrum, who had fled the city, was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol authorities at a checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, Texas, two days after the shooting.
The defendant faces multiple counts, including a gang enhancement, and, if convicted on all counts, the possibility of a lifetime in prison.
He has been held at the Men's Central Jail in lieu of $3 million bail since his 2009 capture and was ordered Wednesday to return to the Long Beach Superior Court on Jan. 24, 2011 for trial.
LONG BEACH -- A crash on the southbound Long Beach (710) Freeway tied up traffic early Wednesday as firefighters cut the driver from the wreckage of his car.
The driver, a 24-year-old Bell man, was traveling at a high rate of speed at the southern end of the freeway, just before the Third Street exit, when he lost control of his vehicle and veered off the curving road and into a tree, said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
"He appeared to be driving at an unsafe speed," Pratt said. "The rain may have been a factor as well."
Long Beach Firefighter Steve Yamamoto said fire department crews were called to the scene around 8 a.m. and had to cut the driver free from the mangled remains of his 2003 Honda Accord.
The unidentified driver had suffered moderate injuries and was rushed to a local hospital by paramedics, Yamamoto said.
The injuries appeared to be non-life-threatening and the investigation is on-going, Pratt said.
Pratt also reminded all drivers to obey the speed limit at all times and drive with extra caution during wet weather.
The driver, a 24-year-old Bell man, was traveling at a high rate of speed at the southern end of the freeway, just before the Third Street exit, when he lost control of his vehicle and veered off the curving road and into a tree, said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
"He appeared to be driving at an unsafe speed," Pratt said. "The rain may have been a factor as well."
Long Beach Firefighter Steve Yamamoto said fire department crews were called to the scene around 8 a.m. and had to cut the driver free from the mangled remains of his 2003 Honda Accord.
The unidentified driver had suffered moderate injuries and was rushed to a local hospital by paramedics, Yamamoto said.
The injuries appeared to be non-life-threatening and the investigation is on-going, Pratt said.
Pratt also reminded all drivers to obey the speed limit at all times and drive with extra caution during wet weather.
The Long Beach Police
Department's West Patrol Division will host a leadership forum
next week to promote discussion and cooperation between area business leaders, community groups and the police department.
The forum, scheduled for 6 p.m. on October 27, will be held at the West Patrol Sub-Station, 1835 Santa Fe Avenue.
"This bi-monthly forum is a great opportunity for residents and business owners to become more engaged with the police department and its efforts and help us improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods," said West Division Commander Josef Levy.
There will also be a presentation on graffiti and how the community can report such crimes.
Those eligible to attend include people who live or work within the West Division patrol area, which covers Anaheim Street to Wardlow Road and Cherry Avenue to the Western city limits.
Those who wish to attend must R.S.V.P. by calling the West Division Station at 562-570-3461 and leaving a message.
The forum, scheduled for 6 p.m. on October 27, will be held at the West Patrol Sub-Station, 1835 Santa Fe Avenue.
"This bi-monthly forum is a great opportunity for residents and business owners to become more engaged with the police department and its efforts and help us improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods," said West Division Commander Josef Levy.
There will also be a presentation on graffiti and how the community can report such crimes.
Those eligible to attend include people who live or work within the West Division patrol area, which covers Anaheim Street to Wardlow Road and Cherry Avenue to the Western city limits.
Those who wish to attend must R.S.V.P. by calling the West Division Station at 562-570-3461 and leaving a message.
As
part of the Great California ShakeOut, Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell is urging police department and other city employees to prepare
their families for a major earthquake, or other potential natural
disasters.
The Great California ShakeOut is scheduled to take place Thursday, October
21, at 10:21 a.m. It is a statewide exercise that encourages Californians
to practice the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" action to reduce injury and
death during earthquakes. In 2009, more than 6.9 million participated
state-wide, and the City of Long Beach will be participate once
again.
The L.B.P.D. is recommending to all employees that they sit down with
their families to discuss what to do if a major disaster should occur,
create an emergency plan, and prepare emergency kits for their homes and
vehicles.
Because many city employees are mandated by law to remain at work in a disaster situation, having a plan in place for their families -- who they may not be able to contact or see for some time -- is crucial.
"For their own peace of mind, I would like each employee to make a
personal commitment to take these important steps," McDonnell
said. "Knowing that they have done everything they can to prepare their
own families for a major disaster, they will be able to focus on
responding to emergency situations and assisting the community."
As a result of major disasters, electrical, water, transportation,
communications, and other vital systems can be disrupted for several
days. Emergency response agencies and hospitals could be overwhelmed
and unable to provide immediate assistance. Knowing first aid and
having supplies will save lives, make life more comfortable, and will
help residents cope.
To learn more about how to prepare your own family for a natural disaster, check out to local chapter of the American Red Cross' website at www.redcrosslb.org.
Sentencing was postponed for a second time Tuesday in the case of a former Paramount man convicted in August of killing one of several of his girlfriends in a jealous fit after she refused to go home with him one night.
Mario Montejano, 59, gunned down Gloria Sanchez in front several witnesses in the Gaviota Club, a North Long Beach bar where she worked, in 1983, then fled to his native Mexico. For the next 25 years Montejano went back and forth from his girlfriend and children in Mexico to his wife and children in Paramount, and was finally caught by border patrol guards in 2008.
Montejano was scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday, but the matter was postponed until Nov. 22 because his attorney is engaged in trial, court staff said.
Mario Montejano, 59, gunned down Gloria Sanchez in front several witnesses in the Gaviota Club, a North Long Beach bar where she worked, in 1983, then fled to his native Mexico. For the next 25 years Montejano went back and forth from his girlfriend and children in Mexico to his wife and children in Paramount, and was finally caught by border patrol guards in 2008.
Montejano was scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday, but the matter was postponed until Nov. 22 because his attorney is engaged in trial, court staff said.
Trial was postponed Tuesday for Hector Ernest, 27, a Long Beach man charged with the beating death of his girlfriend's two-year-old son.
Ernest is charged with murder for the slaying of Deandre Fitzgerald Green. The child's mother, 22-year-old Cameo Green, has also been charged in her son's death with felony child abuse for failing to protect the toddler.
Ernest's trial was scheduled to begin at the Long Beach Superior Court Tuesday, but was postponed until Nov. 18. He remains in jail and is being held without bail.
Green's trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 24.
Ernest is charged with murder for the slaying of Deandre Fitzgerald Green. The child's mother, 22-year-old Cameo Green, has also been charged in her son's death with felony child abuse for failing to protect the toddler.
Ernest's trial was scheduled to begin at the Long Beach Superior Court Tuesday, but was postponed until Nov. 18. He remains in jail and is being held without bail.
Green's trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 24.
Members of the Long Beach Police Department's Domestic Violence Detail will be honored today for their work in affecting social change and demonstrating excellent performance in their cases.
The Domestic Violence Detail -- which includes a sergeant, eight detective and two civilians -- will receive a "Recognition Certificate of Public Awareness" as part of the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council's annual awards ceremony.
The award was granted for the detail's work in bringing about social change, serving as outstanding role models, working on behalf of women's issues and demonstrating excellent performance within their profession to improve the quality of life for all victims and their families, said Nancy Pratt, a police department spokeswoman.
Those assigned to the detail investigate cases of domestic violence and partner with representatives of various other domestic violence agencies, from local hospitals to court staff, to make up the Domestic Abuse Response Team (D.A.R.T.).
The team approach helps coordinate the various agencies' efforts in order to provide greater assistance and numerous resources to domestic violence victims.
It is also available to respond to emergency domestic violence incidents 24 hours a day, Pratt said.
The LBPD team will be honored by a council made up of representatives from shelter agencies, community groups, courts, law enforcement and the health and legal field. The council facilitates coordination of services, reviews legislation, and serves as a forum to raise public awareness of services and develop strategies with public and private sectors to prevent domestic violence, Pratt said.
The award is scheduled to be given at noon today at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in downtown Los Angeles.
The Domestic Violence Detail -- which includes a sergeant, eight detective and two civilians -- will receive a "Recognition Certificate of Public Awareness" as part of the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council's annual awards ceremony.
The award was granted for the detail's work in bringing about social change, serving as outstanding role models, working on behalf of women's issues and demonstrating excellent performance within their profession to improve the quality of life for all victims and their families, said Nancy Pratt, a police department spokeswoman.
Those assigned to the detail investigate cases of domestic violence and partner with representatives of various other domestic violence agencies, from local hospitals to court staff, to make up the Domestic Abuse Response Team (D.A.R.T.).
The team approach helps coordinate the various agencies' efforts in order to provide greater assistance and numerous resources to domestic violence victims.
It is also available to respond to emergency domestic violence incidents 24 hours a day, Pratt said.
The LBPD team will be honored by a council made up of representatives from shelter agencies, community groups, courts, law enforcement and the health and legal field. The council facilitates coordination of services, reviews legislation, and serves as a forum to raise public awareness of services and develop strategies with public and private sectors to prevent domestic violence, Pratt said.
The award is scheduled to be given at noon today at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in downtown Los Angeles.
Federal officials announced Thursday the seizure of more than 20,000counterfeit "Coach" wool scarves, bound from China to the Long Beach/Los Angeles Port Complex.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said the faked goods were valued at a suggested retail price of $2.4 million and a domestic price of more than $80,000.
Agents thoroughly examined the entire shipment and determined all 24,000 pieces were counterfeits stamped with a fake "Coach" trademark.
"The theft of intellectual property and the trade in counterfeit and pirated goods threatens America's innovation based economy, the competitiveness of our businesses, the livelihoods of U.S. workers, and, in some cases, national security and health and safety of our consumers," a press release from CBP stated.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said the faked goods were valued at a suggested retail price of $2.4 million and a domestic price of more than $80,000.
Agents thoroughly examined the entire shipment and determined all 24,000 pieces were counterfeits stamped with a fake "Coach" trademark.
"The theft of intellectual property and the trade in counterfeit and pirated goods threatens America's innovation based economy, the competitiveness of our businesses, the livelihoods of U.S. workers, and, in some cases, national security and health and safety of our consumers," a press release from CBP stated.
An inmate committed suicide Tuesday at the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles.
The 29-year-old man was found dead at 5:20 a.m. in an isolation cell where he was housed because of his gang status, said Capt. Michael Parker of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's
Headquarters Bureau.
The man, whose name was withheld pending notification of family, pleaded guilty
last year to assault with a deadly weapon with a firearm and was sentenced to 21
years in prison. He was in jail on Tuesday awaiting sentencing for another case on Friday for multiple robberies and carjackings.
Another inmate at the same jail committed suicide Monday.
On Saturday, an inmate hung himself in the South Gate Police Department jail.
Men's Central Jail holds inmates awaiting trial and hearings in courts throughout Los Angeles County, including Bellflower, Long Beach and Norwalk.
The 29-year-old man was found dead at 5:20 a.m. in an isolation cell where he was housed because of his gang status, said Capt. Michael Parker of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's
Headquarters Bureau.
The man, whose name was withheld pending notification of family, pleaded guilty
last year to assault with a deadly weapon with a firearm and was sentenced to 21
years in prison. He was in jail on Tuesday awaiting sentencing for another case on Friday for multiple robberies and carjackings.
Another inmate at the same jail committed suicide Monday.
On Saturday, an inmate hung himself in the South Gate Police Department jail.
Men's Central Jail holds inmates awaiting trial and hearings in courts throughout Los Angeles County, including Bellflower, Long Beach and Norwalk.
