RIVERSIDE: 'Breaking Bad' has Inland Empire Beginnings.. by John Asbury, Press Enterprise Reporter. Sept. 27, 2013

RIVERSIDE: ‘Breaking Bad’ has Inland beginnings

SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 BY JOHN ASBURY

Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston star in “Breaking Bad.” (AMC)

It could be a whole different story if Walter White and Jessie Pinkman were cooking meth in Mead Valley instead of Albuquerque.

That was the plan by creator Vince Gilligan when he dreamed up the iconic program now drawing to a close Sunday.

Of course, the Inland Empire was notorious for its drug activity in the 1990s, earning its claim as the “meth capital” of the world early on.

Gilligan said in multiple interviews that his plan was for Walter White’s meth business to be based around Riverside, according to Slant magazine.

“When I originally conceived of Breaking Bad, I intended to set it in Riverside, California,” Gilligan said. “And of course southern California is not too far from the Mexican border either, but when I originally conceived of the show I wasn’t thinking as much in terms of the Mexican drug cartel component. I was thinking more in terms of a homegrown meth business that Walter White was going to establish.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration has worked closely with the creators of Breaking Bad to provide factual consultation for the show, according to DEA spokeswoman Sarah Pullen.

“The DEA provided general location information as to where meth labs had been seized so that the writers/producers etc. could get a better idea as to what these locations looked like,” Pullen said. “At that time, labs were prevalent throughout the Inland Empire.”

Though during the past decade, most meth labs in the Inland region have dissipated and moved out of the area in favor of other sites, such as Mexico.

The vision for Riverside came down to such minute details as the sky and landscape Riverside could provide. In the end, it came down to a tax credit that made it cheaper for “Breaking Bad” to film in Albuquerque, according to Vulture.com

“Gilligan’s pilot script was informed by a friend working in drug enforcement out of the Inland Empire, so Walter White was originally intended to run riot around Riverside County. After Sony suggested relocating the setting to Albuquerque for tax purposes, it only took a glimpse at the skies over New Mexico to win Gilligan over. “California skies are usually blank, blue skies or a marine layer comes in and it’s gray,” he said, “but Albuquerque has these cumulus clouds that give you a scope of the distance out there. It’s amazing. And it felt like virgin territory for cinematography.”

So next time you see Walter White burying his barrels of money in the desert or cooking in his motorhome, just think, what might have been outside Riverside or Hemet.

FILED UNDER: CRIME BLOTTER, MOVIES & TV

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Calif. Accountant Accused of Making Off with $2M in School Lunch Money.. CBS/KCAL News. Sept. 27, 2013.

Calif. accountant accused of making off with $2M in school lunch money

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RIALTO, CALIF.A former school district accountant allegedly made off with more than $2 million in lunch money, according to officials in Rialto.

KCAL9's Crystal Cruz reports Judith Oakes made around $60,000 a year working for the Rialto school system.

Former school district accountant Judith Oakes worked 25 years for the Rialto, Calif. school system. 

/ KCBS/KCAL

However, police are now accusing her of making a lot more than that illegally -- possibly as much as $3 million.

Oakes, 48, spent 25 years with the district as an accountant.

She resigned recently after being accused of stealing student lunch money.

"I could not believe it. I still can not believe it," said a neighbor.

Cruz knocked on Oakes' door Thursday evening, but no one answered.

However, a neighbor told Cruz, the Oakes she knew would never steal.

"She's good people. I really don't have nothing bad to say about her," said the neighbor.

Police suspect Oakes has been stealing money for the past seven years.

Investigators say they have video evidence, but the footage hasn't been released, according to Capt. Randy De Anda. When Oakes was arrested, it was widely reported police had video of her allegedly stuffing money into her bra on at least two occasions.

"Obviously she had access to large sums of money and she was able to possess those large sums of money and get them out of the building," De Anda said.

When Oakes was arrested in August, police said they found thousands of dollars in her possession they suspected was stolen.

The DA's office isn't commenting because the case is pending. Charges have not yet been filed.

According to De Anda, this is the largest white-collar crime the Rialto Police Department has investigated. He also pointed out that the money belonged to the children.

The District's Superintendent released a statement that read in part: "The district is continuing to work closely with law enforcement to make sure that those criminally responsible are identified and prosecuted. We are taking all appropriate steps to recover the lost funds."

Several agencies, including the federal government, are investigating because Oakes had access to federal school funds.

© 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This Camera Weights Less Then 4 Oz's & Can Reduce Complaints Against Police by 88%. By Mike Riggs Sept. 26, 2013 The Atlantic Cities

This Camera Weighs Less Than 4 Ounces and Can Reduce Complaints Against Police by 88 Percent

• MIKE RIGGS
• SEP 26, 2013
• 4 COMMENTS

Taser Inc.

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Last year, police officers in Rialto, California, participated in an unprecedented experiment: Between February 2012 and February 2013, Rialto police wore cameras when they went out on patrol and responded to calls. The devices, made by Taser Inc., weighed less than four ounces and could be attached to sunglasses, shirt collars, and hats. They recorded for 12 hours, in color and HD, and the footage could be wirelessly transmitted to a central database. 

The point of the experiment was to measure, for the very first time, the effect cameras had on "self-awareness and ultimately socially-desirable behavior" of Rialto police officers. The resultswere pleasantly shocking. When officers in the experimental group (i.e., those who wore the cameras) decided to use force, they used it only in response to subjects who were "clearly seen to be physically-abusive or to [be] physically resisting arrest"; whereas officers in the control group (i.e., those without cameras) "resorted to use [of] force without being physical-threatened" 30 percent of the time. Those findings mirrored who instigated the use of force: Officers wearing cameras never instigated violence, but officers without cameras did so slightly less than 30 percent of the time. 

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While the results of the Rialto experiment make the case for requiring police cameras in order to keep citizens safe, another finding suggests that wearable cameras may also in the best interests of the officers themselves: During the 12 months that the Police Foundation conducted its study, complaints against Rialto police declined 88 percent over the previous year. 

And yet, some of the country's largest police unions oppose the cameras. 

The Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, which represents NYPD rank-and-file, declared in August that its members wouldn't comply with a judicial order from Judge Shira Scheindlin requiring officers to wear body cameras on patrol. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg backed them up, calling the prospect of officers sporting cameras "a nightmare." In Las Vegas, the police union announced earlier this week that it had brokered a collective bargaining agreement with Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie: body cameras would be "optional" for officers who joined the Las Vegas Metro PD prior to 2013. 

Much of that resistance might stem from why cameras are introduced into departments in the first place. In Seattle, Las Vegas, New York, and now San Francisco, wearable cameras have been proposed in response to federal investigations into police misconduct. They're introduced as a way to police the police, rather than as a way to help law enforcement officers protect themselves. As Rialto officers demonstrated, the presence of cameras actually improves police performance, and that improvement was reflected in a drastic reduction in complaints. It's easy to imagine how these cameras could help law enforcement agencies find and discipline bad apples in their own ranks, while protecting good officers from career-ruining lawsuits and disciplinary actions. (Taser, which makes the AXON FLEX camera, advertises it as "body armor for the courtroom.") 

Exactly this sort of complex intersection of public safety, privacy, and technology are among the topics set to be discussed by mayors and law enforcement leaders at CityLab, The Atlantic's upcoming summit on city-level innovation. But considering that the NYPD spent $185 million settling lawsuits against its officers in 2011, the most recent year for which data is available, perhaps it's time for police departments to start thinking more proactively. Wearable cameras—footage from which would be available to officers and through open records laws—could be a good first step. 

Top image: Taser's Axon Flex camera attached to Oakley sunglasses. 

Keywords: Las Vegas, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Transparency, Police, NYPD, Cameras

Mike Riggs is a staff writer at The Atlantic Cities. All posts »

Accountant may have embezzled $3 Million in Rialto Unified lunch money, says Investigator.. San Bernardino Sun By Beau Yarbrough Sept. 27, 2013

Accountant may have embezzled $3M in Rialto Unified lunch money, says investigator

Parents came to the Rialto Unified school board meeting Wednesday night to hear board members discuss an audit of the district’s nutrition services department at the Dr. John R. Kazalunas Education Center in Rialto. LaFonzo Carter/ Staff Photographer 

By Beau Yarbrough, The Sun

POSTED: 09/25/13, 7:23 PM PDT | UPDATED: 11 HRS AGO

Judy Oakes, the accountant for Rialto Unified School districtþÄôs food services department, was arrested for embezzlement of thousands of dollars, by Rialto PD. Courtesy photo. 

Rialto >> Judith Oakes, the former school district accountant, may have embezzled more than $3 million in lunch money over 14 years, according to an investigator hired by the district.

Rancho Cucamonga-based private investigator Jeff Stewart’s firm, Stewart Investigations Services, was hired to do a forensic audit of the nutrition services department by the Rialto Unified school board. At the board meeting Wednesday night, Stewart reported that Oakes may have embezzled $1.8 million over eight years, and more than $3.1 million over 14 years.

“It’s a sad moment,” school board President Joseph Ayala said Wednesday. “Not much to say right now.”

Oakes, who was an accountant with the district’s nutrition services department, was arrested on Aug. 7 on suspicion of embezzlement. According to a Rialto Police Department search warrant, she was recorded on video stuffing school lunch money into her bra.

The nutrition services department has an annual budget of $16 million, according to Rialto Unified spokeswoman Syeda Jafri.

Attorney Trevin Sims of the Los Angeles office of Lozano Smith, which represents the district, advised the school board to release only limited information at this time, as Stewart’s investigation “implicates a number of people.”

Oakes is the only person arrested, but no charges have been filed against her.

An attempt to reach her Thursday at her San Bernardino home was unsuccessful.

“Obviously, we have issues that we need to look into and that we need to work out,” board Vice President Edgar Montes said at the board meeting. “If our house here in Rialto is dirty, we need to clean that house.”

There will soon be a fifth investigation of the Oakes matter, Montes told the standing-room-only crowd in the board chambers. The Rialto Police Department, San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Office are conducting investigations into the Rialto Unified nutrition services department, along with Stewart Investigations Services.

The California Department of Education told Rialto Unified this week that it will be investigating the district as well.

And Stewart’s investigation may be continuing: When asked, he wouldn’t confirm his investigation was closed.

Rialto Unified has revised its accounting and security practices since Oakes’ arrest, according to a news release from the district Thursday afternoon.

“It’s unfortunate when people fall,” Ayala said. “How do we want to be regarded here in Rialto?”

Oakes could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

There will be a special closed-session board meeting to discuss the status of the investigation on Oct. 2.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Beau Yarbrough covers education for The Sun and the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Reach the author atBeau.Yarbrough@inlandnewspapers.com or follow Beau on Twitter: @inlandEd.

Fontana Police Training draws 13 Southland Helicopter Crews... San Bernardino Sun, Sept 19, 2013..

Fontana police training draws 13 Southland helicopter crews

Officer Roger Nakamura of the Rialto Police Department, left, Officer John Collopy of the Fontana Police Department, helicopter pilot Patrick Polimeni of the Pasadena Police Department, and Officer Tim Frydendall of the Fontana Police Department walk across the parking lot during the Fontana Police Department’s aviation training event for law enforcement on Thursday at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Micah Escamilla/Correspondent)

By Melissa Pinion-Whitt, The Sun

Posted: 09/19/13, 2:40 PM PDT |

A Robinson R44, flown by the El Monte Police Department, prepares to land during the Fontana Police Department’s aviation training event for law enforcement on Thursday at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. (Micah Escamilla/Correspondent)

More than a dozen pilots flew helicopters into San Bernardino’s San Manuel Stadium on Thursday for the Fontana Police Department’s first regional fly-in training for law enforcement air support teams.
Though Fontana has had helicopter coverage through the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and private contractors in the past, the city has had its own air support team for only 1 1/2 years.
“Now that we’ve got the first year under our belt, we thought we’d host it,” said Fontana police Sgt. Kelly Binks.
Helicopter crews from Los Angeles, El Monte, Hawthorne, Riverside, Ontario, Pomona and Pasadena police, as well as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol in the Inland Empire and Fullerton flew in for the training. Robinson Helicopter Co. also brought a helicopter, and Fontana police parked its two helicopters in the stadium.
Fontana police Lt. James Escarpe called law enforcement aviation a “profession within a profession” and that it’s important for flight personnel to stay on top of training.
“A single aircraft can act essentially as 10 officers on the ground in certain circumstances,” he said.
Southern California air support teams normally attend fly-in events hosted by the Pasadena Police Department in the spring. Binks said Fontana police consulted with Pasadena in planning their event, since they’ve been holding it about 24 years.
“Any time officers can get together on a regional basis, it’s a good thing,” said Pasadena police Sgt. Mark Goodman, a supervisor with his department’s aviation unit.
Leading Thursday’s training was Los Angeles police Officer Jack Schonely, a nationally renowned aviation trainer for law enforcement. He discussed crew resource management, pursuit and containment techniques, along with new technology.
Fontana police presented a check to Robinson Helicopter during the event for the purchase of what will be Fontana Police Department’s third helicopter.
The $900,000 aircraft, expected to be used starting early next year, will cost about $1.2 million once all of its equipment is installed. The department is using asset-seizure funds to purchase and equip the helicopter, Binks said.
The new Robinson 66 turbine-engine helicopter will be used to patrol Fontana, Colton, Rialto and Redlands. Colton and Rialto police provide full-time police officers for the aviation unit. Redlands police plan to reciprocate by patrolling Fontana during the daytime with their fixed-wing Cessna.
Colton police flight Officer Robert Vega, who patrols with Fontana’s aviation officers, said the new aircraft will be a welcome addition.
“It’s definitely going to give us more coverage seven days a week,” he said.

Melissa Pinion-Whitt covers breaking news and public safety for The Sun. Reach the author at Melissa.Pinion-Whitt@inlandnewspapers.com or follow Melissa on Twitter: @IEcrime.

Rialto Cold-Case Murder Solved: New Unit Launched... By Leticia Juarez Sept. 19, 2013..

Rialto cold-case murder solved; new unit launched

Thursday, September 19, 2013

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homicide investigation, murder, san bernardino county, inland empire news, leticia juarez

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Leticia Juarez
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RIALTO, Calif. (KABC) -- An attempt to solve a cold case in Rialto has turned up a suspect who is now awaiting trial for murder. The case led Rialto police to launch a cold case unit.

"My mom, I knew she needed closure before any of us did," said Sarah Kelso.
More than a decade ago, Sarah and Jennifer Kelso's brother Brandon was stabbed to death. At the time, Rialto police released surveillance video of a person of interest. But the case eventually went cold.
"Every time we've tried anything, nothing can be done. It's been too long. Unless somebody comes forward, that's it," said Sarah Kelso.
That all changed when the case landed on Sgt. Paul Stella's desk.
"I did a little bit of investigation on my end, and included that in the case, resubmitted the case to the D.A.'s office, and they felt at that time there was enough to file charges," Stella said.
His investigation identified two suspects. One had died of a drug overdose. The other suspect, Jose Jordan, was already serving time for another crime when Stella paid him a visit in prison.
"Once I told him he had a murder warrant for a 15-year-old murder, the look on his face spoke volumes," Stella said.
As a result of Kelso's case, the Rialto police launched a cold case unit. So far, Stella and his partner, Cpl. James Mills, have solved four cold cases in the past three months.
They're now working to solve the murder of Rebecca Ann Simons, a young mother who disappeared after running an errand.
"She was 18 at the time when she was found murdered, and she had a 2-year-old daughter," Stella said.
It's been 11 years, but in the two case books, a small clue or lead may crack the case.
"We never forgot about their loved ones, we never put their case to rest, in that we got it resolved. I think that's the biggest reward out of all this," Stella said.
For the Kelso family, it brought a sense of relief and much more.
"Time didn't matter," said Jennifer Kelso. "Now we get to have some kind of closure, some kind of peace."
Anyone with information can contact the Rialto Police Department Cold Case Unit at (909) 820-2632 or (909) 421-4990.

(Copyright ©2013 KABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)