An Endless Summer For Metrolink Riders (LA Times 072306) Weekend Trains between SB, Riverside Co. and the Beach will be extended Year Round...

It seems the Rialto Station is a Flurry of people to get on the Metro link and head out for the beach. I might be one of them really soon here. In fact reading this article and realizing now that it will be going year round I am thinking about riding the rail as much as I can. Unless I can get to my destination faster by my own car!! I will be in my own car.

On the side of Gas Reduction I do drive a whole lot less, in fact hardy ever. Especailly in this heat. It is to dangerous to be caught out in the heat.

BSRanch

An Endless Summer for Metrolink Riders

Weekend trains between San Bernardino, Riverside counties and the beach cities will be extended year round. Riders leave costly fill-ups, freeway traffic and the heat behind.

By David Reyes, Times Staff Writer
July 23, 2006

With temperatures hitting triple digits, John Toler of Moreno Valley did what thousands of inlanders do on a scorching weekend: He headed for the beach.

But instead of driving one recent weekend, Toler, his wife, Desiree, and their two children hopped aboard a Metrolink train at the Riverside station. During the 1 1/2 -hour ride — about the same time it would take to travel the congested highways in Toler's pickup — he pointed out Prado Dam, the Santa Ana River and other landmarks to son Spencer, 8, and daughter Abbey, 5.

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The best part of their ride came as the train rounded a bend near the San Clemente Pier and the Pacific came into view. "Look. Look, there's the water," Toler said, as both children whooped excitedly.

"You know," Toler said, comfortably stretching out his lanky frame and taking it all in, "this is really relaxing. I'm loving it."

It was the family's first time aboard Metrolink, which is best known for shuttling weekday commuters to and from work.

But, for 10 years, Metrolink has run a weekend beach train from San Bernardino and Riverside counties to beach cities.

Instead of operating beach-bound service only during summer months, Metrolink extended those runs as part of a plan to encourage drivers to leave their cars at home. Trains will operate on weekends year-round, and, through this year, those passengers can ride for half fare.

Although some passengers encountered problems, more than 2,650 rode Metrolink trains last Saturday and Sunday combined.

The new extended service is on the Orange County Line between Los Angeles' Union Station and Oceanside, and the route from San Bernardino to Oceanside.

The greater weekend service is part of a regional effort to encourage ridership and help demystify Metrolink schedules, said Greg T. Winterbottom, an Orange County Transportation Authority board member.

"Look at the advantages," he said. "No parking worries, no insurance or gas costs, and it's so user-friendly that once drivers get on for a trip, they'll be hooked."

The agency plans to spend $434 million to improve Metrolink service with new stations and more weekend trains over the next three years.

Toler said he paid about $32 for his family of four for a round trip from Riverside, "about what it takes to fill a quarter of a tank on my truck," he said jokingly. "And I don't have to drive in traffic on the 91 Freeway."

In addition to discounted fares, as many as three children 5 or younger can ride free with each paying adult, said Denise Tyrrell, a Metrolink spokeswoman.

"We already have a lot of nine-to-fivers taking trains Monday to Friday," she said. "But we're trying to scoop up weekend riders by hoping that by the time the hot weather goes away, the attractiveness of this commute continues."

For Brendan McCarty, 41, an Irvine contractor, it's not only about convenience. He paid $6 to ride Metrolink from Irvine to Riverside to visit his girlfriend. "The toll road alone would eat that up," he said. "I'm probably saving a $30 trip today. And that alone makes it a good way to go."

Near-record gasoline prices have prompted a greater number of commuters to use buses and trains, transportation officials said.

From January through March, ridership rose more than 11% on Metrolink trains and 7% on buses over the same period last year, said the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Los Angeles. There have been similar increases throughout the region.

Phyllis Mitchell, 74, of Corona said the only way to escape inland heat and avoid the hassle of freeway driving — especially on the Riverside Freeway — was using Metrolink.

"We almost feel trapped living in Corona these days because of traffic," said Mitchell, who rode Metrolink last weekend with husband Ed, a retired airline pilot. Their agenda included lunch in San Clemente and a walk on the pier before the ride back.

As much as riders enjoyed the trip last weekend, many had difficulty making ticket selections on machines at the stations.

On one train, the conductor forgot to announce a stop, then misidentified another station. On another, four riders boarded at Irvine, then retreated to the platform after realizing they were on the wrong train, leaving one companion aboard. With the doors shut and the train moving, their friend was left to shout until a conductor heard him and ordered the train to stop.

Toler's wife, Desiree, said she had trouble deciphering Metrolink's website. "I ended up calling because the website had columns that were shaded differently but with no explanation."

Kevin Carter, 39, an Upland lawyer, didn't know about the half-off weekend fare and paid the regular fare. "I overheard another rider saying they paid less because they punched a button at the ticket machine that said 'special fare.' "

Riders who believe they overpaid can call Metrolink toll free for a refund, Tyrrell said. Metrolink will try to address the other problems, she said.

Nancy Rojo, 30, of Corona said riding Metrolink was something she had wanted to do with her children for months. The mother of three, an administrative clerk at Kaiser Permanente in Orange, rides Metrolink daily.

After the Metrolink train stopped at the San Clemente Pier, Rojo unfolded a stroller for her daughter, gathered her two boys and joined hundreds of other riders who got off lugging beach towels and umbrellas.

Within minutes, Joel Rojo, 8, had his shoes off and was racing to the water's edge, pleading to his mother, "Come on, Mom, let's go in. Can I? Huh, can I?"

Rojo's face broke into a smile as she kicked off her sandals and waded in. "Boy, it's so much cooler down here at the beach. This is great."

Property Owners Commit to Group (Press Enterprise 072206) JACKSON STREET: Rialto Officials step up the pressure, but more signatures are needed.

Looks like the Property Owners are being forced to start a Home Owners Association in the 200-300 Blockes of East Jackson Street, to make them all live under the same rules. If all are signed on the Home Owners Assoc. they will be forced to do certain things by a certain time as dictated by the homeowners assoc. contract. Of Coarse the City will be the go between on the Association to keep the peice and to make sure that the work gets done.

The other reported problems that they Owners in that area are running into is that they are having the trouble of not making the deadlines that have been set by the city. This makes it even more stressful on the owner of the property. It might be cheaper and better in the long run to sell the propterty and then go on about your business and forget you ever had them. I mean if you really think about it the place is really a pain in the hind end, with everything that breaks, it almost is not worth the small amount of profit that you might see.

The proof is in the mix and we will see what the finished product is..

BSRanch

Property owners commit to group

JACKSON STREET: Rialto officials step up the pressure, but more signatures are needed.

10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, July 22, 2006

By MASSIEL LADRÓN DE GUEVARA
The Press-Enterprise

RIALTO - Seven of 21 Jackson Street property owners signed letters stating their intention to form an association that's being pushed by the city to improve housing conditions and curb crime.

Twenty of the property owners also should expect to be taken to court for not making mandated repairs in time for city inspections on July 7 and 8, according to early drafts of a city report.

Both actions were taken following March's high-profile raids by police and building inspectors that highlighted the area's problems with illegal drugs and substandard housing. At that time, owners were handed lists of code violations and given a June 1 deadline to have them repaired.

The deadline was extended to July for property owners who got work permits.

This week, the seven letters were signed at a Tuesday meeting with city officials. Two other property owners said they would sign after reading the letters carefully, according to Chaz Ferguson, the city's chief building official.

"I think the message was coming home to them better," he said.

Eleven signatures are needed for the city's redevelopment agency to pay for attorney fees and get the association off the ground, Ferguson said. The deadline for all letters to be returned is Aug. 31.

In the meantime, city officials will finish drafting the report that outlines results of the July inspections and indicates all but one of the owners will face court action, Ferguson said

Jose Rodriguez, who owns seven buildings, said he signed because he had no choice.

"I felt like if I didn't sign the city would put more pressure on us about the apartments we own," he said, "and the only way to stop that was to sign the letter."

Rodriguez said he is hesitant about forming the association because it will be expensive.

The cost to make all required repairs will be about $30,000 for each building, he said. The thought of having to pay lawyer fees to keep from losing his properties to a receiver was enough to make him sign, Rodriguez said.

But showing the court they are committed to forming an association would be a good step, Ferguson said.

Once the report on the second inspection is completed, officials will have a better idea about what to ask the court for each owner, he said.

There are two options: ask for a receiver to take control of the property or ask for an injunction that would require an owner to have repairs completed by a set date. If the repairs aren't done, the owner would be fined, he said.

However, owners still have about 90 days to do the work because that's how long it would take finish the report, have the city's lawyers review it and set a court date, Ferguson said.

The city also is telling owners that another benefit to signing the letters is they would have a say on setting the rules for the association, Ferguson said.

"Once the bylaws are filed in the state of California, then everyone who joins later doesn't get to go back and make new rules," Ferguson said.

Mara Mallory Coronado, who owns a four-unit building, said she is considering the association.

"The part about the city putting money up front to get this done is what I want to know more about," Coronado said.

"I haven't quite grasped the whole picture yet."

Some owners' concerns about losing control through the association or being faced with a manager who doesn't do his job are legitimate, Ferguson said.

"But those issues can be best addressed by the attorney that would walk them through the process," he said.

Dick Fleener, owner of a consulting firm that deals with neighborhood improvement, estimated it will take $1.5 million to make the improvements the city wants and to pay legal expenses.

Some improvements include making the neighborhood a gated community, installing uniform landscaping, enclosing trash bins and transforming an empty lot into a recreation area.

The goal is to have all property owners voluntarily agree to the association, Fleener said.

If the city can get 66 percent to agree, a multi-family improvement district can be formed, he said.

Through the district, the cost of making any improvements can be divided among all Jackson Street owners, Fleener said. That also would happen if 66 percent of them sign a petition supporting the proposed improvement.

"If some owners decide they want to put in a bunch of landscaping or hire a security guard, they can put a plan together that says what those costs are and circulate a petition," Fleener said.

To pay for improvements, the owner's property taxes would be increased to the amount needed. The county would collect those taxes and give them to the city, which then give them to the association to pay for repairs, Fleener said.

"We would rather do it through the voluntary process because there is less administrative fees," he said.

There will be another property owners' meeting with city officials Aug. 15 that will focus on moving forward with the association, Ferguson said.

Reach Massiel Ladrón De Guevara at 909-806-3054 or mdeguevara@PE.com

Weekend Temperatures to Hit 106 and Up!!! (Daily Bulletin 07132006)

It has not been just that weekend, but the rest of the week that has followed that week, that has been killing the people around the neighborhoods of Rialto. I feel bad for the Police Officer's that are working on the Back of The Motorcycle, they have no relief, speaking with some experience in this field, they need to keep drinking and even that is not enough to keep the tickets written and the collisions investigated. It truly is the most difficult time do work in the Traffic Department, Back in the day when I was gaining the experience that I am talking about I worked a 4-10 hour week. My Schedule was Sun-Wed. 12:00 hrs. - 22:00 hrs, and I could not wait until after 18:00 hrs, to get that cooler air flow over my body, then when I got off I was straight to the Shower for a cool down extraordinaire!

The guys in the car it is hot too, and in and out of the Patrol car, can leave you with an Air Conditioning type, cold. They are terrible to have. Walking around feeling terrible with a cold in the 100+ weather, is not a fun thing to have. I just say this to all my Brothers From the Rialto Police Department, and that is to be Careful Out there, Bring Plenty to Drink, and the Motor Officers shouldn't feel bad if they get off the bike Grab a gallon of Gator Aid and drive that Traffic Patrol Car around a while just to get hydrated.

The Traffic Sergeant should be more worried with hydration and the safety of his Officer's, then with Statistics during this time anyway! Remember to get them before they get you or any of the general public, especially the Retired Public.. LOL...

BSRanch

Weekend temperatures to hit 106 and up By Wendy Leung

Staying cool this weekend is going to be a big challenge. Temperatures are looking to break records this weekend but forecasters say it will start cooling off Sunday, when temperatures are expected to drop to 106 degrees in the Inland Empire. When 106 degrees is considered cool, it's time to hide. High pressure from the dessert is expected to bring temperatures from 100 to 110 to the Inland Empire on Saturday. ``Always have water around you,'' suggested Stan Wasowski, forecaster with the National Weather Service. ``Get your gallon of water, you can pour it on you or you can drink it.'' Incoming moisture Sunday will bring temperatures down in the 97 to 106 degrees range.

Rialto Picks New Chief (SB SUN 07132006) Mark Kling Credited with Baldwin Park PD Revival..

Mark Kling is very highly recomended by these news reports that I have read. He came from a Department that was torn down and he did a lot of things to build the Department back to a good hard working department. Kling, has got a lot of work to do, and the first thing is next Contract negotiations that he take on the City council and ask for the 3% @50 Retirement Package, and a Hiring ensentive to equil or better that of San Bernardino's $10k, so Rialto might want to make theirs a $15K hiring ensentive to get some canditates away from San Bernardino, who at this time has a better Retirement Package. Beleave it or not it does matter, unless you are a 21-26-year-old applicant that just wants to get hired and it doesn't matter where. Then you are just out to work and get that Basic Post Certificate, and then you are off to the next Police Department and possibly your last, espeically when you shop around for the best Retirement Package. The only people that will be at Rialto Police ar those that love Rialto Police as I did!!

Welcome to Rialto Chief Kling, Don't think about my Idea of fighting for the Retirement rights of your sebordents yet, just get settled in for now. we will work on that later. I know that I am possibly dreaming, but it is or was a nice dream for the people still at Rialto PD.

Instead of me saying all this for Rialto's best I should ask for the Rialto Police Benefit Assoc. to ask or fight for Retired Police Employee's to get full medical payed. I would get so much more money a month it would help us so much. But I would rather fight for your retirement and make it better for the future generations. What or how weird am I??

As I have been told pretty weird!! Anyway, getting back to the subject that I started with, welcome Aboard Chief Kling, and I hope that you have a wonderful time at Rialto Police Department. As good of a time as I did!!

BSRanch...

Rialto picks new police chief

Mark Kling credited with Baldwin Park PD revival

Robert Rogers SB Sun Staff Writer...

RIALTO - Baldwin Park Police Chief Mark Kling will serve as this city's next top cop, City Administrator Henry Garcia announced Wednesday.

Kling built his reputation in part on rebuilding the Baldwin Park Police Department, which bordered on dissolution five years ago. The Rialto Police Department weathered a similar struggle after the City Council voted in September to disband it in favor of contracting with the Sheriff's Department. The council reversed its position in March.

"I look at this as an opportunity, and I see a city on the verge of explosive growth. The challenge motivates me," Kling said.

Garcia said Kling, who was chosen after a final round of interviews Monday and will be paid $153,000 yearly, was the best fit for the situation and the city.

"Mr. Kling and I share a serious commitment to reinventing this department," Garcia said. "He is the perfect leader to change the organizational culture from one that has been distanced to one that is integrated."

Garcia's decision does not require council approval. His selection followed recommendations from a seven-member interview committee that shaved a field of seven candidates to the two Garcia interviewed Monday.

Garcia sketched Kling as tough, principled and brainy, pointing to his success in leading the Baldwin Park Poliuce Department since 2001 and his doctorate in public administration from the University of La Verne.

"He shares with us a desire for a cultural change and a confidence and focus to lead the city into the future," Garcia said. "There is no Plan B because we will accomplish Plan A (rebuilding the department)."

Baldwin Park city and police officials, unaware their chief was stalking the Rialto position, were jolted Wednesday morning.

"It took me aback. It was totally unexpected," said Baldwin Park Mayor Manuel Lozano. "He's one of the most talented, innovative leaders I've ever met. He'll be tough to replace."

Kling "turned around" the Police Department in the 84,000-population city when he ascended from captain to chief in 2001, according to Lozano.

Kling helped revive a Police Department that some in city leadership at the time suggested be scrapped in favor of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Kling will be stepping up from a department with 124 personnel to Rialto's, which employs about 160 when fully staffed. Currently, staffing is down nearly 25 percent.

"In 2001, the Baldwin Park police was in roughly the same condition Rialto is in now," Kling said. "I'm ready to get in and develop a plan to return the department to premiere status."

Kling said he hoped to start his new job by late August.

Members of the seven-person interview committee that screened the top seven applicants July 6 overwhelmingly favored Kling. Councilman Ed Scott said Kling was "dynamite" in the interview, impressing his interrogators with his energy, communication skills and knowledge of Rialto's community and department.

"He clearly did his homework," Scott said.

Questions swirled among community members closely watching the saga unfold as to what would happen if Garcia flouted the committee's consensus and opted against Kling.

But it didn't happen, and virtually everyone seemed satisfied Wednesday.

"I'm just glad it's over and (Garcia) didn't mess it up," said resident Angie Consolo, who was a member of the citizen group that opposed Garcia and the council's since-abandoned plans to disband the Police Department.

Rialto police union president Andrew Pilcher said Wednesday Kling was a "wise choice" who would have the support of the force's rank and file.

During his tenure in Baldwin Park, Kling's major accomplishments included expanding traffic forces, launching a narcotics-enforcement team and a full-time gang-enforcement team and upgrades of communications and weapons and defense systems, according to a Baldwin Park police association presentation to the City Council in 2004.

"But most of all, Chief Kling has established an atmosphere of trust and fairness within the Police Departme nt," wrote Officer Mark Adams in the report.

Kling called the commendation one of his greatest personal achievements.

Kling, 48, was born in Montebello in 1957 and graduated from Montebello High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Phoenix and a master's degree and doctorate from the University of La Verne. He completed his dissertation and received his degree in 2003, moonlighting as a student between duties as police chief.

After serving as a police Explorer at age 14, Kling got a job as a reserve officer with Monterey Park police in 1981 and worked there until 1999, when he joined the Baldwin Park force.

Kling said he plans on staying in Rialto long-term.

"Rialto today is nothing like what it's going to be like in the future," Kling said. "I wouldn't come here if I didn't want to be a part of that equation, that future."

Kling Named New Rialto Police Chief (Daily Bulletin 07132006)

Kling coming from Baldwin Park Police, a Department that was in the same position of almost going to the Sheriff's Department for Los Angeles back then, but it is strange that he has chose to come to Rialto, the only reason that I can figure is that Rialto City pays better. I also hope that he is a Troops kind of leader, the kind of leadter that gets in there and works directly with the troops, and not in the back, or the Rear with the Gear, because that is the trouble with the past leaders. If he is an Active leader that treates each of his men equilly instead of favorites like Meyers had, he will be alright. We will see how he does. I look forward to meeting him.

BSRanch..

Kling named new Rialto police chief

By Robert Rogers Daily Billetin Staff Writer

RIALTO - Baldwin Park Police Chief Mark Kling will serve as Rialto’s next top cop, City Administrator Henry Garcia announced Wednesday.

Kling built his reputation in part on rebuilding Baldwin Park’s department, which bordered on dissolution five years ago. Rialto’s police department weathered a similar struggle after the City Council voted in September to disband it in favor of contracting with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. The council reversed its position in March.

"I look at this as an opportunity, and I see a city on the verge of explosive growth. The challenge motivates me," Kling said.

Garcia said Kling, who was chosen after a final round of interviews Monday and will be paid $153,000 yearly, said he was the best fit for the situation and the city.

"Mr. Kling and I share a serious commitment to reinventing this department," Garcia said. "He is the perfect leader to change the organizational culture from one that has been distanced to one that is integrated."

Garcia’s decision is final and does not require City Council approval. His selection followed recommendations from a seven-member interview committee that shaved a field of seven candidates down to the two Garcia interviewed Monday.

Garcia sketched Kling as tough, principled and brainy, pointing to his success in leading the Baldwin Park department since 2001 and his doctorate in public administration from the University of La Verne.

"He shares with us a desire for a cultural change and a confidence and focus to lead the city into the future," Garcia said. "There is no plan B, because we will accomplish plan A (of rebuilding the department)."

Baldwin Park city and police officials, unaware their chief was stalking the Rialto position, were jolted Wednesday morning.

"It took me aback, it was totally unexpected," said Baldwin Park Mayor Manuel Lozano. "He’s one of the most talented, innovative leaders I’ve ever met. He’ll be tough to replace."

Kling "turned around" the department in the city with a population of 84,000 when he ascended from captain to chief in 2001, according to Lozano. Kling helped revive a department that some in city leadership at the time suggested be scrapped in favor of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s.

Kling will be stepping up from a department with 124 personnel to Rialto’s, which employs about 160 when fully staffed. Currently, staffing is down nearly 25 percent.

"In 2001, the Baldwin Park Police was in roughly the same condition Rialto is in now," Kling said. "I’m ready to get in and develop a plan to return the department to premiere status."

Kling said he hoped to start his new job by late August.

Members of the seven-person interview committee that screened the seven top applicants July 6 overwhelmingly favored Kling. Councilman Ed Scott said Kling was "dynamite" in the interview, impressing his interrogators with his energy, communication skills and knowledge of Rialto’s community and department.

"He clearly did his homework," Scott said.

Questions swirled between community members closely watching the saga unfold as to what would happen if Garcia flouted the committee’s consensus and opted against Kling.

But it didn’t happen, and virtually everyone seemed satisfied Wednesday.

"I’m just glad it’s over and (Garcia) didn’t mess it up," said resident Angie Consolo, who was a member of the citizen group that opposed Garcia and the Council’s since-abandoned plans to disband the department.

Rialto Police union president Andrew Pilcher said Wednesday Kling was a "wise choice" who would have the support of the force’s rank and file.

During his tenure at Baldwin Park’s helm, Kling’s major accomplishments included expanding traffic forces, launching a narcotics enforcement team and a full-time gang enforcement team and upgrading communications and weapons and defense systems, according to a Baldwin Park police association presentation to the City Council in 2004.

"But most of all, Chief Kling has established an atmosphere of trust and fairness within the Police Department," wrote Officer Mark Adams in the report.

Kling called the commendation one of his greatest personal achievements.

Kling, 48, was born in Montebello in 1957 and graduated from Montebello High School. He earned a bachelor’s from the University of Phoenix, and a master’s and doctorate from the University of La Verne. He completed his dissertation and received his degree in 2003, moonlighting as a student between duties as police chief.

After serving as a police explorer at age 14, Kling got a job as a reserve officer with the Monterey Park police in 1981 and worked there until 1999, when he joined the Baldwin Park force.

Kling said he plans on staying in Rialto long-term.

"Rialto today is nothing like what it’s going to be like in the future," Kling said. "I wouldn’t come here if I didn’t want to be a part of that equation, that future."

B.P. Chief Accepts Top Spot in Rialto (SGV Tribune 07132006) Kling Rejects County Control of Policing...

Kling looks like he is a good person to be selected for the job of Chief of Rialto. There was a lot of hurtles that he jumped over in Baldwin Park that he seems to want to jump over again here in Rialto, which I feel is a bit funny. Maybe he wants to go around and be the Chief that fixes old broken Police Departments. I think I saw a report that said he wants to make this a long term position, but the average Police Chief holds a job now for not quite three years.

I pray that he is the guy that will glue the team together and pull more in to fabricate a great Department Again!!

BSRanch

PS; I sure miss my job!! Especially now that he is pro traffic and wants to expand the traffic division. I would love to work back in traffic again!! BS

B.P. chief accepts top spot in Rialto
Kling rejected county control of policing
Robert Rogers Staff Writer

RIALTO - Baldwin Park Police Chief Mark Kling has been named to the top spot at the troubled Rialto Police Department, officials said Wednesday.

Kling built his reputation in part on rebuilding Baldwin Park's department, which came close to dissolution five years ago. Rialto's Police Department weathered a similar struggle after the City Council voted in September to disband it in favor of contracting with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The council reversed its position in March.

"I look at this as an opportunity, and I see a city on the verge of explosive growth. The challenge motivates me," said Kling, whose annual salary will be $153,000.

Rialto City Administrator Henry Garcia said Kling, who was chosen after a final round of interviews Monday, said he was the best fit for the situation and the city.

"Mr. Kling and I share a serious commitment to reinventing this department," Garcia said. "He is the perfect leader to change the organizational culture from one that has been distanced to one that is integrated."

Garcia's decision does not require City Council approval. His selection followed recommendations from a seven-member interview committee that shaved a field of seven candidates to the two Garcia interviewed Monday.

Garcia characterized Kling as tough, principled and brainy, pointing to his success in leading the Baldwin Park department since 2001 and his doctorate in public administration from the University of La Verne.

"He shares with us a desire for a cultural change and a confidence and focus to lead the city into the future," Garcia said. "There is no Plan B, because we will accomplish Plan A," rebuilding the department.

Baldwin Park city and police officials, unaware their chief was after the Rialto position, were jolted by the news.

"It took me aback, it was totally unexpected," said Baldwin Park Mayor Manuel Lozano. "He's one of the most talented, innovative leaders I've ever met. He'll be tough to replace."

Kling "turned around" the department in the city of 84,000 when he ascended from captain to chief in 2001, according to Lozano. Kling helped revive a department that some in city leadership suggested should be scrapped in favor of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Kling will be stepping up from a department with 124 personnel to Rialto's, which employs about 160 when fully staffed. Currently, staffing is down nearly 25 percent.

"In 2001, the Baldwin Park Police was in roughly the same condition Rialto is in now," Kling said. "I'm ready to get in and develop a plan to return the department to premiere status."

Kling said he hoped to start his new job by late August.

During his tenure at Baldwin Park's helm, Kling's major accomplishments included expanding traffic forces, launching a narcotics enforcement team and a full-time gang enforcement team, and upgrades of communications and weapons and defense systems, according to a Baldwin Park police association presentation to the City Council in 2004.

"But most of all, Chief Kling has established an atmosphere of trust and fairness within the Police Department," wrote Officer Mark Adams in the report.

Kling called the commendation one of his greatest personal achievements.

Kling, 48, was born in Montebello in 1957 and graduated from Montebello High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Phoenix, and a master's and doctorate from the University of La Verne. He received his degree in 2003, moonlighting as a student between duties as police chief.

After serving as a police explorer at age 14, Kling got a job as a reserve officer with the Monterey Park police in 1981 and worked there until 1999, when he joined the Baldwin Park force.

robert.rogers@sbsun.com

(909) 386-3855

Committee Talks to Police Chief Candidates. (Press Enterprise 07112006). A Seven-member panel suggests finalists, but the city won't say who or how ma

Rialto is still holding the choice for Chief close to their side. I am happy to know that there has not been any leaks of any kind. There are a great many people that apply for these positions, and they put their career on the line hoping that they will be hired. The News plasters their names all over the paper's and the Jobs that they currently have get a little upset, Especially when they are neighboring city's or what would be worse would be the upper part of the Sheriff Department Applying for the Chief of Rialto. If I fit the qualifications I would submit my application if they were going to assure my name would not be released to the public.

However ultimately these as things go the Law Enforcement Grape vine is always working and most of what is on the Grape vine gets confirmed down the road. I hope for the People that Applied that they don't get into trouble at work. That $160K a year is a hard thing to not apply for.

BSRanch

*************************************************************************

Committee talks to police chief candidates

RIALTO: A seven-member panel suggests finalists, but the city won't say who or how many.

07:49 AM PDT on Tuesday, July 11, 2006

By MASSIEL LADRÓN DE GUEVARA
The Press-Enterprise

Rialto is closer to hiring a new police chief who will be responsible for rebuilding the department three months after the City Council dropped plans to disband it.

A seven-member committee Thursday recommended finalists to the city after meeting with eight candidates who applied for the job.

However, the city is not disclosing the identities or qualifications of the finalists because it does not want to jeopardize their jobs with other police agencies, City Administrator Henry Garcia said.

Though the committee was asked to name three finalists, Garcia also would not say how many it recommended.

"I can say the interviews went exceptionally well," he said.

"We will continue to work through the process and hope to make an announcement the latter part of this week."

The announcement will come with a conditional job offer to the top candidate, pending the completion of a medical examination, background check and psychological evaluation, Garcia said.

A reference check and drug screening also are conditions of employment.

The completion of those checks should take two to three weeks, Garcia said.

"I could have someone on board sometime early- to mid-August," he said.

The committee was made up of the interim police chief, city administrator, mayor, one City Council member, a police union representative and two members of the public.

Ray Farmer, Rialto's mayor from 1998 to 2000 was selected to represent residents because of his experience with city issues, Councilman Ed Scott, who also served on the committee, has said. Jerry Gutierrez, a 29-year Rialto resident and lieutenant with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, also was selected to serve.

The city's refusal to identify the top candidates before a decision is made is fair, said Steve Buttress, who volunteered to serve on the committee.

"It's not fair to a candidate to have his name revealed if he has no chance," he said.

Buttress said he was surprised that the interview process ended quickly.

"I would have thought (the committee) would have gotten it down to a handful of people and then reinterviewed them before making a recommendation," he said.

The interviews came after the City Council abandoned plans to contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The decision prompted the Rialto Police Benefit Association to file a series of lawsuits.

The battle included an attempt to let Rialto voters decide if the department should be disbanded.

In March, the City Council dropped the matter and began negotiating with the police union to draft a restructuring plan.

The new chief must make customer service a high priority, have high ethical standards, adjust positively to setbacks or challenges and understand the department's past issues in order to move forward, says the department's restructuring plan, authored by interim Police Chief Frank Scialdone and Garcia.

Reach Massiel Ladrón De Guevara at 909-806-3054 or mdeguevara@PE.com

Rialto Still mum on Progress in Hiring Police Chief (SB Sun 07172006)

Everyone is very Eager to know who the new chief is going to be. I am still hoping that it is a Chief that is one that supports the men and Woman on the Department as his Family First, and not the people that are there to get fired or let go reduce cap, in some way. It always felt that was the goal of the past Chief was to reduce the staff or to make the lower staffing Price goals, doing so by reducing staff and making the newer incoming Officer, who is lower paid, do the same job. But who has not purchased as much of the respect of the citizens of Rialto.

When I could still work at Rialto I had a lot of people that hated me and a great deal of people that loved working with me. The people that didn't like me were the ones that I arrested, Wrote tickets to etc etc...However when I nearly died on duty, there was more people that came forward to help me then there was to hinder me. I was scheduled to die, I am not kidding the Loma Linda Doctors didn't do a lot of checking on my lower extremities and it was due to the fact that they didn't think that I was going to Live. After a Week in a Coma, I proved them wrong by coming out of the coma, with massive head drama, I proved that one by one I was going to be okay. But fear not, I did end up with life long Injuries that will never heal, and I cannot ride a Police motor cycle or be a Police Officer again even though I wanted to dearly. I am alive, mainly by the love and prayers from the people of Rialto.

THANK YOU!! Now we need a Police Chief that is going to work hard for the Police Officers and not just for the Police Chief, I know I am talking of a recipe of a Police Chief that will only be getting one three year contract and not one full five year contract.

I keep praying for the Employee's Sake that they get a Chief like the one that is working at Santa Ana Police Department. Nothing but good spoken by the people that work there at Santa Ana, and they are all happy.

Santa Ana, is a rough city to work too!! Keep praying with me would you!!

BSRanch
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Rialto still mum on progress in hiring police chief

Robert Rogers, SB Sun Staff Writer...

RIALTO - Residents eager to know the identity of the first chief of an old police department with a new lease on life will have to wait a few days more.

As of Monday afternoon, after a day of one-on-one interviews with possibly three candidates, City Administrator Henry Garcia played his hand close to the vest.

"The interviews today have gone exceptionally well," said Garcia, who would not provide the names of the finalists nor how many he interviewed Monday. "Some time toward the end of this week, I'll make a conditional offer (to one of the candidates) for the position."

Monday's interviews for the $160,000-per-year position to lead the rebuilding department followed an all-day panel interview last week that whittled the number of candidates from seven to three.

Garcia followed the tight-lipped pattern he has held from the outset of the search, also declining Monday to say if he finished the process.

"I may continue seeing candidates beyond today, the process is not done," Garcia said.

But other sources said the committee settled on three candidates for Garcia to interview.

Councilman Ed Scott said the committee was comfortable and confident in the three candidates it recommended to Garcia. Scott said one candidate uniformly impressed all on the committee.

"All three of the candidates showed an indication they were the type of leaders we need, not types who will be hiding in their office, but that are going to lead and set examples among their community and their troops," Scott said.

Former Police Chief Michael Meyers, who stepped down in December, endured criticism from rank-and-file officers and city leadership in part for his inaccessibility.

Meyers was known for delegating the majority of his leadership to the deputy chief, a position which will be eliminated in the new regime.

Scott said he thinks the committee and Garcia will be on the same page in selecting the candidate.

"This guy, the energy and the vibrance and the homework he's done, you're going to see that this guy is really dynamite," Scott said.

Garcia met the candidates Monday in his office for informal chats lasting between an hour and 90 minutes, he said. His selection for chief will be final, pending any lingering background checks and contingencies with the candidate's current employer.

After the selection, the transfer of power from Interim Chief Frank Scialdone to his successor could take four to six weeks, Scialdone said.

Fw: Rialto Seeks Team Builder (Press Enterprise 07022006) POLICE CHIEF: Starting Thursday, a panel will begin interviewing eight candidates for the jo

It seems that it is Ed Scott's Idea that Rialto Police Department needs a Team Builder, I think that these are just political quotes for the paper, just to make myself clear. He is working the 'Camera' or Microphone, but in this case it is the writer. Mr. Scott is making sound bits that will make him sound better for the People of Rialto, but he is still the same Ed Scott. He might say the things that you would want a Politician to say, but in this regard he might mean the opposite thing. Not that the chief would be one to tear things down, but that is what Michel Meyers did.

The Chief that is filling in has been cleaning house Looking for the "Corrupt Officer" so that Ed can go back and say see, we found the corrupt officer, but then he would have to answer why that Officer was not found under the last chief, Meyers Burgess combination?

The answer would be or is probably all figured out by now, but they just have to find the fish to fry so go speak!! Scialdone has been cleaning house alright, he has uncovered several people. I have been told that several people have been let go or have opted to quit because of the 'head hunting' that the current or Temp. Chief has been doing. However, the Termination of Employment has not been from anything criminal or anything that would define the department as "CORRUPT"!!.

So I guess Ed Scott will have to start all over when the New Chief starts. And what a great shoe for him to start with. Instead of Starting with a clear conscience he will be looking to relieve you of your Career, and what Morale will that bring. Nothing but the best.

Man I really would love to work for Ed Scott at his Pub, '"NOT!!!"'!!!...

BSRanch...
pdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpdpd--

Rialto seeks team builder

POLICE CHIEF: Starting Thursday, a panel will begin interviewing eight candidates for the job.

10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, July 2, 2006

By MASSIEL LADRÓN DE GUEVARA
The Press-Enterprise

The selection of a new police chief, who will be responsible for rebuilding Rialto's department, begins Thursday when a seven-member committee meets with top candidates for the position.

The interviews come three months after the City Council abandoned plans to disband the department and contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

A chief will be selected after committee members interview the eight candidates and a recommendation is made to City Administrator Henry Garcia.

The committee is made up of the interim police chief, city administrator, mayor, one City Council member, a police union representative and two members of the public. Those selected to represent residents are a former Rialto mayor and a lieutenant in another department.

Eighteen people applied for the chief position, but only eight were invited for an interview, said Eileen Dienzo, human resources manager.

Several applicants are from surrounding agencies and some are from out of state, she said.

What stood out about the eight chosen was their level of experience, education and certificates, Dienzo said.

City Councilman Ed Scott, who will be on the committee, said three residents asked to be on the panel.

Ray Farmer, Rialto's mayor from 1998 to 2000, will represent Rialto residents because he has experience and knowledge with the city, Scott said. Jerry Gutirez, a 29-year Rialto resident and lieutenant with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, was selected by the union to represent the city, he said.

Garcia is drafting a list of qualities the committee should look for in the new chief, Scott said.

"What I personally will be looking for is someone with experience, who believes in building a team with the police department and the rest of the city personnel and citizens," Scott said.

The top three candidates recommended by the advisory committee would interview with Garcia then undergo a background and reference check.

A pre-employment physical, drug screening and psychological examination also will be done.

The new chief must make customer service a high priority, have high ethical standards, adjust positively to setbacks or challenges and understand the department's past issues in order to move forward, says the department's restructuring plan, authored by interim Police Chief Frank Scialdone and Garcia.

The Rialto City Council voted 4-1 last November to disband the department and contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The decision prompted the Rialto Police Benefit Association to file a series of lawsuits.

The battle included an attempt to let the Rialto voters decide if the department should be disbanded.

In March, the City Council ended its attempt to disband the department and began negotiating with the police union and drafted the department's restructuring plan.

The interview process for the eight candidates will be c

Fw: Rialto Police Chief Still a Mystery (SB Sun 07112006).

The Council, and the City Top Administriation are sure keeping a tight lid on the applicants, which is good for them, because if they are applying for the job, here at Rialto, and working elswhere say at San Bernardino Sheriff's Office then they might be in some kind of trouble with the Sheriff. The Sheriff might be angry since he lost the Patrol contract with the city, or that the person that he trusts with certain aspects of county business is wanting to move on as a Chief elsewhere. I am happy that they are holding a tight clamp on the lid.

BSRanch...
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Rialto police chief still a mystery -- Robert Rogers

RIALTO -- City officials have still not announced who the new Rialto police chief will be. Monday, after a day of one-on-one interviews with possibly three candidates, City Administrator Henry Garcia stayed silent about his choice. Interviews for the $160,000 per year position atop the embattled department followed an all-day panel interview last week that whittled the candidates from seven to three. Garcia said he expects to make a conditional offer to a candidate by the end of this week.

Fw: Rialto Police Chief Still a Mystery (SB Sun 07112006).

 

 

Rialto police chief still a mystery -- Robert Rogers

RIALTO -- City officials have still not announced who the new Rialto police chief will be. Monday, after a day of one-on-one interviews with possibly three candidates, City Administrator Henry Garcia stayed silent about his choice. Interviews for the $160,000 per year position atop the embattled department followed an all-day panel interview last week that whittled the candidates from seven to three. Garcia said he expects to make a conditional offer to a candidate by the end of this week.

Fw: Rialto Seeks Team Builder (Press Enterprise 07022006) POLICE CHIEF: Starting Thursday, a panel will begin interviewing eight candidates for the job..

 

Rialto seeks team builder

POLICE CHIEF: Starting Thursday, a panel will begin interviewing eight candidates for the job.

10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, July 2, 2006

By MASSIEL LADRÓN DE GUEVARA
The Press-Enterprise

The selection of a new police chief, who will be responsible for rebuilding Rialto's department, begins Thursday when a seven-member committee meets with top candidates for the position.

The interviews come three months after the City Council abandoned plans to disband the department and contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

A chief will be selected after committee members interview the eight candidates and a recommendation is made to City Administrator Henry Garcia.

The committee is made up of the interim police chief, city administrator, mayor, one City Council member, a police union representative and two members of the public. Those selected to represent residents are a former Rialto mayor and a lieutenant in another department.

Eighteen people applied for the chief position, but only eight were invited for an interview, said Eileen Dienzo, human resources manager.

Several applicants are from surrounding agencies and some are from out of state, she said.

What stood out about the eight chosen was their level of experience, education and certificates, Dienzo said.

City Councilman Ed Scott, who will be on the committee, said three residents asked to be on the panel.

Ray Farmer, Rialto's mayor from 1998 to 2000, will represent Rialto residents because he has experience and knowledge with the city, Scott said. Jerry Gutirez, a 29-year Rialto resident and lieutenant with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, was selected by the union to represent the city, he said.

Garcia is drafting a list of qualities the committee should look for in the new chief, Scott said.

"What I personally will be looking for is someone with experience, who believes in building a team with the police department and the rest of the city personnel and citizens," Scott said.

The top three candidates recommended by the advisory committee would interview with Garcia then undergo a background and reference check.

A pre-employment physical, drug screening and psychological examination also will be done.

The new chief must make customer service a high priority, have high ethical standards, adjust positively to setbacks or challenges and understand the department's past issues in order to move forward, says the department's restructuring plan, authored by interim Police Chief Frank Scialdone and Garcia.

The Rialto City Council voted 4-1 last November to disband the department and contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The decision prompted the Rialto Police Benefit Association to file a series of lawsuits.

The battle included an attempt to let the Rialto voters decide if the department should be disbanded.

In March, the City Council ended its attempt to disband the department and began negotiating with the police union and drafted the department's restructuring plan.

The interview process for the eight candidates will be c

Screening Time, Rialto Chief Candidates to be Quizzed, Roger Rogers (SBSUN 070506)

I hope that they get a good chief, not one like that last one. One that is better then the one that they had before Dennis Hegewood. Dennis was a good guy, and real personable but he was not in a position that he was ready to handle. He was in over his head and ultimately he was forced to either Resign or get Fired from the contract that he had just signed. He probably had the Atascedero Police Contract offered and he wanted to take it, but to do so he resigned , because they would not give him a contract had he had he been fired.

Now Michael Meyers, I never worked for him but from what everyone told me that worked with him they never trusted him even when he made a promise. How can you go through life like that. No one believing you. He must not have had any friends. I feel bad For Barbara McGee for she is supposed to be his Girl Friend. Or even more who knows. But I still feel for her, having gone out with him and believed him.

Now we are to the stage of getting another Chief, this time I wonder if they will have the right guy, it sounds like they have made better precautions then the last time, having the Rialto Police Benefit Assoc. More involved in the Interview Process and all. That is a good thing. Finally they are doing something right. We will see what happens with optimism, and an open mind.

BSRanch

Screening time
Chief candidates to be quizzed
Robert Rogers, Staff Writer



RIALTO - An ambitious plan to rebuild the Police Department moves ahead Thursday as candidates for chief are screened by a panel of politicos, police and others.
Eight candidates vying to be Rialto's top cop will face an eight-member committee: Mayor Grace Vargas, Councilman Ed Scott, former Mayor Ray Farmer, City Administrator Henry Garcia, police union president Andrew Pilcher, resident Jerry Gutierrez, interim Police Chief Frank Scialdone and Redlands Police Chief Jim Bueermann.

The department's and the city's futures hinge to some degree on who takes the reins. The interviews begin at 9 a.m. Thursday and could stretch into the evening hours. The panel's job is to whittle the field from eight to three.

"The next chief will be getting a Police Department that's in the process of mending itself," said interim Deputy Chief Tim Ousley. "And that's why getting the right leadership is critically important in this case."

City leadership has stayed mum about the candidates' identities, saying that publicizing the names of applicants will taint the selection process and negatively impact the candidates, most of whom work in other police agencies.

At least two of the candidates occupy leadership positions in nearby departments.

Eighteen people applied and eight were selected to be interviewed, Scialdone said.

Garcia will interview the top three candidates emerging from Thursday's screening and make a recommendation to the City Council, which must give final approval.

Final selection for the $160,000-a-year post will also require background checks, a physical, drug screening and psychological examination.

While city officials say the process has been smooth, it is behind schedule. In an April 5 memorandum recommending organizational changes, qualities sought in the next chief and a transition plan, the interview process was expected to take place the week of June 19, with the new chief taking over in mid to late July.

"(A start date of) Aug. 1 would be nice, but it's pushing it a little bit," Ousley said.

After a rancorous battle that raged from September, when the council voted to disband the Police Department, to spring, when pro-department forces prevailed, all parties agree on the importance of the correct selection.

"The interviews Thursday are going to go all day," Councilman Scott said. "This is going to be as thorough and comprehensive a process as possible."

The council ordered a study by a Claremont College research institute that stirred anew the rumblings of discontent with the force among city leaders. The study, commissioned after the decision to preserve the Police Department, concluded that the city erred in that determination.

"By every metric, the proposed contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department would provide a higher level of police service at a lower cost," the 84-page Rose Institute report said.

But the Police Department will endure, thanks to an ordinance the council adopted last month that requires it be maintained.

Ousley said the Police Department is understaffed but capable of returning to premiere status.

"The next chief will be getting a department that has seen a lot of people move on but has a lot of good people left."

Shortage taking toll (SB Sun 070606 Robert Rogers)

I knew this might happen, everyone working full on to save the department, however now that the Police Department has been saved, it seems that everyone is relaxing because they realize that they have a job tomorrow, and they can take it a little easy.

However, because of the City Council & City Administrator's Actions they have left the city with Very little Resources in the way of Manpower, because there was a panic that was shivering through the Department. You cannot blame the older Employee's for leaving because it has been Rialto City's History to attack the Employee that has history with the city, and push them out. I am not saying that the City in any way pushed the Sgt.'s and Officers that left for Riverside, and the Riverside D.A.'s office, because at the time those Departments were paying a whole lot better then Rialto, since they had placed a money Freeze on the Police departments Budget.

Now that the whole thing is resolved the City Council was not thinking down the road, for they will not get anyone Rushing to beat down the doors of Rialto Police Department to work here!! This is why, They Forced the Rialto Police Benefit Assoc. To sign a Contract with a Retirement of 2% @ 50 yrs-of-age. When every other department with the exception of San Bernardino Police Department which has 3% @55 yrs-of-Age. Also they only increased the amount of Vacation time that you can have on the books. It was increased 100 hours. They do have an incentive of $5000.00 hiring incentive of you successfully pass probation then you get that money minus the taxes. Ontario, and Fontana Police have an incentive of $10,000.00 dollars plus they both have the 3% @50 Retirement package.

So the problems still are with Rialto, because the city council, The City Attorney, and The City Manager, Garcia All are short sighted as to what they need for a good, Happy Law Enforcement Department for the city!! I don't know what is going to tell them. All the city's in the Inland Empire have gone to a Better retirement Package, Better Hiring incentives, and Still Rialto Wants to purchase the Blue Light Special and hopes that it does the same thing that you get when you purchase the best, at the Full Service Store!!

BSRanch

Shortage takeing Toll
Robert Rogers, Staff Writer SB Sun

Voluntary Overtime Down at Rialto PD,


RIALTO - After six months of elevated workloads, a force withered by uncertainty and the weight of thousands of overtime hours is showing signs of strain, police leaders say.

In recent weeks, voluntary overtime shifts have gone unfilled, leaving command staff no choice but to make the extra hours mandatory for officers.

"What we're seeing is that, as a group, our personnel are becoming less willing to volunteer for overtime," said interim Deputy Chief Tim Ousley, who has stressed repeatedly the keen focus he and other leaders have for signs of officer burnout.

"When people are working a 20 percent increase in workload for a sustained period, it affects them and their families."

Department statistics compiled through April indicate an unprecedented surge in overtime hours worked. Overtime hours through April were up to 11,286, a nearly 80 percent increase over the same period in 2005.

In a Police Department reduced to a total of 124 sworn and nonsworn personnel - the budget calls for 153 positions - the overtime hours equate to about 91 hours per worker over four months.

But, officers say, the distribution is not even.

"It's obvious that some burnout is happening," said Sgt. Andrew Karol, who heads the narcotics team.

"It's harder in general to get people to step into overtime, but some officers are definitely taking more. I'm always on the lookout for the signs. I can usually see it wearing on their faces."

Hardened by hefty workloads and the departure of colleagues during the political battle for survival after the City Council voted in September to dissolve the Police Department, officers have performed remarkably well statistically.

Through April, response times to emergency calls were down to 4 minutes 51 seconds, shaving 23 seconds off average response times during the same period last year, according to department statistics.

Figures for May and June were not available due to personnel shortages in the record-keeping.

Despite violent and property crime dropping overall from last year, the homicide tally this year is up. With nine homicides in the 100,000 city thus far, 2006 is on pace to vie for the deadliest year in more than a decade.

But don't blame that or any other number on officer fatigue, said interim Police Chief Frank Scialdone.

Scialdone said that while persuading officers to forgo time off to pick up a grinding patrol shift is tougher now than it was a few months ago, the weary department is still performing in peak condition.

"At no time has this situation compromised public safety in our city, nor has it ever put officer safety in question," Scialdone said.

Scialdone is set to hand the department over to a new chief. An eight-person panel, which includes Scialdone, will interview candidates for the job today.

He said Police Department leaders have been keeping their eyes open for signs of burnout.

"We've been keeping our fingers on the pulse in order to catch any problems when they're just starting, and now we're just detecting a little flutter, but we're not in full cardiac arrest."

Scialdone said he will meet with sergeants Tuesday to be briefed further on the status of rank-and-file officers.

Scialdone said there are basically two types of overtime, the special assignment overtime, like working Fourth of July, and the routine patrol overtime. The latter is harder to fill, he said.

Officer Glen Anderson was weary Wednesday morning after working through the night on the Fourth of July.

"The heavy workload affects everyone," said Anderson, who estimates that he works about 20 overtime hours per pay period, or about 10 a week. "But we're making do with what we have, and we know relief is just around the corner."

Juvenile Crime Near State Low (SB SUN 070606)

With all the Juvenile crime that keeps hitting the news it is a miricle that Juvinile crime is really at the State Low. Makes you wonder have the Juveniles gotten worse with the crimes that they are doing or are we more tuned in to what crimes are being committed?

BSRanch
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Juvenile crime near state low

Robert Rogers, Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO - In the last month, a spate of gun violence among children has riveted the city and region, beaming the faces of accused killer kids into living rooms and splashing them across newspapers.

The latest installment in the episodic drama featured the conclusion of a police manhunt for a boy.

In that scene, 15-year-old fugitive foster child James Lemont Bagsby stood handcuffed with a glassy-eyed stare moments after police extricated him from a crime-plagued apartment building and charged him in connection with the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy.

The victim was Anthony Michael Ramirez, who was gunned down June 21 while playing basketball on the grounds of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.

But despite the local horror stories of kids accused of killing kids, juvenile crime is actually near an all-time low statewide.

From 1980 to 2004, the rate of juvenile incarceration plummeted nearly 50 percent statewide, a trend that dovetails with skyrocketing adult incarceration rates during the same period, according to a nonpartisan research institute study released June 28.

The 16-page report produced by the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice further concluded that in addition to the drastic reduction in the number of youths behind bars, juvenile felony rates dropped 58 percent over the same period.

"One of the important identified trends is that youth crime fell simultaneous to the youth incarceration rates," said Daniel Macallair, the center's executive director and one of the study's authors.

"The drop is unprecedented. Felony rates among juveniles are now at their lowest in 40 years."

But not all is rosy. Macallair acknowledged that while juvenile crime is down statewide, it flares up in pockets and communities.

And San Bernardino County, while on the whole lowering its rates of incarceration, did so at a clip ranking 20th out of 21 major counties, according to the study.

"A couple of things are happening," Macallair said. "These reductions (in crime) are real. The news is good overall, but we see pockets of violence in low-income urban areas, problems led to by deeper problems."

Macallair said there are other differences, particularly in perception, in part due to more focused local news coverage.

"While the problems can be concentrated in particular areas, so can the perception," Macallair said. "Murders occurred 40 years ago, but today murders get more publicity, which heightens public awareness. But overall, you can't minimize that kids in California are doing as well as they've ever done."

But some are not doing as well as they've ever done in San Bernardino, where portions of the city have become the "pockets" to which Macallair referred.

County Chief Probation Officer Michelle Scray said San Bernardino County is in a tough period.

"We have a new generation of children in San Bernardino," Scray said. "These are often former crack and meth babies, now grown children with severe mental health and behavioral issues coupled with intergenerational criminality in their families. These kids struggle to begin with, and to be brought up as toddlers and teens inside a gang culture is a powerful way to become socialized to violence."

Born in the middle of a crime wave that led to a record 82 homicides in San Bernardino in 1993, Bagsby was "always growing up too fast" his mother, Deborah Carter, has said.

His father was in and out of jail. Carter struggled with her own demons, always poor and sometimes caught up in drugs and prostitution, she said.

She was jailed when her boy was 10. Bagsby was on the streets before he was a teen and was a bullet-scarred survivor by 14, Carter said.

Bagsby's life on the streets may have ended on the evening of June 21, when police say he opened fire on the grounds of a middle school, killing 11-year-old Anthony.

"When you have a kid who can kill someone, that is a pretty good indicator of the issues in their past," Scray said. "We as a county have to look at doing things differently or we may continue to see more of this type of behavior."

Scray said the total population at the county's three juvenile halls hovers between 450 and 500. In addition, about 2,500 are on probation and an additional 300 are placed in other lower security facilities, Scray said.

Joey, 15, lives in a group home and doesn't know his father, just like Bagsby.

Joey, who is afraid to give his last name, thinks that he has found the right path.

"For the first time in my life, I feel happy," Joey said, sitting with Terrance Stone, his mentor and the leader of the Young Visionaries youth leadership program, which caters to kids who have been through the system's wringer.

"When I think about my future, I don't know exactly what I'm gonna do, but I do know I want to be positive," Joey said.

Joey grew up in Los Angeles and was arrested and charged with burglary in San Bernardino in September, he said. After a stint in juvenile hall, he was placed in a group home in northwest San Bernardino, where he and five other boys live under constant supervision.

Bagsby bolted from a similar situation. Joey could go AWOL, too, if he wanted.

"I like what I'm doing," Joey said. "Church, classes, this is a way different atmosphere than anything I was doing before."

Bagsby's tale and those of others are in stark contrast to the hard data from the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice that indicates kids are getting less violent.

According to the center's report, from 1993 to 2004, commitments to juvenile facilities per 100,000 population declined from 45.9 percent to 29.3 percent.

The study's authors concluded that simultaneous drops in juvenile incarceration rates and crime refutes the "incapacitation theory," the idea that increased incarcerations decreases crime.

"As most major counties are now relying less on state correctional institutions, state policy-makers must examine the shifting of state resources to local jurisdictions to improve the capacity of counties to provide a broader range of interventions that will achieve the stated goals of the juvenile justice system," the authors wrote.

Cal State San Bernardino criminologist Steve Tibbetts said San Bernardino's escalated violence is an aberration of a nationwide decline in crime and reflects issues germane to the region.

"The three major issues are rapid population growth, high dropout rates and poverty," Tibbetts said.

"In terms of the poverty, especially the children living in poverty, and the high school dropout rates, these issues are huge."

San Bernardino City Unified School District statistics show that as recently as 2003, 22,380 children ages 5 to 17, or more than one in three, met the federal definition of living in poverty.

San Bernardino County also has rates of teen pregnancy well above state and national averages. A survey of the nation's 100 largest school districts by the Manhattan Institute earlier this year found the San Bernardino school district tied for 99th place with the Detroit City School District.

The data, taken from the class of 2003, found that only 42 percent of the San Bernardino district's students who were set to graduate did so.

The national public high school graduation rate for the class of 2003 was 70 percent

Rialto Police Department Pulled From The Brink of Extinction... Dieter C. Dammier..

Rialto Police Department Pulled From The Brink Extinction

By:

Dieter C. Dammier

On the night of September 13, 2005, the Rialto City Council approved by a 4 to 1 vote a contract for police services to be taken over by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. This was done with the minimum 24 hours notice required to hold a Special Council meeting. The next day, Sheriff's personnel were taking inventory of equipment and moving quickly to take over operations. To many, including those within the Rialto Police Department, it was a "done deal" and there was nothing left to do but work on a smooth transition. Fortunately, a handful of officers, supported by the vast majority of the membership of the Police Association, decided to put up a fight. The Association President, Andrew Pilcher, was an officer in Compton when the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department took over that city and felt that his Association (in Compton) did not strongly enough oppose that takeover. He was not willing to see the same thing occur under his watch.

Rialto POA's attorneys, Lackie, Dammeier & McGill, took swift action to lay the groundwork for what would be a six-month legal and political battle over the survival of the Department. A Temporary Restraining Order was sought and obtained in San Bernardino County Superior Court, immediately putting a halt to the Sheriff's takeover. Fortunately for the RPOA, the City Attorney, Robert Owen, gave bad advice to the City in regard to its obligation to meet and confer over contracting out police services. Superior Court Judge Bob Krug agreed with Rialto POA's position that the issue was subject to the meet and confer requirements. Accordingly, a Preliminary Injunction and later a Permanent Injunction was issued instructing the City to not implement a Sheriff takeover until it had fully complied with its meet and confer obligations. Given the meet and confer requirements, which included Court ordered meet and confer sessions, an impasse fact finding procedure, as well as, potential binding interest arbitration, this was a significant delay for the City to implement its plan.

The legal battles were highly publicized in the local media. Although delayed, the talk of Rialto focused on how much longer the Police Department could survive. First the Temporary Restraining Order was granted giving a few weeks, then a Preliminary Injunction was granted allowing two more months and finally a Permanent Injunction was obtained requiring the City to go through the lengthy meet and confer procedures before a takeover could commence. The City's petitions to the Court of Appeal and even the California Supreme Court were summarily rejected and the City was left with little choice but to go through the meet and confer and subsequent procedures required by law.

The City went through the meet and confer process, maintaining its position that a Sheriff's takeover was unstoppable. City Council members in the local newspapers remained adamant in their positions that the police department would be disbanded. At first, the reason given was that it would save money. When it was clearly shown that it would not be a money saver based on the amount of personnel, the City then claimed that the crime rate had increased and that the Sheriff's Department could do a better job. When the facts were shown that the crime rates had in fact decreased, the City was shown to have been doing nothing more than union busting in its effort to get rid of the Rialto Police Officers Association. The City Administrator had also complained that too many lawsuits had been filed by Rialto Police Officers against the City in his written reasons for contracting out the Sheriff's Department. With that admission, Lackie, Dammeier & McGill also filed a retaliation lawsuit in Federal District Court against the City alleging the disbanding of the police department was in retaliation against officers protecting their rights and filing litigation.

While the legal battles were continuing, the RPOA geared up on the political front. RPOA PAC Chairman Glen Anderson gathered up community support for the cause and designed political strategy with political consultant Jim Freeman and this author to apply political pressure to the City Council. Anderson and Freeman even made a trip to Sacramento to garner support of state legislators who then contacted City Council members over what was clearly painted to be union busting.

Also taking place during the legal and political fight, Lackie, Dammeier & McGill drafted a ballot initiative to place the issue on the next ballot of whether the Council should have sole authority to contract out police services without voter approval. Rialto's citizens assisted in gathering signatures for the initiative and it was submitted to the City Clerk. Unfortunately, the City Clerk supported the City Council's effort and did everything in her power to frustrate the ballot initiative. She deemed invalid most of the signatures on the ballot initiative and claimed it could not proceed. Lackie, Dammeier & McGill filed for injunctive relief in the Superior Court to compel the City Clerk to validate the signatures. Days before the hearing in Court on the issue, the City Clerk relented, but only after receiving a letter from the San Bernardino County District Attorney's office explaining that her reasons for invalidating the signatures were unlawful.

Recall petitions of two city council members were drafted and served. Here too, the City Clerk attempted to stall or otherwise interfere with the recall process, at one point refusing to certify the recall petition for signature gathering. Again, Lackie, Dammeier & McGill sought injunctive relief in the San Bernardino Superior Court and days before the hearing, the City Clerk relented and certified the recall petitions for signature gathering.

Another tactic used by the Police Association was very frustrating to the City. The City in 2003, with the assistance of the RPOA, passed a utility user's tax which passed by only five votes of the residents. Since the public was sold on the idea that the tax would be for public safety, and given the City's pursuit of disbanding the police department, the RPOA felt the citizens should not have to continue paying this tax. Accordingly, Lackie, Dammeier & McGill drafted a ballot initiative repealing the utility user's tax should the police department be disbanded. Since this tax amounted to over 25% of the City's general fund, this elimination, which would have easily been approved by the voters, would have been financially devastating to the City.

Finally, on March 21, 2006, in the midst of seven lawsuits filed against the City, two recall petitions, a referendum and two ballot initiatives, as well as the public outcry, the City Council finally relented and reversed its position. The City negotiated a new two-year MOU with the Police Association calling for salary increases between 5% and 15% (depending on rank). The MOU also calls for the Police Association to have positions on the selection committee for the next police chief. As part of the global agreement, the RPOA agreed to dismiss the litigation cases in exchange for the City paying all of the Association's legal expenses it had incurred in fighting to maintain the Department, totaling $118,000.

The RPOA should be proud of its success in this case. This is the first case in California in which a contract was entered (approved by City Council) into for police services to be contracted out and the Association was able to reverse the tide and come out triumphant. They could not have done it without the support of fellow police associations from throughout the state and PORAC who rallied behind Rialto POA in its time of need.