HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-26-96 LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD. 1 t
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CITY OF LYNWOOD
11330 SULLLS ROAD
LYN11100D, CA 90262
LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD
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AGENDA CIT�v of r
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CITY CLERKS OFFICE
SEPTEMBER 26,1996 SLIP 1 9 1996
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS AN
6:00 P.M. 71819 IDA1411213�4 6
L ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
a. Call To Order
b. Pledge of Allegiance
c. Roll can
d Minutes:
August 28, 1996
IL PUBLIC ORALS
III. BOARD MEMBER'S ORALS
IV ADJOURNMENT
Next Meeting - October 24, 1996
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LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 28, 1996
The meeting of the Law Enforcement Review Board was held on Wednesday,
August 28, 1996, in the City Hall, Council Chambers. The agenda was duly
posted as prescribed by the Brown Act.
The meeting was called to order at 6 10 p.m by Chairperson Elizabeth Dixon.
The pledge of allegiance was conducted by Commissioner Hilario Esparza.
ATTENDANCE
Board Members in attendance
Councilmembers present:
Staff member in attendance.
Sheriff Liaison in attendance -
Chairperson Dixon stated that s
loud music.
Elizabeth Dixon, Hilario Esparza, Irene Garcia,
David Willis.
Councilman Heine
Deborah Jackson
Sgt. Dave Walters
ne has noticed more citations are being given for
Councilman Heine stated that this is the first month it has been listed in the
newspaper
PUBLIC ORALS
Councilman Heine discussed his Probation /Graffiti meeting held earlier in the
day relative to graffiti in Lynwood.
Councilman Heine is looking for volunteers for a new alley clean -up program
Chairperson Dixon stated that she has forwarded complaints but has received no
notices of resolution.
Sgt. Walters explained that there had been a murder at 11 14 a.m at 3930
Cortland Street. A youth opened fire with a shot gun on another youth who ran
from the location on Cortland Street and collapsed around the corner on
Fernwood Avenue. The youth was taken to the hospital where he later expired
Mr Joe Hernandez of Cortland Street was invited by Sgt. Walters to discuss the
incident.on Cortland earlier in the day Mr Hernandez said that the abandoned
house where the shooting incident happened earlier has been a long standing
problem. He and his wife have made several complaints to the City about the
house and the youth who continue fo hang out on the property
Mr Hernandez stated that:
Owners of the property had moved out of the house approximately
six months ago
Parents left their two sons on property (ages 18 -20)
There have been no utilities on the property in six months
Two months ago there was a drive -by at that residence
There is continuous loud music, drug use, and gang gatherings
Residents call sheriffs seldom get a response, when they do
respond they talk to youth but leave them there on the abandoned
property
- One of the owners sons who hangs out on the property was in jail
for a while and the neighborhood was quiet. He's back out and the
problems continue.
- Neighbors are afraid of retaliation.
- Neighbors concern. long time residents feel their lives are
threatened.
- When sheriff's do arrive gang members are gone.
- Neighbors want property condemned.
- How can they get help?
- Neighbors are having a meeting now to discuss this problem
Chairperson Dixon told Mr Hernandez that she will find out the status of that
property and notify him
Councilman Heine said that he had found out earlier in the day who the owners
were and would have the water meter removed on Thursday
Chairperson Dixon said that the City can board up the house. She also
suggested that the neighbors re- activate their block watch.
Chairperson Dixon said that she would follow -up after the owner has been
notified
Sgt. Walters said that the sheriff's would follow -up in the area.
Mr Hernandez also stated that they had reported several garage conversions in
on Cortland Street but nothing was ever done. He has reported five homes or.
Cortland that had garage conversions.
BOARD MEMBERS ORALS
Commissioner Esparza suggested that Mr Hernandez keep coming and
reporting to the Law Enforcement Review Board.
Commissioner Garcia discussed too many people in the community are involved
in drugs and witnesses fear retaliation. Stated her house has been shot at.
There are several houses in her neighborhood that are involved in drug activity
Stated they traffic drugs all night long. Neighbors don't want to get involved.
One drug dealer on the block beat up a neighbor for asking him to leave the
neighborhood with his drugs. The neighbor that was beaten up would not report
the incident to the sheriffs in fear of retaliation.
Commissioner Willis stated that in the 4200 block of Cortland Street residents
are complaining that on Mondays and Thursdays between 10 a.m and 12 noon
a mar, goes door to door in the neighborhood first knocking at doors and then
shaking them to see if he can enter One resident was home on day when this
occurrence happened. Willis asked Sgt. Walters if there could be some
surveillance done in that area during those hours.
Chairperson Dixon asked Sat. Walters are they no: going through the complaint
process correctly
Sgt. Walters said that the process is correct but that response time is prioritized.
He also stated that the Bike Patrol has increased their surveillance operations.
They are now on Atlantic at Taco Quickie area addressing the prostitution
problem
Sgt. Walters said that the monies from the Law Enforcement Block Grant will be
used to increase the Bike Patrol to 40 hours per week Sheriffs are also looking
at a grant that would provide monies for community service officers.
Chairperson Dixon suggested initiating a neighborhood lighting program with the
block watch Comoanies would likely give discounts for large quantities.
Sgt. Walters suggested using LEXAN on street lights to protect the glass.
Commissioner Willis said that during the weekend from Fernwood Avenue to
City Hall the entire area was filled with graffiti. There was graffiti on fences,
buildings, the Church and the electrical box on the corner The graffiti crew
came on Monday and removed it.
Commissioner Garcia said she was glad to see the Bike Patrol on Sante Fe
Avenue.
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As the meeting was about to be adjourned at 6:50 p.m. sixteen residents came
in to the meeting to discuss the shooting earlier
Chairperson Dixon welcome the residents to the meeting She suggested to
them that Mr Hernandez had spoke to the commission earlier and she had told
him that the neighbors need to re- activate the block watch in their area. Dixon
said that neighbors should stay active, be concerned and be visible. City will
help them. Deputy Haney will contact them
Ms. Hernandez of Cortland Street (Mr Hernandez's wife) said that two months
ago she had complained to the city about that abandoned house. There have
been three (3) drive -bys on that property in the last six (6) months. Ms.
Hernandez stated that although she had complained several times the city never
looked into the problem at 3930 Cortland Street.
Ms. Hernandez said that she went to the City Manager's Office and spoke to
Tony Romero. She was told on August 28th that there was no complaint on file
in the computer with regard to that property Feels that the City is playing games
with the citizens.
Ms. Hernandez said that their wasn't even a note in the computer about her
complaints. Stated that she is very angry Residents feel that no one is listening
to them She said that it is difficult to get hold of anyone in the complaint
department to complain.
Ms. Hernandez said that she had witnessed the argument between the two
involved in the shooting at approximately 10 a.m when the argument
between the two youth began, she said by 11.30 the boy was dead. She.said
that after the fight broke up one of the youth got into a black vehicle and left
then return, chasing the youth down the street shooting at him The youth then
ran to Fernwood Avenue where he collapsed
Ms. Hernandez asked what can they do to prevent this from ever happening
again.
Chairperson Dixon told Ms. Hernandez they should attend the city council
meetings and voice their concerns.
Councilman Heine said his telephone number is listed in the telephone book and
that they could call him at anytime. Councilman Heine told neighbors of the
good things happening with regard to block watch.
One neighbor stated that before they have a block party they need to have a
safe neighborhood
Angelique Holly of Cortland Street stated that she has experienced violence to
her property from the youth hanging out at the abandoned house. She has
volunteered to re- activate the block watch in that neighborhood and had
contacted city staff today to set up their first meeting. She stated that she would
get involved and be block captain but she needs the citv's help.
Jacqueline Rivas of Cortland Street said that none of the neighbors go outside
anymore because of the gang members hanging out in the neighborhood. She
said she doesn't allow her child outside because she lives directly in front of the
abandoned house and is in constant fear Ms. Rivas asked that the city please
do something about that house. The gang members are the problem in their
neighborhood and they want them out. Said that the sheriffs don't show up-
when their called
Councilman Heine told the group to keep track of the date and time they called
the Sheriff's Station,
Ms. Lopez of Cortland Street said they have good neighbors, that the people
hanging out at that house are the problem. Stated that the gang members break
out windows in the neighborhood, vandalize cars and steal. Nis. Lopez said she
has called the Sheriff's but they arrive at least 45 minutes later
Debra Caron of Cortland Street said that she was there when the youth that was
shot fell on to the lawn on Fernwood. She states that she did not know he was
shot while she was holding him Stated that her small son was standing talking
with the youth five minutes before he was shot. Requested that the Sheriffs
don't let them hang out at that house. It could have been her child. .
Chairperson Dixon stated that residents should fight for their rights. They must
complain to the right people.
One unidentified resident asked if sheriff services have been cut back since they
don't see any presence of officers since they moved to the Imperial Station
Stated that their paying more taxes and getting less protection.
Councilman Heine explained that the sheriffs are not as visible because when
they were in the Lynwood Station on Bullis they were being deployed out of that
location to other. areas in the county
Sgt. Walters said that the new Justice Center is located in the center of the
service area.
Residents want to be provided with a map of the services area. Sgt. Walters will
get that information for them
Silvia of Cortland Street said that she has lived there for seven years. Said she
had talked to the owner who states that they need time to clean up the problem
Owner states that they check on the property weekly and didn't know there was
a problem. Silvia said that if they checked weekly they would know of the
problem. There are no utilities on the property and the owners claim that no one
lives there. Silvia said that the shooting could have been avoided if the city had
boarded up the house.
Councilman Heine explained that the City must go through a court process
before an abatement can proceed.
Chairperson Dixon asked what happened to Ms. Hernandez's original
complaint?
Debra Caro of Cortland street said that they had made a report, nothing was
done, a youth was killed, their children had to witness it, its a shame.
Ms. Hernandez said that the neighbors have done their part, they are not against
block watch but want that property cleaned up before they start planning parties.
Chairperson Dixon suggested that the neighborhood ban together and come to
the city council meeting.
Commissioner Garcia suggested they organize as a group to address the
council.
Ms. Hernandez wants to know how and why the chain of command was broken
as it relates to her complaints. What happened to her report about the problems
at 3930 Cortland? Why wasn't it followed up ?
Commissioner Garcia told them to make sure they get a copy of the complaints
in the event they need it for legal reasons.
Residents say they lost a child because the city let the complaint fall through
the cracks.
Ms. Hernandez: 632 -0575
Ms. Hawley 605 -5484
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7 30 p.m