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HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-26-96 LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD. 1 t • 9 115 f! 11 CITY OF LYNWOOD 11330 SULLLS ROAD LYN11100D, CA 90262 LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD i I (Vj (UUV AGENDA CIT�v of r Nw o 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 0 6 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. 0 0 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