Homelessness in San Bernardino County Jumps 23% in 2019 – San Bernardino Sun

4/25/2019 Homelessness in San Bernardino County jumps 23% in 2019 – San Bernardino Sun

LOCAL NEWS Homelessness in San Bernardino County jumps 23% in 2019 Volunteers and officials who canvassed the county inin JanuaryJanuary foundfound 2,6072,607 homelesshomeless peoplepeople

San Bernardino County 5th District Supervisor Josie Gonzales speaks with Maria during the San Bernardino County 2019 Point-in-Time Homeless Count in downtown San Bernardino Thursday morning, January 24, 2019. The Point-in-Timeime HomelessHomeless Count (PITC) is a one-day street-based and service-based count and subpopulation survey of sheltered and unsheltered individuals to identify how many people in San Bernardino County are homeless and their subpopulation characteristics on a given day. Information was also given out to help those who wished to improve their situation. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

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By BRIAN WHITEHEAD || [email protected] || SanSan BernardinoBernardino Sun PUBLISHED: April 24, 2019 at 11:16 am || UPDATED:UPDATED: April 24, 2019 at 4:28 pm

For the second straight year, a San Bernardino County study revealed a growing homeless population in the region, but thanks to new data-collecting technology and methodologies, officials believe they now have the most accurate figures to date.

According to the 2019 Point-In-Time Count – the annual January survey of homeless persons – 2,607 individuals were without a permanent home on Jan. 24, a 23% increase from the 2,118 homeless persons counted here in January 2018..

Released Wednesday, April 24, the 150-page report from the San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership says changes made to this year’s surveying process contributed, in part, to the year-over-year uptick.

On top of having about 200 more volunteers, surveyors for the first time used a digital app to enter information gathered in the field,, allowingallowing officialsofficials toto analyzeanalyze real-time data and volunteers to canvass more areas, quicker. Additionally, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement, or HOPE, team provided volunteers information on existing homeless encampments and hot spots ahead of time, creating targeted maps.

The Point-In-Time Count “is the one time in the year the whole community rallies around the issue of homelessness,” said Philip Mangano, the former homelessness czar under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, who now works with the county on creating strategies to reduce the epidemic.

“With all the changes in methodology we implemented this year, the safest thing toto saysay isis thatthat inin SanSan BernardinoBernardino County,County, wewe foundfound moremore homelesshomeless people,”people,” Mangano continued. “But whether they were homeless last year and weren’t counted or the year before and weren’t counted, we don’t know that answer. My guess is that 23% is very impacted by the changes in methodology.”

Related: Which San Bernardino County cities have the biggest homeless populations?

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/04/24/homelessness-in-san-bernardino-county-jumps-23-percent-in-2019/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_cam… 2/5 4/25/2019 Homelessness in San Bernardino County jumps 23% in 2019 – San Bernardino Sun In 2017, San Bernardino County recorded a slight drop in its homeless population before seeing an increase in 2018 and again this year. In recent years, the county has identified sharp year-over-year increases in chronically homeless veterans, unaccompanied women andand familiesfamilies withwith children.children.

Similarly, Wednesday’s report showed a 71% jump in homeless persons 55 and older, from 246 people counted in 2018 to 422 in this year.

Kent Paxton, homeless policy adviser for Supervisor Josie Gonzales’ Fifth District, attributed that increase to the rising cost of housing, particularly for people on a fixedfixed income.income. AccordingAccording toto thethe U.S.U.S. DepartmentDepartment ofof HousingHousing andand UrbanUrban Development, fair market rent in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area is $926 a month for a one-bedroom unit and $1,156 a month for a two-bedroom unit.

“There’s no surprise with the increase in the numbers,” Don Smith, with Creating Community Solutions, an independent consulting firm, said Wednesday at a meeting of the county’s Interagency Council on Homelessness.

The reality, he noted, is the lack of affordable housing is a regional crisis, one that will not improve by focusing solely on the homeless population.

“We have to shift the narrative to housing,” Smith added. “We need to make housing affordable to low-income folks.”

The Point-In-Time Count breaks the homeless population into two categories: sheltered and unsheltered.

Of the 2,607 homeless people counted Jan. 24, 1,920, or 73%, were unsheltered, or had slept the night before in a private or public place not designed for or used as a regular sleeping accommodation, a 33% increase from 2018.

Another key finding revealed that about 19% of the 1,873 adults counted became homeless for the first time in the past year. Also of note, nearly a quarter of adults livingliving onon thethe streetsstreets inin thethe county,county, aboutabout 450,450, areare unaccompaniedunaccompanied women.women.

San Bernardino, the county’s most populous city, led all municipalities with 890 homeless people, up from 646 in 2018 and 491 in 2017.. VictorvilleVictorville hadhad 333333 homeless people, followed by Redlands (200), Rialto (133), Ontario (128) and Fontana (94).

Those six cities accounted for 1,778, or 68%, of those counted.

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/04/24/homelessness-in-san-bernardino-county-jumps-23-percent-in-2019/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_cam… 3/5 4/25/2019 Homelessness in San Bernardino County jumps 23% in 2019 – San Bernardino Sun As they have in years past, officials this week recommended several ways to assist thethe homelesshomeless population,population, includingincluding developingdeveloping aa multi-jurisdictionalmulti-jurisdictional strategicstrategic plan to be finalized by the county, the county’s Continuum of Care and the cities themselves.themselves.

Using the 2019 figures as their baseline, cities should increase the number of permanent supportive housing units and set an annual quantifiable number of such units to be developed, officials say. Prioritizing the most vulnerable and frail persons living on the streets, and presenting a low-barrier approach for chronically homeless individuals and families will also help.

The results of Riverside County’s Point-In-Time Count couldcould bebe releasedreleased nextnext week.

“All these reports,” Gonzales said in a statement, “reveal our significant need for additional funding to enable the coordinated delivery of housing, physical and mental health, as well as other critical services, to get homeless individuals – especially the most vulnerable members of our communities – safely and permanently off the streets.”

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Brian Whitehead https://www.sbsun.com/2019/04/24/homelessness-in-san-bernardino-county-jumps-23-percent-in-2019/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_cam… 4/5 4/25/2019 Homeless population up in SB County - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

Homeless population up in SB County By Martin Estacio Staff Writer Posted Apr 24, 2019 at 9:25 AM Updated Apr 24, 2019 at 6:28 PM San Bernardino County’s homeless population jumped 23 percent from last year, according to a report released Tuesday.

Data from the Point-in-Time count showed that approximately 700 volunteers counted 2,607 individuals living on the streets, in shelters or in transitional housing in 2019.

The annual survey, conducted on January 24, is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The tally helps establish demographic data and determines federal funding for the County’s homeless programs.

This year marked the first time volunteers used a mobile app rather than pen and paper to document their findings.

In a statement, Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales said use of the app made “2019 Point-In-Time Count numbers the most accurate to date.”

The county also mapped locations where homeless persons were known to frequent and were able to monitor results of the survey in real time.

Other significant findings included an increase in the number of unsheltered persons — up 477, or 33.1% — and the number of homeless aged 55 and older, which shot up 72% from 246 in 2018 to 422 this year.

County officials pinned the rising cost of housing as one significant factor for people on a fixed income, noting that fair market rent in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area was almost $1,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20190424/homeless-population-up-in-sb-county 1/3 4/25/2019 Homeless population up in SB County - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

And almost 19 percent of the 1,873 adults questioned on the street said they had become homeless for the first time in the last year. Unaccompanied women numbered 450.

“This year’s Point-In-Time Count data points to both a need to prioritize high risk homeless populations for housing and services, and a need for innovation,” said Kent Paxton, chair of the Interagency Council on Homelessness Point-In- Time Count Committee in the release.

Victorville is one jurisdiction that has been working to address a growing need for these services.

For the second year, the city ranked number two in the highest population of homeless persons with 333, falling short only to San Bernardino which hit 890.

While the number of unsheltered persons fell slightly by 8, the number of sheltered individuals counted almost tripled, from 48 in 2018 to 133 in 2019.

“Increasing the number of sheltered homeless in Victorville really is a step in the right direction, and it means we are doing something right,” said Victorville spokesperson Sue Jones.

Last year, the city awarded a $70,000 Community Development Block Grant through HUD funding to local High Desert Homeless Services.

The group purchased and opened a modular building, located on the county fairgrounds, to house the homeless on nights when temperatures drop below 40 degrees.

In June, the City Council approved a site plan to allow the County to renovate the broken-down Queens Motel on Stoddard Wells Road, the Daily Press reported.

Renamed as Desert Haven, the facility would act as permanent housing for the chronically homeless.

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20190424/homeless-population-up-in-sb-county 2/3 4/25/2019 Homeless population up in SB County - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

Residents would have access to services such as substance abuse counseling and career development training, resources identified in the PITC report as needed to permanently keep people off the streets.

A Homelessness Solutions Task Force was also approved by the Council in February.

The committee will consist of 12 members representing those serving the homeless community and those affected by homelessness.

City spokesperson Jones said the city received more than 800 applications from people interested in serving which are currently being reviewed.

Jones said the city is also planning to hire a homelessness solutions coordinator to “help us focus our efforts, develop solutions, and identify funding” to address the issue. Applications are being accepted for the position through April 29.

Homeless populations in other Victor Valley cities, according to the Point-in- Time figures: Adelanto, 14; Apple Valley, 23; Barstow, 62; and Hesperia, 24.

Martin Estacio may be reached at [email protected] or at 760-955-5358. Follow him on Twitter @DP_mestacio.

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20190424/homeless-population-up-in-sb-county 3/3 4/25/2019 Which San Bernardino County cities have the biggest homeless populations? – Press Enterprise

LOCAL NEWS Which San Bernardino County cities have the biggest homeless populations?

A homeless man stands outside his tent, along with his dog, in a homeless camp offf ofof 9th Street in San Bernardino during the San Bernardino County 2019 Point-in-Timeime Homeless Count in downtown San Bernardino Thursday morning, January 24, 2019. The Point-in-Time Homeless Count (PITC) is a one-day street-based and service- based count and subpopulation survey of sheltered and unsheltered individuals to identifyidentify howhow manymany peoplepeople inin SanSan BernardinoBernardino CountyCounty areare homelesshomeless andand theirtheir subpopulation characteristics on a given day. Information was also given out to help thosethose whowho wishedwished toto improveimprove theirtheir situation.situation. (Photo(Photo byby WillWill LesterLester,, InlandInland ValleyValley DailyDaily Bulletin/SCNG) https://www.pe.com/2019/04/24/which-san-bernardino-county-cities-have-the-biggest-homeless-populations/?utm_content=tw-pressenterpri… 1/4 4/25/2019 Which San Bernardino County cities have the biggest homeless populations? – Press Enterprise

By BRIAN WHITEHEAD || [email protected] || SanSan BernardinoBernardino Sun PUBLISHED: April 24, 2019 at 4:09 pm || UPDATED:UPDATED: April 25, 2019 at 6:55 am

On Wednesday, April 24, the San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership revealed the findings of January’s Point-In-Time Count,, thethe annualannual surveysurvey ofof thethe county’s homeless population.

According to the report, 2,607 individuals were without a permanent home on Jan. 24, a 23% increase from the 2018 tally.

Of those counted, 1,920 were considered unsheltered and 687 either were in shelters or transitional housing.

Here are the communities and how many people reported staying there:

https://www.pe.com/2019/04/24/which-san-bernardino-county-cities-have-the-biggest-homeless-populations/?utm_content=tw-pressenterpri… 2/4 4/25/2019 Which San Bernardino County cities have the biggest homeless populations? – Press Enterprise

San Bernardino: 890 Victorville: 333 Redlands: 183 Rialto: 133 Ontario: 128 Countywide or unknown: 115 Fontana: 94 Highland: 72 Yucca Valley: 72 Barstow: 62 Colton: 58 Upland: 58 Rancho Cucamonga: 58 Twentynine Palms: 40 Big Bear Lake: 39 Joshua Tree: 30 Needles: 29 Loma Linda: 25 Bloomington: 24 Hesperia: 24 Montclair: 24 Apple Valley: 23 Chino: 23 Yucaipa: 16 Adelanto: 14 Muscoy: 13 Crestline: 7 Lake Arrowhead: 6 Chino Hills: 4 Mentone/Crafton: 3 Big Bear City/Sugarloaf: 2 Cajon Canyon: 2 Grand Terrace: 1 Running Springs: 1 Yermo: 1

Tags: community,, government,, homeless https://www.pe.com/2019/04/24/which-san-bernardino-county-cities-have-the-biggest-homeless-populations/?utm_content=tw-pressenterpri… 3/4 San Bernardino ranks as the county with the worst ozone pollution in the U.S. – San Bernardino Sun

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NEWSENVIRONMENT San Bernardino ranks as the county with the worst ozone pollution in the U.S. The American Lung Association report also details efforts by the Trump Administration to dilute air-pollution regulations and clean-air initiatives

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Smog in Riverside County, seen here from Sycamore Highlands Park in 2016, in the second worst among U.S. counties, with San Bernardino County leading the nation and Los Angeles County the third worst. (Photo by KURT MILLER/THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE, Get the latest news delivered daily! SCNG) SUBSCRIBE By MARTIN WISCKOL | [email protected] |  Orange County Register PUBLISHED: April 23, 2019 at 9:01 pm | UPDATED: April 24, Follow Us 2019 at 12:01 pm   

https://www.sbsun.com/...r-smog-again/?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_content=tw-sbsun[4/25/2019 7:43:11 AM] San Bernardino ranks as the county with the worst ozone pollution in the U.S. – San Bernardino Sun

The five-county Los Angeles region ranks as the nation’s smoggiest metro area for the 19th time in MOST POPULAR the 20 years, according to the annual analysis by the American Lung Association released Tuesday. 3 women arrested on suspicion of abusing 1 children in Highland; 2 are suspected of lewd acts While air quality has improved dramatically nationwide and locally over the past 50 years, this SWAT team arrests Beaumont man in 2 connection to fatal shooting in Bloomington year’s report — which covers 2015 to 2017 — Fontana PD says unauthorized tweet calling shows it deteriorating from the group’s three-year 3 congresswoman ‘un-American’ was posted by assessment last year. Climate change and off-duty employee wildfires are cited as key causes for the downturn. Sewage, cockroaches, flies and a cat: 4 Restaurant closures in San Bernardino County, On the county-by-county tally, San Bernardino, April 12-18 Riverside and Los Angeles rank No. 1, 2 and 3 Homelessness in San Bernardino County jumps 5 23% in 2019 nationwide for having the worst smog — also known as ozone pollution — according to the State Which San Bernardino County cities have the 6 biggest homeless populations? of the Air report. Orange County, which also Pop-Up Disney: You can take selfies in Mickey received a failing grade, tied for 25th worst among 7 Mouse themed rooms at Downtown Disney, but the nation’s 3,007 counties. it will cost you Corona man who set his home on fire is The report also detailed efforts by the Trump 8 sentenced to 17 years in prison Administration to undo air-pollution regulations and 9 Here’s who might need to be revaccinated for clean-air initiatives. measles as cases rise At age 80, Lake Gregory Dam is finally ready for 10 an earthquake

Man found dead in truck in Lake Elsinore is 11 identified; stabbing suspect arrested

66% of stores — names you know — refused to 12 accept empty cans and bottles for recycling, consumer group says

Climate change has a negative effect on air quality because it increases the possibility of wildfires — California was particularly hard hit by blazes in 2017 — and warmer temperatures increase the likelihood of smog.

“The three years covered in this report ranked as the hottest years on record globally,” according to this year’s report, which analyzes ogovernment data. “High ozone days and spikes in particle pollution zoomed, putting millions more people at risk and adding challenges to the work cities are doing across the nation to clean up. …

“As climate change continues, cleaning up these pollutants will become even more challenging.”

While the state has the nation’s strictest motor- vehicle emissions regulations and is a leader in initiatives encouraging zero-emissions vehicles, the volume of cars, trucks and buses — particularly in Southern California — is a primary reason California counties continues to rank as the country’s smoggiest. Twenty of the nation’s 26 smoggiest counties are in California. And nine out of 10 Californians live in areas with unhealthy air, the 167-page report found.

Air pollution causes and exacerbates lung diseases, including asthma.

“California has made tremendous strides in improving the air we breathe but more must be

done,” according to the American Lung Association.

Beside have the worst record for ozone pollution, San Bernardino, Riverside and Los Angeles counties rank among the nation’s worst 25 counties for single-day soot — or particle — pollution, and for worst annual soot pollution.

Trump and clean air

The American Lung Association report expresses alarm over a number of Trump Administration proposals that it says would reverse momentum to clean the air.

“Unfortunately, this Administration has focused on steps to roll back or create loopholes in core healthy air protections put in place to comply with the Clean Air Act,” said Janice Nolan of the American Lung Association in a Tuesday press teleconference.

In some of these cases, Administration officials have characterized the proposals as an effort to reduce over-restrictive regulations.

Among the American Lung Association’s concerns:

Carbon pollution from power plants. While there is scientific consensus that carbon pollution contributes to climate change, the Environmental Protection Agency recently “has taken steps to dismantle our nation’s best federal plan to limit carbon from power plants, the Clean Power Plan,” the report says Emissions from oil and gas wells, processing plants, pipelines and storage units. Recent

State of the Air reports have noted elevated levels of ozone where oil and gas production has expanded. “Despite this, in 2018, EPA proposed steps to weaken or roll back health-protective standards … to reduce harmful emissions of these gases from new and modified sources.” Car pollution. The EPA and Department of Transportation have proposed rules that would “weaken limits on greenhouse gas emission from cars” and roll back fuel-economy standards for model year 2021-2025 vehicles. The effort could also eliminate California’s ability to set tougher vehicle emissions standards than the federal government. Clean-air funding. “The proposed budget for FY 2020 claims that a priority goal is to ‘improve air quality’ but would cut EPA funding for that work substantially,” the report says. Denying scientific evidence. The report says the administration is “stacking the deck to deny the scientific evidence.” It has “taken steps to remove independent science advisors from key advisory committees … and replace them with people paid by polluting industries. … The EPA has also signaled that the agency will restrict what research it will allow its scientists to consider.”

Life-threatening smog

Pediatrician and allergy specialist Sonal Patel told an anecdote about an 8-year-old girl walking with her father for 15 minutes from her South Los Angeles school to the doctor’s office on a smoggy day a few years ago. By the time she arrived, the girl was wheezing heavily, although her father said

she’d been fine when they left the school.

“This 15-minute walk caused her to have an asthma attack,” Patel said during the American Lung Association press teleconference, one of three similar examples she offered. “Just breathing the air caused her to have an asthma attack.”

Ozone — resulting from the gases that come out of tailpipes and smokestacks — poses problems especially for those teen-aged and younger, those over 65, and those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease. It can cause a variety lung problems and can lead to premature death, according to the American Lung Association.

Particle pollution — the air-borne solids and liquids that come from truck exhaust and coal-burning plants — particularly affects people who are vulnerable to excessive ozone as well as others with diabetes and people who work and play outside. Low-income people are disproportionately affected, according to the report.

Even short-term exposure to particle pollution can cause respiratory and heart problems — and contribute to premature death. Exposure to unhealthy levels also results in increased mortality among infants and young children, the report says.

What you can do

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personal behavior, the report suggests finding alternatives to driving alone, turning out lights when you don’t need them, using energy-efficient appliances and not burning firewood or trash.

In terms of policy, the report calls on people who are concerned about the issue to write and call school officials to use “clean” buses. Additionally, it suggests writing Congress members and the White House to encourage them “to adopt science- based solutions to reduce emissions that are causing climate change” to support and expand existing clean-air regulations and initiatives.

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Martin Wisckol Martin Wisckol covers coastal environment and development. Previously, he spent two decades as politics reporter and columnist for the Orange County Register. He’s also held reporting positions in Miami, Jacksonville, Detroit and his hometown of San Diego, with an emphasis on land use and urban planning. He is a lifelong surfer and has spent most of his life on the coast. His work has been honored by the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Headliner Awards, the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the Florida Press Club and the American Planning Association Florida Chapter.

https://www.sbsun.com/...r-smog-again/?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_content=tw-sbsun[4/25/2019 7:43:11 AM] Fontana police say tweet calling congresswoman ‘un-American’ was result of hacking – San Bernardino Sun

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NEWSCRIME + PUBLIC SAFETY Fontana police say tweet calling congresswoman ‘un-American’ was result of hacking

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Get the latest news delivered daily! Screenshot of a tweet posted Tuesday April 23 to the Fontana Police Department’s Twitter account calling Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib “un-American” and a “disgrace.” Police said it appears their account was hacked. (The San Bernardino Sun) SUBSCRIBE

By BEATRIZ E. VALENZUELA | [email protected] | San  Follow Us Bernardino Sun PUBLISHED: April 23, 2019 at 10:44 am | UPDATED: April 23, 2019 at 11:16 am   

https://www.sbsun.com/..._campaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwAR37V-gL-CT_7YquZm-TSYQfq0K3lk99qpzY-kIQcu7FWcPYB9cQL7KItyc[4/23/2019 11:35:17 AM] Fontana police say tweet calling congresswoman ‘un-American’ was result of hacking – San Bernardino Sun

A quickly deleted tweet posted Tuesday morning on the Fontana MOST POPULAR Police Department’s Twitter account – calling U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib “un-American” and a “disgrace” and also mentioning an Man found dead in truck in Lake eating disorder – was a result of hacking, a police spokesman 1 Elsinore is identified; stabbing said. suspect arrested 2 Coachella 2019: Our 50 best photos “We’re aware of the problem,” Officer Rich Guerrero, a from Weekend 2 spokesman for the Police Department, said in an email. “It 3 Fontana police say tweet calling appears someone hacked our account. Our staff is looking into the congresswoman ‘un-American’ was result of hacking matter.” San Bernardino remembers late 4 Stater Bros. leader Jack Brown by Guerrero said that only the agency’s Twitter account appeared to renaming downtown post office have been affected, but that the Police Department is “working Snow Summit opens this week, with our Information Services Team to determine the cause, and 5 Mountain High adds high-tech snow sticks and more news from local all of our social media platforms’ passwords will be changed.” resorts

The post went live at about 8:30 a.m. and was taken down after a Small plane makes safe emergency 6 landing on 215 Freeway reporter with the Southern California News Group contacted Fontana police. Arrest made in death of Grand 7 Terrace skating rink owner

It referred to reports about an event last week in Detroit, when the This 1849 caravan had a grueling 8 experience in their quest for gold Michigan representative reportedly called for a hunger strike to near San Bernardino shut down U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. Rialto officer holds sign: ‘If you’re on 9 a cellphone right now, you’re about “Nice knowing you! I became bulimic because I vomit every time I to get a ticket’ hear your BS,” the tweet read. “You are one of the most un- 10 Fatal plane crash in Norco prison American person s (sic) I know. You are a disgrace to the office yard involved one-of-a-kind plane from Chino you hold.” 11 FBI finds Sol Pais, woman After the tweet was deleted, another tweet went up on the Police ‘infatuated’ with Columbine, dead Department’s account: Sewage, cockroaches, flies and a 12 cat: Restaurant closures in San Bernardino County, April 12-18 “If anyone saw the inappropriate tweet that went out earlier, apparently someone gained access to our account. We apologize, and we are working on fixing the issue.”

Tlaib took office in January and represents Michigan’s 13th congressional district. She has been a vocal critic of ICE, saying it is “terrorizing our communities with zero accountability,” and

backed efforts to impeach President Donald Trump.

This story is developing. Check back later for updates.

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Beatriz E. Valenzuela Beatriz E. Valenzuela is an award-winning journalist who’s covered breaking news in Southern California since 2006 and has been on the front lines of several national and international news events. She’s worked for media outlets serving Southern California readers covering education, local government, entertainment and all things nerd including comic book culture and video games. She’s an amateur https://www.sbsun.com/..._campaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwAR37V-gL-CT_7YquZm-TSYQfq0K3lk99qpzY-kIQcu7FWcPYB9cQL7KItyc[4/23/2019 11:35:17 AM] Fontana PD says unauthorized tweet calling congresswoman ‘un-American’ was posted by off-duty employee – Daily Bulletin

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NEWSCRIME + PUBLIC SAFETY Fontana PD says unauthorized tweet calling congresswoman ‘un-American’ was posted by off- duty employee

    By ROBERT GUNDRAN | [email protected]  and BEATRIZ E. VALENZUELA | [email protected] | PUBLISHED: April 24, 2019 at 6:11 pm | UPDATED: April 24, 2019 at 6:13 pm

The Fontana Police Department no longer says its Twitter account was hacked — instead on Wednesday saying an off-duty employee was responsible for a since-deleted tweet calling Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) “un-American.”

https://www.dailybulletin.com/...tm_content=tw-ivdailybulletin&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social[4/25/2019 7:37:24 AM] Fontana PD says unauthorized tweet calling congresswoman ‘un-American’ was posted by off-duty employee – Daily Bulletin

Police in a Wednesday statement called the incident an embarrassment that does not reflect the value of its personnel.

The tweet was initially posted Tuesday morning in response to Tlaib’s comments encouraging action aimed at shutting down U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The comments were made earlier this month at a Detroit fundraiser for the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights.

“Nice knowing you! I became bulimic because I Get the latest news delivered daily! vomit every time I hear your BS. You are one of

the most un-American persons I know. You are a SUBSCRIBE disgrace to the office you hold,” the tweet read.

It was deleted later Tuesday. Follow Us

Officials said the department has since revoked    access from that employee to the department’s Twitter account. The employee on Wednesday was not identified. MOST POPULAR

Police said a personnel investigation has been Fontana PD says unauthorized tweet calling initiated and actions will be followed in accordance 1 congresswoman ‘un-American’ was posted by off-duty employee with the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act. Coachella 2019: Our 50 best photos from 2 Weekend 2 The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Los 3 Gov. Newsom denies parole for ex-Mexican Angeles Office (CAIR-LA) earlier Wednesday Mafia hitman Rene ‘Boxer’ Enriquez criticized the Police Department for the deleted La Verne’s $5.5 million settlement with 4 firefighters will make documents disappear tweet about Tlaib and called on the department and the Fontana City Council to conduct and Chino Planes of Fame Airshow will honor pilot 5 who died in Norco plane crash publicize an investigation into the matter. Which San Bernardino County cities have the 6 biggest homeless populations?

Chino Planes of Fame Airshow will honor pilot 7 who died in Norco plane crash

Here’s who might need to be revaccinated for 8 measles as cases rise https://www.dailybulletin.com/...tm_content=tw-ivdailybulletin&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social[4/25/2019 7:37:24 AM] Fontana PD says unauthorized tweet calling congresswoman ‘un-American’ was posted by off-duty employee – Daily Bulletin

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SoCalGas’ latest greenwashing campaign 12 threatens the health and safety of Californians

Screenshot of a tweet posted Tuesday April 23 to the Fontana Police Department’s Twitter account calling Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib “un-American” and a “disgrace.” (The San Bernardino Sun/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

CAIR-LA did not accept the initial explanation of apparent hacking, communicated by a police spokesman Tuesday, as a proper rationale for the tweet.

“We condemn the tweet sent out by the Fontana Police Department attacking a member of Congress with such hate and vitriol,” said CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush in a statement Wednesday. “We find it highly unlikely someone hacked the Twitter account of the Fontana Police Department to send out one specific tweet. The current trend of normalizing hate speech has emboldened bigots in their speech, as well as in their actions and it is obvious that bigotry exists within the ranks of the Fontana Police

Department.”

“We call for the Fontana Police Department and the Fontana City Council to conduct an open and thorough investigation into the matter. We also ask the results of the investigation to be shared with the residents of Fontana and the public-at-large,” he added.

CAIR-LA Communications Manager Eugene Fields clarified why CAIR-LA viewed the Fontana Police Department’s tweet as hateful and vitriolic.

“We contend that the tweet disparages Rep. Tlaib based on her highly-publicized status of being one of the first two Muslim American woman elected to Congress,” Fields said. “There are numerous members of Congress – within the state of California – who are vocal critics of ICE and they neither have not, nor are not being called ‘un- American for their criticism.’”

Tlaib took office in January and represents Michigan’s 13th congressional district. She has been a vocal critic of ICE, saying it is “terrorizing our communities with zero accountability,” and has backed efforts to impeach President Donald Trump.

“It’s language like this from institutions or persons of authority, like the Fontana Police Department and the president, that fuel hate speech and have turned that speech into action – as we have witnessed through violence at synagogues, churches and mosques, as well as threats of violence against Reps. Tlaib and Ilhan Omar and bomb threats called against our Valley Banquet in March and our office building last week,” Fields

said.

Brian Levin, director at the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino, also weighed in.

“Ad-hominem hateful tweets, like those directed against Congressperson Tlaib, have no place in a civil community discussion, and certainly not from an official police Twitter feed. Therefore, we await the outcome of investigations, so those responsible are held to account,” Levin said.

“This is an embarrassment to the Fontana Police Department,” the Police Department said in a Wednesday statement. “This careless act does not reflect the values of the men and women that honorably serve our community.”

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https://www.dailybulletin.com/...tm_content=tw-ivdailybulletin&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social[4/25/2019 7:37:24 AM] 4/25/2019 Fontana Police will take 'appropriate actions' against employee who made derogatory unauthorized post on Twitter | News | fontanaheral…

https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/news/fontana-police-will-take-appropriate-actions-against-employee-who-made/article_2183a5f4-670a- 11e9-b7ab-73b42b5b27ef.html Fontana Police will take 'appropriate actions' against employee who made derogatory unauthorized post on Twitter

Apr 24, 2019 Updated 11 hrs ago

The Fontana Police Department has announced that "appropriate actions" will be taken against an unnamed employee who apparently made an unauthorized, strongly-worded and politically controversial post on the department's Twitter feed.

On the morning of April 23, members of the Fontana P.D.'s Community Outreach and Public Engagement (COPE) Team received an inquiry from a local newspaper regarding a Twitter posting. The COPE Team is tasked with handling media relations.

The tweet in question was derogatory in nature and directed at U.S. Rep. Rashida Talib, a Michigan Democrat.

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After conrming the tweet was not posted by an authorized member of the COPE Team, Fontana Police released a statement indicating the post was made by an unknown person(s) without authorization. All assumptions were the account had been hacked.

The post was immediately removed, and an investigation was launched to determine the source of the unauthorized post.

As of April 24, "we are condent the Fontana Police Twitter feed was not hacked," the department said in a news release.

https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/news/fontana-police-will-take-appropriate-actions-against-employee-who-made/article_2183a5f4-670a-11e9-b7ab… 1/2 4/25/2019 Fontana Police will take 'appropriate actions' against employee who made derogatory unauthorized post on Twitter | News | fontanaheral…

"The unauthorized post was made by an o-duty employee who mistakenly thought he/she was posting on their personal Twitter feed," police said. "This employee previously had permission to make ocial department social media posts. That authorization has been revoked.

"A personnel investigation has been initiated and appropriate actions will be followed in accordance with California Government Code Section 3300-3313."

In addition, the Fontana P.D. has enhanced password protection protocols to prevent any such incidents in the future, police said.

"This is an embarrassment to the Fontana Police Department," the news release said. "This careless act does not reect the values of the men and women that honorably serve our community."

https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/news/fontana-police-will-take-appropriate-actions-against-employee-who-made/article_2183a5f4-670a-11e9-b7ab… 2/2 4/25/2019 Yucaipa leaders to consider code of conduct in wake of mayor’s Facebook posts – San Bernardino Sun

LOCAL NEWS Yucaipa leaders to consider code of conduct in wake of mayor’s Facebook posts Some residents called for Mayor Bobby Duncan’s resignation.

Adam Lasad holds a sign that reads “I support Mayor Bobby” outside a Yucaipa City Council meeting on Monday, April 22, 2019. During the public comment period some residentsresidents calledcalled onon MayorMayor BobbyBobby DuncanDuncan toto resignresign followingfollowing controversialcontroversial FacebookFacebook posts. (Jennifer Iyer, Redlands Daily Facts/SCNG)

By JENNIFER IYER || [email protected]@scng.com || RedlandsRedlands DailyDaily FactsFacts PUBLISHED: April 23, 2019 at 5:58 pm || UPDATED:UPDATED: April 24, 2019 at 12:24 am https://www.sbsun.com/2019/04/23/yucaipa-leaders-to-consider-code-of-conduct-in-wake-of-mayors-facebook-posts/?utm_campaign=social… 1/4 4/25/2019 Yucaipa leaders to consider code of conduct in wake of mayor’s Facebook posts – San Bernardino Sun

The Yucaipa City Council will consider a code of conduct for its members followingfollowing Mayor Bobby Duncan’s controversial social media posts andand subsequentsubsequent calls for his resignation.

At the council’s regularly scheduled meeting Monday, April 22, the first since Duncan’s posts sparked sharp criticism, more than a half-dozen residents spoke out against hateful speech and the mayor. Two speakers defended Duncan’s actions.

Duncan did not engage detractors who called for him to step down during the sometimes heated public comment period of the meeting. Instead, he thanked themthem forfor theirtheir comments.comments.

Duncan did not return a call Tuesday seeking comment.

At the meeting, Councilwoman Denise Allen suggested the council explore institutinginstituting aa codecode ofof conductconduct forfor thethe councilcouncil “so“so thatthat newlynewly electedelected people,people, oror anybody, would have an understanding of what is expected.”

Council members agreed to put the idea on the agenda for a future meeting.

Earlier in the evening, Tyler Martin spoke out against hate. He did not specifically mention Duncan but alluded to the mayor’s posts.

“In the spirit of Easter, we can learn from the common Christian phrase ‘love thy neighbor,’ Martin said at the podium. “However, council, in no way is it love when we openly tolerate racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and all other forms of ignoranceignorance andand division,division, especiallyespecially whenwhen itit comescomes fromfrom figuresfigures ofof authority.”authority.”

“Well said, thank you, appreciate your comments,” Duncan said before moving to thethe nextnext speaker.speaker.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations had called for Duncan’s resignation after learning of his posts to Facebook that attacked Muslims and undocumented Latino immigrants. On Facebook Duncan said it was not his intent toto havehave aa negative impact on his community, and that he strives to serve all residents.

William Bedford said he read some of the posts.

“That Muslims either adhere to our laws or leave,” he said, paraphrasing one message Duncan shared on his public Facebook profile. “Hmmm … who else should leave?” Bedford asked. https://www.sbsun.com/2019/04/23/yucaipa-leaders-to-consider-code-of-conduct-in-wake-of-mayors-facebook-posts/?utm_campaign=social… 2/4 4/25/2019 Yucaipa leaders to consider code of conduct in wake of mayor’s Facebook posts – San Bernardino Sun Talk like this hurts people, and makes them feel threatened, Bedford said, adding “I just don’t see how someone can serve their constituents effectively and equally with this kind of attitude.”

Maria DeFelice said Duncan has a right to free speech, but as an elected official he must respect the dignity of his constituents. She called on the council to demand the mayor’s resignation.

Chris Markarian, who identified himself as an Iraqi refugee, said he knows the mayor, and defended his actions.

“What do we call all this intolerance to your opinion,” he asked of the speakers who blasted Duncan’s actions. “Just because you’re a public official you have given up your right to your religion?”

Bethanne Keirnan also defended the mayor, and called for both sides to have a dialogue.

“You don’t know what Bobby Duncan is really thinking. You don’t know his heart,” Keirnan said, calling out some of his detractors by name.

“Bobby Duncan should not have to resign because of some people’s assumptions. You talk to him. You sit down and have a conversation,” she added.

After the public comment period a dozen or so residents congregated outside for a passionate, but civil conversation, one of whom was holding a sign that read “I support Mayor Bobby.”

Jo Sutt said outside the meeting that while she and Duncan can be friends, “his judgementjudgement waswas veryvery poorpoor inin puttingputting thisthis onon Facebook,Facebook, andand II knowknow he’she’s entitledentitled toto his own opinions. I also know his opinions influence how he serves the city.”

He has the power to make choices for the city, she said, “and the only power we have is to vote people in and out of office.”

Tags: city council,, government,, social-media,, Top Stories RDF

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z1077fm.com/17-arrested-in-proactive-patrol-in-yucca-valley/ 2/2 3 women arrested on suspicion of abusing children in Highland; 2 are suspected of lewd acts – Daily Bulletin

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NEWSCRIME + PUBLIC SAFETY 3 women arrested on suspicion of abusing children in Highland; 2 are suspected of lewd acts

    By ROBERT GUNDRAN | [email protected] |  PUBLISHED: April 24, 2019 at 4:28 pm | UPDATED: April 24, 2019 at 4:30 pm

Three Highland woman were arrested last week on suspicion of abusing children; with two of the women suspected of lewd acts.

Keilei Borero, 25, and Sara Phillips, 29, were arrested on suspicion of lewd or lascivious acts with children and sexual penetration of children by force or fear. Investigators said all the alleged acts were on children under 14. Jessica Hernandez, 27, was arrested on suspicion of corporal injury on children.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said deputies from its Highland station were dispatched to a residence on the 25900 block of

https://www.dailybulletin.com/...tm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_content=tw-ivdailybulletin[4/25/2019 7:39:43 AM] 3 women arrested on suspicion of abusing children in Highland; 2 are suspected of lewd acts – Daily Bulletin

9th Street on April 16 around 6 p.m. in reference to possible sex crimes involving a child.

Deputies conducted an investigation and discovered that three children were inappropriately Get the latest news delivered daily! touched by Phillips and Borero, and that Hernandez recently disciplined the children with a SUBSCRIBE belt, leaving noticeable injuries on of them, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Follow Us

Borero and Phillips were both arrested on April 17,    according to court records. They were booked into the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino, each with a bail of $250,000. Hernandez was MOST POPULAR arrested April 18 and later released on Monday.

Officials said the three children were placed into Fontana PD says unauthorized tweet calling 1 congresswoman ‘un-American’ was posted by protective custody by the San Bernardino County off-duty employee

Department of Children and Family Services. Coachella 2019: Our 50 best photos from 2 Weekend 2 Borero and Phillips are scheduled to appear at Gov. Newsom denies parole for ex-Mexican San Bernardino Superior Court on Tuesday. There 3 Mafia hitman Rene ‘Boxer’ Enriquez was no immediate information on when Hernandez La Verne’s $5.5 million settlement with is scheduled to appear in court next. 4 firefighters will make documents disappear

Chino Planes of Fame Airshow will honor pilot 5 who died in Norco plane crash RELATED ARTICLES Which San Bernardino County cities have the 6 biggest homeless populations? Ontario man accused of sexually abusing teen Chino Planes of Fame Airshow will honor pilot 7 who died in Norco plane crash

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Pilot in fatal plane crash in Norco is identified as Archdiocese of Los Angeles to pay $8 9 Chino man million to settle sex abuse lawsuit Coachella 2019: 25 photos of some of the best 10 fashion we saw at Coachella 3 men from Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga arrested on suspicion of distributing child 11 14-year-old girl found after going missing in pornography Upland SoCalGas’ latest greenwashing campaign https://www.dailybulletin.com/...tm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_content=tw-ivdailybulletin[4/25/2019 7:39:43 AM] Blaze that broke out in San Gorgonio area 90 percent contained – San Bernardino Sun

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NEWSCRIME + PUBLIC SAFETY Blaze that broke out in San Gorgonio area 90 percent contained

    By ROBERT GUNDRAN | [email protected] |  PUBLISHED: April 23, 2019 at 9:32 pm | UPDATED: April 23, 2019 at 9:32 pm

A small fire that broke out just east of Angelus Oaks in the San Bernardino National Forest was 90 percent contained as of 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The fire in the San Gorgonio Wilderness was initially contained to one acre on Monday and didn’t grow Tuesday. No structures were threatened and the cause was under investigation.

San Bernardino National Forest officials Tuesday said crews took down dead trees with fire in their crowns to prevent the further spread of the blaze.

Firefighters tackle small blaze in the San Gorgonio Wilderness

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/04/23/blaze-that-broke-out-in-san-gorgonio-area-90-percent-contained/[4/25/2019 7:50:55 AM] 4/25/2019 Victorville teenager questioned over threats to Columbine High School - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

Victorville teenager questioned over threats to Columbine High School By Staff Reports Posted Apr 24, 2019 at 3:36 PM Updated Apr 24, 2019 at 3:36 PM VICTORVILLE — Authorities here interviewed a local teenager on Tuesday for allegedly calling Columbine High School in Colorado “threatening to shoot up the school and blow it up.”

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department deputies interviewed the 14-year- old male at the request of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department in Colorado, according to a press release.

The sheriff’s department in Colorado was investigating a recent threat made against Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, the site of one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. Students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold murdered 12 students and one teacher there in 1999.

The investigation traced an IP address connected to a phone call from a house in Victorville, authorities said.

The 14-year-old was also sought for allegedly calling FBI headquarters and making unspecified false reports of homicide and a hostage situation, the press release said.

“The suspect reportedly made the calls so he could join an on-line gaming clan and had no intention of carrying out the threats,” the press release said.

The report will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office for review, the press release said. Authorities did not have further information regarding the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department’s investigation or any investigation by the FBI.

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20190424/victorville-teenager-questioned-over-threats-to-columbine-high-school 1/2 4/25/2019 Victorville teenager questioned over threats to Columbine High School - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Deputy Z. Pritchett or Deputy M. Johnson at the Victorville Police Department at (760) 241-2911 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are asked to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20190424/victorville-teenager-questioned-over-threats-to-columbine-high-school 2/2 A divided Riverside City Council votes to cut its meeting schedule in half – Press Enterprise

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LOCAL NEWS A divided Riverside City Council votes to cut its meeting schedule in half

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A divided Riverside City Council voted to halve its number of meetings Tuesday, April 23. (File photo by William Wilson Lewis III/The Press-Enterprise) SUBSCRIBE

https://www.pe.com/...-in-half/?utm_content=tw-pressenterprise&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com[4/25/2019 7:40:20 AM] A divided Riverside City Council votes to cut its meeting schedule in half – Press Enterprise

By RYAN HAGEN | [email protected] | The  Press-Enterprise Follow Us PUBLISHED: April 24, 2019 at 4:15 pm | UPDATED: April 24, 2019 at 4:17 pm    

Saying they wanted to stop wasting time and MOST POPULAR money on meetings where little is accomplished, the Riverside City Council voted 4-3 this week to Law enforcement personnel, other supporters meet just twice a month instead of the first four 1 gather in Riverside for fundraiser for family of fallen CHP Sgt. Steve Licon Tuesdays. 2 Coachella 2019: 25 photos of some of the best Council members Tuesday, April 23, agreed to fashion we saw at Coachella remove half of their scheduled meetings despite Coachella 2019: Our 50 best photos from 3 Weekend 2 concerns that residents will lose some access to the council. Coachella 2019: Our 50 best photos from 4 Weekend 1

Beginning in late May, the council will meet on the Pilot in fatal plane crash in Norco is identified as 5 Chino man first and third Tuesday of every month. 6 New apartments next to downtown Metrolink The proposal got support from four of the seven station evoke Riverside’s citrus heritage councilmen April 9, which usually indicates a 7 Riverside woman charged with murder in case of routine approval when an item comes for a second man fatally stabbed on side of 15 Freeway and final vote. But Councilman Mike Gardner Coachella 2019: Photos of the performers and 8 their fans from Saturday, Weekend 2 asked Mayor Rusty Bailey to veto the proposal, which could have scuttled the idea. Hometown Buffet has closed in Moreno Valley 9 Mall

Gardner was joined by Councilmen Andy Coachella 2019: These photos show you what 10 Kanye West’s Sunday Service looked like Melendrez and Jim Perry in opposing the reduction. 3 women arrested on suspicion of abusing 11 children in Highland; 2 are suspected of lewd acts “I think it’s a serious mistake if we reduce the Coachella 2019: These photos show you the opportunity for the public that we represent to see 12 Weekend 2 vibes us in action, to interact with us if they choose to do that,” Gardner said.

In addition, the discussion of whether to reduce meetings started at close to 9 p.m. because of other items discussed first, Gardner noted. Adding https://www.pe.com/...-in-half/?utm_content=tw-pressenterprise&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com[4/25/2019 7:40:20 AM] A divided Riverside City Council votes to cut its meeting schedule in half – Press Enterprise

discussions now scheduled for another week to an existing agenda would presumably lengthen the meeting, leading to worse decisions.

“Everybody gets tired and it’s harder to focus in a long meeting,” he said.

But more often, meetings have few items worth discussing in depth and end early, said Councilman Mike Soubirous. That means unnecessarily taking staff members away from their other work and sometimes — in the case of police who guard every meeting, for example — require overtime.

Bailey RELATED ARTICLES said he carefully Redlands Bowl to upgrade ‘deteriorating’ sound and light infrastructure

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Yucaipa leaders to consider code of conduct in wake of mayor’s Facebook posts https://www.pe.com/...-in-half/?utm_content=tw-pressenterprise&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com[4/25/2019 7:40:20 AM] A divided Riverside City Council votes to cut its meeting schedule in half – Press Enterprise

3 San Bernardino libraries saved for now as trustees reject proposal to cut $140,000 from budget

considered whether to issue Riverside’s second veto in nearly 25 years, following his 2018 veto of a new contract for then-City Manager John Russo.

“Meetings don’t equal accessibility or transparency or accountability,” Bailey said. “Representatives do.”

More than any time in the past, Bailey said, people can reach their elected officials any time of day — by email, phone, social media, at City Hall or by meeting them in town.

“If we’re not here, we’ll be in the community,” Bailey said. “Your elected officials are more effective when they have the time and energy to meet with constituents and sometimes to sit at a desk to work.”

Councilmembers’ pay will not be affected by the decision, and the vote doesn’t affect the council’s ability to schedule extra meetings if an item is urgent or the workload increases.

Regular meetings will continue to start at close to 2 p.m. and reconvene in the evening.

While most cities in the area and most cities the size of Riverside meet twice per month, Riverside began meeting more frequently to handle the increased workload of the Riverside Renaissance, a 2006 initiative that aimed to complete 30 years’ worth of projects in five years.

https://www.pe.com/...-in-half/?utm_content=tw-pressenterprise&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com[4/25/2019 7:40:20 AM] Orange County district attorney begins internal probe of informant scandal - Los Angeles Times

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L.A. NOW LOCAL Orange County district attorney begins internal probe of informant scandal

By JAMES QUEALLY

APR 24, 2019 | 7:15 PM

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https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-orange-county-informant-investigation-20190424-story.html[4/25/2019 7:36:55 AM] Orange County district attorney begins internal probe of informant scandal - Los Angeles Times

Orange County Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer announced an internal investigation into the alleged misuse of jailhouse informants. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Orange County’s top prosecutor Wednesday launched an internal review of alleged misuse of informants in the county’s jails, after statements last week that the state attorney general’s office had closed its years-long criminal investigation into the scandal.

In a statement, Orange County Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer expressed frustration with the lack of communication from Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra over the status of the state’s investigation. During a hearing in a Fullerton courtroom last week, Deputy Atty. Gen. Darren Shaffer said that the state probe into the conduct of several sheriff’s deputies had been closed, but offered no further explanation, according to county Assistant Public Defender Scott Sanders.

“I refuse to wait for the attorney general to make any conclusions given this lack of communication on inquiries,” Spitzer said. “It is my responsibility as the recently elected district attorney of Orange County to move forward with my own investigation into what occurred,” and if any remaining personnel are responsible.

Shaffer’s comments at the April 19 hearing appeared to be in reference to a perjury investigation involving at least three sheriff’s deputies. He did not say when or why the investigation closed, or make any statements about possible criminal charges. In a letter sent to Becerra on Wednesday, Spitzer asked whether the district attorney’s office also remained under investigation.

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SoCal sunshine and warmth—do you really need another reason to escape to our luxury hideaway this spring? Here are five to tempt you. Former Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris started the investigation in 2015, after Orange County sheriff’s deputies were accused of housing a prolific jailhouse informant near Scott SEE MORE Dekraai, the confessed gunman in the 2011 Seal Beach salon massacre.

Evidence produced during Dekraai’s case revealed that deputies had been placing informants near high-profile defendants to obtain confessions and elicit other information, which violated their constitutional right to have an attorney present when questioned about crimes for which they had already been charged.

The scandal has led to retrials in more than a dozen cases, including some homicides.

Five years later, some fear Orange County jail snitch scandal will go unpunished

APR 21, 2019 | 5:00 AM

For years the investigation overseen by Harris and then Becerra showed no tangible progress. Earlier this year, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes took the unusual step of restarting his internal investigation because of a similar lack of communication from Becerra’s office.

The attorney general’s office has not responded to multiple phone calls and emails from The Times seeking comment. A spokeswoman told a reporter Wednesday that their “inquiry was still in progress.”

As of Monday, the Sheriff’s Department had received no word about the status of the

investigation, according to Carrie Braun, an agency spokeswoman.

Local watchdogs and civil rights advocates have long expressed frustration with the pace of the attorney general’s investigation and concern that the full extent of the informant scandal may never be known.

“The investigation was a sham from beginning to end, and the result is more deputies are more emboldened than ever to ignore the law,” Sanders, who first uncovered the informant situation while representing Dekraai in 2014, said last week.

Orange County Superior Court Judge James Rogan could force Becerra’s office to become more transparent about the case next month, when he rules on a motion from Sanders seeking records related to the attorney general’s investigation in a separate criminal case.

The matter also remains under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Essential California Newsletter Monday - Saturday

A roundup of the stories shaping California.



James Queally   

James Queally writes about crime and policing in Southern California for the Los Angeles Times. A part of the team of reporters that won a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the 2015 terror attack at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, Queally has written extensively about violence, police pursuits, street racing and hate crimes since coming to The Times. A Brooklyn native, he moved West in 2014 after spending five years covering crime and police news for the Star-Ledger in New Jersey. In that time he profiled Frank Lucas, the drug kingpin who inspired the film “American Gangster,” and wrote a series of stories that revealed how the state’s largest police departments failed to solve thousands of nonfatal shootings, which led to policy changes. Not content with real-life https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-orange-county-informant-investigation-20190424-story.html[4/25/2019 7:36:55 AM] 4/25/2019 Supervisors ask no questions, make no comment while O.C. Sheriff talks about his agency’s relationship with ICE – Press Ente…

NEWSCRIME + PUBLIC SAFETY Supervisors ask no questions, make no comment while O.C. Sheriff talks about his agency’s relationship with ICE ImmigrantImmigrant advocatesadvocates expressexpress frustrationfrustration duringduring legallylegally requiredrequired informationinformation session.session.

By ROXANA KOPETMAN || [email protected] || OrangeOrange CountyCounty Register PUBLISHED: April 23, 2019 at 5:52 pm || UPDATED:UPDATED: April 23, 2019 at 6:10 pm

Immigrant rights advocates expressed frustration Tuesday when county supervisors failed to ask a single question or make a comment during a public forumforum aboutabout thethe OrangeOrange CountyCounty SheriffSheriff Department’sDepartment’s dealingdealing withwith federalfederal immigrationimmigration agents.agents.

Some of the complaints expressed by advocates – lack of transparency by the Sheriff’s Dept. and little accountability – were similar to ones aired last December, when the Board of Supervisors aired their first-ever local forum required by a California law calledcalled thethe TransparentTransparent ReviewReview ofof UnjustUnjust TransfersTransfers andand HoldsHolds ((thethe TRUTH Act.).)

“It was disheartening, but at the same time, not surprising,” said Ana Ramirez Zarate, of Resilience Orange County, a youth-centered social justice group. https://www.pe.com/2019/04/23/supervisors-ask-no-questions-make-no-comment-while-o-c-sheriff-talks-about-his-agencys-relationship-with… 1/4 4/25/2019 Supervisors ask no questions, make no comment while O.C. Sheriff talks about his agency’s relationship with ICE – Press Ente… But unlike December’s forum, which Supervisor Andrew Do ended before Sheriff Don Barnes could make a presentation,, thethe sheriffsheriff gotgot hishis saysay TuesdayTuesday afterafter immigrant-rightsimmigrant-rights advocatesadvocates addressedaddressed thethe board.board.

Barnes said deputies in his department do not ask people about their immigration status. He also said his department “does not engage in immigration enforcement,” that the department cooperates with federal immigration authorities “where the law allows,” and that the agency “fully” exercises its discretion to notify and transfer serious offenders.

The sheriff repeated his previously stated opposition to California’s controversial sanctuary law, SB-54, which restricts cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents.

“Laws like SB 54 makes us less safe,” Barnes said.

In 2018, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) asked the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to notify them of the release of 1,823 inmates once their timetime waswas up,up, BarnesBarnes said.said. OfOf those,those, 717717 inmatesinmates werewere transferredtransferred toto thethe federalfederal agency.

But state laws restricted the department from notifying ICE about the remaining 1,106 inmates, who were released into the community. Barnes said that 173 of the released inmates later were rearrested in Orange County for 58 different types of crimes, including “attempted murder, assault and battery, child molestation and robbery.” (The Sheriff’s Department could not provide similar statistics for its overall inmate population.)

Immigrant-rights advocates argue that local officials have yet to hold a meaningful forum and provide adequate information, including a breakdown of who is and who isn’t being transferred. The TRUTH Act, which became effective Jan. 1, 2017, requires community forums be held each year to give the public informationinformation aboutabout whatwhat accessaccess ICEICE getsgets fromfrom locallocal lawlaw enforcement.enforcement.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, according to immigrant-rights advocates, also is one of several law enforcement agencies going around state law thatthat limitslimits notificationsnotifications toto ICEICE byby publishing the release dates of all inmates.. ByBy making the information readily available to the public, it is indirectly notifying ICE, they said.

Tuesday’s forum ended with cries of “shame, shame” from the audience when the Board of Supervisors quietly voted to receive and file the information, without asking questions or offering any input.

https://www.pe.com/2019/04/23/supervisors-ask-no-questions-make-no-comment-while-o-c-sheriff-talks-about-his-agencys-relationship-with… 2/4 4/25/2019 Supervisors ask no questions, make no comment while O.C. Sheriff talks about his agency’s relationship with ICE – Press Ente… “The lack of interest this board has in being open and transparent about the information,information, whichwhich isis thethe focusfocus ofof thisthis hearing,hearing, isis astounding,”astounding,” RossmoorRossmoor residentresident Joel Block told the board. Block is a member of Los Alamitos Community United,, an organization that sprung up last year in reaction to that city’s vote to opt out of thethe statestate sanctuarysanctuary statestate lawlaw..

Advocates from various immigrant-rights and faith organizations, including VietRise and the Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice, also expressed concern about the fate of another batch of immigrants – people who have been detained while they go through the immigration court process.

Last month, Barnes announced that as of Aug. 1 Orange County will stop holding civilian immigrant detainees,, includingincluding asylumasylum seekers,seekers, whowho areare notnot chargedcharged withwith non-immigration crimes, now held at the James A. Musick and Theo Lacy facilities.facilities. SinceSince then,then, thethe numbernumber ofof immigrantimmigrant detaineesdetainees atat thethe twotwo jailsjails hashas fallen.fallen. It’sIt’s unclearunclear wherewhere theythey areare beingbeing transferredtransferred to,to, andand ICEICE officialsofficials havehave refused to say.

At least some were transferred last Friday to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center inin SanSan BernardinoBernardino County,County, saidsaid AnnieAnnie Lai,Lai, co-directorco-director ofof thethe ImmigrantImmigrant RightsRights Clinic at UC Irvine.

On Tuesday, there were 458 civilian immigrant detainees left at Theo Lacy and Musick, according to an Orange County Sheriff’s spokewoman. In March, those facilitiesfacilities heldheld moremore thanthan 700700 detainees.detainees.

Southern California facilities that hold civilian immigrant detainees, like Theo Lacy and Adelanto, have come under fire not only from immigrant-rights and civil rights organizations but from state and federal agencies.. ThoseThose whowho runrun thethe locallocal facilitiesfacilities havehave saidsaid thatthat concernsconcerns werewere addressedaddressed andand problemsproblems rectified.rectified.

Tags: California politics,, illegal-immigrationillegal-immigration,, immigrationimmigration,, politics,, public safety,, Top Stories OCR,, Top Stories PE

Roxana Kopetman Roxana Kopetman is a staff writer at The Orange County Register.  Follow Roxana Kopetman @roxanakopetman

https://www.pe.com/2019/04/23/supervisors-ask-no-questions-make-no-comment-while-o-c-sheriff-talks-about-his-agencys-relationship-with… 3/4 L.A. County employee and contractor who bribed him plead guilty to federal charges - Los Angeles Times

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L.A. NOW LOCAL L.A. County employee and contractor who bribed him plead guilty to federal charges

By JACLYN COSGROVE

APR 24, 2019 | 9:55 PM

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An L.A. County employee and the electrical contractor who paid him almost $300,000 in bribes both pleaded guilty to federal bribery and tax charges, with both also agreeing to cooperate in an ongoing federal investigation, according to plea agreements filed Wednesday.

Mohammad R. Tirmazi, 50, of Alta Loma was working in the county’s Internal Services Department when he accepted bribes from 2014 to 2017 from 38-year-old Palmdale resident Enrique Contreras, owner of Tel-Pro Voice & Data, a vendor that performed electrical work for the county.

In exchange for the cash, checks and gifts, Tirmazi helped “steer lucrative county contracts to businesses

https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-la-county-bribery-federal-charges-20190424-story.html[4/25/2019 8:03:15 AM] L.A. County employee and contractor who bribed him plead guilty to federal charges - Los Angeles Times

or contractors” that Contreras knew would subcontract his company, court records show.

Tirmazi also agreed to approve change orders that Contreras requested for work that didn’t happen, materials that weren’t bought or used, unnecessary work or materials, and work or materials that were generally overpriced, according to court documents.

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At the same time, Contreras inflated the time that his own company worked for the county so he could get extra money to pay bribes to Tirmazi, according to court records.

Tirmazi thought Contreras’ company’s work was generally “shoddy” but overlooked the poor quality because of the bribes, according to court records. Tirmazi didn’t report or force Contreras to correct building and safety code violations that Tirmazi found during inspections of his company’s work, court records show.

“Corrupt public officials and powerful people who pay bribes pose a threat to our institutions and, as we see in this case, also can threaten public safety,” U.S. Atty. Nick Hanna said in a statement.

Contreras and Tirmazi made a multitude of choices they thought would help them not get caught, including Contreras telling Tirmazi to make deposits at his bank of less than $10,000 to avoid mandatory bank reporting requirements. Tirmazi preferred cash “because he thought it would be harder for law enforcement to trace the bribe payments,” the plea agreement says.

Contreras paid Tirmazi $216,207 in checks, attempting to conceal the bribes by making the checks out to people or businesses that Tirmazi controlled. Contreras wanted to pay Tirmazi in checks so he could claim the payments as a business expense, thus lowering his company’s taxable income, according to court records.

Tirmazi also had an IT equipment-related business, which made part of its money selling cables. Tirmazi bought some cables online that were unusually low-priced, and he later admitted he thought they might

have been stolen, according to court records. He then sold the cables to Contreras for $55,400. The two men attempted to hide the undisclosed business relationship. Contreras wrote checks payable to other people, who cashed the checks for Tirmazi, according to the plea agreements.

The cases against Tirmazi and Contreras are part of an ongoing FBI and IRS criminal investigation.

As part of their guilty pleas, Tirmazi and Contreras will both face a statutory maximum sentence of 13 years in federal prison.

“Investigating contractor fraud schemes is like peeling back the layers of a rotten onion: Each new layer reveals another public official and/or contractor who is profiting from these illicit schemes,” Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner for IRS Criminal Investigation in Los Angeles said in a statement. “We must stop this corrupt conduct, which leads to the unfair awarding of lucrative contracts and a clear violation of the federal tax laws.”

Contreras also admitted to bribing county employee Thomas Shepos with thousands of dollars in cash, totaling up to $300,000, in exchange for Shepos telling Contreras non-public county information and helping Contreras secure county contracts, according to court records.

Shepos would tell Contreras about upcoming county projects that Contreras could bid on, and Shepos would also tell Contreras when there were multiple bids so that Contreras knew when to lower his bid and increase his chances of getting the contract. Shepos pleaded guilty in November to accepting bribes.

In total, Contreras bribed both county workers upward of $600,000, court records show.

In mid-2017, Contreras stopped paying bribes to Tirmazi. That’s when he told Tirmazi that Contreras was under federal investigation.

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https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-la-county-bribery-federal-charges-20190424-story.html[4/25/2019 8:03:15 AM] 4/25/2019 California's hottest housing bill moves ahead—with a break for smaller counties | CALmatters

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APRIL 24, 2019 5:19 PM   California’s hottest housing bill moves ahead—with a break for smaller counties 

Matt Levin

https://calmatters.org/articles/blog/californias-hottest-housing-bill-advances-with-changes/ 1/13 4/25/2019 California's hottest housing bill moves ahead—with a break for smaller counties | CALmatters

Construction unions are among those supporting a state bill that would require cities to OK denser housing near transit—but the cities themselves are generally opposed to the idea.

A controversial bill that would force California cities to allow denser housing around public transit cleared a major hurdle today, but only after its sponsor agreed to go easier on smaller- sized counties.

Senate Bill 50, from Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco, passed out of a key legislative committee after it was amended to take a softer approach to counties of less than 600,000 people.

While the bill still faces fierce political opposition and a long road ahead in the state Legislature, the vote marks a significant victory for Wiener’s move to promote more dense housing around transit—an approach he says is necessary to help alleviate the state’s housing shortage and curb greenhouse gas emissions from commuters.

Originally, the bill would have required all California neighborhoods within a half-mile of a major public transit stop to allow apartment buildings four to five stories tall. No longer would cities be able to restrict zoning around transit to exclusively single-family homes, for example.  “We know what we need to do,” Wiener said at today’s hearing, in a Capitol hearing room overflowing with advocates on both sides of the issue. “You can have all the funding for affordable housing in the world and all the streamlining in the world, but if you don’t have zoning changes, it’s all for naught.” https://calmatters.org/articles/blog/californias-hottest-housing-bill-advances-with-changes/ 2/13 4/25/2019 California's hottest housing bill moves ahead—with a break for smaller counties | CALmatters The original provision would still apply to the 15 most populous California counties, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Joaquin counties. “Jobs-rich” communities not within a half- mile of public transportation would also have to change local zoning laws to allow for taller buildings.

But under the new compromise, smaller counties—including those with expensive real estate markets such as Marin, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo—would be treated differently.

Most cities in those smaller counties would be forced to allow housing near public transit that’s slightly more dense than what’s currently allowed, but not 4-5 stories. They also would also be required to approve duplexes, triplexes and four-plexes “by right” in almost all neighborhoods, allowing developers to bypass the often lengthy and costly process of getting small housing projects approved by local planning commissions and city councils.

The new provisions for smaller counties incorporate elements of what was a rival plan from Sen. Mike McGuire, Democrat from Healdsburg, who chairs the Senate Governance and Finance committee that held today’s vote.

“A blanket one-size-fits-all approach simply does not work for every community here in California,” said McGuire, whose district includes famously anti-development Marin County.

Advocates for Wiener’s bill point out that even the weaker density requirements on smaller counties could lead to a substantial boost to new housing—and that the “four-plex” provision in particular means an end to neighborhoods zoned exclusively for single-family homes. The city of Minneapolis made national headlines for a similar law last year.

Today’s vote is a noteworthy victory for Wiener, whose try at similar legislation last year failed to advance this far.

Several politically influential groups that opposed last year’s legislation are now on board, or at least aren’t explicitly opposed. Construction labor unions have thrown their weight behind the bill, while several housing equity groups concerned about the bill’s potential to gentrify lower- income neighborhoods are still negotiating with Wiener.  But California cities up and down the state still view SB 50 as an unprecedented encroachment on local control over housing decisions. While the most fierce opposition has come from smaller municipalities, the Los Angeles City Council and San Francisco Board of Supervisors have adopted resolutions opposing the bill. https://calmatters.org/articles/blog/californias-hottest-housing-bill-advances-with-changes/ 3/13 4/25/2019 California's hottest housing bill moves ahead—with a break for smaller counties | CALmatters “It’s not one-size-fits-all, its two-sizes-fits-all,” said David Reyes, a Pasadena city planner testifying against the bill even as amended. He warned that the state can expect cities to sue to block Wiener’s bill if it becomes law.

Some tenant rights and anti-gentrification groups, including those affiliated with the Los Angeles- based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, testified against the bill today. A controversial flyer from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation sent to San Francisco households compared SB 50 to the “urban renewal” programs of the mid-20th century, invoking the image of African-American author James Baldwin, who called such programs “Negro removal.”

“Frankly, we have too many deep concerns about SB 50’s impacts, even with the amendments on low-income communities of color, to support it,” testified Shanti Singh of Tenants Together.

Sen. Jim Beall, a Democrat from San Jose who opposed Wiener’s legislation last year, said his support for the bill this year was conditioned on passage of a broader housing package, which would include new funding sources for low-income housing and more tenant protections.

“If there’s not a package we’ll continue to have conflicts,” said Beall.

Even if the bill were to pass the Legislature, it’s unclear whether Gov. Gavin Newsom would sign it. Newsom has floated several proposals aimed at reaching his goal of 3.5 million new California homes by 2025, but has balked at publicly supporting SB 50.

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APRIL 24, 2019 10:24 PM  

https://calmatters.org/articles/blog/californias-hottest-housing-bill-advances-with-changes/ 4/13