LANCASTER – Lancaster joined thousands of cities across the country Tuesday in celebrating the 29th Annual National Night Out, a nationwide campaign that promotes police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie.
“The main goal of National Night Out is to get residents across the country to take a collective stand against crime by getting out into their neighborhoods and enjoying where they live,” said Jennifer Prirscaro, Community Service Officer with the City of Lancaster.
“Through the combined effort of our local law enforcement, neighborhood watch groups, and responsible, engaged citizens, we send a clear message to the criminals that they are not welcome here in Lancaster,” said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris in a press release. “We are a proud city and I encourage all Lancaster residents to leave their porch lights on all evening Tuesday, August 7 to show our solidarity against crime.”
Along with the traditional outside lights and front porch vigils, the city hosted a Public Safety Fair and Emergency Expo from 3 to 7 p.m. at Deputy Pierre Bain Park.
The event showcased various public safety and emergency response agencies that operate in the Antelope Valley, including the LA County Sheriff’s Department, LA County Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, Antelope Valley CERT, and the Department of Children and Family Services.
Disaster supply vendors were also on hand to answer questions and provide information about services available to the public.
Several residents said the expo was very informative.
“I learned about car seats, safety, CPR, and about how you can turn the gas off if it’s leaking,” said Lancaster resident Sharday. “The information was helpful because I found out stuff I didn’t know before.”
Alexis Miller came out solely to sign up for the Sheriff’s Department’s Explorer Program.
“I wanted to do it last year, but I was too young so I came back again today,” Miller said.
Fourteen-year-old Katherine Montenagro said she most enjoyed the fire department’s exhibit.
“I learned that our firefighters really do a good job, and they use a lot of technology,” she said. “It’s very confusing, but it’s pretty cool.”
Other organizations that participated in the expo included The Department of Animal Care & Control, American Medical Response, American Red Cross, Valley Oasis/SARS, Jacob Hefter Foundation, Antelope Valley Partners for Health, Kids Are 1st, Neighborhood Impact, Weed & Seed Central Lancaster and Paving the Way Foundation.
National Night Out celebrations also took place at Twin Lakes Community Church in Lake Los Angeles and at the Antelope Acres Community Center in Antelope Acres.
For many more pictures from this event, visit our facebook page.
–
Otis says
Michelle,
As you appoint yourself a flag-bearer for supposedly disenfranchised parolees, your agenda actually seems to be more about you than them, and more about the poor, misunderstood folks who selfishly victimized their neighbors than the victims themselves.
You’ve stated that you’ve paid your debt to society; but did you really? What about the victims themselves, the ones whose lives were shaken by you – what exactly have THEY been paid?
Did they even get a sincere, personal “I’m sorry” from you?
And what about all of those other acquaintances, friends and family members that you hurt over the years – the many scams and thefts that you DIDN’T get arrested for? Do you have remorse or feelings – or plans for atonement – for all or any of THOSE people that you exploited?
Your re-entry proposals sound thoughtful and earnest; but what are you really thinking?
ConMan Jones says
Yeah come on everyone, give the convicted con artist another chance. She just needs you to believe in her! Well, believe in her and give her drunk butt a bunch of taxpayer or non-profit money for her program. Come on, she’s got a binder and everything.
mike says
I found the ‘Night Out’ very informative and the persons manning the tables very knowledgeble and committed to their causes. My discussion with the Animal Care and Control officer helped me realize that the individual officers are committed to our animal companions.
Michelle Egberts says
Our community needs systemic SOLUTIONS to sddress the challenges of recidivisim. The citizens should understand that the day someone enters a correctional institution is the day we need to begin planning for their release. If we expect the drop in our crime rate to continue, if we expect to keep our city strong and growing we must make a commitment to successfully reintegrate the formerly incarcerated back into their communities.
As an ex-offender and an advocate for prisoner reentry, I can speak first hand for the “criminals” coming back home to Lancaster. We have paid our debt to society and are looking forward to contributing to our families and neighborhoods as law-abiding, hard-working, tax-paying citizens.
We are entitled to be treated in issues of employment, education, healthcare, housing and all other area’s of daily life, and the city should not hesitate to make sure we have the tools to succeed, instead of intimidation or threats of rearrest (a quote by Mayor Parris something to the effect of; Parolees Put On Notice…”If you are on parole and live in the City of Lancaster, you are not safe. Our number one goal is to put you back in prison”- AV Press January 19, 2011).
As a parolee at that time, advocating a reentry initiative before the City Council and Criminal Justice Commission, I personally experienced the rath of you, and law enforcement in your attempts to make good on that promise that could have cost me 9 years in prison i.e. acts of civil rights violations, harassment, intimidation/threats, false arrest, false allegations, fabrication of evidence, writing of false police report, false and misleading internal report, dishonesty, abuse of authority, official misconduct, discrimination and retaliation. Fortunately for me, the justice system prevailed and I was aquitted not once but twice in the court of law by local jurors.
The issue of “reentry” should take on a new urgency, especially with the implementation of AB109. The formerly incarcerated individuals are coming back home seeking a fresh start. For too long, the challenges facing these individuals have been largely ignored. The fact is when people with criminal records succeed, we all succeed. Our families, our neighborhoods and out city’s economy all benefit when formerly incarcerated individuals achieve their independance and lead healthy, responsible crime-free lives.
Resources and programs are a CRITICAL step, and Mayor’s have the autority over services that are essential in our successful reentry. The most robust and interesting innovative models of supervision are now community based and Mayor’s can hold partners and city agencies accountable for their successes and failures. Many of the service agencies are under mayoral control. Therefore, Mayor’s hold partial responsibility for the 70% recidivism rate.
An ex-offender can be an asset to the community. We can help you, help us. Therefore, I propose that our community neighborhoods, elected officials, law enforcement, and Community Advisory Committee investigate the posibility of implimenting the “COP” Program (Cellular On Patrol) modeled after San Antonio, Texas into our community.
http://www.sanantonio.gov/sapd/cop2.asp
A Law Abiding Citizen of Lancaster says
@Michelle Egberts
Parole is French for “voice” or “spoken word.” Prisoners give their “word of honor” to abide by certain restrictions in order to serve the remainder of their sentence outside of prision. Therefore, “As a parolee at that time, advocating a reentry initiative before the City Council and Criminal Justice Commission,” you had yet to “paid your debt to society.”
If the mayor put parollees on notice that they had better keep “their word” to be “honorable” citizens while serving their sentence outside of prison and in the City of Lancaster or go back to prison, he is absolutely spot on and has my complete support!
Theadore says
But Michelle is right. Rex DIDN’T say “that they had better keep “their word” to be “honorable” citizens while serving their sentence outside of prison and in the City of Lancaster or go back to prison”.
He said if you’re on parole, the city would do everything in their power to send them back to prison. Period!
Just like he said we’re growing a Christian community. And that he would NEVER apologize. And then he apologized.
Just like he said he would never believe a felon. Even tho he wrote a letter to the editor at the av press last week, supporting Buck Mckeon’s new district director, who is a felon. So the good news is he supports felons, but only HIS felons.
William says
If Rex Parris represents the Christian community of Lancaster, it’s in deep s***. The folks in the Lancaster prison probably have more integrity than he does.
TJ says
you sound like a bitter, self righteous old queen who watches msnbc all day (when ellen isn’t on) and reflexively votes democrat because they dont know any better. i think i’ve got ya pegged….
William says
Mitt Romney is a pathological liar that even the tea party republicans don’t like.
So, hold your nose and vote for him. He’s gonna be just like Bush. What could possibly go wrong?
Hector says
If he’s ANYTHING like Bush, he’s got my vote. Obama has done nothing good, other than saying yes to pulling the trigger on Bin Laden….what a tough call. Time to get this country back into shape…starting with big and small business. Sorry lazy folks…time to get to work!
Theadore says
So Hector, corporations have NEVER seen the record profits and the stock market has NEVER been as high as they’ve been under Obama. There has NEVER been as high a deportation rate of illegal aliens as there has been under Obama. And after almost 10 yrs of war, Obama is bringing our troops home. And you’re right. He was responsible for getting osama.
Which of the above do you disagree with?
William says
Theodore. Thanks for your reply to ‘Hector’ and that’s just the short list.
The people who voted for Bush haven’t learned a thing, it seems. There are just as stupid and uninformed as ever.
Theadore says
My pleasure. I wouldn’t mind their stupidity so much, if it hadn’t damn near destroyed my country last time around!
Hector says
Just what I expected from the lib contingent. Plenty of bogus “facts” with no legitimate facts to back it up. All bad info and lib talking points.
William says
You and the tea party republicans are allergic to facts.
Melvin Jones says
Tell me Theodore, what makes you think Obama and his cronies had anything to do with what you state? In any case, a good item for debate.
Would you disagree that Obama shamelessly accepted a Nobel Prize for doing nothing?
Would you disagree that Obama pissed off many Europeans and European leaders? Pissed off and alienated our best ally in the middle east with his ‘on the fence’ position with respect to Iran?
Would you disagree that the jury is still out on Obamacare; that 1,400 page waste of paper?
Would you disagree that Obama’s true place of birth is still a bit clouded?
Would you disagree that Obama is a tad anti white? He calls Gabby the gymnist to congratulate her, but I don’t hear or read about any calls to white athletes.
I could go on but won’t. Romney is the lesser of two evils and not perfect, but he’s got my vote.
Theadore says
NO-NO-YES-NO-NO
Hector says
There you have it….a detailed, well-informed, liberal response. NO facts. Just hot air. Your spending spree is coming to an end democrats!!!
Theadore says
You guys are a laugh a minute. Obama CAN’T blame Bush for ANYTHING Bush was responsible for during his nightmare reign as the king with no clothes, (it was that nasty nasty man Clinton’s fault!)but now you’re going to tell us that Obama ISN’T responsible for ANYTHING good that happens during Obama’s presidency? Guess NOTHING every changes on the right!
Theadore says
Hector, go check your facts old man. It was Clinton who provided a balanced budget, and the republican presidents have raised the national debt and enlarged government EVERY TIME they’ve held office for the last 100yrs. Now be a good boy and run and get “dem facts” you keep telling us about that show more profits and/or a time in American history that the stock market has been higher than it has for the last 6 months. (no 1 day doesn’t count, as if you could find that day).
I always find it amusing when those who whine about facts can never show any.
Hector says
News flash Ted. We’re coming up on 4 years of Obama. Bush has not been president during those 4 years. If Obama wins and fails again, will you blame Bush again???? How many years will you give your savior a pass?
Theadore says
So you agree that my list is all Obama’s doing. Well done Hector. Thanks for proving my point to Melvin.
Theadore says
lol and the “fact” that you can’t come up with even one “fact”. On anything.
Hector says
Good one Ted…..whatever it is that you’re trying to say.
Theadore says
Not my “savior” Hector. Just a fallible man who I will be voting for again.
I think that whole “he’s a God and my SAVIOR” crap was with the right and Reagan, wasn’t it? BTW Hector, can you tell us how much Ronny raised the national debt? Or do you pick your “SAVIORS” on feelings?
Hector says
You’re living in the past kid. Should have paid more attention in economics. No need to vote because this state’s libs (same ones that have run it into the ground) will give him California.
Adam Chant says
@Michelle Egberts
What is it that you are you doing to implement the ideas you have presented here?
Michelle Egberts says
@ Adam Chant… My 2010 Reentry Task Force Initiative would have placed the City of Lancaster in a strategic position for federal funding under the Second Chance Act and numerous other grants. Furthermore, it would have provide much needed money for our non-profit agencies that they were ineligble for federal funding since our state couldn’t get a budget in place.
Feel free to contact me for further discussion at avsecondchance@aol.com
realitycheck says
Yet during the 2 years since you were selling this lame idea (free stuff scam), you caught 2 more felony arrests. Yes, you were found not guilty on the LAST two, congratulations. You had an attorney that convinced some incompetent members of our community that it was your “intent” that mattered relating to those firearms, when in reality, your intent is nowhere to be found in the Penal Code. But hey, you got over. However, you wasted taxpayers money, and the time of the District Attorney,and the system. Trust me folks, if you place your trust (or worse, any MONEY) to Ms. Egberts, you will be sorry. Its only a matter of time before you hear this waste of oxygen’s name in the news again, and not for any type of “good deed.”
Stinger says
‘realitycheck’ says: “your intent is nowhere to be found in the Penal Code.”
Really?
Perhaps you are the one who needs a reality check. The California Penal Code states:
CPC20: “In every crime or public offense there must exist a union, or joint operation of act and intent, or criminal negligence.”
CPC21(a): “The intent or intention is manifested by the circumstances connected with the offense.”
CPC21a: “An attempt to commit a crime consists of two elements: a specific intent to commit the crime, and a direct but ineffectual act done toward its commission.”
Clearly, ‘realitycheck,’ you have absolutely NO clue about the law or its application to what happens in the streets. Every court in America (and most civilized countries in the world, by the way) utilize the legal concept of “Mens Rea” (aka: intent) to determine the level of a given defendant’s guilt or innocence in any given case.
As for the waste of taxpayer money, maybe you should look at your supposed ‘professional attorneys’ who are supposed to know this legal information, yet chose to try to ram through bad cases instead of the person who was falsely accused… Or are you one of those types who like to blame the victim of a crime for its commission?
Adam Chant says
Yea, haven’t you ever watched Legally Blonde? They discuss Mens Rea in that movie. I base all of my law knowledge off what I learn in movies just like Ace..
Stinger says
LOL! Nice one, Adam! ;-)
CaptainObvious says
Hello Stinker! LOL…When I saw @realitycheck’s post, I had my stopwatch set, wondering how long it was going to take you to dig out your UAV criminal justice book (the same one with those Peelian theories you were so hyped about a few weeks ago!) As happy as I am to shut my stopwatch off, I have to direct you to the following section of the PC:
29800. (a) (1) Any person who has been convicted of a felony under
the laws of the United States, the State of California, or any other
state, government, or country, or of an offense enumerated in
subdivision (a), (b), or (d) of Section 23515, or who is addicted to
the use of any narcotic drug, and who owns, purchases, receives, or
has in possession or under custody or control any firearm is guilty
of a felony.
This is not a “specific intent crime” (ask your instructor what that means), and Ms. Frees**t Egberts definitely falls into that category(FELON!). Didn’t matter what she intended to do with the firearms located on the wall within the home she was living. @realitychk gave her props for winning the case, but I must say….reality is right on this one. This round goes to……..realitycheck! keep reading that CJ book though, you’re going to get a job someday!
Stinger says
Nide try Oblivious. By the way, the codes that I quoted came from “The California Penal Code.” I’d recommend it to you for reading, but I know how much you hate to read. Especially such a liberal ‘hug-a-thug’ book such as that (as evidenced by CPC section 17.5).
But please do blither on about all of your vast knowledge of the law. Oh, and please do include your deleterious commentary regarding Parris’ favorite for-profit diploma mill, UAV. Since I have no connection with them, nor have I attended there, your assumptions are amusing to me.
realitycheck says
Thank you captain! Well said. Stinger, Captain Obv DID quote the California Penal Code. Maybe YOU should look it up. The proper section for felons possessing firearms is 29800(a)(1), as he stated. It used to be 12021(a)(1), but in Jan. 2012 the weapons laws were renumbered. Your UAV-CJ class may not have that update yet? If not, take this link to class with you: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=29001-30000&file=29800-29825
And yes, I was obviously referring only to that particular section regarding intent, not the entire Penal Code, but nice try on your meaningless references!
Stinger says
I love it! CaptainOblivious and Needsarealitycheck are now trying to convince us that they have more knowledge of law and criminal justice than the people who teach such for a living.
Somehow, I don’t think that ANYBODY should be taking their cues on any legal interpretations from these two. X-D
realitycheck says
Haha…I think you better get a new school/instructor Stinker!
Stinger says
@needsarealitycheck; I find it interesting how you try to denigrate those who have more education than you do on given subjects. It is very telling of your insecurities.
As for myself, I already graduated from a fine university back east a looong time before UAV was even around, as well as post graduate work in a variety of subject matter. Under the circumstances, I believe that I will trust the training and experience that I have gained over the years over any ignorant and unsupported claims that the likes of you make.
Again, please feel free to denigrate UAV as I find your attacks upon Parris’ favorite ‘college’ to be amusing… I wonder if he will find it equally amusing…
CaptainObvious says
Heheh…Stinker, YOU complaining about @realitycheck “denigrating” you, is highly hypocritical. Look at your past posts. Anytime someone here supports law enforcement, or protests the ghetto this Valley has become, you call them “Parrisites.” This was especially true during the last election. I have said many times in the past, I think Parris has his good and bad qualities, but I don’t live in his city, so I don’t care much either way. And I, too, will continue to ridicule UAV, not caring if Parris owns 100% of it! Are you at LEAST going to agree you were looking at outdated California Penal Code sections, and mine were correct? I’m guessing not.
realitycheck says
Stinker=Hypocrite! I denigrate people? “Cha-ching! Parrisite!” Sound familiar? Your penal code references were wrong, you got put in check, then refuse to admit it.Similar to other posters here, I laugh at UAV. I don’t care who owns the joint. Parris is not the mayor of my city so I don’t care much about his opinion. Keep quoting your CJ instructors from back east, but you need to update your info. You can always tell the difference between people who READ about law enforcement, and those who actually know how it works in the real world!
Stinger says
Oblivious & Needsarealitycheck:
First off, I did not claim that you were denigrating me, per se, but everybody who clearly has a higher level of education and knowledge than you have shown. Second, In order for me to be a hypocrite, I would have to claim that I never return fire when you engage in your pedantics. I have not made any such claim. I do try to stay above it, but I have been known to fire off a barb or two (or even three, such as when dealing with those who refuse to engage in civilized debate). Also, since you have both shown yourselves to be blindly supportive of Parris and his clearly corrupt regime, the term, “Parrisite,” is appropriately used.
Now then; my use of the CPC was from current sourcing and not outdated as you claim, Oblivious, so there is no need for any apology on my part regarding that.
Needsarealitycheck, you wouldn’t know a real cop from a hole in the ground.
realitycheck says
Like I said Stinker, you said YOU were quoting the California Penal Code, but I wasn’t. I sent you the link, schooled you about intent,the renumbering of the weapons sections, and linked you to the exact section. Trust me, real life is much different than what you’re reading in your (outdated)books.
Stinger says
Needsarealitycheck, I know a LOT more about this subject than you think. BTW: the codes that I quoted came from the very same site that you linked to, making them no more outdated than the one that you quoted. Maybe you should look them up – the code numbers are given for easy reference.
You DO know how to research, don’t you?
realitycheck says
Final answer on this topic Stinker: of course I know how to research topics. In this case though, I didn’t need to, since I deal with this area daily. I knew the applicable sections already, I sent the link for your benefit. You may know a lot about the topic, but you showed that you most likely READ about it, instead of having hands on experience. That was obvious when you tried to quote PC sections on “intent” that didn’t apply to Felon Egbert’s crimes. Think of it this way for simplicity: a cop finds a bag of cocaine in a guy’s pocket. “The People” don’t need to prove the guy “intended” to smoke it, the mere possession is the crime. Just like Egbert’s possession and access to the firearms was the crime. Contrast that with a pedestrian who is hit by a moving car. If the driver “intended” to hit the pedestrian, you have an assault with a deadly weapon, however, if the ped stepped off the curb, not in a crosswalk, not readily visible to the driver,and was hit by accident, as long as the driver stops, you have no crime. Oh, and just a general statement regarding mayors of cities and their relationship with the head law enforcement figure they contract with. Although mayors have their respective Captain’s ear, that has very little link to what the cop on the street is doing. True, cities will go to their law enforcement and say “hey we are having a problem with (fill in the blank) at the intersection of A and B streets, can you patrol there more often? Then the appropriate supervisor would direct his troops to deal with it. That’s quite a difference than a cop getting into his car and saying “I wonder what mayor Ledford wants me to focus on today?” “I wonder what Parris wants me to focus on today?” Trust me. Final answer!
Michelle Egberts says
@ realitycheck… Let’s get the FACTS straight! First and foremost my “lame idea” of advocating my Reentry Task Force Initiative before Lancaster City Council and the Criminal Justice Commission was derived from a model developed through the National Institute of Corrections “Transition from Prison to Community”. Many major cities have been smart on crime by adopting such. Prisoner Reentry is a PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE. This task force can help our communities REDUCE crime, REDUCE the 70% recidivism rate, save money and create responsible citizens.
The current system, especially in the Antelope Valley, embodies a revolving door etho: “lock them up, release them on parole, wait for them to screw up and then lock them up again”. It has been a system that measures its own success by incarceration numbers than by the ability to intervene in peoples lives (prevention, intervention and suppression) to stop them from creating new crimes. We as a state can nolonger afford to arrest our way out of the problem, we have to find SOLUTIONS! FYI per Judge Naranjo, the Antelope Valley Courthouse is the busiest courthouse in LA County.
Free stuff scam? If you’re referring to Grants that I identified in my Initiative, these are grants to be specifically used to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated. These specific grants I identified can ONLY be applied by states, units of local goverments, and tribal entities and the City of Lancaster would be the Grantee and control the money. These grants allowable uses are for: employment services, substance abuse and mental health treatment, housing, mentoring, victim services to name a few.
As a parolee at that time, I realized first hand that the City of Lancaster is lacking in coordination of comprehensive reentry services in the community (geographical, population and systemic). My search for reentry assistance at that time (2009) revealed a dearth (lack)of service providers that have a specific organizational mission to provide the reentry population returning home with an array of supportive services. The capacity or ability of our community to provide supportive services for our reentry population is VITALLY important to fostering successful reintegration. Thus, my advocating my Reentry Task Force Initiative asking for OUR city to “step up” and help us and place it on the agenda to investigate and possibly adopt. We have an approximate 2400 parolee population, not to mention a probation population of 5000 here in the Antelope Valley.
As for my arrests, there were 3, not 2. Two trials with not guilty verdicts on both. My jurors were very competent, and only doing their civic duty. Now that my criminal trials are over, you should be more concerned as a citizen as to what the “intent” was of a Mayor, Public Safety Manager and deputies abusing their official positions to bend, influence, twist and manipulate the law and using their associations to falsely accuse, report and prosecute me when the only threat was of a legal threat to “bring the city of Lancaster down” and expose its continuous misconduct and corruption to the proper agencies for investigation. These individuals wasted taxpayer money for these two very costly trials and much more. Not only that, but they placed the city and LASD “at risk” for civil liability.
I realize that there may be skeptic individuals in the community who may have reservations in dealing with me. So there won’t be any illusions about my intent of my initiative, it was only to come up with cost effective solutions for our community without it coming from city funds. I’ve been straight forward from the beginning and was using my prison experience and reintegration to help our community and further public safety.
Lastly, in relation to the guns… access and proximity to a gun by a convicted felon is not a violation of the law. It is a technical violation of parole, in which I was a non-revocable parolee at that time and could not be violated. When I was merely an overnight guest in a home that had family heirloom guns displayed in a manner of decoration, I had no custody or control of that home or intent to possess them.
realitycheck says
In your usual fast talking, con-artist (kind of like how you victimized the elderly Mr. Bellasperanza)fashion Egberts, you refuse to mention the very first thing about recidivism: YOU MUST STOP COMMITTING CRIMES! All you’re interested in is programs that will give you and other felons free money. It is YOUR actions that caused your hardships, not the IN-action of others. End of story.
really says
Cmon lets get real, your just trying to start this non profit so you can have a paycheck! Yes its a non profit but you can hire all the people you want and pay them, the company itself cant make any money but salaries can be paid. How long have you been a non profit? Have you recieved any funding?
Adam Chant says
Your “2010 Reentry Task Force Initiative” is that a written mature document or an idea you pitched to the city that was not considered?
The point I’m getting at is that if your ideas are sound and complete they could in theory be implemented by anyone. There is something to be said for an idea, but a lot more success has been made from those who can parlay an idea into a working model.
Michelle Egberts says
@adam chant… If you provide me with an e-mail address I would be happy to share the proposed Strategic Plan, Summary Plan, and Proposed Reentry Task Force Membership/Subcommittees with you.
CaptainObvious says
Translation, in plain English, of Michelle Egberts’ above message: blah blah blah….I need another chance, although I’ve blown my 50 previous chances……blah blah blah….none of my felony convictions are my fault…..blah blah blah…it’s Rex’s fault, its the cops fault, its the District Attorney’s fault, I’ve paid my debt to society….blah blah blah….we felons need more free stuff….blah blah blah….we need more “programs” (aka freeeeeeeeee stuff)…blah blah blah…
Michelle Egberts says
No good deed goes unpunished!
ed says
Thank you Michelle. The COP program in San Antonio looks very good. I believe that Palmdale and Lancaster are beginning to relize that they have a problem and are starting to make changes. The two new Community Advisory Committees are a step in the right direction. The new Citizens Commission on Jail Violence is headed by a great judge. We should see some positive results soon.
Tim says
the only “positive” result your going to see will not come from any commission or committee, those are just window dressing meant to temporarily pacify the liberal hug-A-thug groups like the one your part of.
true change will come when the housing market gets to the point that section 8 landlords start selling their houses to actual liveIn homeowners who work for a living and care about their homes and kids enough to be involved with them.
Let the investors sell section 8 occupied homes and let the section 8 element move to california city, mojave or out of state to someplace else and then, AND ONLY THEN, will you see any positive changes in the community.
Sorry thats the gods honest truth despite whether you would like to hear it or not.
Michelle Egberts says
@ Ed… Yes, change is good, not to mention UNITING as a community to find cost-effective solutions (not on the taxpayers dime)to further our combat on crime and keeping our citizens safe from harm, further victimization and to my continued commitment of increasing public awareness/safety.
We, as tax payers cannot afford our $10 Billion prison budget although I must thank the taxpayers for their $ 7.3 billion investment into AB900 that brought change to the prison system in May 2007, changing the California Department of Corrections into the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation.
Where once the prisons were “warehouses” for criminals, with the implementation of AB900 (Rehabilitaion Reform Program) the multiple education, substance abuse and vocational programs are giving them the opportunity for change. Now, more than ever, those prison bars are being melted into bridges of opportunity. We need to connect those bridges into our communities.
With the potential implementation of the COP Program, as citizens and neighborhoods we would be taking a proactive approach on our continued commitment of combating crime, keeping our neighborhoods safe and saving taxpayer dollars.
As for the Community Advisory Committees, they are a key stakeholder in this as well and will be very effective in reinvigorating our communities to deter crime and create more vital neighborhoods.
ed says
@ Michhelle. With Judge Tevrizian at the helm of the Citizens Commission on Jail Violence we will see some results. Check him out. You will be impressed.
Michelle Egberts says
@ Ed… I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Judge Tevrizian. What an accomplished individual and inspiring story on him upon his retirement from the bench. He is definetly an asset to that commission. After spending 320 days in custody over this nightmare and witnessing first hand the abuses that occur in there. The level of violence is caused at least in part, by exceedingly low staff-to-prisoner ratios and inadequate classification in my opinion. That commission has their hands full.
In addition to the jail violence, they are violating prisoners constitutional rights by maintaining dangerous facilities and failing to provide basic health care. The inmates are subjected to cruel and unusual punishment at the jail. They are regularly denied treatment for life-threatening illnesses, severe mental health symptoms, and serious dental conditions. They have also been subjected to violence due to preventable defects in the jail’s design, operation, and staffing.
On a daily basis, Los Angeles County houses approximately 18,000 inmates which 90% are pre-trial detainees and have not been convicted of any crimes. They are dependant on the jail for all medical needs. To leave them in pain, at risk of life threatening injury and permanent disability is simply inhumane.
On top of it all, the Prisoner Realignment (AB109) transfering control of certain low level, non-violent offenders to the counties in order to reduce the prison population is a guaranteed recipe for disaster for LA County, not to mention the whole state. Los Angeles County jails are under a federal court ordered population cap and are already at or near federally mandated capacity. They only have approximately 1,800 beds for AB109 inmates.
An ounce of effective crimeprevention most often cost less than a pound of cure through arrest, prosecution, defense, probation, parole, and incarceration. We can “pay now or pay later”, when successful intervention is likely lower and cost is higher.
The publics stigma attached to persons reentering the community often blunts efforts to develop progressive policies and local programs that ENHANCE public safety. My providing a broader public understanding of reentry and the potential role the public can play in fostering effective reentry practice is more critical now than ever.
Thank you Ed, for your for your positive and informative posts.