20 Aug 2015
It is not new news to talk about the downward spiral of the city of San Bernardino. What is scary is once the flood waters of filth and evil spill over the boarders of the bankrupt city will Rialto be affected by the overflow?
On Friday August 14th San Bernardino Police SWAT served a search warrant on an illegal Marijuana Pot Shop in the 3200 N block of “E” street in San Bernardino. Within the Pot Shop the police found a Felon in possession of a firearm with the serial number filed off, Marijuana and Cocaine in the amount consistent with sales.
Sunday on the I Love San Bernardino radio talk show on KCAA AM 1050 show host Robert Porter had Councilman Henry Nickel on the show and asked a pro drug legalization advocate Elmo Green Meds to come in and ask the councilman a question on San Bernardino’s stance on banning Medical Marijuana shops within the city limits. Councilman Nickel admitted that there were many Marijuana Pot Shops advertising on the drug dealer website Weed Maps and that maybe was an indication that the ordnance needed to be changed to regulation verses banning the shops. When Co Host Danny Alcaraz brought up the raid on August 14th Elmo Green Meds made it seem like the gun found on the location was found on a licensed security guard and the Cocaine found was not a big deal because it was probably personal use.
https://youtu.be/n-nR_TBLkx8
Here is what Mr. Green Meds and Robert Porter failed to do get the facts:
- According to Lt. Travis Walker the firearm was found on a felon and the serial number was filed off.
- According to Lt. Rich Lawhead the amount of Cocaine found in the shop was consistent with sales not personal use.
- This Pot Shop was 1/4 of a mile or 1320 feet from Marshall Elementary School on “G” street and less than a mile away from two churches and one charter school.

Map showing the Pot Shop area that was raided Friday
As we saw back in February of 2015 an illegal Marijuana shop was set up on Rialto Ave right on the border of Rialto & San Bernardino. We found out about this shop only after a gun battle took place killing one person inside the Pot Shop. The same time of year David Goldstein published a video report of Marijuana getting into kids hands in broad daylight in a city that had regulations on Medical Marijuana. How does Mr. Green Meds think that the bankrupt city of San Bernardino can do any better a job watching Pot Shops under “legal” regulations? See the CBS Channel 2 Story below:
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2015/02/25/only-on-2-investigation-reveals-medical-marijuana-is-getting-into-school-kids-hands/
At a Area Command Meeting for Area’s 1&2 in the city of Rialto Officer Nick Partcher part of Rialto Police SCAT team the team responsible for gang, alcohol & drug enforcement said that Marijuana use is now just as big a problem with local youth as Alcohol use. So it looks like the only way we can keep Rialto safe is by engaging with the system, talking to our friends and family that live in San Bernardino and leveraging Federal & State Legislators to help keep drug use out of our communities.
Below are references to news stories we used to create this story:
http://www.sbsun.com/general-news/20150814/san-bernardino-swat-officers-raid-medical-marijuana-dispensary
Woman, 23, Arrested in Connection With Shootout at Marijuana Dispensary in San Bernardino
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by rialto-now
09 Aug 2015

Well if you were unaware National Night Out the nationwide event to snuff out crime and to foster positive relationships between the community and Law Enforcement was on August 4th. Many cities locally took part in this years event but not as many as years past.
Rialto, Fontana, Grand Terrace, & San Bernardino all had National Night Out festival events this year. Cities like Riverside & Upland encouraged their communities to hold individual block parties and public safety personnel traveled from event to event.
On the large festival side Rialto came out as a top performer with the amount of items offered all in one area. Two of the biggest draws every year are the rides in police cars (no handcuffs required) and the Gourmet Food Trucks secured by Market Solution Services.

Probably the best music all night was the live music preformed by All Star National Anthem Performer Alexa Capelli who not only sang the National Anthem see it here but also preformed some awesome music for the crowd (see her performances on our Youtube Channel). Once she began to sing the crowd came up to the stage Leslie Parks of Rialto said “I have never heard such a powerful voice in my life” and little Stephanie Ramirez age 8 said “one day I want to be as pretty as her and sing just like her”.

Other awesome live performers brought by Lil Saint Productions were Elizabeth R Estrella and Christian Rapper Carl Fontaine. Rialto Police appear to spare no expense in putting this event together. We heard that the planning meeting was a all hands on deck type of feel.
Close on Rialto’s heels was the Lydo Apartments & ATAP After School Program that held the only large National Night Out program in San Bernardino August 4th. The San Bernardino program offered a lot of what Rialto offered and promised to step it up and put San Bernardino on the map.

Other large events were in Grand Terrace, Montclair and Fontana. Fontana held their event at Fontana Park in the area known as Summit. They had vendors, food and Mc Gruff the Crime Dog. Kids got to get there face painted and take pictures with police officer and many different vehicles. See a great photo from Edward Ornelas below.

Held on August 8th was the National Night Out event in Perris Ca. Perris Mayor Daryl Busch said residents will gain a new appreciation for law enforcement and public safety at National Night Out.
“It is a great, and I want to emphasize great, outreach effort on the part of our public safety folks to show all the varied aspects of their jobs,” Busch said. “Most people only see police on motorcycles or in patrol cars, but this event provide the chance to view the full spectrum of services they provide to our community.”
Perris officials we’re on hand to accept a plaque for their continuing support of law enforcement and public safety. The day’s activities included static displays, food and drink vendors, as well as games and jumpers for children. Taken from http://www.cityofperris.org/news/2015_stories/08-04-15_national-night-out.html
There were cities that went with the smaller block parties but Riverside had over 20 block parties going on all over the city. Upland also went the block party route and Councilwoman Carol Timm posted on Facebook pictures of her and public safety officials going from block party to block party.
Some remarked that it is vital that Upland gets in and around the community as the Pro Drug Lobby is currently working to attack the Ordnance that Upland has to ban Medical Marijuana shops in the city of Upland.
No matter what city your in one thing is true we need to stop fighting our Public Safety officers and we need to collaborate together to help make everyone’s life more enjoyable.
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by rialto-now
10 Apr 2015

On Tuesday the Rialto Community Coalition held their regular monthly meeting Tuesday April 7th. The Agenda originally had one item working on developing a Youth Leadership Conference, a last minute addition made the meeting run over. Congressman Aguilar who is home in the district came to sit in on the meeting and offer support where he could.

The meeting was well attended and their were people from all sections of the community in attendance. Joseph Williams from YAP (Youth Action Project) introduced Congressman Aguilar and offered a platform for Congressman Aguilar to address the group. Congressman Aguilar spoke about the work he was a part of when a elected member of Redlands City Government in regards to Redlands Social Host Ordnance and their Safe Places program where the city helped create safe opportunities for students. Congressman ended his time by offering support from his office where the Coalition needs it.
The meeting was very well attended and headway was accomplished in regards to the Youth Leadership Conference. What was accomplished was a location, date and there was some discussion on what types of workshops would be provided. This meeting was not only adults but youth had a key roll in developing this conference. There were youth from Carter High School’s BLSA Club, Middle School Students from the Rialto area, youth from Etiwanda High School & local Christian Youth Speaker Rizzy Rider.
Some of the desired outcomes that the coalition wanted to see come from this effort was to see students become Rock Stars in their groups when it comes to Drug & Alcohol use, to see teens succeed beyond their circumstances and continue to see a positive change in the illegal use of drugs and alcohol through education.

Agencies and organizations in attendance were Lil Saints Productions, Carter High School, Congressman Aguilar’s office, All Nations Realty, Etiwanda High School, Rialto Democrat Club, Vibe Fitness, Rialto Police Volunteers, Rialto Neighborhood Watch Program, SOLA Communities, Transforming Lives Charter School, Market Solution Services & Inland Valley Drug Free Coalition.
Information that has already be agreed to is:
Youth Leadership Conference
At Bob Murphy School
May 2nd 2015
Want more information on the Coalition or the Youth Leadership Conference go to http://www.facebook.com/rialtocoalition
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by rialto-now
14 Jan 2015
by rialto-now
in Andy Carrizales, Assemblymember-Elect Cheryl Brown, Burglury, Ca, City of Rialto, Community Coalition, Crime, davidsMarketing, Dr. Michael Neeki, Ed palmer, Inland Empire, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Police Department, SCAT, Shawn O'Connell, SWAT, youth
Tags: Chief Farrar, Colton, Crime Stats, Redlands, Rialto, rialto police department, San Bernardino

Hello Rialto Now readers!!!!! An awesome time was had by all at the first Coffee With The Chief in Rialto for 2015. Why was it awesome you ask? Well first off its kinda nice to have a strong yet open Chief of Police. So many people hold Police Chiefs and their command staff on such a high pedestal that they become “LIKE” gods. When they are simply men and women that will risk their lives for complete strangers. Now that fact isn’t something to be taken lightly but it also isn’t a reason you can’t stop and ask them a question.
Today’s Coffee With The Chief covered a lot of areas today. It was held at the Coco’s restaurant on Valley and Riverside Ave’s and the waitress was super nice as she took care of each persons order and kept the coffee flowing. Chief Farrar was in attendance along with Cpl. Marquez, two Detectives, three Lieutenants and Captain Deanda. Chief Farrar began by welcoming everyone and went over these topics:

- Crime Reduction – Overall Crime was down by 20% in 2014. Chief Farrar said that crime had been dropping for a while now and does expect crime rate to level off.
- Women’s Law Enforcement Fitness Challenge – On March 21st Rialto Police Department will be taking any females interested to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department physical agility course and going over the physical agility course portion of the tests and training to become a Sworn Police Officer. Chief Farrar said its his goal to attract more females into Police Work and hoped that this event would be the catalyst to attract them. The most difficult portion Chief Farrar said was scaling the 6ft wall and that they would help the women learn a technique that would lend them success on this obstacle.
- How does Rialto Compare in Crime Stats to other cities? – Chief Farrar said that he has been asked this multiple times and has been reluctant to venture down this road because of the differences each local city faces. He decided to look into it finally and the results were promising. Chief Farrar compared Rialto to three other cities that touch rialto, have police departments (not sheriff) and are of comparable size. Cities he used where Fontana, Redlands, Rialto & San Bernardino. Rialto had a lower overall crime rate than all cites that were used. Redlands had a lower violent crime rate than Rialto. Even though Rialto has more residents than Redlands.
- Promotions – Chief Farrar said that the Department is looking to do some more promotions in the next 4-5 months these promotions will add two more captains.
- Work Load Study – Rialto Police Department will be doing a Workload Study to better evaluate if the work load is being evenly distributed. Rialto Police is now at 103 Sworn Police Officers and is only down 3 budgeted Sworn Positions. Chief Farrar hoped that the workload study would give them a clear idea of where to look to add more resources and or staff.
- Rialto Police Appreciation Awards – On February 20th Rialto Police will be recognizing staff and community members.
- 20/20 Interview – Captain Randy Deanda was interviewed by ABC News 20/20 show about the Judith Oakes case. Judith Oakes is the former Rialto Unified School District employee that was caught and convicted of stealing school lunch money down her bra to the tune of over 1 million dollars.
- Request a Training – Rialto Police Detectives went over the police program that offers training to local businesses on how to best protect themselves from becoming a crime victim.
- Cold Cases – Rialto Detectives also let us know that they are waiting on the DA’s office to approve the case files they have on two cold cases in Rialto. Since 2013 the Detectives Office has closed 8 cold cases.
- Use of Force & Police – I asked a question about training for local community groups especially the Flores Park Neighborhood Watch in better equipping our residents on how to properly handle a situation with a officer and avoid the horrible situation on both ends. Chief Farrar said that the key is to follow the instructions to allow for a more positive outcome more often and avoid tense standoffs that should have never happened.
Below are a series of You Tube videos that show a reporter and a civil rights activist undergoing a use of force training with Maricopa County Sheriff. Chief Farrar said this is a great way to see how a situation where someone isn’t following instructions can lead to horrible consequences.
http://youtu.be/b5PuLeR7Wt8 Video 1
http://youtu.be/uVOQs8yb9P4 Video 2
http://youtu.be/tk-bXyNbsCE Video 3
http://youtu.be/yfi3Ndh3n-g Total Interview
http://youtu.be/pAJXP0okzwk Post Interview

22 Dec 2014
by rialto-now
in Ca, City of Rialto, Colton, Community Coalition, Crime, davidsMarketing, Flores Park, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Inland Empire, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Parks, Rialto Police Department, San Bernardino, SCAT, Shawn O'Connell, SWAT, Uncategorized, youth
Tags: Councilman, police officers, Shawn O'Connell
In all of the turmoil since the latest officer involved actions in 2014 one local leader calls for his colleagues and the media to ACT NOW in response to the rise in the war on police officers in the united states. Councilman Shawn O’Connell from the city of Rialto penned a statement that will make you think about the men and women that keep us safe in this country. (See Below)

I agree with Councilman O’Connell and wish people would take a step back and help our police. When our police feel supported and understood they feel more comfortable to do their jobs extremely well. Also the trend of holding court on the street with a cop is a poor choice. Police officers are not the lawyers, judges or jury they are a protection and information source for our legal system. As community leaders and media sources we need to do more than a simple call for calm and turn down the rhetoric.

07 Dec 2014
by rialto-now
in Ca, City of Rialto, Community Coalition, Deborah Robertson, Ed Scott, Inland Empire, Lillie Houston, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, Russel Sliva, Shawn O'Connell, yap, youth
Well 2014 came and went pretty quick. It was a year that was full of tasty tid bits that promise to carry over into 2015 and beyond.
Tuesday’s meeting will include the following:
Swearing in of a new council member – Ed Scott
Presentations from the following groups:
1. International Association of Chiefs of Police/Motorola Webber- Seavey Award for Quality in Law Enforcement-Police Chief Tony Farrar
2. Presentation-Rialto Firefighters Breast Cancer Awareness Donations and Impact-Fire Captain Matt Blanco
3. Presentation-Rialto Community Coalition-Michael Townsend
(This presentation will be a update on the Rialto Community Coalition’s highly successful #Sober Skater event)

www,facebook.com/rialtocoalition
4. Resolution Recognizing Retirement-Rialto Board President
Joanne T. Gilbert-Mayor Deborah Robertson
The tab items include Easements, Grant writing, Sale of land approval for a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Approving the next year of the Security Guard Contract.
14 Nov 2014
by rialto-now
in and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy, Ca, Chief Mat Fratus, City of Rialto, Colton, Community Coalition, Crime, davidsMarketing, Ferguson Park, Flores Park, Flores Park Neighborhood Watch, Fontana, Food Trucks, Grand Terrace, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Davids-Marketing/156816741049580, IE Gourmet Food Trucks, Inland Empire, Josef (Joe) Britt, joseph williams, Lynn Hirtz, Nieghborhood Watch, Public Safety, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Parks, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, Russel Sliva, San Bernardino, Shawn O'Connell, yap, youth
Tags: Coalition Facebook Page, david phillips, Micheal Townsend, Rialto, Rialto Community Coalition
In an effort to help promote healthy lifestyles in Rialto for area teens, the Rialto Community Coalition will be holding a Substance Abuse Prevention Event at the Skate Park on Willow Avenue next to the Johnson Center on November 24, 2014 from 1PM – 4PM.
“Meeting teens where they are is vital to successful prevention methods,” said David Phillips a Rialto Community Coalition member. Many times we see Skateboarders as bad kids or trouble makers but once you get to know them and learn more about skateboarding you can see all the talent and potential that lies within”. As the Neighborhood Watch Captain of the Flores Park Group and being involved in many different other community groups, I understand that it is vital to reach out to our youth, especially starting with the skateboarders. There was a stretch where the skate parks were having issues with drugs and gangs. The key to safety was getting adults in the community to invest in a safe atmosphere for teens to skateboard. It takes more that money it takes personal time”.
The Rialto Community Coalition hopes to add to the success of their other public forum at Eisenhower High School called “Don’t Go There” where they used exhibits, media, and a powerful presentation from Ray Lozano to highlight the dangers of using drugs and alcohol. At the upcoming #SoberSkater event, participants will be asked to sign a pledge that states that they choose to be a Sober Skater. Also, the planning committee chose the name #SoberSkater to help attract teenagers on social media using hashtags since this is the way teens interact and seek out information on social media sites.
Michael Townsend, a Prevention Specialist with Central Valley Prevention Program, had this to say about the #SoberSkater event:
“The best way to prevent underage drinking and drug use is to identify the target population, develop ways to reach them, and increase enforcement during high risk times. By hosting the #SoberSkater event, the Rialto Community Coalition is doing exactly that. They have identified Thanksgiving break as a high risk time for underage drinking and drug use and they have identified skaters as their target population. In addition, they are working closely with the Rialto Police Department regarding their enforcement efforts. The Rialto Community Coalition members realize that having youth, who have made a commitment to sobriety, speaking directly to other youth, is a very effective method of getting their message out. So the coalition has engaged youth in this campaign to reduce social hosting.”
The event will include a semi-pro skateboard team called NAI (New Age Intelligence), gourmet food trucks, live music, vendors, and resource providers. There will also be a best trick contest. For more information, visit their Facebook event page at the link below.
https://m.facebook.com/events/1499911183628266?id=1499911183628266&_rdr
27 Oct 2014
by rialto-now
in Ca, city attorney, City of Rialto, Community Coalition, Crime, Currupt, Deborah Robertson, Ed Scott, In & Out, Inland Empire, Joe Baca Jr, Josef (Joe) Britt, Lillie Houston, Lynn Hirtz, Public Safety, RDA, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Parks, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, Russel Sliva, SB Sun, SCAT, Shawn O'Connell, SWAT, Taxes, Veolia, Water, wwwstoprialtowaterratehikes.com, youth
Tags: candidate forum, City Council, Rialto Unified School Board, seats
The final candidate forum of the 2014 election year is today and will only highlight two of the may areas up for grabs on November 4th. The two areas that will be covered are City Council ( two seats open out of four candidates ) and Rialto Unified School Board ( two seats open with six people for the seats ). One interesting portion of this event is it appears Ed Scott will poke his head out and finally speak publicly on the race which he has primarily done through private fundraisers and mailers & signs. It will be nice to see a majority of the candidates out together and we can hear their view points at the same time. The event is at the Rialto Senior Center on South Riverside Ave. See flyer below for more info.

17 Oct 2014
by rialto-now
in Ca, City of Rialto, Community Coalition, Deborah Robertson, Ed Scott, In & Out, Inland Empire, Public Safety, Rialto, youth
Tags: city council election, city of rialto, deborah robertson, ed scott, Rialto, The Rialto Community Coalition

Here are the results from our poll thank you everyone for voting
So it all began with a post on his facebook page then the mailer, Ed Scott appears to be ok with using his son’s death to win the city council election.
First off let me be the first to say it’s been nice not having the bully of Rialto on city council. Heck he hasn’t even inserted himself into the area of politics since his departure almost 2 years ago when the voters choose Deborah Robertson for mayor over Ed Scott. He did pop his head out looking to seek the appointed position that was given to Lynn Hirtz but since then the only thing to come from him is sports and work at his bar.
If you have not seen the facebook post we have it below:

Now let me reassure everyone that the School District, Rialto Police & Fire, City of Rialto & The Rialto Community Coalition have been working very hard to deal with this very issue. Now I’m not sure if this made a difference but once Ed Scott Was exited from local politics all of the walls began crashing down. The Rialto Community Coalition held its first public call to action event “Don’t Go There” at Eisenhower High School, City Council Members began to engage with our local prevention and advocacy programs, School District and Rialto City have found new innovative ways to begin working together. Heck even retail development came on like a flood starting with In & Out (pushed to completion by the community not city council). Now we have a Wing Stop, Jersey Mikes, Chipotle, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Pieology coming to Rialto.
So were looking for your thoughts after everything that Ed Scott has put Rialto through are we really willing to give him a second chance to bully and take advantage of Rialto? I feel sorry for the Scott Family for their loss no parent should ever outlive their child but is that alone reason enough to give him elected power once again?
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