12 Jul 2012
by rialto-now
in AFL-CIO, American Cancer Society, American Water, Bad Commerce, Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, Currupt, Deborah Robertson, Ed palmer, Ed Scott, Family, Flores Park, Grace Vargas, Inland Empire, Joe Baca Jr, Mike Story, Protest, SOSRialtoWater@gmail.com, Uncategorized, Water, wwwstoprialtowaterratehikes.com, youth
Rialto Now readers we have some news on the front lines of our water debate. Yes the city made a horrible decision to not place the American Water sell off on the November Ballot, it seems if these reports are true they are finally listening, but why now? Well Councilman Ed Palmer is running for re-election on a failed platform of being there for the community & calling the city on wasteful spending that lasted a little more than a year and died. Reports are that Councilman Ed Scott isn’t seeking another term as Councilman and is seeking the job of Mayor as current Mayor Vargas is ending her time as mayor. As well as Councilwoman Deborah Robertson is also taking another stab at Mayor but her seat on council isn’t up for grabs this go around.
So with Deborah Robertson was absent and the city decided to change its course on the outsource water agreement and the 2 possibilities are Veolia North American who currently works with our waste water systems and East Valley Water District (EVWD) that currently services the top portion of the city’s water services and has worked on removing perchlorate groundwater plume.
What is important now is to continue the pressure and make sure we know about any concession agreement from here on out, we are allowed to ask questions for clarity and that the City Council stops referring to any balloon payment from any other outside companies as Redevelopment money. I have had personal conversations with people inside the state controllers office that such money may fall into the states preview to take since all RDS’s departments are no to be eliminated. Call it what it is money the RUA has owed the general fund for years………….
Ed Scott said that the thing holding up our In & Out project was the state finishing up with old RDA projects. He later said he didn’t know why things were taking so long and blamed the City Staff for not keeping Council informed of time lines and issues.
Were looking for Honest hard-working people to fill Council seats, if the news is difficult give it to use straight and allow us the community to see where we can help make the hard choices for our community together. Also we need Council Members that let us know we are heard, listen to us and don’t bark at us when you don’t like what we say.
American Water is out as operator for Rialto
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writersbsun.com
Posted: 07/10/2012 10:33:57 PM PDT
The yearlong suspense over whether New Jersey-based American Water Works Co. Inc. will manage Rialto’s water and wastewater system is over – it will not.”My gosh this is wonderful. I hated those people (American Water). I don’t feel comfortable with a company on the Stock Exchange,” said Toni Volinski, a longtime Rialto resident, who has been opposed to the American Water deal from the get-go.
“We wouldn’t have a lot of control – and that frightened me,” she said.
The financial backer of the 30-year concession agreement that made American Water the manager of Rialto’s water and wastewater department has removed American Water as the operator, Peter Luchetti, authorized officer of Rialto Water Services LP, wrote Mike Story, Rialto’s city administrator.
Leading the list of potential replacement operators, Luchetti wrote, is Veolia North American, which has managed Rialto’s wastewater treatment plant for years and nearby West Valley Water District, which has been a long-time partner with Rialto in the cleanup effort for a large perchlorate groundwater plume.
At its June 26 meeting, the council voted 4-1 to approve a rate increase that would propel water and sewer rates 114.8 percent by 2016.
Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott, in an interview Tuesday, said he and councilman Ed Palmer, who led a subcommittee to evaluate water service alternatives for Rialto, had told Rialto Water Services that a substitute for American Water was needed.
Scott said a well-organized resistance to American Water necessitated the action to find another company to manage Rialto’s water operations.
Scott was referring to the campaigns organized by the the Utility Workers Union of America. “Replacement of American Water would be excellent news and a victory for Rialto ratepayers,” Mark Brooks, a union spokesman, said.
The Utility Workers Union has several contract issues with American Water across the country.
This is the Letter From Mark Brooks & Stop Rialto Water Rate Hikes.
Dear Rialto friends and neighbors:
I am writing to let you know about a potential huge victory for ratepayers in Rialto!
Although this may seem like a “good news/bad news” story, in our view Rialto citizens are on the verge of overturning the City Council’s very bad decision to contract out the City’s water system to for-profit American Water Company.
But first the bad news:
Last week four members of the City Council decided not to place our referendum challenging the Concession Agreement for the water and wastewater system on the ballot for a public vote.* A majority of the City Council – everyone EXCEPT Council Member Baca – made this absurd decision, even though the County and the City have both certified the fact that we submitted far more than enough signatures from Rialto voters to place this issue on the ballot.
We believe the City’s excuse for not placing this issue on the ballot – that we supposedly failed to attach the entire 1,600 page Concession Agreement to our voter petitions – is completely bogus. There is nothing in California law that would require us to do this. In addition, even if the City Council thought it had any grounds to refuse to place this issue on the ballot, the City is ignoring the long-standing California procedure that is required to ignore a valid referendum petition submitted by the voters.
We believe the four members of the City Council who made this decision are engaged in a desperate attempt to prevent Rialto voters from passing judgment on the proposed Concession Agreement.
And now for the good news:
We have received reports that the City may replace American Water as the proposed operator for Rialto’s water system under the Concession Agreement!
If the City indeed makes this decision, this will be a huge victory for Rialto ratepayers. The City’s own reports have consistently shown that for-profit American Water’s participation in this deal is one of the important reasons for the proposed water rate hikes.
What’s more, we understand that neighboring West Valley Water District might be a “preferred” replacement to operate the City’s water system.
Although the UWUA has never taken any position on who should operate the City’s water system (other than the City itself), in our view this would be good news for Rialto. West Valley is a neighboring public water system – rather than an out-of-state corporation like American Water – and already provides water services to roughly half the City of Rialto. Moreover, we believe American Water has a demonstrated track record of hostility toward the rights of utility workers.
So what about the referendum petition?
Unfortunately, the City Council’s decision not to place the referendum on the ballot probably means that someone would have to incur considerable legal expenses to sue the City to overturn this misguided decision. The UWUA is not in a position to incur these significant expenses at this time.
Even so, you should know that any Rialto voter who signed the petition against the City Council’s decision may have the right to sue. Obviously this would be a big undertaking. Moreover, we believe any Rialto voter or group interested in pursuing that fight should act immediately! We may be able to refer any Rialto group or voter interested in pursuing this further to appropriate attorneys.
Celebrate the victory!
There can be no doubt that – if indeed he City reverses its decision to contract out Rialto’s water system to American Water – this victory will be a direct result of your many efforts over the past year to oppose the Council’s misguided decisions!
In our view, any decision to replace American Water as the operator of the Rialto water system would be a huge victory – for ratepayers and for workers. As we have said many times before, any deal to contract out the City’s water system to American Water would be a bad deal for Rialto ratepayers.
Thank you for your many efforts in this struggle. We will continue to keep you informed.
Sincerely,
Mark Brooks
Utility Workers Union of America/SOS Rialto Water
* Please note that Council Member Joe Baca, Jr. voted AGAINST the City Council’s decision not to place our referendum on the ballot. To his credit, Council Member Baca has consistently opposed the Rialto Council’s misguided decisions concerning this entire issue. In our view, Council Member Baca has shown real integrity throughout this debate over the future of Rialto’s public water system.
08 Jul 2012
by rialto-now
in Budget, Ca, Centurion Security Patrol, City of Rialto, davidsMarketing, Family, Family Sports, Flores Park, Fun, Mike Story, youth
Multi Million Dollar Park Remodel will be having its Grand Re-Opening Ceremony this Saturday at 9am
Come see what the park grant was turned into and meet parks and rec officials.
27 Jun 2012
by rialto-now
in American Cancer Society, American Water, Bad Commerce, Budget, Ca, Cancer, Centurion Security Patrol, City of Rialto, Currupt, Deborah Robertson, Ed palmer, Ed Scott, Joe Baca Jr, Layoffs, Lazy, Lewis Properties, Mike Story, Protest, Ron Pharris, SOSRialtoWater@gmail.com, Taxes, Water, wwwstoprialtowaterratehikes.com
Hello everyone and good morning.
I am sorry I missed this meeting & that this council refuses to listen to the community. It seems that the only people they listen to are people who live outside of the city of Rialto as they did last night in reference to the Lytle Creek Development Project.
But that isn’t what were speaking on in this post, now its over the signatures collected in protest to the council’s decision to outsource our water to embattled American Water company.
The city attorney Jimmy Gutierrez (Mr I get DUI’s) he didn’t like the way the signatures were gathered and told the city clerk who informed council that they would not be putting the issue on the Ballot in November. It will never go before the people.
(The petitions, gathered by the Utility Workers Union of America, did not include a copy of the concession agreement, Rialto City Attorney Jimmy Gutierrez said in an interview.) From SBSUN.com
This council and Mayor do not care what you think or say unless forced to listen (IE the outsourcing the PD issue).
What is the disconnect with this council and listening to the residents. Ed Scott barks at residents from the dias like a junk yard dog (someone running for Mayor) Ed palmer just ignores you altogether, but at least Councilwoman Robertson will return a call as she did last night when I first got word of this horrible decision with the promise of another meeting in the next 2 weeks lets see if it happens.
Long Story short you have no say in the American Water Deal and we all will suffer for the next 30 Years because this city will never be able to afford to leave this contract ever.
We all must attend, watch council meetings and also call these people and make them finally listen to the people.
—————————————————————————————————-
Advertisement
—————————————————–
City of Rialto approves water rate increases, denies petition
Posted: 06/27/2012 12:07:27 AM PDT
RIALTO – The Rialto City Council on Tuesday voted to end the contentious issue of a whooping rate increase by voting 4-1 for its approval.The issue, and a related agreement to outsource the city’s water and sewer operations to New Jersey-based American Water Works Co. Inc., have been a boiling point for many residents for over a year.
The council’s action will propel water and sewer rates 114.8 percent by 2016.
Because the city of Rialto hasn’t increased rates for years, many residents recognize that rates need to go up, but think the increase should be spread out over more years.
Only Councilman Joe Baca Jr. opposed the rate increase.
As part of the meeting, the council decided not to schedule a referendum during the Nov. 6 general election on that outsourcing agreement – even though the city was presented with more than enough valid signatures to make that happen.
The petitions, gathered by the Utility Workers Union of America, did not include a copy of the concession agreement, Rialto City Attorney Jimmy Gutierrez said in an interview.
Under a provision of the election code, which Gutierrez said was written to encompass city ordinances, a copy of the ordinance must accompany the petitions “so that people know what they are signing.”
In those situations where there are other documents, courts have ruled that they too must be included, he said.
“You got to give all the information to the public,” Gutierrez said.
With the petitions circulated by the union, a copy of the city council resolution on the concession agreement was the only document included, he said. “How’s the public going to know what it’s signing without a copy of the concession agreement,” he said.
When asked how a document spanning hundreds and hundreds of pages, as is the case of the concession agreement, could be part of a petition being passed from one person to the next, Gutierrez said, “yeah, but that’s what the law says.”
Later he said that at least a summary of the agreement should have been included along with the petitions.
Contacted late Tuesday night, Utility Workers spokesman Mark Brooks said that the union’s legal team would need to evaluate the city’s position.
The union submitted 6,379 signatures and of those, 1,545 were declared invalid during a certification process conducted by the county Elections Bureau. That left 4,834 valid signatures – well above the amount needed to put the issue before voters.
During the council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott said that work is underway with city staff to modify the concession agreement in a way that will be “to everybody’s liking.”
He provided no details.
After the vote, resident Frank Gonzalez said, “I don’t agree with the results (of the Proposition 218 vote) but the citizens had a chance…I would like to work with you, even though I don’t agree with you.”
City Council’s vote on the rate increase was delayed to await the results of a Proposition 218 protest vote where a majority of the ratepayers – plus one – must file a written objection to the action.
The final tally for the water rate increase protest vote was 4,345, where 5,701 were required to block it. The sewer rate increases were opposed by 6,883, where 10,387 were needed to block it, Gutierrez said.
Councilman Ed Palmer accused the union’s Prop 218 campaign of producing many invalid and fraudulent votes.
“Thank goodness the vote wasn’t close, because the union would have forced us to physically account for very vote, a process that would have cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he said.
Palmer noted that his own signature was forged and sent into the city clerk’s office as a protest vote.
The Utility Workers union has several contract issues with American Water across the country and has opposed the company’s business expansion into Rialto.
Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/ci_20947976/city-rialto-approves-water-rate-increases-denies-petition#ixzz1z0aeFlVg
20 Jun 2012
by rialto-now
in Budget, Burglury, Ca, Centurion Security Patrol, City of Rialto, Coffee Nutz, Crime, davidsMarketing, Flores Park, Fontana PD, Inland Empire, Mike Story, Nieghborhood Watch, Public Safety, Rialto Police Department, San Bernardino PD, San Bernardino Police, SWAT, Taxes, youth
Coffee with the Chief was held at Coffee Nutz on Foothill inRialto. It was a great time sitting down with Chief Farrar and Captain Deanda. About 15 – 20 people were there to openly dialogue about their local community. It began with the chief introducing himself and it took little time for people to dive right in. Owner Andy Carrizales was one of the many in attendance. There were also members from the Human Relations Board, two massive Neighborhood Watch groups and regular residents.
The President and Vice President of the Human Relations Board were there to get some answers on the possibility of a Chili Cook Off between the Fire Dept. and Rialto PD.
Chief Farrar said that he had not received their contact requests. With reference to the Cook Off and it would depend on if the city was going to have their battle of the badges this year where they do have a chili cook off. The matter would be further researched and an answer would be given at a later date.
Linda Chapman from the Human Relations Board announced that a customer service survey was done on Rialto PD and that the results and report were in the works.
Chief touched on some of the ways the police department was using resources wisely and keeping things like SWAT, The Helicopter Program, and Drug and Gang Enforcement available to the City ofRialto. Using these functions in conjunction with neighboring cities likeColtonandFontanaallows the costs to be shared and intel to flow more freely. Figures were also shared on what our K-9 program has accomplished. In the last year they have seized 1.2 million dollars in property and taken 1 million dollars in drugs off the street.
Chief also spoke about the effects of the state’s Early Release Program on local communities and crime. Rialto PD has one adult and one juvenile probation officers assigned toRialto. Having this resource, Rialto PD hopes to stay on top of the early release inmates and be there to enforce their probation rules when they break them.
Chief spoke about the importance of getting graffiti off ASAP and would check into complaints that TAGS were staying up for 5-6 days after being reported. If you have graffiti that isn’t being removed after you call it in you can call Public Works Official Tim Sullivan at (909) 421-7229.
Many ways to foster positive relationships between our police and the youth were discussed: They included small community afternoons to reach out to the youth in a more positive manner in conjunction with the Area Command Meetings, having game trailers out at the meetings might draw more families and give the parents the ability to sit and get important information without worrying if their kids are bored, having hot dogs, chips and a drink could eliminate the need for families to cram dinner in before coming to the meetings.
Finally the topic that I enjoyed the most was the fact that this chief’s goal was to be more transparent than any before. Capt De Anda said he directed Sgt’s to go around to people in the community and give them some information on what is taking place (in their neighborhood after an incident) so that people’s fears and imaginations wouldn’t run wild and the community would feel like they are a part owner in public safety working alongside the police not separate or against them.
These meetings are a great way to get involved, have a voice and be more informed about what is happening in the community. I would invite everyone to come out to the next meeting on July 10th. It is time well spent.
18 Jun 2012
by rialto-now
in AFL-CIO, American Cancer Society, American Water, Bad Commerce, Budget, Ca, Cancer, Centurion Security Patrol, City of Rialto, Coffee Nutz, Currupt, davidsMarketing, Deborah Robertson, Ed palmer, Ed Scott, Family, Flores Park, Grace Vargas, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Davids-Marketing/156816741049580, Joe Baca Jr, June Hayes, Lazy, Lewis Properties, Mike Story, Protest, RDA, Sheet Metal Workers Union, SOSRialtoWater@gmail.com, The Circle Vision Quest, Water, wwwstoprialtowaterratehikes.com
Let me preface this article with a little piece of info. When your asking someone to invest in your company or idea you give a portion or percentage over to them for a certain dollar amount.
City Council and Staff along with the RUA valued the water and waste water at 30 million dollars of which they are cashing out in total. American Water is valuing the water and waste water systems at 130 million dollars, with a 3 million dollar reduction each year we honor the contract. So when the contract is so bad we just can’t stomach their lack of service and customer service people working in call centers in India we have to pay them at their valuation. So a city with no money as it is we will be stuck with this crappy bad deal. The city has already begun to sell your services down the drain. Street sweepers that under sold a contract to get the work to come back later for more money. Graffiti removal services where the owner actually said who cares if the tags stay up another day or two if it saves the city money.
Remove these people this november and send a message that we demand to be heard and represented.
RIALTO – A big question surrounding Rialto’s controversial 30-year contract with American Water Works Co. Inc. will be answered Tuesday.That’s when officials from the City Clerk’s office will count Proposition 218 protest ballots starting at 1 p.m.
Proposition 218 requires cities to have a vote of potentially affected residents when a rate hike is proposed.
In the case of Rialto’s proposed water rate hikes, a large number of ballots came into the city within the last 30 minutes of the deadline on June 12, Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott said Friday.
That prompted the City Council to defer a vote on the final procedure to institute a series of rate hikes that would mean a 114.5-percent increase in water and wastewater
A wheel line irrigation system operates in an agriculture area near the offices of Pacific Gas and Electric Company in Hinkley. (Gabriel Luis Acosta/Staff Photographer)
rates by 2016.
The rate hikes are part of a plan to outsource the management of Rialto’s water and wastewater systems to American Water.
The matter will be taken up again at a City Council meeting on June 26.
While the vote tally could end the deal, that result is unlikely, election observers say, as more than half of the Rialto property owners and renters who are ratepayers – plus one – would have filed a protest.
But there’s another issue looming that could derail the water agreement and rate hikes.
On May 12, members of the Utility Workers of America turned in petitions with more than 6,400 signatures seeking to put the council’s water rate decisions to a vote, which could be held in November or at another time selected by the council.
Only about 3,800 signatures are needed to take the council’s action to voters.
The city hired the county’s elections office to validate the signatures.
Scott said he has not heard the result, but that too would come out on the council meeting of June 26.
Not only do signatures need to be valid, but the process to collect the signatures needs to be valid, Scott said.
Joe Baca Jr., who was the lone dissenter in the rate hike vote, said most Rialto residents understand that rates need to increase to pay for water system upgrades, just not so rapidly.
—————————————————————————————————————-
Advertisement
Social Media Marketing for all your needs. Specializing in Non-Profit, Community Groups and Public Safety Organizations. Visit us at www.davidsinlandempiremarketing.com
07 Jun 2012
by rialto-now
in Bad Commerce, Budget, Ca, Centurion Security Patrol, City of Rialto, Coffee Nutz, Crime, Currupt, davidsMarketing, Deborah Robertson, Ed palmer, Ed Scott, Family, Flores Park, Grace Vargas, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Davids-Marketing/156816741049580, http://www.guardianwatch.com/, Inland Empire, Joe Baca Jr, Keith Kahn, Lazy, Mike Story, Nieghborhood Watch, Protest, Public Safety, Rialto Police Department, SWAT, The Circle Vision Quest, Tom Ammiano, www.babyelepnatbooks.com, www.careervisionbyjamie.com, wwwstoprialtowaterratehikes.com, youth
When I first moved back to Rialto I noticed how much graffiti was all over the place it was like little LA.
We rented for one year then made the decision to purchase our first home in Rialto, the graffiti was out of control.
We banded together with Lt Burkholder, Lt Crispin & Cpl Muir to get the graffiti under control. I personally held GPC the graffiti removal contractor to a hard-line of removing the graffiti ASAP. I helped GPC & the city of Rialto over obstacles such as private property right of ways and businesses that were no longer cleaning graffiti on their back walls because of retaliation against their maintenance employees. Councilman Ed Palmer and I developed a way to get property owners and leasing companies to keep their leasing signs free of graffiti.
And things were looking better……………………….. Until Now!!!!!
The city has decided to change contractors beginning last month May 2012 to save $3 a stop. Now everyone has heard the saying you get what you pay for, and we are getting just that cheaper service that has more excuses than results.
Larry De Corona the Owner of Superior Property Mainence ( http://www.4superior.com/ ) came out to the Area 1 Command Meeting stating that nothing will change but better faster services at a lower price. He tried to tell us his company can’t take care of our drainage Areas or Washes ( which is wrong ) and that they were brining in a new camera program, knowledgeable staff ect. None of his statements have shown to be true.
So I wonder why I have been calling and seeing graffiti up for days and days, poor painting, tags still showing through ect. Then I remembered something Mr. De Corona said at the meeting they are the largest graffiti removal program in LA County. Ah ha this is why who hasn’t driven around LA County and been blinded by graffiti.
Larry Decrona Owner & Managing partner in aquisition and Property Managment
Larry De Corona (pictured above) called me yesterday very upset that I am asking his company to remove the graffiti in a timely fashion. He said that they are working within the confines of the contract and that I couldn’t use his statements at the Area Command Meeting as gold. He told me that in April GPC billed the city $8K for the month of April, Superior billed the city $6K for May. This isn’t because they are so much cheaper it’s because they are slower to respond and GPC work some Saturdays in April Superior doesnt.
Mr. De Corona said something that speaks to where he is coming from a property management back ground that showed his lack of knowledge of this city or the War we wage her on Hoodlums. He said “Whats the difference if the graffiti stays up a few more days if it saves the city money”. Really did you just say that. Graffiti is a hoodlums way of saying he owns your neighborhood, street or city, and everyday it’s up there is another day to influence our teens, intimidate our communities and enrage community members.
I spoke with Tim Sullivan from public works and he told me that Superior is new and he is keeping close account of the complaints and looking at Superior’s response times and quality of work. We want to keep this from becoming a problem.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rid-Rialto-of-Graffitti/216882198324244 – We have a Facebook Page you can visit and post your problem areas with graffiti or just email them to rialtonw@aol.com and we will post for you.
Ferguson Park the Multi Million Dollar park that wont be stripped until the July Grand Opening was hit hard and it took Superior 3 days to remove this graffiti, so people’s questions on safety at our parks is still an issue and thanks to Superior the community is wondering if the new park is even worth visiting.
I have called the graffiti hotline numerous times to find MAJOR, MASSIVE tags up for days and even weeks.
The graffiti Hotline number is 909-820-2670 put this in your cell phone and call on every tag.
If you have questions, complaints or concerns please call 909-820-2602 and ask for Tim Sullivan.
07 Jun 2012
by rialto-now
in Ca, Centurion Security Patrol, City of Rialto, Coffee Nutz, Crime, davidsMarketing, Family, Flores Park, Fun, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Davids-Marketing/156816741049580, http://www.guardianwatch.com/, IE Gourmet Food Trucks, Joe Baca Jr, Mike Story, Rialto Police Department, Rialto Rotary, Run Watcha Brung, Target, www.babyelepnatbooks.com, www.careervisionbyjamie.com, youth
Coffee with the Police Chief
June 12th from 8:00 to 9:00 am – A meet and greet with the Rialto Police Chief and staff! This will be a recurring event happening every 2nd Tuesday at Coffee Nutzz (119 E. Foothill Blvd.). Come out and learn more about your Police Deparment!
A Taste Of Rialto
You’re invited to join us for the 8th Annual Taste of Rialto on Thursday, June 7th from 5:00 – 8:00 pm in Downtown Rialto. The Rialto Chamber of Commerce, City of Rialto, and State Farm Insurance are sponsoring the “Taste of Rialto.” This event will highlight over a dozen of Rialto’s finest restaurants and will include wine and beer tasting from several participating wineries and breweries in the region. A wide variety of foods including African, American, BBQ, Cajun, Chinese, Mexican and International cuisine will be free for the tasting! The event will be held at the Downtown Park on the northeast corner of Rialto Avenue and Riverside and will include entertainment. Tickets for the event are $25.00 and are available from the Rialto Chamber of Commerce (909) 875-5364 and at the event. There will also be a Cruise Night on Friday, June 8th from 7:00 – 10:00 pm. See you there!
Run What You Brung Car Show
Come join us for the annual Run Whatcha Brung car show. This event takes place Saturday, June 9th, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm in Downtown Rialto. Free admission to spectators.
2012 National Night Out
National Night Out is a nation-wide program co-sponsored by Target in where neighborhood watch groups come together one night a year with Target representatives, police, fire, school and city officials, to celebrate the concerted effort in fighting crime throughout the year. This year’s event will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 from 5:00 – 8:30 pm.
National Night Out is a wonderful opportunity for our community to promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie. It represents the kind of spirit, energy, and determination that is helping make our neighborhoods safer places throughout the year. It is a night to celebrate safety and crime prevention success and to expand and strengthen our commitment throughout the year.
The Rialto Police Department and its personnel are proud to host such a great event and we would like to say a special “Thank You” to all of our citizens for their willingness to work with us to make this a better and safer Rialto.
01 Jun 2012
by rialto-now
in Budget, Ca, Centurion Security Patrol, City of Rialto, Coffee Nutz, davidsMarketing, Dine 909, Edgar Montes, Family, Family Sports, Farrell’s Honors Our Military, Farrell’s Resturant, Flores Park, Fun, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Davids-Marketing/156816741049580, http://www.guardianwatch.com/, IE Gourmet Food Trucks, In & Out, Inland Empire, Keith Kahn, Mike Story, Nieghborhood Watch, Public Safety, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, RUSD, SWAT, The Circle Vision Quest, Uncategorized, www.babyelepnatbooks.com, www.careervisionbyjamie.com, youth
Are you a business, community group, charitable organization, local elected official or a person seeking a local office?
Here at Rialto Now we are always looking to highlight the latest and greatest in and around Rialto. What we are offering are opportunities for you to get the word out to residents and community leaders that truly care about this City and the Inland Empire.
How does it work:
- We formulate a series of questions that are directly related to your and your industry. We then email those questions to you at an email address you provide. You in turn answer those questions, then email it back to us with any pictures, contact links, phone number ect. We run grammar, spelling and check to make sure all words are clean don’t infringe on another persons rights and we post it.
What if I don’t like some of your questions:
- That hasn’t happened but if you don’t like them don’t answer them. Of course the more interesting content we have and pictures we provide will make your post the most viewed.
- These “SPOTLIGHTS” are designed in a way to inform the public on the given topic host, they are never intended to portray the business in a negative light.
How can I control any ads that may appear on my post:
- You can make special requests to have certain adds not shown on your post. The best way is to pay to advertise on your own post we never put more than one ad per post. Ads range from $10 – $50. Ask us for the details.
Who can request to have a “SPOTLIGHT” done for them:
- Anyone that their business deals with the city of Rialto, sells to people who reside in Rialto, business/organization/political figure or person running for political office/community group/ non-profit or any host group located within Rialto.
Here are a few of the “SPOTLIGHTS” we have already done:
So if your intrested in a “SPOTLIGHT” please email:
davidsmarketing@aol.com and put in the subject line “SPOTLIGHT”
31 May 2012
by rialto-now
in Budget, Burglury, Ca, Centurion Security Patrol, City of Rialto, Coffee Nutz, Crime, davidsMarketing, Family, Family Sports, Flores Park, Fun, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Davids-Marketing/156816741049580, http://www.guardianwatch.com/, IE Gourmet Food Trucks, In & Out, Inland Empire, Lewis Properties, Mike Story, Nieghborhood Watch, Public Safety, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, SWAT, The Circle Vision Quest, Uncategorized, www.babyelepnatbooks.com, www.careervisionbyjamie.com
Hello readers here is our review of the area command meeting in area 1. This is Lt Karol’s second meeting since his promotion and assignment as area 1 commander for Rialto. Lt. Karol ran this meeting alot like one of our favorite retired Lt Crispin, the meeting was very comfortable and flowed nicely.
Lt Karol Area 1 Commander opening up his 2nd meeting
Topics were well covered and residents were given and opportunity to comment and vent without being chased out of the room because they didn’t entirely agree with the presenter. Not every presenter spoke because the presenters that did speak were important to the people sitting in the audience.
I wasnt entirely sure how the chosen venue would suit this meeting when I first heard about it, but after the meeting was over the only critique is that it was hard to find out which room the meetin was in because Sunrise Church is such a large facility. Proper signage would help negate this issue. The people who attend there who were there for bible studies and other groups were very nice, hospitible and helped you find the right room.
Larry Decrona Owner & Managing partner in aquisition and Property Managment
First up was Larry from Superior Graffitti Removal – They are the new graffitti removal company and they are promising to do more for less. How many of you have ever paid less for for a service or product and been at all happy with the end result? My fear is that they will relize this city is more work than originally factored and come back to council looking for money &/or allow their service drop off due to the additional expense of serivcing our city. They promise next day service & a national reporting serivce that is free to the city. They say that if you call on graffitti and they cant remove it or refuse to because of some strange rules they will call you and inform you. Well I debunked that this week I called on three spots this week no removal and no call. Go to the community Graffitti page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rid-Rialto-of-Graffitti/216882198324244 give it a “LIKE” and join the discousion.
They say they are the largest graffitti removal company in LA County, like that was a badge of honor. LA County has a reputation of throwing bad money after good and has graffitti blanketing their communities. Where is the graffitti removal response? You can find them at http://4superior.com .
Scott Enoch with City of Rialto Parks and Rec
Scott Enoch with Parks and Rec seemed a little unprepared for the types of questiones he recived. He spoke about the cataloge that the city puts out to inform the community about services they provice and annonced the dedication cerimony at Freguson park that will take place Saturday July 14th. Whats funny is the football feilds wont be stripped until just before the dedication and grand opening of the park because they want it to look nice, yet the park is already open. In my opinion it sends the message that the city dosent care about the comunity just the press and media that wont show up for the event. The only time media covers Rialto is for bad things very rare to hear about positive things in the Sun or ABC 7 in reference to Rialto.
The questions Mr Enoch wasnt ready for was about the violence, crime, debachury and filth that currently resides in our parks. People complained about the janitorial services that Mr Enoch had never met or seen in his life. People described to cleaning staff as 2 mexican ruffians pulling up in a lifted black truck and doing very little cleaning. Bathrooms cleanliness was also a issue sticky and trashed almost all the time, waste baskets with busted out bottoms, gangs taking over our parks and much more.
If you want to know more about our parks you are directed to the parks and rec commision meeting 3rd tuesday of every month. Also if you have issues with broken or damaged park equipment call public works and or Parks and Rec.
Sergio is with Public Works and is a Traffic Engineer
Public works was next and they had a traffic engineer out to speak to the public. 2 new traffic signals were installed 1 at Valley/Cactus and the other on Rverside Ave in front of Fire Station 202. Cactus south bound is sceduled to be widened, Ayala north bound will be widened, Linden north bound to Carter and a new signal will begin the planning phases at Linden and Riverside Aves. This intersection is the source of many accidents and fatilities in the past and is well over due. Also Pepper will be extended to the 210 freeway.
Mike Story is the City Manager addressing some issues within the city
Last was Mike Story the city manager for the city of Rialto. First off read his monthly report its full of great information. Mr Story spoke about some of the issues that were being brought up. In and Out in Rialto will happen at its latest is 2013, the city is getting leaner but its finding ways to to the same with less. Mr Story is a straight shooter with a positive outlook as long as we can remain together during the lean years. Super Walmart is finally moving along, Mr Story spoke about ways his department is making Rialto more business freindly without giving away the farm. San Bernardino has done just that with the new Amazon Wharehouse, Kohls Distribution center, Regal Cinema project in downtown and many more they earn so little on tax revenues and have nothing to pay for toads damaged by truck traffic or crime that follows these developments. Mr Story is using quick building permits, defered project payments and more to help developers.
Finally Lt Karol closed the meting with some recent crime trends in the area and city:
- Ding Dong Break In – Somone comes up to your door and knocks and rings the bell if none awnsers another person access your backyard smashes in your slider and ransacks your home in and out in about 2 mins. If your home awsner from inside you dont have to awnser the door but with them knowing somones home they normally move on.
- Front Door Kick In – Yes its back they caught 2 males who had been victimizing homes on the south end of area 1. Key here is to report people that dont belong in your neigborhood.
- Into the Garage – Do you leave a garage door opener in your car? If yes then you could be a waiting victim of this breakin.
27 May 2012
by rialto-now
in Burglury, Ca, Centurion Security Patrol, City of Rialto, Coffee Nutz, Crime, davidsMarketing, Family, Flores Park, Fontana PD, http://www.guardianwatch.com/, Inland Empire, Mayor Pat Morris, Mike Story, Nieghborhood Watch, Public Safety, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, RUSD, San Bernardino PD, San Bernardino Police, SWAT, The Circle Vision Quest, Tom Ammiano, www.babyelepnatbooks.com, www.careervisionbyjamie.com
Below is an article a community in San Rafael, CA that by using this app and a strong Neighborhood Watch they are directly effecting crime in their community.
We will be posting an interview with Gordon Jones with Guardian Watch a cell phone app that allows communities to better communicate with each other and EMS personnel on what going on in their area the website is:
http://www.guardianwatch.com/
http://www.facebook.com/GuardianWatch
Also Check out:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001441607142 – Flores Park NW
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rialto-Residents-for-Rialto-Fire-Department/145275045567795
http://www.facebook.com/groups/309058217201/ – Residents for Rialto PD
http://www.facebook.com/RialtoPD
After five months and three community meetings, the Terra Linda and Marinwood Neighborhood Watch Program is helping officers solve crime, according to one of the group’s organizers.
Since the creation of the neighborhood watch program in December 2011, the number of calls dispatchers received has increased and homeowners are feeling safer, said organizer John Buckley.
“At our first meeting, there was a sense that everyone was in crisis mode,” he said. “But now we can tell it’s working.”
Dispatchers at Tuesday’s meeting told attendees that the neighborhood watch group’s calls had a hand in helping to catch three suspected burglars in early April. Two Terra Linda High School students and one graduate were arrested on suspicion of breaking in to the school’s storage container where they stock candy and snacks for athletic events.
During their interviews, the three confessed to several other burglaries in the Terra Linda, Marinwood and Santa Venetia areas, totaling seven incidents.
“Essentially we helped solve seven crimes,” Buckley said.
In one incident, the teens broke in to Buckley’s neighbor’s house but when the homeowner returned, they stealthily fled after stashing a laptop and vodka in the yard. Once they confessed, they returned with officers to the house to locate the items.
Terra Linda and Marinwood neighbors first began their watch group in December after a wave of home burglaries in the area. At a meeting in February, retired San Rafael police officer Tom Boyd described these neighborhood’s as a “burglar’s paradise” because the properties are surrounded by open space and trusting residents are making it easy for crime with unlocked vehicles and open garage doors.
The neighborhood watch’s website has been tracking incidents in the area to keep people informed.
According to the website, a neighbor came returned to her home on Golden Hinde on Feb. 14 and found that the front door was pried open by a crowbar. Her Wii, iPad, iTouch, passports, several credit cards and other items were stolen.
The site also lists a failed burglary in Marinwood on March 9, where suspects broke into a locked garage side door. When they discovered the 91-year-old homeowner inside, they cut the power and fled. In March, a man was arrested on suspicion of two gas station armed burglaries in Terra Linda. In one case, a Union 76 Station clerk attempted to fight the suspect and was struck in the head several times with the weapon.
Although the meetings’ attendance dwindled since the first in December (the first meeting drew over 200 people when this week’s drew 35), the website has served the community well, Buckley said. Some of the content garnered as much as 6,000 visitors, 12,000 page views and now over 250 people have signed up for email updates.
“It just shows that the campaign is really working,” he said.
The next neighborhood meeting will be in the fall and will address emergency preparedness.
Previous Older Entries Next Newer Entries
rialtonow 
