Rialto Unified board VP: Superintendent fate to be decided soon
Rialto >> The top two administrators in the Rialto Unified School District being out on paid leave for the past five months have cost taxpayers the equivalent of three veteran teachers during that time. But the pair won’t be in limbo much longer, according to one board member.
Rialto Police Department Urges City Council To Ban Mobile Marijuana Operations
On Tuesday Rialto Police Lt. James Kurkoske presented the Issue with Medical Marijuana Dispensaries moving to a Mobile operations to circumvent Rialto municipal code laws Banning dispensaries within the city limits
Lt. James Kurkoske remarked on the law that created a Compassionate Use Act (CUA) where people that were suffering from the effects of treatment from serious illness. Rialto has a ordnance that does not allow medical marijuana shops to hold store fronts within the city limits. So what drug dealers have done is offer a delivery service to their clients in the city of Rialto. Lt. James Kurkoske said at the council meeting last night that this practice is dangerous because the drivers are a target of armed robbery for cash and drugs. This danger has brought drivers to have armed guards or even arm themselves. One community watch resident said “last thing we need is a shoot out in the city”.
Lt. James Kurkoske said that the SCAT team preformed undercover buys from these shops and had the drug delivered to a apartment where a undercover police officer was there to complete the purchase. Lt. James Kurkoske said that the undercover operations team did not encounter any armed curriers but did encounter armed guards at a store front that was shut down near Cactus and Valley.
The council went with staff recommendation and amend the current Ordnance to also ban mobile operations of Medical Marijuana within the city limits. The vote was unanimous but there were comments after the public comment portion was over. Councilman Joe Baca Jr asked Lt. James Kurkoske how possible legalization efforts would affect the city’s ability to enforce the Ordnance. Lt. James Kurkoske did say that it would become more difficult. Joe Baca Jr also asked how the police would be able to identify if someone was under the influence while driving. Lt. James Kurkoske said states like Colorado and Washington were already developing methods and technology to deal with this issue with more accuracy. Joe Baca Jr said its inevitable that Marijuana will be regulated and more available to our communities and he didn’t seem to concerned over this issue. Councilman Ed Palmer was disturbed that someone could order Marijuana like a pizza. He made reference to a potential decline in our communities is this continued. Councilwoman Lynn Hirtz said that having a lax attitude in reference to any drug use in our communities was dangerous and she thanked the police for their work on this item.
Final $11 millionsettlement reachedin water contamination suit
Wrapping up a decade of litigation involving multiple companies, of a former fireworks manufacturer agreed Friday to an $11 million settlement to help cover cleanup costs at a Rialto industrial site where toxic chemicals leached into the groundwater.
Rialto dog handlers Ivonne and Gabriel Rangel are ready to take Sky, champion wire fox terrier, into the ring Tuesday for the terrier competition at the Westminster Kennel Club Annual Dog Show in New York.
Well last Thursday the people of area’s 1&2 were treated to the first Area Command meeting of 2014. One thing that is clear that this is one of the regularly scheduled public venues that gets a little bit better each and every time. One component recently added to these meetings are the police department education meetings. The first one I remember is last year they had the staff from dispatch come out and educate the community on what dispatch does, why dispatch operates the way it does & how you can help the dispatcher answer your call as quickly as possible.
This year the special presentation is on our Investigative Unit how it operates, who makes up the staff, what their prospective duties are and some frequently asked questions that everyone found interesting and helpful. Even Area Command Leader Lt Karol gave everyone useful tips to help minimize your vulnerability to identity theft. We were presented with information from the following people:
Mike Story (City Administrator) – Went over the Mayors first public Q&A event with city dept heads, various activities that took place at the end of 2013. Mike Story also went over The Rialto Institute of Progress an 8-week program that will be held from March 6th to April 24th. Sessions will be held at the Rialto Civic Center in the Council Chambers from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. After completion, the community members will have an increased understanding of Rialto’s organizational structure, of the operations of our City Departments, and how they impact the quality of life in the City of Rialto.
Shawn O’Connell (Councilman) – Councilman O’Connell addressed his accident and thanked everyone for their support and prayers. Councilman also spoke about the new City Attorney and congratulated everyone in the city for their efforts to help make Rialto a better place to live.
Detective Stella & Detective Farmer (Rialto Police) – These two gentlemen gave us a look into the Investigations Unit and helped the people in attendance better understand how and why the Detectives do what they do. Lt. Andy Karol gave us a mini education on steps you can take to better protect yourself from identity theft.
Amy Crow (Waste Management) – Amy went over the senior & disabled person discount for trash services. She also highlighted the park cleanup schedule and other services the city offers like shred fest.
Linda (Cert) – Linda one of the training volunteers came up to introduce the CERT program. CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Training. The idea behind CERT and the importance of the program is in the event of a natural disaster EMS services will be primarily diverted to Schools & Hospitals leaving the communities on their own for up to 72 hours. CERT teaches you basic life saving skills and ways to gain shelter and safety as a Neighborhood unit.
Cpl. Cameron Nelson (Rialto Police) – Cpl. Nelson is the community liason officer for Rialto Police and came up to highlight some up coming programs. First was Golf With A Cop which gives kids ages 10-17 the opportunity to learn golf from a PGA player and other top notch golf instructors. An added benefit is if kids can hold a specific GPA they can play for free at Colton Golf Course all year long. Second was Fuel for Success a effort to get at risk kids to find the importance of staying in school and striving for excellence. The 2014 program will be held at Eisenhower High and will follow the look and feel of Rialto Police highly successful National Night Out program. The final presentation was on the Pride Platoon program that takes troubled, at risk or youth without direction and give them a program that is used to put them on the right track and give them needed tools for success in life. This program has been awarded multiple programs and cited as helping reduce our youth crime in the city of rialto.
Lt. Andy Karol (Rialto Police) – Lt Karol gave us a break down of some of the events that happened over 2013. He also showed us crime data that shows even though crime in California has increased crime in Rialto has decreased by 20%. He also introduced the Next Door Virtual Neighborhood Watch program. Next Door was created by venture capitalists to help communities connect in the biggest way we interact today via technology. Next Door is a FREE program and helps those communities where we don’t know our neighbors to connect. To sign up for Next door or learn more about it visit https://nextdoor.com/
Lt Kathy Thompson (Rialto Police) – Lt Thompson came up to introduce the public to the Police Community Program where residents are introduced to the inner workings of the police department and given a mini education into the job of a police department. As a former attendee of this and other similar classes with cities like Redlands, San Bernardino and the County of San Bernardino this program is top notch and gives you a awesome perspective on what our police do and how they do it.
The Area Command meetings are a vital tool in empowering the Rialto community to take a proactive role in helping make Rialto a great place to live, work & play. The information given at these meetings goes well beyond the presentations its extended to the wealth of information in the manner of the many flyers and printed materials available as well as the ability to talk 1-1 with people that help you with any given situation, problem or question.
If you missed this meeting your in luck there is another one coming up on Monday February 3rd at Calvary Chapel Rialto on the corner of Merrill and Cedar at 7pm. This meeting is geared towards the lower half of the city areas 3 & 4 (everything south of foothill) but anyone is welcome to come. Here are some flyers for your reference:
The very successful Area Command meetings are back with a ever so slight tweak. Instead of having four meetings they have combined two areas and made two meetings. When Area Commanders were asked about this change it was done this way to kick off the program and brings the areas together as they introduce a new Virtual Neighborhood Watch Program and other items better given to large groups. This combining of groups should benefit the community because people benefit from hearing other community members concerns.
Some things to expect at the first meeting of 2014 are:
Introduction of the Next Door virtual neighborhood watch program.
Access to city department heads like City Administrator Mike Story.
Receive up-to-date crime stats for the area in question.
Network with other concerned residents and find solutions to ongoing and prior problems.
Browse through the large amount of flyers and resources available via our city, police & fire departments.
This is an ongoing successful program run by dedicated professionals that care about the city and want to see positive forward movement in the city of Rialto.
For more information please refer to the flyer and the prospective area commander or go to www.rialtopd.com
Today the residents of the city of Rialto were treated to a friendly game of Broomball. It was a Battle of the Badges that will go down in history. Rialto Fire Department was keeping the police department at bay staying one point ahead with aggressive offensive play and good ice. After the second period was over the heat of the 80 degree day finally made the ice the great equalizer. Portions of the ice became super slick and both teams players found the ice difficult to maneuver on.
Rialto Police re-grouped and began using a new strategy of keeping a player back on defense to help stop any Fire Department fast breaks. In the end Rialto Police found the energy and stamina to over come the Fire Department by a score of 7-6. Both sides were equally represented in the stands with fans of both agencies showing up to route on their team. The stands filled up so much that additional bleachers needed to be brought in to offer everyone a seat.
Mike Story acted as master of ceremonies welcoming everyone and letting the crowd know that they could skate after the game for half price. Towards the end of the game Mayor Robertson showed up and was excited to see both public safety agencies giving our community such a great show. The residents were happy to see so many changes in the city and looked forward to more in 2014. One resident Debbie said she loved the addition of the ice rink and community events it helps bring positive people into the city and make it a good place to live.
The only casualty in this battle of the badges match were the brooms. Ton of brooms were broken damaged or even destroyed. Rialto Fire brought out a push broom but were warned by the referees that a push broom was not acceptable. Oh did we forget to highlight our refs for this game, none other than Fire Chief Fratus & Police Chief Farrar. I have to say both refs had fun and looked like they enjoyed laying down a little law on their employees within the game.
Don’t Miss the next Battle of the Badges in the annual Blood Drive, last year Rialto PD won.
Sunrise Church has been a staple in Rialto for YEARS. Originally named Rialto Community Baptist Church now Sunrise Church has two locations in the city of Rialto. Fall Fest was held at their main church campus on the corner of Riverside and Ayala Avenues.
Fall Fest is the churches way of giving the community a safe alternative to Halloween and trick or treating. The event was very well attended and had a lot of great activities they even involved the Rialto Police department and 2 food trucks and Handels Ice Cream.
Below are some pictures we took of the event:
Food Trucks were Food Frenzy and The Rolling Sushi Van
They had a like music and performance stage
Candy and Back Pack Giveaways
A Field of jumpers and inflatable obstacle courses
Trackless Train
Rock Wall
Rialto Police Department SWAT & SCAT vehicles and demos
It was a great event don’t miss out we have three big events going on in Rialto on Halloween check out our Halloween post.
Hello Rialto Now readers. A year or so ago the city of Rialto revised its prior Municipal Code that would assist the Police in combatting the Sale of Synthetic Drugs like “SPICE” & “BATHSALTS”. Prior laws were seen to have no teeth because they focused on the chemical compound. This was frustrating to law makers and police because the criminals making this drug would simply change the chemical compound ever so slightly making the law unaplicable.
What Rialto did was go after the MARKETING of these drugs. Thus making even having it for sale in your business illegal. So once Rialto Police Department began to educate the Smoke Shops and Liquor Stores on the new law they saw very little of the product. Last year a Eisenhower High School student was given some “SPICE” and nearly went into cardiac arrest while his friends tried to slip him by the classroom teacher. After this incident Rialto Police SCAT team preformed undercover buys and places known to sell the product and issued 2 warnings.
These warnings were not adhered to and three businesses were found to still be selling “SPICE” to your children. Rialto PD levied fines and confiscated their product. I they are found to still be selling these narcotics they can have their business license revoked and they would be shut down.
Since then, other local communities have reviewed and adopted similar ordinances. This is a big deal because our State and Federal Legislator refuse to deal with this issue and make it a ACTUAL CRIME. The Rialto Community Coalition has been a catalyst in pushing this Municipal Code forward and helping make it a success. Michael Townsend with Mental Health Systems is the facilitator of the Rialto Community Coalition. Mr. Townsend said of the “SPICE” Ordnance:
Rialto’s revised synthetic drug ordinance addresses the way criminals so cleverly attempt to maneuver around federal and state laws. Though chemists have developed different chemical compounds that will have the same effect as the outlawed chemical compounds in order to skirt the law, Rialto has had the foresight to address the problem by focusing on the marketing aspect of synthetic drug sales. It’s shameful that our youth are targeted and are often susceptible to the ploys of ruthless individuals motivated purely by money and without regard to the health and welfare of others. Policy makers in Rialto deserve our applause for taking leadership to protect our youth. Michael A. Townsend, Central Valley Prevention Program
Below you will find a link to the story ABC 7 did with one of the shop owners as well as the Press Release that the SB Sheriffs Dept. put out on the shop visits. Listen to this shop owner tell you that he is more interested in making quick money at the expense of you child’s life and health.
BUSINESS OWNERS WARNED SALE OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS IS ILLEGAL
BUSINESS OWNERS WARNED SALE OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS IS ILLEGAL
Members of a designated Sheriff’s Department task force, aimed at the eradication of dangerous synthetic drugs, will serve warning letters to area businesses advising them the sales of “bath salts” or “spice” – as they are commonly called – will not be permitted in the county. Deputies will be delivering letters Wednesday, October 23, to area smoke shops and liquor stores in an effort to educate business owners of the legal ramifications of selling synthetic drugs. The letters will outline state law banning the sale of synthetic drugs and give the owners an opportunity to dispose of the specified product in a safe and legal fashion. Businesses served on Wednesday will have the opportunity to voluntarily submit any “spice” or “bath salts” they may be selling and avoid criminal prosecution. “Some business owners may not understand exactly what they are selling,” Sheriff John McMahon said. “We want to educate them on the law and the dangers of synthetic drugs so they do not put the residents of this county – or their business – in jeopardy.” “Spice” and “bath salts” – also known as “designer drugs” – have been scientifically formulated to create the same effects of more common drugs, such as marijuana, methamphetamine or PCP. But these “fake” substances are not detected on standard drug tests because they are a synthetic imitation. For this reason, abuse tends to run rampant in the military and other professions in which drug testing is a common occurrence. The Sheriff’s Department has worked closely with various residents involved in local coalitions throughout the County who are concerned about the covert effect synthetic drugs have had on their community. These dedicated community members have been a driving force in garnering awareness of this problem and opening law enforcement’s eyes to the extent of possible sales in the county, McMahon said. Spice is a mixture of herbs sprayed with the synthetic chemicals that is usually smoked. Bath salts are synthetic chemicals in a powder or crystal form that are usually snorted or injected. These highly addictive, synthetic drugs are marketed as potpourri, decorative sand, shoe deodorizers or glass cleaner; however they have nothing in common with the products they are advertised to be. They are packaged using bright colors and cartoon characters in an obvious ploy to attract children. “These drugs are affecting two segments of the population who deserve the most protection: our children and the brave men and women who serve in our country’s armed forces,” McMahon said. One of the most common effects of these drugs is homicidal and suicidal tendencies, making them extremely dangerous for law enforcement officials who are called to respond to those who may be under the influence of spice or bath salts. The effects of these synthetic, or “designer” drugs, range greatly because there is no prescribed dosage on any of the packages. Users have been known to suffer cardiac arrest, brain seizures, tremors, and excited delirium. Others have extraordinary strength, similar to the effects associated with the use of PCP, making the Taser and other force options ineffective. While producers of bath salts promise a euphoric high, similar to cocaine or methamphetamine, the psychotic results of the synthetic drugs are far more severe and addictive.
For more information contact: Jodi Miller, PIO (909)387-3599 or Lolita Harper, Deputy at (909)387-0633. For IMMEDIATE information please e-mail: jmiller@sbcsd.org or lharper@sbcsd.org
John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
The last round of Area Command meetings are happening in September and October.
The first Area Command Meeting is this Saturday at 1:00pm at Sunrise Church in North Rialto. This is Area 1 Command meeting and its a meeting you need to attend if your in the respective area. Lt. Andy Karol always brings out the resources that the community is looking for. Area Command meetings are more than a law enforcement tool to get the word out to the community. Various city departments come out and give you the information you need and answer your questions.
Be sure to attend your area command meetings. Also follow us on twitter and be given up to date information on what is going on at the area command meeting as it happens. Our twitter address is www.twitter.com/rialtosnow
We have received reports that Rialto Police Department SCAT team conducted a sweep of local businesses known to sell synthetic drugs like SPICE & BATHSALTS.
A Press Release from Rialto Police Department has now come out.
What we do know that we can release is this week at Eisenhower High School a package of the Synthetic Form of Marijuana called SPICE was found in a classroom. Pictured below is the brand of Synthetic Marijuana that was found this week in a classroom on the campus of Eisenhower High School. The three businesses that were found in possession of the banned substance for sale all were right next to Eisenhower High School. There have been talks in the community that banning these types of stores within a comfortable radius of our schools.
Found in a Eisenhower classroom this week
Last year a young male almost went into cardiac arrest after consuming the Synthetic Marijuana on campus. If not for the quick response of his teacher and campus security the outcome would have had a horrible ending.
School officials and staff have yet to comment on this issue for the drug being found once again on their campus.
With yet another coffee with the chief coming and going I thought it would be nice to highlight what was talked about at the August meeting at Coffee Nutz.
Twenty four people attended the event and we had people from all walks of life and various organizations that serve various purposes for the community.
In attendance (of note) were Linda Chapman Humans Relations Commission, Michael Townsend from the Department of Mental Health, Phyllis and John Hangman from Friends of the Rialto K-9’s, Joe Britt Park and Rec commissioner, Andy Carzales Rialto Beatification Commission. As well as Captain Randy Deanda and Chief Farrar from Rialto PD & two raido personalities from Q104.7 were doing a live remote in the parking lot and decided to join us.
Chief Farrar began by thanking everyone for coming. He then began talking about the extreme success of Rialto’s National Night Out event on August sixth. Chief Farrar stated they had just over five thousand people come out to this years event two thousand more than last year. He commented on how well the event went and that it was the best National Night Out event the city or county had ever put on. He said there was room for improvement but that overall the event was top notch. The highlight was for the people who hung around to see the police helicopter lift off from the event. Chief Farrar asked the people in attendance what they thought could be improved for next years event.
The next topic of conversation were the upcoming Area Command meetings. These meetings offer the community, city and police department a opportunity to connect and dialogue. Various city departments come out and give you the information you need to easily live here in the city. For info on the meeting dates, times and locations just look for the link on the right hand side of our page.
The topic of the AB 109 Early Release program came up due to the courts ordering Governor Brown to release another ten thousand inmates. Chief Farrar told the community that Rialto PD has been working to stay one step ahead of the criminals. These ways include an full time probation officer that works at Rialto PD, using electronic advances to track criminals, applying for more grants and working with other local agencies.
The last topic spoke to who our Police Chief really is it spoke to his heart. Chief Farrar spoke about a strong passion to reach our youth. Not just the good kids that have normal nuclear families that don’t have negative contact with the police but all youth especially the under privileged youth that shy away from telling police officials their true fears and concerns. This desire chief Farrar has isn’t a fishing expedition to lock up more criminals but a true heart felt desire to show the entire community that his department truly cares. What was awesome is everyone there bought right in and began talking out the idea of how to involve our youth. This is where Annette Pulido the promotions person from Q104.7 spoke up and offered to assist the city and police department with this and other outreach opportunities.
One thing that is missing is a constant presence by School District Official. Every single meeting there are constant questions about our children’s safety. This is just an observation by me but it seems Rialto Unified really doesn’t care how we feel about school safety or our children’s safety. It is sad because Edgar Montes has attended a few times but beyond that nobody. Rialto Unified has a School Safety Department and their office can’t send down one official to listen and log the long list of issues the community has with school safety.
Here is what else is awesome when I brought up the response some of our readers had to the time of the meetings and how morning meeting during the week excludes a portion of the community. Chief Farrar said lets make it happen so all you that commented on the time of the meetings here you go.
There is a lot going on in Rialto and everyone is working hard towards making this a community to be proud of. But it takes everyone working towards the same goal. So ask yourself what are you doing to help make this city a better place and can you do more?
Coffee with the Chief is this coming Tuesday at Coffee Nutz. Come out and hear what our police have been up to, ask questions from Rialto’s Top Cops as well as meet other people in the community committed to safety for everyone.
From the Murder of a Father in Flores Park to a Family shooting at Trapp Elementary School
Chief Farrar normally is joined by other members of the command staff.
With the recent major crimes that have accorded in our city it is important to show up and take advantage of this opportunity. Bring the kids and enjoy coffee & information coloring books and comic books supplied by IEHP will be available to keep the little ones busy.
Coffee Nutz is located on Foothill just East of Riverside Ave. Owner Andy Carzaeles is a strong community advocate and supports a strong line of communication between the community and police. Andy opens up his restaurant and offers excellent service from his friendly staff.
Come out and get informed. Bring the kids we will have FREE goodies to keep them busy.
rialtonow 