Area Command Meeting Wednesday September 28th 7pm to 8:30pm
Curtis Elementry 451 S Lilac
Rialto Fire Department In the Sun
28 Sep 2011 Leave a comment
http://www.sbsun.com/ci_18982322?IADID=Search-www.sbsun.com-www.sbsun.com
Our Fire Fighters were out in force in front of city hall in Rialto Monday. With the worries of the bad economy 4 officers are on the chopping block now and 6 may be next. Once again I ask the question I didn’t get to ask at the council meeting (missed due to work) where is our 8% utility tax going?
Updates to come about the council meeting.
Rialto Pride Platoon
27 Sep 2011 2 Comments
in City of Rialto, Family, Public Safety, Uncategorized, youth
When I first saw the flyer for this program I said right program just in time. As someone who is constantly pushing our community leaders to act proactively in addressing crime not just reacting to it and the painful results.
I remember having a Neighborhood Watch meeting in a local park. While we were holding the meeting a group of male teens walked up and ask Lt Craig Crispin (now retired) what was going on? Why do these people care? How do I become an explorer with the police and fire departments?
Awesome questions and what a person to ask for some reason he came prepared without even knowing it and sent them in the right direction.
So many of our youth are being raised by parents that aren’t there. The ones that are there either lack morals or are afraid to be real parents.
This program is awesome and here is the details:
How
to join: The platoon is open to Rialto children from 14 to 17 years old. Occasionally,
police will accept applications for 13 year olds.The next session begins in late April. To enroll, call Sgt. Dean Hardin at
909-820-2634 or Jeanette Lopez, 820-2565.
to join: The platoon is open to Rialto children from 14 to 17 years old. Occasionally,
police will accept applications for 13 year olds.The next session begins in late April. To enroll, call Sgt. Dean Hardin at
909-820-2634 or Jeanette Lopez, 820-2565.
Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/ci_18975223?IADID=Search-www.sbsun.com-www.sbsun.com#ixzz1Z7jprT9F
AWARE its time to come SUPPORT your CAUSE! (Art Show, Live Music, Charity)
23 Sep 2011 1 Comment
Let your Cause Color be shown!AWARE is where conscience minded individuals mix and mingle while representing the health and social issues that are personally heartfelt to them. This themed event and art show, which is presented by
PROJECT 2∙6∙8, a charity networking organization, raises awareness and funds for multiple charitable causes within the host community while promoting the colors of all causes…. This season’s AWARE (I.E) event, hosted at the Aloft Hotel in Rancho Cucamonga, is aimed at raising much-needed funds for multiple charitable causes while increasing the visibility of our featured charitable organization, Steven’s Hope for Children, and local business sponsors. Guests will luxuriate in a vivacious atmosphere of chic rooms and a poolside patio while enjoying the sounds of trendy music, the displayed work of local artists, a fully stocked bar, an appetizing cuisine, raffle prizes, and many more.
PROJECT 2∙6∙8, a charity networking organization, raises awareness and funds for multiple charitable causes within the host community while promoting the colors of all causes…. This season’s AWARE (I.E) event, hosted at the Aloft Hotel in Rancho Cucamonga, is aimed at raising much-needed funds for multiple charitable causes while increasing the visibility of our featured charitable organization, Steven’s Hope for Children, and local business sponsors. Guests will luxuriate in a vivacious atmosphere of chic rooms and a poolside patio while enjoying the sounds of trendy music, the displayed work of local artists, a fully stocked bar, an appetizing cuisine, raffle prizes, and many more.
AWARE Goals:
PROJECT 2∙6∙8 has realized the gap between the things people want to do and the things people are doing. We are mindful that there are many health and social issues that lack attention and underfunded charitable organizations that need exposure through networking avenues.
AWARE is:
1. Raising Awareness
2. Uniting Individuals
3. Finding Solutions
Featured Causes:
• Autism
• C h i l d R e l a t e d I s s u e
• C h i l d h o o d Cancer
• L o c a l H i g h S c h o o l I s s u e
NO ENTRY COST
Click the link below to register your attendance:
http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=fmmvwohab&oeidk=a07e4tiwmkg78298168
I will be there with my largest client Eugene Panis Author of “The Circle:Vision Quest” and Art Sculpture of Gem Trees By Eugene Panis. Eugene will have 3 trees on display for the art show with an additional tree donated as a raffle prize.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140075902752150 – Click this link for the Face Book invitation, use the constant contact link to register for the event.
Satellite Coming Down
23 Sep 2011 Leave a comment
Nasa was closely monitoring the 6-ton Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite and said it would re-enter Earth’s atmosphere during the US afternoon, but could not provide more exact predictions until closer to the event.
The satellite would be somewhere between 57 degrees north and 57 degrees south, but any debris would most likely land in the ocean, the space agency said.
Much of the satellite would burn up as it comes into Earth’s atmosphere, but because of the size, some pieces would make it to the surface.
The risk of being injured by falling debris is incredibly slim, with a 1 in 3,200 chance of any human being struck by a piece.
Ok that’s the NASA fluff piece now lets talk turkey.
The best case is we will se an amazing light show in the sky this afternoon.
Worst case someone will get injured from it hitting land. Thank God Rialto is small.
Local Business Spotlight Coffee Nutzz & Cones Creamery
21 Sep 2011 1 Comment
I believe that it is important to know the people and story behind the business in any community, even more so in Rialto.
People like shopping at home town shops because there is a more personal connection there. For example my wife grew up eating Brothers Pizza. Her parents lived behind their first store and used to get quick meals there. Now Bros pizza as we call it is amazing, but what I see from my in-laws and wife is the personal relationship they developed with Maria and her staff. When Bros pizza was closed for a couple of weeks so they could go on vacation and someone removed the sign explaining this my wife and her parents were visibly worried about Maria, not mad that there was no pizza brad but concerned for her personally.
These local business spot light posts are to give you the reader and resident of the Rialto area that very opportunity.
ANDY CARRIZALES is the owner of these two local business, but after reading this interview you will learn that he is much more than a business owner but a man who cares about Rialto and is putting his hand to the plow to move us forward.
After our interview ANDY CARRIZALES had these words of advise and wisdom for me:
I would like to start of by saying; “Don’t give up on Rialto” Together we
can make Rialto a better place to live and thrive!I’m very impressed with the outreach and community involvement you dedicate
as a citizen, and I can assure you Rialto will become a safe place to live and
see our kids grow up. Lets join progressive, positive, thinking minds to
collaborate and pull our city in the right direction.Stop by some time so we can chat.I will take him up on that offer.
RIALTONOW – Coffee and Ice Cream is a unique combo how did you come up with the idea of pairing the two together.
ANDY CARRIZALES – We started in the city of Colton on Pepper Ave. in the food4less shopping center (Next to Coldstone Ice cream) As I would sit in the front of my store to enjoy some coffee I noticed that parents would take their kids to buy ice cream then they would drop into Coffee Nutzz for coffee. So I thought to my self my next shop will have both 🙂
RIALTONOW – Tell us a little about yourself. Were you raised in Rialto?
ANDY CARRIZALES – I was born in Los Angeles but raised in Rialto.
RIALTONOW – What are the struggles of owning a small business in today’s economy?
ANDY CARRIZALES – One of the struggles that we face now is coffee and ice cream is more of a luxury and most people who don’t have a job are just brewing at home. Another short-term problem I see is that every fast food company is now a coffee shop! However, I say short-term because most of these people weren’t coffee drinkers to begin with so that a plus because eventually the will come to Coffee Nutzz and taste the difference.
RIALTONOW – What hurdles do you come against by having a Baskin Robins 1/2 a mile away and a Dairy Queen a few miles south of you.
ANDY CARRIZALES – They have a name recognition but we have the freshly made ice cream a very competitive pricing structure and unmatched quality of product. The challenge is getting customers to understand what a “creamery” means and how our product is made here and not in some warehouse in Massachusetts frozen for a few weeks before it get inside a waffle bowl.
RIALTONOW – What hurdles have you come against trying to compete with large chains like Starbucks? Which has 2 remaining locations in Rialto.
ANDY CARRIZALES – I very much admire Starbucks as a company and how high they have set the bar high in terms of coffee shop atmosphere and have paved the way for ambitious entrepreneurs like myself to create a place were people of all ages can gather and to enjoy wonderful experience over a cup of coffee or ice cream. Our cities need more public places to hang out and relax.
RIALTONOW – If you could pass one nugget inspiration to future small business owners in Rialto what would it be.
ANDY CARRIZALES – Have a good business plan, a great product, give back to your community and have passion for everything you do!
RIALTONOW – I’ve noticed you have done a lot lately with the Rialto Centennial. What’s your connection with this event?
ANDY CARRIZALES – I’m on the planning commission for the Rialto Centennial to help promote via social networks to keep the community informed about our celebration.
RIALTONOW – Does your business support any local charities or sports groups?
ANDY CARRIZALES – We support our local schools, host free holiday community events, Joe baca foundation, Saint Catherine’s, we have programs for any charity that needs to raise money for a good cause.
RIALTONOW – Is there anything else you would like the Rialto Readers to know?
ANDY CARRIZALES – Coffee Nutzz and Cones Creamery is one of the first independent companies to put their heart and soul and invest in our community and will continue to improve Rialto one step at a time. Hopefully we have set a standard for future business investors to see Rialto as a thriving community and good place to invest.
Contact them for more info at the sites below
Interview with Ahmad R. Ansari, P.E. Public Works Director/City Engineer
20 Sep 2011 1 Comment
This interview went so well. Mr. Ansari was very gracious to take the time to answer these questions and I felt educated by this interview and I have attended many council meetings and know some of the cities inner workings still some of this I didn’t know. Thus the reason I am doing these interviews so that the community can share in the wealth of knowledge.
RIALTO-NOW – Your department is responsible for the trees in the public areas and right of ways. Does that also include trees on people’s grass easements (the grass area between the sidewalk and street)? If so what are the procedures when the trees lift the sidewalks and the sidewalks have to be replaced and home owner irrigation is damaged in the repair?
MR. ANSARI – The “grass easement” referred to, in your question is called Parkway Area and is within the Public Right of Way. Yes, the City is responsible to prune tree roots intruding and leading to sidewalk upheaval. The procedure is that all such areas citywide are regularly inspected by Public Works crews and a list is maintained. We then repair the areas that are smaller using own maintenance forces, and the rest is included in our annual Concrete Repair Program as part of a bid out Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project. All this includes any repair to sprinkler systems. If you are aware of any sidewalk upheavals or root intrusion, please report it by calling our number (909) 820-2608.
RIALTO-NOW – Are there any major tree trimming projects coming up that residents should be aware of?
MR. ANSARI – Not sure what you mean by “tree trimming projects”. The tree trimming service is a maintenance program which is ongoing. The City uses outsource contractor West Coast Arborist. Again, if there is any specific area or areas, please report it.
RIALTO-NOW – What is the protocol that residents should follow when they find potholes or deformities in the streets?
MR. ANSARI – We have had a very successful pothole repair program since 2008. With the goal of “No Pothole Left Behind”, we actively repair them all in a timely manner using our own forces. Again, if you have a location in mind, please report it. In addition, we have had a computerized Pavement Management System (PMS) since 2008 that identifies streets in need of major pavement repairs. Such streets find their way to either of the two annual CIP projects we have citywide, one being Street Overlay and the other Street Slurry Seal program.
RIALTO-NOW – In reference to graffiti I’ve noticed that not all graffiti is removed by the private contractor, some is removed by city staff, a bulk is removed by the private contractor & some seems to be outside of anyone’s power. Can you help us better understand this process?
MR. ANSARI – Generally, smaller less intensive graffiti is removed by our own crews called Graffiti Task Force, and larger more intense markings by our outsource contractor, GPC. Graffiti on private property is removed by the City ONLY if it is clearly visible from a street or public right of way. Abating graffiti from private property is always most challenging due to access constraints, obtaining permission from the owner and unique colors that require more time to match the paint to avoid having to paint the entire surface. Again, reporting is the key. Our Graffiti HOTLINE is (909) 820-2670.
RIALTO-NOW – What regulations are there for local businesses that allow their parking lots to be over-run with graffiti?
MR. ANSARI – This question should be directed to the City’s Development Services Department, Code Enforcement Division at (909) 421- 4962. Public Works can certainly help (as has in the past) when the graffiti is visible from the streets.
RIALTO-NOW – What is the current protocol for real estate companies that allow their for lease signs to be marked up with graffiti?
MR. ANSARI – This question should also be directed to the City’s Development Services Department, Code Enforcement Division at (909) 421- 4962.
RIALTO-NOW – The intersection of Baseline and Cedar has become a problem. Cars traveling north bound on Cedar Ave wait until the last moment to jump over to the left lane for through traffic. This causes unsafe driving and people are getting rear ended. What are some Steps your department plans to or can take to help correct this problem.
MR. ANSARI – The traffic safety and function of traffic engineering is handled by my engineering staff and by our Traffic Engineer, Shirjeel Muhammad who is a City employee and a registered TE by the State of California. I will have Shirjeel look into this location and get back to you with an explanation or a plan of action.
MR. MUHAMMAD – Thanks for bringing this important safety concern to our attention. The current lane designation on Cedar is to protect unsafe merging of traffic north of Baseline due to street narrowing.
You will be pleased to know that the City is currently in a process of Designing Ayala Avenue widening project north of Baseline. The construction time for the project can take up to 6 months due to Environmental clearances and Funding procurement. Once Ayala Avenue is widened, the lanes on Cedar south of Baseline will be restriped to provide for 2 thru lanes.
RIALTO-NOW – Tell us a little about yourself. Where you grew up? How you found
yourself in Rialto?
MR. ANSARI – I grew up as a child overseas, immigrated to the United States when I was a teenager to complete my High School, and later became a US Citizen. I attended a private boarding Catholic High School called Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, California, half way between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara and graduated in 1979. I then attended college at the University of Southern California (Go SC! Fight on! J) from 1979 to 1984 and obtained my degree in Civil Engineering & Architecture and did graduate studies in Structures. After working for two private firms from 1984 to 1985, I started my public service with the City of Burbank (1985 to 2000). I then served the City of Pomona (2000 to 2005), then the City of Perris (2005 to 2007) and currently serving the City of Rialto since April 30, 2007. I am a registered Professional Engineer in Civil with the State of California since 1994. I have been serving at Director and/or Director/City Engineer capacity since 2005. I am happily married with two great sons, 20 and 17, one attending his third year in college and the other a senior in High School. I am VERY excited to celebrate Rialto’s 100th Centennial coming up in November, not only because I take pride in personally designing the Downtown Walk of Fame, the Stars and the Monument, but because my own birthday and Rialto’s is only 6 days apart! I will be 50 years old right on 11-11-11.
RIALTO-NOW – Anything else you might think the citizens of Rialto and our readers should know?
MR. ANSARI – I would just like to thank you for the questions and the interview, and add that, as the City’s Public Works Director/City Engineer, it has been a pleasure serving Rialto and the Community. Rialto has great people, smart leaders and great staff. I feel that with our department’s mission of “Customer Care” and “Same Day Response” in mind, we have not only improved the City’s infrastructure over the past 4 years, but also have implemented efficient, systematic and responsive programs and processes in place for our citizens to benefit from, be aware of, and be involved in. With the current state of economy getting more and more challenging every day, it’s often hard to be everywhere all the time.
We hope with positive involvement from the public, guidance from our elected
officials and hard work by staff, we maintain and continue to meet the
expectations and effectively provide the services that the community needs and
deserves.
TOMARROW IS THE STORE FRONT SPOTLIGHT ON COFFEE NUTZ AND CONES CREAMERY
Crime, Crime, Crime oh and more Crime
19 Sep 2011 Leave a comment
Living in Rialto is glamorous when you tell people where you live you may get the reaction I get, Why? I choose to buy a home here start a family here and looking back on that I have regrets.
I can live with the lack of massive shopping, heck I can even live with older looking buildings I may even go as far to allow my children to go to public school here. But what I can’t stand is the crime. From tagging to full on homicide you’ll find a little bit of everything here and a lot of most of the bad stuff. It says a lot about your city when notorious criminals like Rodney King Win a million dollar lawsuit and decides Rialto is where he would like to live?
We have Jackson Street, Shamrock Street, the Woods, the Bench and we have Bohnert Street just to name a few. Rialto isn’t a very big city and to have so many criminal strong holds isn’t good at all.
So what are the responses to these problem areas:
- Community Policing – This is where programs like Neighborhood Watch, Crime Stoppers and We Tip use the community to help thwart crime and place police resources in the right place at the right time. Let me tell you this program was very efficient a year ago but now I don’t know. One thing I will ask is if anyone knows the rules and regulations for these programs please a list in the comment section. I ran a group for almost 3 years and I could never figure them out.
- Coffee With A Cop – Every Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m., Police Volunteer Judy Roberts hosts “Coffee with a Cop” at the Farmer Boys Restaurant, 1310 W. Baseline Road, Rialto. This program is an avenue for citizens to meet informally with Department representatives to discuss issues of importance to them, such as: crime trends, neighborhood problems and quality of life issues. Judy then disseminates the information to the appropriate Department representative, or she forwards it to Code Enforcement. ** This is directly from the Rialto PD Website **.
- Police Volunteers – The Rialto Police Volunteers are involved in several aspects of service to the Police Department. Among other things, they assist with traffic control at accident and crime scenes, conduct citizen and vacation patrols, host Neighborhood Watch Meetings, conduct station tours, and conduct free child fingerprinting at a variety of Department events. There are currently 33 Police Volunteers, and 96 Neighborhood Watch Groups. Volunteers donate approximately 5,000 hours of service to the Department annually. We are indebted to this fine group of men and women who selflessly dedicate themselves to assisting the Rialto Police Department. ** This is directly from the Rialto PD Website **.
- Area Command – The Area Commander Program is responsible for those areas which directly influence the quality of life for the residents and businesses in Rialto. In addition to enforcing the laws of our society, the Police Department believes it is equally important to maintain and develop positive relationships with all members of the community. The Area Commander Program is one of many innovative examples of the Rialto Police Department’s “Commitment to Community.”
The Rialto Police Department’s Area Commander Program is working to provide a safe and secure environment for the community. The utilization of proactive community based policing concepts, problem solving principles, technology, and effective crime fighting strategies are just part of the programs overall plan.The Rialto Police Department subscribes to the concepts of “evidence-based policing.” “Evidence-based policing” is the use of the best available research on the outcomes of police work to implement guidelines and evaluate agencies, units, and officers. It suggests that just doing research is not enough and that proactive efforts are required to push accumulated research evidence into practice through national and community guidelines. These guidelines can then focus in-house evaluations on what works best across agencies, units, victims, and officers.
We also encourage you to use the technology related resources found on the Department’s website to include; Coplogic (Online Reporting), OffenderWatch (Offender Tracking), CrimeMapping.com (Community Crime Stats), Nixle (Community Notification), and tip411 (Text Tips). ** This is directly from the Rialto PD Website **. This was a good program then 2 very awesome Lt’s retired and its not what it used to be because we went to same size less 2 commanders.
- Social Host ordinance –
Social Host refers to adults who host parties where alcohol is served on property that they control. Through social host liability laws, adults can be held responsible for these parties if underage people ar served, regardless of who furnishes the alcohol. Teen parties are a primary setting for underage drinking for both high school and college students; to include high consumption of alcohol and binge drinking.
The Social Host Ordinance expands the ability of the Police Department to address threats to the public health, safety and welfare by imposing accountability in two related areas:
The first component of the ordinance addresses accountability for gatherings where alcohol, marijuana or other controlled substances are served to, consumed by, or in possession of underage persons.
The second component of the ordinance creates accountability for loud and unruly gatherings on private property which create a public nuisance due to excessive noise, excessive traffic, public drunkenness, violence, disturbance of the peace, or other disturbances to public health, safety and welfare.
For more information please read the attached Social Host Ordinance. ** from Rialto PD Website **. Good luck getting an officer to respond to a party though dispatch will just ignore you.
- http://www.rialtopd.com/images/stories/community/rialto_issue_briefing_01.pdf
- Finally lets not forget Joe Baca Jr. and his idea to solve all the criminal activity on Jackson street by calling it Rainbow Road.
Some of these programs are good but only when operated correctly, I hear it from a lot of Volunteers they don’t feel respected. When people get their feelings hurt they take it out on the community. Plus our council and Mayor are beholden to the PD and are afraid to question them, what is up with that?
I love our officers and the ones that know me know that. I know they work a thankless job that is a constant battle but their have been people making choices that are bad and they can’t see past their egos to correct those choices. Chief Kling Started out strong but has stalled and almost disappeared this year, and that is just unacceptable.
San Bernardino Crime Scene
16 Sep 2011 Leave a comment
So lets see 3 people in your family have been shot, 2 toddlers and a young pregnant lady.
One toddler dies, one is just barely hanging on and the other on the mend. So there is a funeral to plan for a young child along with another child and pregnant mom to visit in the hospital.
Then lets not forget the police, media interviews and neighbors asking questions.
So who thinks you should also be responsible for cleaning up all the blood and everything once the police have cleared the scene?
Apparently San Bernardino PD.
There is a private company called Crime Scene Steri-Clean LLC. This company has ads looking for employees all the time, most people avoid the ad because of the job description:
Steri-Clean Inc, parent company of Crime Scene Steri-Clean, LLC, Steri-Clean “Hoarder Helpers” and 1-800- Hoarders, is looking for 2 field technicians. This company is owned and operated by Cory Chalmers, expert cleaner on A&E’s “Hoarders”. The reason I posted this in customer service is we are looking for people with customer service experience that don’t mind getting into the field and working hard. This is a part-time position with close to full-time hours or full-time hours a lot of the time. Techs are responsible for cleaning homicide/suicide scenes, hoarding houses, and other difficult situations. Candidates must be in excellent physical condition, and able to work in unpleasant environments while wearing hazmat suits and respirators. Excellent communication skills and outgoing personality is a must. Techs are required to be available Monday through Friday 8-5 as well as on call two nights per week and one to two weekends per month.
Hazmat suits, homicide scenes & other difficult situations……. Hmm I wonder why it was ok for this young lady pictured above from the San Bernardino Sun Paper to clean up the blood from the very family she is morning? I tell you now had I know this young lady was going to be given this task I would have volunteered my time and cleaned it for her. No one should ever have to clean up after a family member has been brutally killed.
rialtonow 