Bits N Pieces

Crime Rate Down

The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) announced a significant drop in Part 1 (violent & property) crimes for 2017. Total Part 1 crime was down 7.9 percent from 2016.

This decline is in part a result of the efforts of the men and women of the LBPD and the partnerships they have established. The department thanks the community for their involvement in fighting crime. Community members are following the “See Something, Say Something” philosophy, increasingly reporting crime and assisting officers and investigators. Residents and business owners are also taking the necessary steps to help themselves by taking ownership and investing in their safety with security systems and camera surveillance technology.

“We wouldn’t be able to accomplish these historic lows without the assistance of the community, our city departments and other law enforcement partners,” said Chief Robert Luna. “I am extremely proud of the men and women of the Long Beach Police Department for the exceptional work they do every day to save lives and positively impact crime.”

The department’s constant collaboration between patrol officers and detectives, combined with relentless investigative follow-up, is essential to obtaining evidence and the prompt apprehension of suspects.

The police department notes an 11.3 percent drop in property crimes in 2017, an increase in robberies and assaults and an increase of nine percent in overall violent crime compared to 2016. At the beginning of the month, the police department announced a historical 33.3 percent decrease in the number of murders in Long Beach.

The LBPD wants to encourage everyone to be aware of their surroundings and not be distracted by their cell phones as they travel through our great city. An individual’s increased awareness can have a significant effect on their personal security and reduces their chance of becoming a victim of robbery or assault. The LBPD also wants to remind the community to utilize the E-Commerce Exchange Zones when selling something to a private party. The exchange zones are identified by signage in the parking lots of the following patrol division substations:

• West Division – 1835 Santa Fe Avenue
• North Division – 4891 Atlantic Avenue
• East Division – 3800 East Willow Street

In 2018, the police department will again strive to reduce crime citywide by working with all our partners, continuing their proactive enforcement efforts and focusing on their relationships with the community.

To review all crime stats, please visit http://www.longbeach.gov/police/crime-info/crime-statistics.

Su Casa Receives Grant

The In-N-Out Burger Foundation recently announced that they will support Su Casa – Ending Domestic Violence with a $5,000 grant.

Su Casa – Ending Domestic Violence has been providing domestic violence crisis and prevention services for over 35 years and will receive over 3,600 requests for services during the upcoming year.

According to Executive Director Anna Conti, “The support from the In-N-Out Foundation will enable Su Casa the flexibility to meet upcoming challenges, whether it is repairing a washer in the emergency shelter or providing staff training to keep them on the cutting edge of domestic violence issues,”

For more information on Su Casa – Ending Domestic Violence’s programs and services, please contact the administrative offices at (562) 303-1030.

Price Files for Re-election

Long Beach City Councilwoman Suzie Price filed nomination papers to run for re-election to the Third Council District in Long Beach. She obtained the maximum number of signatures allowed on the nomination papers, including that of her husband, Mark Price, at the top of the list. 

Others who signed the nomination papers supporting her candidacy are two former mayors of Long Beach, Beverly O’Neill and Bob Foster, all of the 3rd District Council staff members, former 3rd District Gary Delong and Doug Drummond, former city managers Jerry Miller and James Hankla and various community leaders and community members from throughout the district.

In addition to securing the signatures of many 3rd District leaders Councilwoman Price has also secured the early endorsements of the Long Beach Police Officers Association, the Long Beach Firefighters Association and the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce PAC.

For more information, visit www.SuziePriceForCityCouncil.com.

LAMC Recognized

Los Alamitos Medical Center has been included in Becker’s Hospital Review “100 Hospital and Health Systems with Great Neurosurgery & Spine Programs”.According to the publication’s web site, the organizations featured on the list have extensive neuroscience and spine programs, providing treatment and cutting edge research into neurosurgical disorders.

“This is a proud moment for everyone in our entire hospital,” said hospital CEO Kent Clayton. “We were just awarded the DNV GL Comprehensive Stroke Center designation and to be mentioned in Becker’s Hospital Review is a great way to start 2018.”

Los Alamitos Medical Center’s Dr. Nirav Patel, medical director of stroke services and chief of staff, is instrumental in the hospital’s stroke program success and shares the recognition with the hospital staff.

Animal Care Services Has Record Year

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine Animal Care Services Bureau (ACS) achieved another record year in 2017 with increased positive outcomes for animals in the community.

The following year-end statistics show increasing progress being made at the animal shelter and are some of the best numbers ever reported:

Stats compared to previous year, 2017 to 2016.

Total dogs and cats combined

• Impounds were down 6.8 percent (record low).
• The number of animals euthanized was down 36 percent (record low).
• Live release rate was up 8 percent in 2017, reaching an all-time high of 77 percent.

Dogs only

• Impounds were down 18.5 percent (record low).
• The number of dogs euthanized was down 63 percent (record low).
• Live release rate was up 8 percent in 2017, reaching an all-time high of 93 percent.

Cats Only

• Impounds were up by 3.5 percent.
• The number of cats euthanized was down 26 percent (record low).
• Live release rate was up 11 percent in 2017, reaching an all-time high of 73 percent.

The Live Release Rate is the percentage of animals that come to the shelter and leave with a positive outcome such as return to owner, adoption or transfer to a rescue organization. 

Some of the most notable improvements at ACS in 2017 include:

• ACS opened a new 800 square-foot medical suite to provide additional medical treatment to shelter animals and constructed and opened a new 230 square-foot open air cattery. These projects were made possible by generous supporters.
• ACS continued its support of spay and neuter programs and the Mandatory Spay/Neuter law by helping to fund over 2,500 spay or neuter surgeries for the community’s cats and dogs, resulting in another significant drop in live impounds at the shelter.
• ACS increased its community presence and offsite adoptions with its new mobile adoption vehicle, made possible by another generous donation.
• ACS, along with the Loyola Marymount Center for Urban Resilience, embarked on the first year of a potential three-year study of the urban coyotes in Long Beach with the goal of improving the city’s coyote management plan.

Lara Announces for LBUSD School Board

Dr. Eduardo Lara, a 20-year educator and recognized expert in teaching, learning and urban education, has announced his candidacy to replace Board Member John McGinnis, who has announced that he will not seek re-election.

“LBUSD has emerged as a model urban school district, providing novel opportunities. Programs such as The Long Beach College Promise – extending college education for every student in the district – places a unique spotlight in our community. Under my leadership and expertise, I hope to further initiatives like this that stress excellence, diversity and unity for the students, parents and teachers of the district,” he said in a prepared statement.

Dr. Lara has served in various leadership roles to deliver transformative educational experiences in diverse schools. His portfolio of building educational partnerships involves bringing students, teachers, parents, administrators and other community stakeholders together to improve learning and opportunities for youth.

For more information, on Dr. Eduardo Lara’s campaign visit www.eduardoforeducation.com.

DLBA Conducts Annual Business Survey

The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA) will again team up with The Office of Economic Research at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) for a second year to conduct an annual survey of downtown businesses. The survey will collect data from various types of downtown businesses about doing business in Long Beach with survey questions ranging from business type, number of employees to opinions on safety, public transportation, housing, technology needs and more.

“We hope to gain some additional insight into both the areas of success business owners are experiencing and challenges they face so we and the City of Long Beach can identify ways to enhance our collective activities and expand our partnership to create a more business-friendly environment,” said Adam Carrillo, DLBA economic development manager.

The survey was launched the week of Jan. 8 and will conclude by the end of February. It will be conducted through phone calls to owners and/or managers of businesses located within the Downtown Long Beach Business Improvement District. Calls will be made between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is important for businesses to understand that the brief (no more than 10 minutes) survey is not a sales call. Additionally, all survey responses will be confidential and data will only be reported in aggregate form. DLBA will release results from the survey in a published report in April.