Bits 'n' Pieces

LBPD Looting Task Force Nets Arrests

On June 1, the Long Beach Police Department formed the Looting Task Force with the sole purpose of conducting criminal investigations for significant crimes during the civil unrest experienced in the city in late May. Thus far the task force has made a multitude of arrests and continues to bring to justice to those responsible for crimes including looting, burglary, robbery and vandalism. Statistics yielded by the task force as of Sept. 15, are as follow:

• 34 arrests
• 35 arrest warrants obtained
• 54 additional cases submitted to the district attorney or city prosecutor
• 26 vehicles impounded
• 27 search warrants served

The task force is comprised of a specialized team of detectives, officers and administrative staff with the primary focus of identifying and locating suspects involved in recent incidents of looting and criminal activity related to civil unrest.

The task force has utilized video and photo evidence collected from various sources, including business and residential surveillance systems, social media, news coverage and submissions to the LBPD’s online evidence portal, to identify suspects involved in looting and other criminal activity.

A complete list of those arrested, their age, residence city and bail amounts can be found at the LBPD website: http://www.longbeach.gov/police/press-releases/l.b.p.d-looting-taskforce-nets-multiple-arrests.

Kiwanis Club Donates Chromebooks to Students

The Kiwanis Club of Long Beach announced a new “Chromebooks for Students” program designed to assist seven deserving students supported by Children’s Bureau, a nonprofit leader in child abuse prevention and treatment.

Since most of this year’s educational opportunities are virtual with students completely dependent upon having access to a computer, the Kiwanis Club of Long Beach purchased seven Chromebook computers (outfitted with headphones, mice and carrying cases) that were donated to deserving students on Sept. 21.

The mission of the Kiwanis Club of Long Beach and its nonprofit Foundation is to “Serve the Children of the World.” The Kiwanis Club of Long Beach, founded in 1919, has always maintained a strong and respected leadership with the city. Many members are small business owners, representatives of large corporations, nonprofit leaders, educators, individuals, retirees, moms, dads and anyone with a spirit of altruism and a desire to help make the community a better place by improving the lives of children and youth.

With a focus on implementing service projects and providing financial grants, the Kiwanis Club of Long Beach strives to enrich the lives of local children. Through partnerships with community organizations, the Kiwanis support families in need, the physically challenged, school youth programs and more. Kiwanis also provides mentor programs and career enrichment to high school Kiwanis “Key Clubs” and the “Circle K” college programs which teach service and leadership skills. For more information, visit longbeachkiwanis.org.

Fire Station Relocated

Beginning Sept. 18, firefighters from Fire Station 9 relocated to a new location at 2019 E. Wardlow Rd. The former Boeing Fitness Center will be home to Engine 9 and Rescue 9 while a permanent station is constructed.

The new location will better serve the residents of the California Heights, Los Cerritos and Bixby Knolls neighborhoods.

In 2019, the City of Long Beach permanently closed Long Beach Fire Department Station 9 at 3917 Long Beach Blvd due to unsafe building conditions. City staff evaluated more than 15 locations and identified 2019 E. Wardlow as the most suitable option to meet the service delivery needs of the community as a temporary site, since it had proximity to the impacted area and the necessary acreage to house the displaced Fire Station 9 crew and apparatus. Relocation to the new premises will allow crews to maintain the physical distancing requirements of the COVID-19 health orders.

Efforts to secure a permanent Station 9 are ongoing, and the city is currently in escrow for the potential purchase of a property.

LBPD Promotions

Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna has promoted to commander Lieutenant Ty Burford, a 24-year veteran of the Police Department, Lieutenant Chad Ellis, a 24-year veteran of the LBPD, Ryan LeBaron, a 20-year veteran of the LBPD and Greg Schirmer, a 22-year veteran of the LBPD.

Lieutenant Burford began his career with the City of Long Beach as an 18-year-old in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department. He became a police officer in 1996 and was promoted to sergeant in 2012 and lieutenant in 2017. Burford held various assignments throughout his career, including community policing, juvenile investigations, internal affairs, support bureau office and worked in all patrol divisions in multiple ranks.

Lieutenant Chad Ellis began his career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 1995 and transferred to LBPD in 1996 as a police officer. He was promoted to sergeant in 2003 and lieutenant in 2018. He has worked a variety of assignments throughout his career, including patrol, field training officer, gang investigations, special weapons and tactics team (S.W.A.T), port police, internal affairs and drug investigations.

Lieutenant Ryan LeBaron began his career with the LBPD as a recruit in 2000. He promoted to sergeant in 2010 and lieutenant in 2016. LeBaron has worked a variety of assignments including patrol, field training officer, community policing, hostage negotiator, special weapons and tactics (S.W.A.T.), gang enforcement section, advanced officer training, information technology section and fleet coordinator. He served as part of the all-hazards incident management team and most recently was assigned as the lieutenant of the criminal intelligence section.

Lieutenant Gregory Schirmer began his career at the LBPD as a police recruit in 1988. He was promoted to sergeant in 2007 and lieutenant in 2015. Schirmer has held assignments as bicycle patrol officer, community policing officer, public information officer, financial crimes detective, underwater dive team officer, investigation bureau administrative sergeant, basic recruit academy sergeant and watch commander. He most recently served as the special victims section lieutenant and teaches various basic recruit academy courses on topics ranging from racial profiling to criminal law.

Promotions to the ranks of lieutenant and sergeant are as follows:

Lieutenants – Ryan Watson, Robert Titus, Eric Fernandez, Eric Hooker, Aaron Alu

Sergeants – Brad Stein, Michael Ogden, Juan Ortiz-Ferrer, Michael Demarco, Jennifer Arzola

A date for a future promotion ceremony to celebrate their accomplishments is still to be determined.

Shumard Retires

The Board of Directors of Special Olympics Southern California announced the appointment of Calvin Lyons as its new president & CEO of Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) effective Sept. 28. He succeeds Bill Shumard, who announced his plans for retirement last November after guiding the organization through 15 years of phenomenal growth. Shumard remains committed to supporting Lyons and the organization and will continue to be involved on a part-time basis as president emeritus through 2022.

Lyons joins SOSC from the Boys & Girls Clubs, where he served as the president and CEO of the Metro Los Angeles Clubs for the past four years and prior, in the same position for the Clubs in King County, Wash.

“This has been the best job I’ve ever had … and I’ve had some really good ones,” said Shumard. “I’m sure Calvin will feel the same way and share my lifelong passion for excellence in serving our great athletes, and I look forward to supporting him as he guides us into the future.”

Under Shumard’s leadership, SOSC achieved unprecedented growth in its athlete base, expanding from 8,000 to serve 38,200 athletes, while simultaneously earning SOSC the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

Supernaw Backs Gaylord

Richard (Dick) Gaylord announced that Long Beach City Councilmember Daryl Supernaw has endorsed his campaign for LBCC Trustee, Area 4.

It is the second major endorsement for Gaylord, who earlier announced his support from the Long Beach City College Faculty Association. Gaylord is the only candidate to be endorsed by Long Beach City College Faculty Association and the Long Beach City College Classified Employees Association. He is now also the only candidate supported by 3rd District Councilmember Suzie Price and 4th District Councilmember Daryl Supernaw.

For more information visit www.Gaylord4LBCC.com.

Saltzgaver Steps Down

Long Beach Water Commissioner and current president Harry Saltzgaver has stepped down from the board after eight years of service. With Saltzgaver’s departure, a new mayor-appointed water commissioner will begin their tenure.

Saltzgaver was appointed to the Board of Water Commissioners by Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster in October 2012 and has served three terms as president of the Board from 2013-2015 and from 2019-2020.

During his service on the Board of Water Commissioners, Saltzgaver has guided many policy directions at Long Beach Water, including the development of the award-winning Lawn-to-Garden turf removal program and other water use efficiency programs, expansion of the recycled water system, and the 20th year anniversary of the Long Beach Groundwater Treatment Plant showcasing a commitment to serving exceptional water quality.

Saltzgaver previously served on the Long Beach Parks and Recreation Commission for 11 years. He is the past chair of the Goodwill SOLAC board of directors, the treasurer of the Grand Prix of Long Beach Foundation, a board member of U.S. Vets and an advisory board member for Salvation Army of Long Beach. He is a former member of numerous boards, including WomenShelter of Long Beach, Precious Lamb Preschool, Public Corporation for the Arts and the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.