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Page 8 Fullerton Observer EARLY-MARCH 2009 Victims, Police, Officials & Advocates Discuss Response & Gang Prevention Important issues were brought up in a community meeting on February 18, 2009 held to discuss the gang attack on the Holmes family and Majesty Fellowship Church located in an industrial area off S. Richman Ave. Concerns of the victims of the attack and comments from the audience were heard by Fullerton Mayor protem Pam Keller, Councilmember Sharon Quirk, Police Chief Pat McKinley, Captain Petropulos of the Gang Task Force, City Manager Chris Meyer, Parks & Rec Manager Joe Felz and others. The meeting was moderated by Rusty Kennedy of the OC Human Relations. The vicitms described the terror of the attack, said the police response was too slow, and made the following comments: •Kyle Colyar questioned the city’s commitment to gang prevention. He said, “this is not about FTT (the attackers yelled FTT, the name of a local gang, during the attack). I went to school with these guys. I don’t have a problem with them. The issue is that the police should have been here. The issue is about different treatment given to the upper and lower class Fullerton residents. You guys go home after this meeting. I shouldn’t have to feel unprotected in South Fullerton. If the police were out patrolling FTT would not be in the street in the middle of the night.” •Sherese Esquibel said when she requested the police report and the 911 transcripts she was told that she would have to get a court order to get them because juveniles were involved. “What are they trying to hide? The 911 transcripts that were finally obtained and given to us by Mayor protem Keller are incorrect. Five calls were made in all. The transcript starts with the 2nd call. We will have cell phone records which will show when the calls were made. If you are going to say the police responded in 5 minutes, let us see the whole report. Let’s hear how the operator handled it. I don’t understand why my request was not approved.” •Taylar Haggen, a friend who was with the family as they sought protection from the attackers by locking themselves in the church office, said she made two 911 calls and felt “I wasn’t being helped. It was upsetting. I don’t feel safe. It made me feel that I shouldn’t bother calling the police.” •Chloe, who was across the parking lot with her mother during the attack, said “I feel my family was not protected. We just gave the Police Chief the Eagles Award. They should have been here. When I go to Fullerton High this year, am I really protected? Are you really protected?” •Willie Holmes Jr., a Fullerton High student and ASB president, who was a victim of the attack, wanted to know why the police didn’t go directly to the scene of the attack. “If police had gone directly to the church in 5 to 7 minutes as they say, the attackers would have been caught in the act. They were still there.” OC Human Relations Executive Director Rusty Kennedy addressed the family, “As a neighbor, I wish I could have done something. Your concerns with safety would also terrify me as a father. I appreciated hearing the police apologies for not being on the scene faster.” Addressing Chloe, Kennedy said “the OCHR has a group (Push for Peace) on the Fullerton High School campus, which will work with you to make it safe for you.” He then asked Capt. Petropulos to speak to the issues brought up. The captain told the family he was so sorry that this happened. He said he wished officers had been there, that the investigation is ongoing and that “we are concerned.” He said that he listened to the 911 phone calls and that cars were dispatched within 2 minutes of the 2nd call. He said the first caller indicated that he was in a car and being chased by gang members on foot. The dispatcher gave it a low priority because it was assumed that a car could outrun people on foot. He explained the way dispatchers gather information so that police on their way to the scene might capture the suspects fleeing. He said it was 7 minutes from the 1st call to the time that two of the suspects were arrested. He said that the police have lots of experience with FTT members. “They know the neighborhood and can disappear fast.” Officers Garcia and Ranik came to the church with a book of suspects to see if the family could identify anyone. He said that “it is distressing when attacks happen anywhere but especially when it happens at a church.” He explained that the 911 dispatcher did not know where the church was located and that he, himself, had worked here for 18 years and didn’t know until now. He invited the family to come to the station and listen to the 911 tapes. “ There needs to be an alternative to a drug dealer saying “I’ll give you a job for $1,000 a week.” We need to invest in these kids and if we do we can change a generation.” The floor was opened up to the public. •Wendy Leal said that she grew up in a gang and was now involved with gang prevention through the New Wine Church in Fullerton. She said that people from the community need to come together. All of the churches should get together to create a center where ex-gang members can counsel the kids. “They will listen to us because they know we have been there.” •LaTonya Dejoie, NAACP OC former VP, and church member said she was also an ex-gang member. “These children are a product of their environment.” She said, “we need people who can help find the solutions. The city can’t help, churches are the solution.” About the attack she said, “until you have been in that position you can not understand the terror.” She saw the response time as a major problem. •Maria Rosa Ibarra of the Hermandad Mexicana Nacional said, “we need to keep working together as one community and learn from our experiences. We have hope that now is the time to make changes.” • Mario Villamil of the Valencia Task Force said, “we have worked for years with the city departments and have achieved many things including the St. Jude Clinic and Valencia Community Center at Richman Park, and obtaining the signal light at Valencia and Highland. We have worked with the police. It is about us coming together to share ideas and create solutions. We meet every 1st Thursday at 6pm at Valencia Community Center and invite anyone to come.” See box below. • Len Hubbard, a history teacher, said, “we need to better educate ourselves and find our common background. We need common courtesy. I should be able to say “I am sorry,” if I step on your foot without getting shot over it. In the news there are lots of accidental police shootings. Why does it always happen to people who look like me?” •Another NAACP member said he worked in the jail and with the dads of FTT members. “The police apologized. They have a tough job, let’s give them a break. They are afraid sometimes that someone will kill them too. We need to be sympathetic. Police love action. If something’s happening…they want to be there. The 911 operator needs to be fired. If the operator had done her job we would not be here tonight. Also where are the kids parents? They need to get involved.” •June Perez said, “this has been going on for 30 years. My answer was to move away but my mother would not move. When my nephew James was killed I screamed and hollered but nobody would listen.” • Francisco Ortega, a resident of Fullerton who works with the LA Human Relations Watts Gang Task Force said, “I am your neighbor. It is hurtful to me that this happened to you. We can do something about it. The folks in Watts came together and reduced crime by 50%. I understand the anger about the response time but we should be talking about how to reach out to these kids. I didn’t know you [Majesty Church] were here. Your passion, anger, concern and frustration will not be met tonight but we will solve these problems.” He invited everyone to the gang solution meeting taking place at 1:30pm Tuesday, March 3rd at the Hunt Library (and ongoing every 1st Tuesday). See box below for address. •Jenny Cordero, whose son James was attacked and killed in Fullerton, tearfully told the family that she was happy they were all ok. • Irene Esquibel, a church member, said that Majesty’s Hope Outreach works with kids and families. The kids want to Schedule of On-Going Meetings •GANG SOLUTIONS: Meets from 1:30-2:30pm on 1st Tuesday of each month (next one is March 3) at Hunt Branch Library, 201 S. Basque Ave., Fullerton. (714) 738-3121 •FULLERTON COLLABORATIVE: Meets from 1:30-2:30pm on 2nd Tuesday of eachmonth (next one is March 10) at Hunt Branch Library, 201 S. Basque Ave., Fullerton. (714) 738-3121 •VALENCIA TASK FORCE Meets at 6pm on 1st Thursday of each month (next one is March 5) at Valencia Community Center, Richman Park, on Highland and Elm in Fullerton. (714) 738-3146 Would the long boarded-up former Emanual Baptist Church on the corner of Patterson and Valencia make a good community center? hear positive things. At home they hear Dad’s lost his job, the electricity has been cut off, etc. The city has built new homes in the area but that won’t do it. There needs to be an alternative to a drug dealer saying “I’ll give you a job for $1,000 a week.” We need to invest in these kids and if we do we can change a generation.” •Pastor LaVell Brown of Majesty said, “If you break your leg and go to the doctor, and the doctor says he’s so sorry but gives no treatment to relieve the problem” nothing is accomplished. Let’s really do something.” He said the reason the kids are in the street is that the parents are out working trying to make enough to pay the rent. They need help. He suggested that the city help the church buy a long-vacant building at the end of Valencia at Patterson to turn into a 24-hour center for kids. Mayor protem Pam Keller, who is also the executive director of the Fullerton Collaborative thanked everyone for coming and said, “ we really want to work together. The Collaborative is a group of many groups which has been working in this community for years.” She invited everyone to the Fullerton Collaborative Meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at the Hunt Branch Library from 1:30-2:30pm. See box below for address.. Councilmember Sharon Quirk said, “I could teach anywhere but I choose to teach at Richman, the school I attended growing up. Equity is a huge issue for me. We have a long way to go and we can’t do it by demonizing each other. We need to make connections with each other. The people here tonight are here because they care, not for a PR reason. We live side by side but do we know each other? I think that should be the subject of our next meeting.” Update Shocking news about the background of Pastor Willie Holmes has overshadowed the Feb. 13, 2009 gang attack on Holmes and his family at their Majesty Fellowship Church on S. Richman in Fullerton. Records show the pastor pled guilty August 15, 2007 to a charge of lewd conduct in a public place. Holmes was caught in a police sting on Nov., 30, 2006 at a public restroom and charged with (647(a)PC). The charge is a legal device used to entrap, arrest, and prosecute consenting adults seeking to have sex in public places. It almost exclusively targets gay men. Holmes was sentenced to three years probation but was brought back before the court for violation of probation and sentenced on Sept. 25, 2008 to 60 days in jail and three years of probation to run through Sept. 24, 2011. He is scheduled to report to jail March 6, 2009. Church and family members said they were unaware of the charges.
EARLY-MARCH 2009 Fullerton High’s Push for Peace Unity Program A weeklong event, held February 23 through the 26th, brought students from across Fullerton High together to explore issues of identity, culture, and unity through a variety of speakers and workshops. Unity Week is part of the Tribe Unite Campaign, a school wide effort organized by P.U.S.H. for P.E.A.C.E (P4P) and supported by students at Fullerton Union High School. P4P is dedicated to creating a campus where every student is valued, included, and respected. The goal is to share experiences, learn from each other, and unite students, teachers, and staff. Unity Week helps develop awareness among students to promote understanding and build on the strengths of diversity at Fullerton Union High School and the community. Included in the “Discovering Culture and Diversity Speakers Symposium” were workshops celebrating the role of men and women of many ethnic groups in their contributions of the development of the United States of America. Workshop presenters and speakers included: • Sylvia Mendez presented “Desegregation in the OC; Mendez V. Westminster” which discussed the success of the 1946 Mendez v. Westminister case in Orange County which helped end school segregation among Mexican Americans (before the historic Brown v. Board of Education case). •Don Ha, of OC Human Relations presented the “Cost of Living” activity which allowed students to experience the true cost of living in Orange County leading to a discussion on the importance of education in achieving goals. •Jose Perez and Jose Alfaro of the Dayle McIntosh Center, presented “Students and Disabilities” which revealed the challenges of students with disabilities in middle and high schools. •Eric Lam and Rafael R. Solorzano, OC Human Relations presented “Beyond Heroes and Holidays”, a workshop which shared the history of youth organizing in the US including important civil rights moments in U.S. history and how Martin Luther King Day became a national holiday, created and started by youth. •Alicia Woodard, of OC Human Trafficking Task Force and Vanguard Live2Free Club presented “What is modern day slavery? What can I do about it?” •Gustavo Arellano, an author and OC Weekly writer, shared stories from his second book, “Orange County: A Personal History.” •Eric Lam and Don Ha, of OC Human Relations, presented “Asian Americans Then and Now – The last 30 years” which told the history of Asian Programs Available to Youth & Teens Partnership Provides Programs After School A standing room only crowd at Fullerton High’s Little Theater listen to UCI students in “The Olive Tree Initiative” speak about their trip to the Middle East and the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. A workshop explored the Asian Americans contributions to the US. Another presented youth contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. American contributions in the US and how that history directly affects the lives of Asian American students today. •The Olive Tree Initiative workshop “Beyond Stereotypes; Faces and Voices of the Israeli Palestinian Conflict” was presented by a diverse group of UCI students who just returned from the Middle East where they heard perspectives from Israeli and Palestinian community leaders with first hand knowledge of the conflict. For more information on Push for Peace and the programs presented contact Rafael Solórzano at 714-567-7420 or rafael@ochumanrelations.org. The Fullerton School District in partnership with the City, YMCA, and Boys & Girls Club provides a free after school program to children attending Commonwealth, Ladera Vista, Maple, Nicolas, Orangethorpe, Pacific Dr., Raymond, Richman, Woodcrest and Valencia Park Schools. The grant funded program is free to participating students. But, to attend your child must go to one of the schools. The Boys & Girls Club administers the Valencia Park and Commonwealth programs and the City runs the Orangethorpe and Maple programs. The YMCA administers the program at Valencia Community Center in Richman Park. The program runs Aug. 28 through June 11, from end of the school day at 2:30pm to 6pm, Monday through Fridays. The K-8 program offers homework help, recreation, visual and performing arts, music, health & nutrition promotion. Call Ann Scott at 714-447-2858 for information. Gilbert Park Pilot Program The City will be starting a pilot program at Gilbert Community Center on Orangethorpe in partnership with the Police Department. This program is being designed to identify "at-risk" youth and provide alternatives to gang involvement through intervention lessons and strategies. The program will be led by Fullerton Police Officers in coordination with Parks and Recreation staff, and is designed so participants meet and interact with Officers in a non-adversarial setting. The City of Fullerton offers the following programs to youth and teens at local parks and community centers at no charge: •GARNET COMMUNITY CENTER: at 3012 Garnet Lane. Director Eddie Burciaga (714-996-2574). After School Program: 65 Kids ages 5- 13 receive homework help in a safe environment from 2-4pm Mon. through Fri. Gente Intelligente: 90 kids per year, ages 5-13 recieve academic tutoring from 1-5pm Mon. through Fri. Teen Center: 35 kids ages 12-17 are provided with a safe location to interact with mentors. Mon. through Fri. from 3pm to 7pm. Summer Recreation: 75 kids ages 5-13 are provided a safe, supervised program of recreation and art activities from June- Aug., Mon.-Fri. 12pm to 5pm. •RICHMAN PARK’S VALENCIA COMMUNITY CENTER: 711 S. Highland at Elm. Director Rosemary Castro (714- 738-3146) or Rayda Jaber (714-738- 2884). Youth in Action Teen Leadership: 30 kids ages 10-18 develop decision making skills through group activities, community service, leadership camps, special events & excursions. Mon & Thurs. 5pm to 8pm. Arts Enrichment: 30 kids ages 12-18 participate in a variety of creative activities for teens. Wed. & Fri. from 5pm to 6:30pm. Empowerment: 25 kids ages 7-14 and their families in a development program offering educational workshops, guid- Recent publicized gang activity in Fullerton has inspired the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fullerton to react with gang preventative programs especially for grade school students. At the Club’s Valencia Park Branch after school program, sixth grade students participate in a program called Club6, designed to instill students with a sense of community responsibility. “In Club6, kids are assigned a staff member to assist every week. Their responsibilities include cleaning the Club, organizing activities for the younger members, and playing games with them,” says Branch Director Russ Kazmierczak. “Members that demonstrate character development get to go on exclusive trips Fullerton Observer Page 9 Above: The new Gilbert Community Center in Gilbert Park on Orangethope. City of Fullerton Free Programs for Kids ance, and recreation. Kids develop leadership, conflict resolution, problem solving and goal setting skills with the focus on refocusing the child toward more positive behaviors. Wed. 4-6pm Playgrounds on the Go: 35 to 40 kids ages 5-12 participate in organized outdoor games, arts & crafts, excursions and special events. Mon., Tues, Thurs, Fri. from 2:30 to 6pm and Wed. from noon to 6pm, during the school year. Teen Scene: for ages 11-15, Mon-Fri, 2:30pm-5pm. A safe, supervised place for teens to hang out with friends will start soon. There will be a $20 annual fee. •SUMMER PLAYGROUNDS: 400 kids ages 5-12 participate in an 8-week recreational program with organized outdoor games, arts & crafts, enrichment projects, excursions and special events during the summer, Fri., noon to 4pm. at Chapman, Gilbert, Maple, Orangethorpe & Richman Parks. Director James Kashiwada (714-773- 5789). •PLAY (PLAYGROUND LEADERS ASSISTING YOUTH): 20 kids ages 12-16 participate in a volunteer program designed to develop leadership skills needed to become peer leaders and mentors. Year-Round at Maple, Richman and Orangethorpe Community Centers. Summer only at Chapman, Gilbert and Hillcrest parks. School year hours are Mon-Fri, 2:30pm to 6pm. Summer hours are Mon-Fri, 12pm to 6pm. Rayda Jaber 714-738-2884. Boys & Girls Club6 Offers Alternatives to Lazer Quest and Six Flags Magic Mountain.” The trips are free of cost for the students and their families. “By the time these kids are in junior high or high school, they’re already in a gang, or they’re so exposed to the lifestyle that it’s just another part of their lives,” Kazmierczak added. “We want to make a positive impression first. We want to inspire them to be better citizens.” The Valencia Park Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fullerton is located on the west side of Fullerton, not far from where the church was recently vandalized and the scenes of other gang activity. For more information about the program e-mail vpb_bgcf@hotmail.com. FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY “When You Need Experience” Jan M. Flory (714) 525-9998 • Divorce • Guardianship • Adoption • Custody/Visitation • Support Modification • Real Estate Background 141 West Wilshire, Ste. C • Fullerton CA 92832
Page 1 and 2: PUBLIC MEETINGS Fullerton City Hall
Page 3 and 4: EARLY-MARCH 2009 More Bad News Pick
Page 5 and 6: EARLY-MARCH 2009 800 Attend Meeting
Page 7: EARLY-MARCH 2009 OBSERVERS AROUND T
Page 11 and 12: EARLY-MARCH 2009 Continued from pag
Page 13 and 14: EARLY-MARCH 2009 REVIEWED by Joyce
Page 15 and 16: EARLY-MARCH 2009 Maestro Dean Ander
Page 17 and 18: EARLY-MARCH 2009 Orange Empire Barb
Page 19 and 20: EARLY-MARCH 2009 LOCAL ONLY CLASSIF

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