Belmont Shore Residents Association
MINUTES
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
January14, 2016
The meeting was called to order by President Terence Endersen at 6:00 pm. The other members of the Executive Board present were: Ray Bradford, Aileen Colon, as well as Vice President Max Alavi and Treasurer Robert O'Connor. 15 additional BSRA members and visitors were present. Executive Board member Julie Dean was absent and excused.
The agenda for this meeting and the minutes of the December 10 meeting were approved.
LBPD East Division Lieutenant Lieberman provided the following information:
Guest Speaker, Jacob Heflin, Firefighter, Paramedic, Public Information Officer (PIO) & CERT Program Manager provided the following information:
RE: EL NIÑO … anticipating a prolonged storm/rain event over the next several months, and they’re trying to stay ahead of this by being PREPARED and RESILIENT. Encouraged us to sign up for ALERT LONG BEACH….you can find this within the city’s website and sign up to get notifications and events on things that may impact residents. It replaces REVERSE 911. (The BSRA Newsletter has this link.) Also, social media has become the primary tool for disseminating information to the community.
The city is already taking precautionary measures, such as the berms on the peninsula. They’ve also been utilizing volunteers to go out into the community to alert residents with flyers and other written alerts in order to make contact with residents. These volunteers have green helmets and vests, and are extensions of the Fire Department. And if there are elderly, disabled or generally needy residents, these CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) volunteers will deliver sandbags and other items.
This Saturday is a SANDBAG SATURDAY, from 8am to 2pm, at Fire Station #1 (January 30 at Fire Station #11); so if you need sandbags, they’ll give them to you and put them in your car. During Sandbag Saturdays, you can get sandbags and sand at the Fire Stations. At other times, only sandbags. Someone asked how to know where to put sandbags. Heflin stated that we should look at history; ask yourself where water has accumulated, even slightly, in the past when rains have hit. (The handout has a page: PLANS FOR 2016 WINTER STORMS. Also an important listing: 28 THINGS TO DO TO PREPARE FOR EL NIÑ0 RAINS THIS SEASON)
Heflin also spoke about the absolute importance of knowing our neighbors (more than just by sight). Identifying and consolidating valuable resources for countering emergencies can only happen by building relationships with our neighbors. (One BSRA attendee brought up her example of wanting sandbags, searching various online city sites and ultimately her inability to find assistance despite what Heflin had just conveyed. She recommended other outlets for assistance, such as Senior Centers. He welcomes these comments because they are the only way they find gaps in the system they can plug and fix.)
RE: FIRE SAFETY … There was a fire fatality a couple of nights ago; no smoke detectors; the deceased was 80. Many of the things that go behind fatalities are preventable. Be cognizant of risk factors.
Third District Councilwoman Price’s office updates from Julie Maleki included:
Nothing to report as there was no meeting.
President’s Report:
Closed the books and collected $30 more than expenses. Balance: $3743
New Business
None
Public Comment:
The meeting was adjourned at 8pm
Submitted by:
Ray Bradford, Executive Board
MINUTES
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
January14, 2016
The meeting was called to order by President Terence Endersen at 6:00 pm. The other members of the Executive Board present were: Ray Bradford, Aileen Colon, as well as Vice President Max Alavi and Treasurer Robert O'Connor. 15 additional BSRA members and visitors were present. Executive Board member Julie Dean was absent and excused.
The agenda for this meeting and the minutes of the December 10 meeting were approved.
LBPD East Division Lieutenant Lieberman provided the following information:
- The East Division LBPD is moving to Schroeder Hall at Willow & Grand; great opportunity for them and the community.
- Starting in March, a study of body-worn cameras will take place to test their effectiveness.
- December Crime was relatively light. An armed robbery at Ocean/Termino was especially troubling. They continue to be challenged by garage burglaries, so he cautioned everyone to use common sense: don’t leave electronics in the car and visible; close windows and lock doors.
In December they had 4 auto thefts in the area versus 1 in 2014.
“Criminals return to areas that offer the path of least resistance. And this, obviously, leads to repeat offenders.”
If you see someone or something that seems intuitively out of the ordinary, call the Police so they can get there immediately. This also gives them the authority to detain and gather information from suspects.
Three Points that make up most crimes:- Motivated Offender
- Perfect Opportunity (leave items out and visible)
- Potential Victim
- The best thing you can do to avoid an armed robbery is to be constantly aware of your surroundings! And don’t be engaged in distracting behavior, such as walking and using your e-devices. Keep your head up and stay aware while out walking. ALWAYS HAVE A PRIMARY AND SECONDARY ESCAPE PLAN. No property is worth your life; if they want something, give it to them. BUT get a head-to-toe description with distinctive features. **Also, carry a high-quality, small, steel flashlight that has a clip on it which you can use to illuminate your way and, as a last resort, use as a striking instrument.
Guest Speaker, Jacob Heflin, Firefighter, Paramedic, Public Information Officer (PIO) & CERT Program Manager provided the following information:
RE: EL NIÑO … anticipating a prolonged storm/rain event over the next several months, and they’re trying to stay ahead of this by being PREPARED and RESILIENT. Encouraged us to sign up for ALERT LONG BEACH….you can find this within the city’s website and sign up to get notifications and events on things that may impact residents. It replaces REVERSE 911. (The BSRA Newsletter has this link.) Also, social media has become the primary tool for disseminating information to the community.
The city is already taking precautionary measures, such as the berms on the peninsula. They’ve also been utilizing volunteers to go out into the community to alert residents with flyers and other written alerts in order to make contact with residents. These volunteers have green helmets and vests, and are extensions of the Fire Department. And if there are elderly, disabled or generally needy residents, these CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) volunteers will deliver sandbags and other items.
This Saturday is a SANDBAG SATURDAY, from 8am to 2pm, at Fire Station #1 (January 30 at Fire Station #11); so if you need sandbags, they’ll give them to you and put them in your car. During Sandbag Saturdays, you can get sandbags and sand at the Fire Stations. At other times, only sandbags. Someone asked how to know where to put sandbags. Heflin stated that we should look at history; ask yourself where water has accumulated, even slightly, in the past when rains have hit. (The handout has a page: PLANS FOR 2016 WINTER STORMS. Also an important listing: 28 THINGS TO DO TO PREPARE FOR EL NIÑ0 RAINS THIS SEASON)
Heflin also spoke about the absolute importance of knowing our neighbors (more than just by sight). Identifying and consolidating valuable resources for countering emergencies can only happen by building relationships with our neighbors. (One BSRA attendee brought up her example of wanting sandbags, searching various online city sites and ultimately her inability to find assistance despite what Heflin had just conveyed. She recommended other outlets for assistance, such as Senior Centers. He welcomes these comments because they are the only way they find gaps in the system they can plug and fix.)
RE: FIRE SAFETY … There was a fire fatality a couple of nights ago; no smoke detectors; the deceased was 80. Many of the things that go behind fatalities are preventable. Be cognizant of risk factors.
- Have a fully-functioning Smoke Detectors and check them every month.
- Make sure you have two ways to exit every room.
- Make sure you have a minimum 3’ clearance from a portable heating device.
- Cooking Safety: Make sure you’re cooking on the back burners and place the handle away from the front and other people and kids.
- Get a Fire Extinguisher AND learn how to use it. Look for a Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher. If you don’t have one, use Baking SODA (not Baking Powder, which is flammable), and make sure it’s easily attainable in case of fire on the stove.
- Get Carbon Monoxide Detectors.
- Create an exit plan from your home in case of an emergency, as well as an outside meeting place.
- Have Purified Water set aside.
- Have an out-of-state contact to be the central repository for your family’s safety information. AND send Texts, instead of calling.
- Grab an empty shoe bag
- Place an extra pair of sneakers or sturdy shoes in the bag.
- Place a flashlight and extra batteries in the bag.
Third District Councilwoman Price’s office updates from Julie Maleki included:
- Finished Ocean Blvd. repave.
- Traffic Study on Ocean Blvd. is almost done, with finalization in March. Also, she mentioned the new crosswalk on LaVerne. But a resident mentioned that the paint they used isn’t reflective and so it’s hard to notice when you’re driving.
- The City Council will take up the issue of Minimum Wage this Tuesday.
- Thursday January 21st at the LB Yacht Club: candidates speaking on various issues (?) (See newsletter)
- A question arose about Roe’s liquor license: is it grandfathered or will it be a new one?
- February 6: Chocolate Festival
- Remodeling of Roe’s is taking place.
- Remodeling Panama Joe’s
- Saint & Second has applied to extend its alcohol-serving hours.
Nothing to report as there was no meeting.
President’s Report:
- Asked if everyone received the Newsletter.
- Talked about the Beach Parking Permit Program (link for this in the Newsletter).
Closed the books and collected $30 more than expenses. Balance: $3743
New Business
None
Public Comment:
- A Laverne/Toledo resident talked about 18-wheeled trucks come up on the street and feels it’s not only loud but it may damage the road (though its legal). Another resident recommended to write down the license number of the truck, as well as the trucking company’s phone number and call them to complain. The resident called Councilmember Price’s office and was told that it’s entirely legal.
The meeting was adjourned at 8pm
Submitted by:
Ray Bradford, Executive Board