Keep Bailing

Redwood City is in the process of finalizing a deal that would grant them $13 million plus to buy a plot of land in hopes that San Mateo County will construct a new jail there verses one in the downtown area.

City officials have been opposed to the downtown jail plan from the beginning saying that the additional jail facility is not compatible with the city’s downtown renewal efforts. The alternative land being purchased, east of Highway 101 on Chemical Way, is considered a “very viable” option, according to Sheriff Greg Munks.

So far, the city council has been able to secure $332,000 dedicated to the real estate and environmental consulting services for Chemical Way. They are still asking for an additional $13 to $14 million.

However, even if the plan is approved, Read more »

SAN JOSE, CA — Is if the officer is abusing his right as a police officer, or if he is just acting as a father concerned? That is the underlining question presented by a video acquired by ABC7 affiliate, San Jose Mercury News depicting a San Jose Police officer faking an arrest of a teen. 

The officer’s attorney stated the video showed a very controlled person who was strongly objecting to the underage sexual relations that were taking place. The people responsible for taking the video were the parents of the accused. They stated that the officer came into their home, dressed in uniform, and used his badge and handcuffs, and all without their permission.

ABC7 reviewed the full video and spoke to Terry Bowman, the officer’s attorney.  Bowman stated that it showed Read more »

CHULA VISTA –  It looks as if the citizens of Chula Vista will have to do a little more fending for themselves these days. In a new decision, thirty-three Chula Vista Police Officers were laid off last Thursday, due in part to job cuts stemming from city budget balancing.  The new lay offs will go into effect on January 7th, 2011.

According to the Chula Vista City Manager, Jim Sandoval, “If we don’t lay these folks off, what we’ll be doing is closing down the libraries, closing down the recreation centers.” Sandoval authorized the layoffs in order to cut more than $12.5 million from the budget next year.

Chula Vista’s Police Department Chief, David Bajarno stated, “It’s very difficult to say the least. It’s a crisis.”

Once this new mandate takes place, the city will have approximately 0.83 officers for every 1,000 residents. The worst in the entire county. Fred Rowhotham, president of the Chula Vista Police Officers’ Association stated, “The citizens of  Chula Vista need to be prepared to take care of themselves in the absence of professional law enforcement.”

As a caveat, these layoffs could be avoided, if  Read more »

Last week, the City Council for Long Beach approved budget cuts that will significantly impact the reduction of positions for police and fire department employees.

In efforts to sustain a balance of an $18.5 million deficit, which is the cause for the position cuts, the city is still trying to find an alternative involving the employee unions responsible for submitting pay raises or contributions to pension plans. Although the City does not want to be responsible for retracting the union’s money, they are, and are also under the assumption that those discussions will not be effective.

Reportedly, the Long Beach Police Department will experience Read more »

The San Diego Police Department was holding a 32-year old male in custody, as he was suspected of burglary and he died during the booking process. San Diego Police said that it happened around 11:45 p.m. at the downtown Men’s Central Jail.

On Wednesday, around 7:40 p.m. the suspect was arrested for suspicion of attempted burglary of an apartment in North Clariemont. According to Lt. Ernie Herbert, area residents had tackled him and held him there until police arrived on the scene.

Lt. Herbert said, “The preliminary investigation has Read more »

To focus on communities rather than criminals, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck and Sheriff Lee Baca announced a database that shares files between the federal, state and local agencies. Included in the “Community Based Information System” is information about community demographics, school dynamics, crime, social service referrals and other relevant data for decision-making by law enforcement officers. 

The purpose, as stated by officials, is to get a better grasp on the socioeconomic dynamic that occurs in troubled communities, it is not a tool for tracking criminals and analyzing crimes.

According to Sheriff Baca, “This system has the capability Read more »

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department re-captured a man who was taken in for burglary charges and consequently tried to escape the confines of an L.A. County Jail.

On Monday, Ryan Martinez of Palmdale had been arrested and taken into the Sheriff’s Station at the Santa Clarita Valley Jail for questioning due to a burglary charge. While Martinez was being held in an interview room within the jail, officials were waiting to perform further questioning until the victim could provide a clear identification of the suspect.

According to officials, they Read more »

The L.A. Sheriff’s deputy, responsible for the 2006 arrest of Mel Gibson for drunk driving, is suing his department in claims that he’s been ostracized and dismissed for promotions by the department since the arrest took place.

The lawsuit details repercussions for Deputy James Mee’s emotional distress, mental suffering as well as damages for the loss of income, medical bills, and benefits. Mee claims his superiors forced him to remove any reference to anti-semitic slurs by Mr. Gibson.  Furthermore, the racial comments and slurs appeared to have been leaked on a celebrity website.

Mee declares that Read more »

SAN FRANCISCO — The views must be breathtaking from atop the bay cities highest buildings. But I wouldn’t scale the outside of one just to find out.

However, that’s exactly what veteran “skyscraper climber” Dan Goodwin did. Using no ropes (just suction cups), he reached the top of the Millennium Tower right before 5:30 p.m. on Monday. The 645 foot building took about 3 hours to climb.

He ignored Read more »

LOS ANGELES, CA — Are you thinking of getting away from it all this Labor Day weekend? The sun is sure to be shining, our friends will be near, there’s plenty of fun to be had. So what’s all this noise about hitting the road?

DUI checkpoints, that’s what!

On this 3-day holiday weekend, the LAPD will set up several, and we mean several DUI checkpoints throughout the city. You’ll see plenty of cruisers and CHP on motorcycles everywhere. 

Starting Friday at 6:01 p.m., Read more »