Stand Against Violence Tonight at Rosa Park's Park

STAND AGAINST VIOLENCE IN LONG BEACH TONIGHT 4.21.16

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The community surrounding 17th street and Alamitos Avenue are prepared to demonstrated a rapid response to the latest occurrence of violence in that area.

On Monday night, four young men were the victims of violence. Three of the victims are still in serious conditions and one young nineteen year old died. Young Delhan Jackson should be planning his next birthday or his future. Instead, his young son will have to adjust to life without his father and another mother is left to collect the fragments of her unfulfilled expectations of who her son could have grown up to become.

Enough Is Enough!

How many young men and women nationwide will have to be eulogize as a result of the senseless violence cities around the United States are experiencing. In Long Beach, California, communities are galvanizing themselves to launch a sustainable strategy to interrupt end the violence.

Sherrell Weatherton, mother of Delhaun stated; “We want black lives to matter to black lives. Anyone can pick up a gun but it takes heart to do the right thing.

On Thursday evening, April 21st 2016, Sherrell, her family, community stakeholders, Clergy and City official will meet at Rosa Parks Park to challenge the neighbor and community to help turn the tides of violence against each other.

As a result of this latest incident, The Long Beach Ministers Alliance and Los Angeles Civil Rights Association, are launching a Violence Interruption Project called: “#awakenlb.”

#awakenlb” is a movement to activate, articulate and mediate.

The goal is three-fold.

To activate the community to engage existing violence prevention processes and mechanisms currently being provided through he city and private sectors.

Become more articulate regarding the authentic needs of their particular community for policing, support, employment and housing.

To champion and mediate proactive conversations between potential violence perpetrators.

When: Thursday April 21, 2016

Where: Rosa Parks Park, 15th and Alamitos, Long Beach, California

Time 7:00 PM

The entire community is invited as well as encouraged to attend.

#awakenlb is the beginning of a movement that will eventually cover and benefit every impacted corridor in the city of Long Beach.

Josie and I have Neighborhood Leadership tonight or we'd absolutely be there.

West Division Leadership Forum 04/20/2016

Sunday Safety Watch: 03/13/2016 - 03/19/2016

Disclaimer: So, first I apologize for how long it's taken to get this up, The Crime Reports Website was down for much of January. I did talk to the director of Media Relations at a public safety meeting and tell our neighborhood resource officer, they weren't aware it wasn't updating. Just a reminder these are trends, and the presence of crime in one area in the past doesn't guarantee it will reappear in that area in the future.

Here are this week's trends in the MacArthur Park Neighborhood. 


Keep an eye along PCH. There were auto thefts that trended west and breaking and enterings that trended East. Also keep your eyes open on Alamitos. Though Alamitos may quiet down when the bike lanes are done. There is increased property damage on Peterson. And there was property damage at Gaviota and Anaheim. The encampment that used to be at Walnut and Anaheim is now there in the alley north of Anaheim. Also notice a trend of thefts at Redondo and PCH. Note virtually everything in that circle took place on Friday.

There was a very suspicious van at Cherry Donuts. Read the details here.

There were three recent shootings outside our neighborhood. Two were officer involved shootings.

The first incident began about 6:30 p.m last Thursday., when officers spotted a vehicle that was "acting in a suspicious and evasive manner" near 68th Street and Long Beach Boulevard, said Marlene Arrona, a spokeswoman for the police department. The car stopped in the middle of Long Beach Boulevard, and a man inside left the car and fled on foot away from police, Arrona said. Officers chased the man about two blocks to an alley near 68th Street and Orcutt Avenue. In the alley, the man allegedly brandished a firearm and did not drop it, Arrona said. After the man was shot, officers provided medical aid and he was later taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. His identity was not released.

A man was killed during a shooting in the city’s West Side early Saturday morning, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) officials said. Officers were dispatched to the 2300 block of Cameron Street at 2:25AM on Saturday, March 19 regarding a shots heard call, LBPD spokesman Brad Johnson said.  “While responding to the scene they were advised that there was a subject down in the street,” he added. Arriving officers found a man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the upper torso, according to officials.

The final shooting was not officer involved: Police are investigating a shooting in North Long Beach that left a woman injured just after midnight Friday, authorities said. An officer was dispatched to a Downey hospital at 1:13AM on Friday, March 18 regarding a gunshot victim who was shot on the 6800 block of Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) spokesman Brad Johnson said.

Sunday Safety Uodate: 02/28/2016 to 03/06/2016

Disclaimer: So, first I apologize for how long it's taken to get this up, The Crime Reports Website was down for much of January. I did talk to the director of Media Relations at a public safety meeting and tell our neighborhood resource officer, they weren't aware it wasn't updating. Just a reminder these are trends, and the presence of crime in one area in the past doesn't guarantee it will reappear in that area in the future.

The two obvious patterns are there are some thefts trending south east along 17th Street. Outside of the neighborhood there crime is trending east along 10th and away from the place where the homicide occurred last Sunday. There have been two homicides in Central Long Beach and three in Long Beach over the last week, and three in Long Beach all together. Both homicides in our area were on Sunday in the early morning hours after 2am. Of the incidents you see on both maps, a lot was happening on Friday, March 4th. If you hear gun shots, never assume they're fireworks. Always call them in.

• On Sunday February 28, 2016, at approximately 3:24 a.m., Long Beach Police were dispatched to assist the Long Beach Fire Department in the 1000 block of Norman Court on a call of a dead body. I still can't find a name for the victim.
• A possibly gang-related shooting in North Long Beach Thursday afternoon left one man dead and another with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said. Officers responded to Artesia Boulevard and Butler. The deceased has not been identified.
• On Sunday March 6th, 2016 at about 2:44 a.m. LBPD found a man (adult) with an apparent gunshot injury in a vehicle a few blocks south and east in the 1700 block of Pacific Ave. The victim has been identified as Ryan Davone Martin, 23, of Long Beach. 

There is a trend of thefts and thefts from cars moving from Rotary Centennial Park towards the neighborhood. But the pattern is somewhat weak. There is also a trend of thefts moving away from a meth arrest right outside the neighborhood towards the Poly Neighborhood. Based on these patterns, keep an eye on Junipero, along the east side of our neighborhood. Also keep an eye on 10th Street and Poly High School. 

There are a lot of dumped items in the neighborhood and along PCH, in most alleys. 

Also based on a patrol along PCH to Magnolia, Magnolia to Hill, Hill to Pacific and Pacific to PCH and PCH back home, we would have had to stop every ten seconds to report everything we saw., I'm going to do a Go Long Beach Run early tomorrow to get at the dumped items. Remember, if you see something say something. Three fatal shootings in one week is three too many. And the gangs do not own this city, be strong and take it back.

Also, we still have two clubs for a car to give to anyone willing to take the pledge to keep their neighborhood clean. 

Sunday Safety Update: 02/21/2016 to 02/27/2016

The map above shows little change from early trends. There are thefts along PCH and Orange heading into the neighborhood and then up. There is a rise in assaults at the east end of the neighborhood, please be very careful as there was a shooting in that area recently.

02/09/2016: LBPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Bradley Johnson says that at about 12:25 a.m. on Feb. 9, officers were dispatched to a shooting in the 2200 block of Spaulding St. and found a man shot. Sgt. Johnson says the victim was uncooperative with police; LBFD transported him to a hospital with non-life-threatening wounds. 

There is a trend of auto thefts and property crime, just south of us at the west end of the AOC7 heading north towards the neighborhood. The property crime tends to foreshadow worse things to come, so be cautious around 11th/ 10th between Orange and Gundry. There is also a week trend of auto thefts along Rotary Centennial Park. Auto theft is down here overall. We still have two wheel clubs ready for one Wrigley and one MacArthur Park resident willing to take the Neighborhood Pledge. It's a nice gift for agreeing to keep your neighborhood clean.

Break in the  Alicia Faith Todd Case

I am also grateful to announce there was an arrest made in the shooting of Alicia Faith Todd of Signal Hill. Police say they've arrested a man in connection to the case of a young woman shot dead in an alley in Long Beach last summer. Following an investigation, police arrested Tremaine Lewis, 24, of Long Beach, last Thursday. Police said Lewis was in a domestic relationship with Todd and the two were together on the night of the murder. If you have any information about this case, you're urged to contact Long Beach Police Department homicide detectives at (562) 570-7244.

Take the Neighborhood Pledge

There was also an arrest in the December shooting of North Long Beach resident on 02/22/2016. Keonte Runell Jones, 23, who is also known as “Blue Dawg,” pleaded not guilty Jan. 22 to one count of murder with allegations that he used a handgun and committed the crime in association with a street gang, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. He is accused of shooting Roosevelt Newton at Orange Avenue and East Washington Street in Long Beach on Dec. 10.

Washington Neighborhood Shooting

There was another shooting on Thursday in the Washington Neighborhood.Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of West 14th Street at 11:05PM on Thursday, February 25 regarding a possible shooting, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) spokesman Brad Johnson said. “Upon arrival, officers found evidence that a bullet had struck the house but did not enter and no one was injured,” he added. We already attacked the gang element by doing a Go Long Beach Run and reporting all gang related tagging on Cedar, We'll do it again ASAP..

Tonight we attended the West Division Leadership Forum. The topic was auto theft. LBPD is giving away the club for the wheel. Both the MacArthur Park Community Association & the Wrigley Community Neighborhood Group​ will be giving away one of the two you see in the picture soon. Not sure how yet, but I am leaning to giving it to someone willing to take the pledge to keep the neighborhood safe and clean. 

Follow this link for details:  
http://macarthurparklbc.blogspot.com/2015/04/macarthur-park-neighborhood-pledge.html

West Division Leadership Forum: Car Theft/ Mobile Apps/ Crime Analysis/ Success Stories

Sunday Safety Watch: 02/07/2016 to 02/20/2016

Disclaimer: So, first I apologize for how long it's taken to get this up, The Crime Reports Website was down for much of January. I did talk to the director of Media Relations at a public safety meeting and tell our neighborhood resource officer, they weren't aware it wasn't updating. Just a reminder these are trends, and the presence of crime in one area in the past doesn't guarentee it will reappear in that area in the future.

The map above spans two weeks. You will notice all the patterns are weak, hence the pink lines. The darker the arrow, the stronger the trend. First off, not much is happening according to the map in February. It does appear assaults and property crime [graffiti] are on the rise. They seem to weekly trend up from Cherry towards 14th Street and Gundry. Josie and I did a patrol through the neighborhood pretty late into the night, and it was rather quiet.

A Go Long Beach Run through the area showed Gang tagging is up. In response, we hit several areas outside the neighborhood with Go Long Beach. We also used Code Enforcement with businesses that refuse to take the tagging down. - See the Neighborhood Expansion Report Below

There is also a week trend of assorted crimes along Spaulding in the East end of the MacArthur Park Neighborhood of Central Long Beach. There is also a trend of thefts along Alamitos. Bear in mind the construction on Alamitos around Rosa Parks Park gives bad people a place to hide. When walking along Alamitos, please carry a flash light and walk in pairs when possible.

Neighborhood Expansion: Heavy tagging by the East Side Longos, a tagging crew and somebody else. Cedar and Chestnut Streets are the strong hold for the East Side Longos. I was verbally assaulted by a "gang" member when I was taking the pictures, didn't scare me. I stood my ground and he backed off. Also meet Gustavo, his garage has been tagged 6 to 7 times and he repaints it every time, he knows who does it ,talked with the father of the boy but the father didn't care. Attention: The post about the tagging I did, the GO Long Beach App had most of the tagging cleaned up before 12pm today. I want to thank them for their fast response. So I'm going to try to help him repaint it and talk with the kid and father.- Josephine Villasenor/ Wrigley Community Watch

The police have released a recap of crime stats last year via the website Next Door: Here's a summary. Total Part 1 crime increased 15.9% from 2014; violent crime increased 18.8%; and property crime increased 15.4%. The number of aggravated assaults increased 18.9%; and 17 of the 36 murders in 2015 were gang-related. Reductions were seen in four property crime categories: residential burglary decreased 11%; garage burglary decreased 7.2%; commercial burglary decreased 12.1%; and arson decreased 8.2%.

The West Division Leadership Forum will be held on 02/24/2016. It will again be held at Grant AME Church at 1129 Alamitos Ave, at 6pm. The subject will be preventing auto theft, which we covered in detail here.

Sunday Safety Update: 12/06/2015 to 12/12/2015

Disclaimer: Please note these maps are meant to show which direction crime is trending, areas to keep an extra eye on and places to remain vigilant in order for Central Long Beach residents to remain safe. That said, previous trends don't guarantee future trends will repeat in the same direction and patterns. Also, an absence of crime in one area, does not guarantee an absence in the future.
The darker the arrow, the stronger the trend.

Trends within the MacArthur Park Neighborhood are scattered and week. There is a weak trend of breaking and enterings beginning at 15th and Lemon and trending north east towards 16th an Alamitos. Times vary from noon to 9pm. Just below that, in Cambodia Town West and Cerritos Village, there is a stronger trend of thefts from cars trending north west. At the same time a tend of assaults is trending east along 11th Street. 

Be reminded there was a homicide in this area a few months ago; no neighborhood association exists there yet, and a spike like this proceeded that shooting.

On the other side of Junipero you will see a huge spike in Car Thefts and thefts from cars. These all seem to start from an unreasonable noise complaint that happened around midnight at the 1100 block of Ohio and then radiate out NW, NE, and SE. Keep your cars locked and safe. There is a clue in the patterns here: all the thefts from cars seem to be happening during the day, all the car thefts seem to be occurring at night.

Within the circle, on the south side of our neighborhood, there are some petty thefts along Anaheim. They all occurred on Wednesday and they all occurred during the day. In other words, everything happening in Central Long Beach, at least all the clear pattens are just to the South East or South West of our neighborhood. 

The patterns inside, are pretty weak and scattered.

Arrests Made in the Shooting on Gundry

After making one arrest last month, Long Beach police arrested three more in connection with a fatal gang shooting November, police announced Tuesday. Jeffrey Keo, a 26-year-old Long Beach resident was gunned down around 9 p.m. Nov. 10 in the area of 14th Street and Gundry Avenue. The killing prompted an hours-long search that included SWAT officers.- Full Story

Suspects arrested:

1. Unnamed 17-Year Old
2. Angel Campo - 18
3. Esteban Panchi - 19

Shootings Outside Our Neighborhood:

Fortunately, the one shooting that has occurred is way outside of our borders. 

Police are investigating what they believe could be a gang-related shooting in North Long Beach Thursday afternoon.

Officers were dispatched around 12:20 p.m. to an assault with a deadly weapon call in the area of Orange Avenue and East Washington Street, said Nancy Pratt, a police spokeswoman, in an email. They found a man who had been struck in the upper body at the scene. - Full Story

While I did miss the Wed update this week, the map at the time showed very little happening in the neighborhood. Though it doesn't show up on the Crime Reports Map there is also a lot of activity on Orange and 17th Street. There was a Go Long Beach Run this morning which showed a significant decrease in both dumped items and tagging, however some of those dumped items may have been picked up in yesterday's clean up.

Community Safety Meeting
Today 12/13/2015: Fox Coffee House
Willow & Eucalypts 
From 4pm to 5pm
RSVP Through Face Book

Our goals include a better coalition of neighborhoods, a more educated community watch and bringing safe passage to more Long Beach Neighborhoods.

Sunday Safety Update 11/28/2015 to 12/05/2015

Disclaimer: Please note these maps are meant to show which direction crime is trending, areas to keep an extra eye on and places to remain vigilant in order for Central Long Beach residents to remain safe. That said, previous trends don't guarantee future trends will repeat in the same direction and patterns. Also, an absence of crime in one area, does not guarantee an absence in the future.

The darker the arrow, the stronger the trend.

There is increased gang tagging in the neighborhood, it will be reported the day it appears. There are also increased dumped items along 17th Street and 15th. On the bright side, the trees have all been trimmed on 17th, 15th and 14th leading to a much brighter neighborhood. We'll be pressuring the city to do the vertical streets next.

So this week, in the MacArthur Park Neighborhood, there was a continued drop off in crime.The pattern hasn;t changed much from the midweek report. There were a trend of breaking and entering around Walnut and PCH trending south west. These have stopped. Most of the crimes we are seeing are car thefts or thefts from cars. 

So now is a real good time to keep your cars locked and safe.

The patterns to be concerned about are right outside the neighborhood. There is a trend of car thefts that move south east towards Alamitos and 15th. Keep cars locked on Alamitos Avenue between PCH and Anaheim. Also, just below us to the south east there is a lot of car thefts in Cerritos Village around Lincoln Elementary. The trend is week but appears to start out at Alamitos and branch out both north east and north west. That same pattern repeats around a block up. 

Right outside Orizaba park there is also a trend of car thefts that is working its way down to the corner of our neighborhood at Anaheim and Junipero. These thefts are definitely moving towards Cambodia Town East, as defined by Next Door.

The Neighborhood Coalition & Community Watch Program
This Sunday: 12/13/2015 @ Fox Coffee House
437 W Willow St, Long Beach, California 90806

Josie and I We're are bringing together as many Central Long Beach neighborhoods together as possible to discuss bringing Safe Passage to more of LBUSD, a better & more structured format for community watches and some basic safety tips. Community Watch Start up packets will be available for all who attend. We will also be talking about Holiday safety, gang related issues, events going on in Wrigley and to get to know each other. Everyone is Welcome here  

We'll be giving away starter kits, flash lights, pocket guides for homeless services in Long Beach as well as a lot of valuable information. When you arrive tell Josie, "MacArthur Park Rules."

Events Page

https://www.facebook.com/events/1517150488582460/

Sunday Safety Update: 11/22/2015 to 11/28/2015

Disclaimer: Please note these maps are meant to show which direction crime is trending, areas to keep an extra eye on and places to remain vigilant in order for Central Long Beach residents to remain safe. That said, previous trends don't guarantee future trends will repeat in the same direction and patterns. Also, an absence of crime in one area, does not guarantee an absence in the future.

The darker the arrow, the stronger the trend.

So this week, in the MacArthur Park Neighborhood, there was a steep drop off in crime. There is more tagging, both reported and unreported. There is an attempt by the taggers to try and claim Fire Station 10 and the alley behind the U-Haul Station. Because of this, both will be monitored every single day until it stops.

There is a trend of property crime leading into some thefts from cars along the east side of Junipero. I will remind everyone again to keep your cars locked and read this article. While on the phone with a friend who works on Anaheim; she had to shut down the business for theft from a car to get investigated. The car was unlocked. You may think you have nothing of value, but these crooks left with sunglasses. Once they're inside, they don't want to leave empty handed.

Whenever I do clean ups, I find lots of cars with windows open. There were at least 10 on 14th Street last week. Please be very careful with your cars anywhere near Rotary Centennial Park or Orizaba Park, as car thefts and thefts from vehicles tend to cluster there.

There is a much stronger trend of assaults just south west of our neighborhood. If this map is extended a little west, they start to get bad. So please keep safe in the south end of the Poly Neighborhood. Additionally the trend of assaults identified did move east as predicted, and that does make the tagging in the alley behind the U-Haul much less surprising. 

Because of this, an eye will be kept on PCH between Alamitos and Cherry for the next two weeks, whenever possible.

Other Shootings

There has been an officer involvded shooting since the last reported shooing. The suspect is currently in the hospital in stable condition.

Long Beach police officers responding to a call of an assault late Thursday shot a man holding a meat cleaver who turned out to be the person who reported the attack, authorities said Friday.

An officer arrived at a residence in the 300 block of East Sunset Street about 11:20 p.m. after receiving a 911 call, according to a police statement. As the officer approached the front door, “a male exited the residence holding a meat cleaver in a threatening manner and confronted the officer.” - Full Story

The next Community Watch Meeting:

Linden-Roosevelt Neighborhood
Monday, December 7th
7 – 9 pm
Roosevelt Elementary Room A101
1574 Linden Ave   
  
The Central Long Beach Neighborhood Alliance
Community Watch Meeting
12/13/2015
4pm - 7pm
Events Page
Fox Coffee House
425 W Willow St, 
Long Beach, CA 90806

There is also a meeting some people will be attending regarding Long Beach PD wearing body cams. I would have liked to go, but I have three separate meetings on that day. I will still let you know what comes of it.

Sunday Safety Update: 11/08/2015 to 11/14/2015

Disclaimer: Please note these maps are meant to show which direction crime is trending, areas to keep an extra eye on and places to remain vigilant in order for Central Long Beach residents to remain safe. That said, previous trends don't guarantee future trends will repeat in the same direction and patterns. Also, an absence of crime in one area, does not guarantee an absence in that same area later on. as well. The map has a slightly new feature. The darker the red arrow, the more predictive the trend.

This safety update has some bad news. Unfortunately, on Tuesday 11/10/2015 at about 9:10pm there was a homicide at Gundry and 14th Street. There is a string of assaults trending that direction. There is a suspect in custody. Thank you to the Long Beach Police. Here is the original article on the shooting.

A 19-year-old man was shot and killed in North Long Beach late Monday, police said today. The shooting was reported at 11:02 p.m. Monday in the 1200 block of East 52nd Street, near Orange Avenue, Long Beach Police Department Lt. David Faris said. - Read the Full Story.

The victim's father identified him as 26-year-old Jeffery Keo, a Poly High School graduate. The family came to the United States from Cambodia in 1984, living in the Bay Area and Southern California. This is a link to the Go Fund Me, for help with the family pay for their son's funeral. Please support them.

There's also a string of auto thefts trending towards the south end of MacArthur Park. Also the auto thefts around Rotary Centennial Park are moving towards 17th Street. The auto thefts starting at Orizaba Park trend the same direction. Please reread how to protect yourself from car theft if you reside near either park.

Also, in the attack on France that killed 300, people a CSLB student was killed. The university will hold a vigil at 4 pm on Sunday to mourn Gonzalez’s passing and to grieve for all the victims of the atrocious attack. More information about the vigil will be shared as details are finalized.

Update 11/15/2015: Major tagging last night. 15th and Walnut, south east side of the intersection on 15th. Also, the north end of Fire Station Ten was tagged. The taggers used green paint, and went all the way from the north end of the building to south along the fense, behind some trees. They would have needed to spend some time there. It likely happened after 9pm. Keep a community watchful eye on 15th to Anaheim and Rose to Peterson. If you see tagging in process call 911.

The Next Community Watch Meetings Are On:

Willmore Neighborhood
Thursday, November 19th
7 – 9 pm
Drake Park Community Room
951 Maine Ave

Linden-Roosevelt Neighborhood
Monday, December 7th
7 – 9 pm
Roosevelt Elementary Room A101
1574 Linden Ave  

West Division Leadership Forum: Human Trafficking

There are two major kinds of Human Trafficking. One focuses on sex, the other on slave labor. This month's West Division Leadership Forum, a bi-monthly meeting on community safety focused on this topic. The West Division Leadership Forum is a bi-monthly forum, held on the third Wednesday of the month. The current meeting place for the forum is Grant AME Church at 1129 Alamitos Ave, in Long Beach. The next meeting should be December 20th, 2015.

This is the delayed write up.

Because this is a serious topic, I want to do it some justice. We are talking about a form of slavery here. Because of the seriousness of the topic, I am leaving the other topic of Code Enforcement for another day.  

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The pimps are revered by boys who hope to grow up with their status

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The concept of human trafficking reflects a shift in police tactics. In earlier days, law enforcement saw the prostitute as the prime target. Once arrested, police didn't talk to the prostitute and the prostitute didn't talk to the police. These days, the focus has shifted to the pimp. Human trafficking, which is now a felony, has brought much of the focus away from the women bought and sold like commodities, who in many cases are victims of severe emotional, physical and sexual abuse. 

Many of the pimps subjects will be manipulated through fear, abuse and intimidation.

Human trafficking victims have been as young as five years old. There have been more than 27 million victims, 800,000 a year, 244,000 in America and 3000 in LA County alone. The industry itself is a $32 billion industry, with one girl often bringing in $500 a day. In many cases the victims are homeless, emotionally traumatized or mentally ill. They may also rely on drugs, alcohol or lack the ability to meet their own basic needs.

In that sense, human trafficking is a kind of kidnapping based on mental and emotional abuse and manipulation. 

Sex and labor traffickers may find their victims at clubs, on the street, group homes, through mutual friends, malls and after school programs, Within our neighborhoods also be careful of traveling food carts, especially in the downtown and Central Long Beach Neighborhoods.

Often the pimps send other girls into these areas like homeless shelters to recruit for them. And sexual slavery does not just target the poor, but can also affect those who dwell in upper class families where rape may be used as a tool of coercion and blackmail. Pimps have also employed social media as a recruiting tool. Sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Moco Space, the latter is a gaming community I had never heard of until the meeting, have all bean used to lure in new girls.

To help keep their children safe, parents should always discuss how to stay safe online. And they should recognize the warning signs when their children might have taken online conversations too far. The relationship the pimp creates  is based on controlling everything. The pimp decides on where the women he is trafficking can be. They may need his permission to shower or even sleep. In some cases the pimp may threaten not only the girl herself but her entire family. In many cases the trafficker will force their victims to call him "Daddy," the deepen his control.

Many girls find themselves branded, isolated and trapped. They are prevented from having conversations with anyone, with their pimp handling all communication with any potential John or Jane. 

There are warning signs someone may be headed towards a life human trafficking. 

The warning signs include:

• Unexpected truancy
• Signs of physical abuse
• Chronically running away
• Unusual promiscuous behavior
• Withdrawn/ depression and fear
• Inappropriate behavior with other people
• Sudden possession of expensive Jewelry and clothing

If you see these signs in your children, friends or peers be aware what they may mean.

Those who would like to help protect Long Beach from human trafficking are asked to stay educated on the subject and help educate others. This involves not only getting churches and community organizations involved, but working with those community organizations already dealing with the issue like the Saving Innocence Project. It involves teaching potential victims, to walk in pairs, to walk with self confidence and purpose as well as chose your friends wisely. And it involves showing empathy to the people you see on the street. Human traffickers rely on an absence of empathy to create victims.

Also, when you do see something out of place, say something that may lead to help.

Sunday Safety Update: 10/25/2015 - 11/07/2015

Disclaimer: Please note these maps are meant to show which direction crime is trending, areas to keep an extra eye on and places to remain vigilant in order for Central Long Beach residents to remain safe. That said, previous trends don't guarantee future trends will repeat in the same direction and patterns. Also, an absence of crime in one area, does not guarantee an absence in that same area later on. as well.

The map of last week is on the bottom; this week is on the top.

There was a a trend of residential burglaries on the streets just north of 15th last week. They begin around Sherman and 15th on Sunday and trend both east and west into this week. 

Afterwards, they trended west and north. Also note there is a pattern of burglaries on the other side of Rotary Centennial Park this week and last week there was a trend of auto thefts trending up, in about the same place. 

Please read up on preventing burglaries, since they are clearly up. 

This week assaults are up beginning at Cherry and trending towards MacArthur Park. From there, they end as auto thefts pick up and begin trending north towards PCH. From PCH, those  crimes trends back to it's starting place. In other words, keep your eye open everywhere. 

In case you would like to help put an end to this there are some upcoming Community Watch Meetings.

Community Watch Workshops 
Beginning Next Week

Washington Neighborhood
Wednesday, November 11th
6 – 8 pm 
The Guidance Center
1301 Pine Ave

Willmore Neighborhood
Thursday, November 19th
7 – 9 pm
Drake Park Community Room
951 Maine Ave

Linden-Roosevelt Neighborhood
Monday, December 7th
7 – 9 pm
Location To Be Determined

Shootings Outside Our Neighborhood: 

An early Saturday morning shooting in central Long Beach left one man dead.
Officers were called at 3:26 a.m. Saturday to the 1000 block of Olive Avenue on reports of a shooting, according to the Long Beach Police Department. When officers arrived, they found a man who had been struck by gunfire. Long Beach Fire Department paramedics responded and transported to a local hospital. - Full Story

There will soon be a page here to collect information on all shootings, make victims into names instead of numbers and make it incredibly difficult for anyone who does something so cowardly to count on their actions being forgotten.

* Within MacArthur Park: There have been less shootings, but crime is still up. Please keep an eye out for your neighbors. The MacArthur Park Community Association will be paroling at the least twice during the week and once during the weekend. Any suspicious activity will immediately be reported to police. Also until 15th street clears up, there will be morning patrols to look after the pathways to school.

There was a West Division forum on Human Trafficking and a Public Safety meeting by the first district. A separate write up is coming soon. I will have links to the write ups soon. Sorry for the delay.