VOLUME 8, ISSUE 15 | JULY 16, 2020
THE VALLEJO WEEKLY
Mayor’s Message Dear Vallejoans, As I drove into City Hall this morning, I was still deeply saddened over what I saw as I ran errands around our town over the weekend. Trash, trash everywhere! Having personally witnessed this happen, I have wondered what might compel a person to throw their fast food trash out the window of their moving vehicle, and I came up blank. There simply is no good reason. In the course of 24 hours, I also noticed that someone had taken the time to load their household garbage, old furniture, and mattresses into their vehicle just to dump them off at the edge of the wetlands. It seems as though people's pride and sense of ownership for our beautiful City has somehow diminished, and it's truly disheartening. Another point I want to bring up is that first impressions are everything. When new businesses and families come to Vallejo in search of a place to drop their roots, this is not the Vallejo we want them to see, because this is not the Vallejo that we are. It's a misrepresentation of all
MAYOR’S MESSAGE
the beautiful things and people that Vallejo has to offer.
The City currently employs six people to conduct clean up around Vallejo. Yes, you read that correctly; only six people. That means there is approximately one person on staff to every 20,000 people to keep our City looking beautiful. Now I know that not all of those 20,000 people litter and some wonderful folks even take it upon themselves to beautify our City by picking up trash and doing larger dump runs at their own expense. I am grateful for them and everyone else who assists in the effort of caring for our City. I want to remind all of our residents that they are allowed two-bulky item (large trash) pick-ups annually through Recology Vallejo at no additional cost. You can find out more information on these bulky item pick-ups here. The City is also working on a large dump event to occur in the Fall of this year. As always, I will leave you with a final reminder that it takes a village, and Vallejo is one of the strongest, most resilient villages that I have ever been a part of. I know together, we can do this! Your Mayor, Bob Sampayan
DEPARTMENTS IN ACTION
Vallejo Police Department Responds to Sideshow Activity On July 11, the Vallejo Police Department responded to multiple reports of sideshow activity in Vallejo, leaving one woman severely injured in a hit-and-run, and a male victim with gunshots to his vehicle. At one point, at least 300 participants and a number of vehicles were engaged in the activity. Allied agencies participated in a coordinated effort to respond to the night’s activity. "We appreciate the coordinated efforts of our officers, dispatchers and allied agencies who responded to the sideshow activity," Chief Shawny Williams said. "Sideshows are inherently dangerous and disruptive to our residents, visitors and businesses. We want sideshow participants and spectators to refrain from this activity in Vallejo." The Vallejo Police Department impounded eight vehicles and made one arrest. Patrol officers also issued three citations for various vehicle code violations. Read the full press release here.
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VPD Officers Successfully Complete Field Training The Vallejo Police Department welcomes community support in congratulating Officer Camacho (left) and Officer Sullivan (right) in the successful completion of their Field Training last month. Please wish our officers well on their journey to serve and safeguard the Vallejo community.
The City of Vallejo is pleased to offer the following employment opportunities:
Communications Operator II (Lateral)
Planning Manager
Police Cadet
Police Officer (Entry - Academy Graduate)
Police Officer (Lateral)
Police Officer (Recruit)
Utility Mechanic I/II (Water)
Visit governmentjobs.com/careers/Vallejo for more information and to apply.
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THE VALLEJO WEEKLY | VOLUME 8, ISSUE 15
PERSONNEL
Employment Opportunities
VPD Responds to Upward Trend in Local Crime The Vallejo Police Department has published crime rate data for the first half of 2020, showing that VPD personnel are responding to an upward trend in local crime in numerous categories including murder, rape and stolen vehicles. “Our department remains committed to making Vallejo a safer place and turning around these 2020 crime rate trends,” said Chief of Police Shawny Williams. “These crimes are not just statistics; they represent real members of our community, including several recent female murder victims. As a community, we cannot accept this type of violence. We can and must do better.” See the full press release here.
10 Year Statistics: Murders per Year 2010-19 The graph to the left shows the number of murders in Vallejo each year for the past ten years.
COMMUNITY
As of the end of June, halfway through 2020, there have been thirteen murders in Vallejo.
2019-20 YTD Crime Statistics The graph to the left shows how the crime numbers as of the end of May 2020 compare to the crime numbers from the end of May 2019. Red indicates a negative trend, with crime in those categories going up, and green indicates a favorable trend, with crime in those categories going down.
2019-20 Murder Statistics The graph to the left shows murder statistics from each month in 2019 compared to numbers for each month to date in 2020.
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Sign Up for Alert Solano In order to receive important messages during emergencies, the City of Vallejo urges local residents who live, work, play, or travel through Solano County to sign up for its emergency alert system. Alert Solano efficiently delivers messages and information during incidents and emergencies as they occur via email, cell phone, and/or text messaging. To register, click here.
How To: Watch a Live, Virtual City Council Meeting Did you know there are now three ways to watch a live, virtual City Council Meeting? You can now watch via any of the following methods: Stream via the City’s website, at cityofvallejo.net/streaming
Watch Vallejo’s local Channel 28
Join the Zoom webinar, by clicking here
How To: Share Public Comment at a Virtual City Meeting Want to submit a public comment at a virtual public meeting? Check out this "how-to" video showing just how to share your comments at public City meetings. Please note that hyperlinks to submit public comment will close at the conclusion of public comment for each item. To access meeting video and agenda details, please click here.
Looking to Run for Office in the City of Vallejo? The nomination period for Vallejo candidates opened on July 13. Prospective candidates must review the Candidate Information Guide on the Voting and Elections page of the City's website. You can also find other useful information on the Voting and Elections page regarding how to run for office, voting by mail, and polling locations. Please note that due to COVID-19, new protocols for potential candidates have been set. You can view those protocols here. Page 5
THE VALLEJO WEEKLY | VOLUME 8, ISSUE 15
COMMUNITY
Vallejo Police Lieutenant Participates in Worship March Recently, Vallejo Police Lieutenant Ramsay participated in a Peaceful Worship March led by local ministers and community members at VPD Headquarters. The moment was captured by a local resident, who wrote in to the Department to share his experience about the power of unity. As we embark on the journey to improve through data-driven education, innovation and community-based reform, we appreciate the community's input and support toward that effort, and we welcome more opportunities to partner with members of our community. Join us on the journey! Leave your feedback and read our Community Partnership initiative.
COMMUNITY
COVID-19 Testing Get free testing for COVID-19, even if you have no symptoms. The OptumServe community testing sites are available to anyone, including agricultural workers, undocumented individuals, residents, and homeless individuals.
Schedule your appointment today at lhi.care/covidtesting. For those without internet access, call (888) 634-1123. Testing is free, and you will receive test results within 2-5 days. Questions? For more information:
Visit: solanocounty.com/COVID19
Call: COVID-19 Warmline at (707) 784-8988
Email: COVID19@SolanoCounty.com
City Hall Hours City Hall is currently open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Many staff continue to work remotely, with procedures implemented in response to COVID-19. Updates and resources are available at cityofvallejo.net/nCOV.
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Solano Library Introduces Instant Digital Library Card Solano County residents can now sign up for an Instant Digital Card and begin borrowing popular eBooks and audiobooks. To sign up for this Instant Digital Card, members of the community can click here or download Libby; the one-tap reading app from OverDrive. The Libby app is compatible with all major computers and devices, including iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets, and Chromebooks, as well as the Kindle app. All titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period and there are no late fees. Readers can also download titles onto Libby for offline use. For more information, call (866) 572-7587 or click here.
Caltrans I-80 Six Bridges Project Public Meeting
The six bridges affected in Vallejo are those at I-80 and:
Magazine Street
Benicia Road
Georgia Street
Springs Road
Tennessee Street
Redwood Street
Caltrans will increase the vertical clearance at each bridge, one at a time, starting with Springs Road. The work is anticipated to take approximately four months per bridge. A complete four-month closure of Springs Road at I-80 is anticipated to begin in late Fall. A public informational meeting will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, July 29 at 4:30 p.m. via the following meeting ID: 914-0075-0676. Those who prefer to dial into the meeting, rather than access via Zoom, may do so by dialing (669) 900-6833 and entering the meeting ID above. For additional information, click here. To the view the flyer in a larger format, click here. Page 7
THE VALLEJO WEEKLY | VOLUME 8, ISSUE 15
VALLEJO NEWS
Caltrans District 4 is scheduled to begin work to increase the vertical clearance on six bridges within the City of Vallejo that cross over Interstate 80 (I-80), as they do not meet the current vertical clearance design standards.
Touro University Health Equity Series
VALLEJO NEWS
Join experts from Touro University California’s (TUC’s) Public Health Program, College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Commission on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for their Summer 2020 Health Equity Series held via Zoom from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. over the next four Fridays. All are welcome to attend this free event, however advance registration is required.
July 17: Criminal justice system and mass incarceration as social determinants of health: a discussion with the MPH Program’s Health Equity and Criminal Justice Concentration
July 24: Police violence as a public health issue: a discussion on the intersection of police violence and toxic stress and trauma
July 31: Diversity in healthcare education: a discussion on reducing health disparities by increasing diversity in the healthcare workforce
August 7: Stress and trauma impacts on health disparities: a discussion on the need for trauma informed systems
To view this flyer in a larger format, click here. For more information about this seminar series, click here.
Save the Date: GVRD Virtual Forum The Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD) is seeking input as they construct their new ten-year master plan. One of the ways that the community will be invited to participate is by joining a virtual public forum. More details will be provided as the date approaches, so check back, but be sure to put it on your calendar right now! Stay up-to-date by RSVPing to their Facebook event, by clicking here.
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Vallejo Watershed Alliance DIY Cleanup The DIY cleanups that Vallejo Watershed Alliance debuted last month went very well; thank you to all who participated! In July, the focus will be on Blue Rock Springs Park, and the shoreline around Lake Chabot (accessed through Dan Foley Community Park). Those who participate this month will be offered a special surprise!
Here’s how to participate: Select a day and time that you and your household or social-bubble-safe friends will pick up trash.
Email Info@VallejoWatershedAlliance.org with your preferred location, day, and time. If your cleanup time is on a weekend, Vallejo Watershed Alliance will let Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD) know you’re coming so that your parking fee at Blue Rock or Dan Foley is waived. There are no parking fees during the week.
Need supplies? Disposable gloves, trash bags, hand sanitizer, waiver and loaner trash pickers will be provided, and can be delivered right to your porch.
Leave the filled trash bags next to the garbage cans at the park. Once your cleanup is complete, let Vallejo Watershed Alliance know how much trash was removed (number of bags filled), any items too big for bags, and how many people participated. They will notify GVRD who will dispose of the filled bags.
If you’re borrowing pickers, let them know when they can retrieve them from your porch.
The usual rules of COVID apply:
Don’t participate if you feel ill or have a fever
Face coverings are strongly recommended
Keep at least six feet of social distance with people who aren’t in your household
Sneeze or cough into a tissue or your elbow
To learn more, click here.
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VALLEJO NEWS
VALLEJO NEWS Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Reopens On July 2, Mayor Bob Sampayan spoke at the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom reopening event, showing his support as the park announced modifications in place to accommodate guests in compliance with CDC, state, and local reopening guidelines. The Marine World Experience is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Experience allows guests to explore the wild side of the park by visiting their current famous resident, Cain, and the rest of the lion cub pride, with daily educational sessions. Other unique offerings will include new scheduled talks with animal care specialists throughout the day, along with various animal demonstrations in outdoor venues. Members, Season Pass holders, and guests are required to make a reservation at sixflags.com/reserve. Reopening procedures include:
Contact-less temperature screening of all guests and employees prior to entry
All guests over the age of two, and all team members, are required to wear face masks covering the nose and mouth throughout their visit/work day
Masks are available at the front gate for any guest without one.
Social distancing markers are located in all park entry, restroom, retail locations, and dining queue lines.
Six-foot viewing areas will be marked for guests to observe animal exhibits as well as game play. Arcade games have been reconfigured or deactivated to comply with social distancing requirements
Increased sanitization and disinfecting of high touch points including all public seating, tabletops, counters, handrails, doors, and trash cans will occur frequently.
Multiple hand-washing and alcohol-based hand-sanitizer stations will be located throughout the park
For additional information, please click here.
Have a positive community story or event you'd like to submit for consideration in a segment of Vallejo News? Send us an email!
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