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ST3451 - May 24 issue_Layout 1 5/24/13 11:59 AM Page 1
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Memorial Day is May 27 See page 7
Vol. 34 No. 51
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SERVING BIXBY KNOLLS, CALIFORNIA HEIGHTS, LOS CERRITOS, WRIGLEY AND THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
Distinct in the District Your Weekly Community Newspaper
LB city prosecutor says work to reduce gang activity has helped put ‘dent’ in violent crime
Sean Belk Staff Writer
Though property crime has spiked this year, violent crime, such as murders, robberies and aggravated assaults, has actually remained relatively low in Long Beach, according to law-enforcement officials. Long Beach City Prosecutor Doug Haubert attributes the reported decrease to various programs that his office has helped implement in the last few years to eradicate gang activity throughout the city. “By targeting the gang members, I think we’re making a dent in violent crime,” he said. Haubert, who is running for reelection next year, gave an hour-long overview of his office’s duties and accomplishments during a North Long Beach Community Assembly last Saturday, May 18 at the Glad Tidings Church at 1900 E. South St. The meeting was attended by about 50 people and was jointly organized by 8th District Councilmember Al Austin and 9th District Councilmember Steven Neal. see NLB page 13
Sean Belk/Signal Tribune
Signal Hill resident Hazel Wallace (center) was presented with a certificate of recognition during the May 21 Signal Hill City Council meeting for receiving the 33rd Senate District Outstanding Woman of Distinction Award. Also pictured, from left, are Councilmember Larry Forester and Mayor Michael Noll.
Signal Hill Mayor Noll calls for disclosure of political-interest groups behind ‘smear tactics’
Staff Writer
Sean Belk/Signal Tribune
Long Beach City Prosecutor Doug Haubert speaks to a crowd of about 50 people during a North Long Beach Community Assembly on Saturday, May 18 at the Glad Tidings Church, 1900 E. South St. Haubert gave an overview of his office’s duties and functions, including efforts to reduce gang activity and convict gang members.
At the end of a brief Signal Hill City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 21, under “new business,” Mayor Michael Noll proposed having the city attorney draft an ordinance that would require political-interest groups that attempt to influence city elections disclose their financial supporters and campaign contributions to the City. The rest of the Council acquiesced to Noll’s request but refrained from discussion. City Attorney David Aleshire said he would have staff provide a list of potential provisions for the ordinance when brought back to the Council at a future meeting. The ordinance may include putting certain restrictions on political action committees (PACs) or other forms of politicalinterest groups that are currently
Weekly Weather Forecast Sunday
May 24 through May 27, 2013
Friday
Saturday
Low clouds, then sun
72°
Low clouds, then sunshine
Clouds breaking for sun
Low clouds, then sunshine
Lo 58°
Lo 57°
Lo 59°
Lo 59°
68°
Monday
71°
This week’s Weekly Weather Forecast sponsored by: 1174 Wardlow Rd. Long Beach (West of Orange)
562-427-4630
May 24, 2013
K-9 unit demos its bond between City and canine allies
CJ Dablo/Signal Tribune
Sean Belk
69°
“Under Water World,” watercolor by Moira Hahn See page 15
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not covered under Signal Hill’s municipal election code. Various political attack-ad mailers were sent out to Signal Hill voters leading up to the March 2011 and March 2013 elections as part of campaigns that Noll called “smear tactics” targeting Council incumbents running for re-election, as well as other longtime city officials. “We need to have fair and honest elections, where the voters can have the appropriate information to decide on the candidates and the issues,” Noll declared as Councilmember Tina Hansen held up copies of the fliers in question. “I think that this ordinance should be given a high priority since we have a special election in June of 2014, where outside groups may attempt to distort the issue again.” City code currently limits individual candidate campaign expenditures to about $500 per election
City of Signal Hill
Kasia, a bomb dog specially trained to search out explosives, joins her handler Officer Ernie Wolosewicz of the Long Beach Police Department at the Long Beach Police Officers Association Park located at the Long Beach Towne Centre. Kasia was briefly introduced to attendees at the Open Up Long Beach event on May 20 during which Wolosewicz discussed life on the police department’s K-9 unit. CJ Dablo Staff Writer
cycle and requires that candidates file financial documents with the City. PACs, however, aren’t covered under city code and currently file campaign contributions with the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters. In the weeks prior to this year’s March 5 city election, two separate fliers, which some people have called “hit pieces,” criticized the records of Noll, Vice Mayor Ed Wilson and former councilmember Ellen Ward. The fliers included snippets of various newspaper articles, attached to statements claiming that sitting councilmembers are “wasting our hard-earned tax dollars,” and compared Signal Hill to the City of Bell, which has been embroiled in scandal over charges of corruption and misappropriation of public funds, for which its city officials have recently been
Don’t let her size fool you. She may only weigh about 50 pounds, but Kasia, a dog with timid brown eyes and a strawberry-blonde coat, has been trained to detect explosives. She serves with the K-9 unit of the Long Beach Police Department to help keep the city safe. An audience of about 75 people gathered on picnic benches at the Long Beach Police Officers Association Park in the Long Beach Towne Centre on May 20 to learn more about the people and dogs who serve on the K-9 unit. Monday’s demonstration of the K-9 unit was the latest event of Open Up Long Beach, a series hosted by 5th District Councilmember Gerrie Schipske that offers residents a behind-the-scenes look at various services and departments in the city. Kasia seemed like any other docile family pet that Monday night. The Belgian Malinois mix stood on her hind legs and then put her paws
see COUNCIL page 19
see K-9 page 8
Approved Watering Schedule Before 9am or after 4pm
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For more information, call the Water Conservation Hotline: 562-