NEWS

NEWS BRIEFS

Summer 2021 Enrollment

Students can now apply for classes for the summer 2021 term through MyPortal.

Incoming students will need to create an account at openccc.net and can reach out to OpenCCC Technical Support if there are any difficulties.

Veterans Banquet

A virtual end-of-the year banquet hosted by Riverside City College’s Veterans Center will take place on May 20 at 6 p.m.

First Sgt. Matt Eversmann will be a featured guest speaker at the event. Those interested in attending must register beforehand.

Contact the RCC Veterans Center for more information.

Safe Driving Saves Lives

California residents ages 14-22 can enter the #WorkZoneSocialChallenge to promote safe driving and have the chance to prizes.

Interested participants can enter by sharing a #SafeDrivingSavesLives video message for the chance to win a Macbook pro, $600 gift card and $100 gift card.

For any questions about the rules or guidelines residents can visit workzonechallenge. com.

Library Workshops

The RCC library is continuing to hold weekly one-hour workshops throughout the rest of the spring term.

Information available at these workshops includes ways of accessing the library’s databases, research tecnhinques and citing digital sources.

These workshops take place every Wednesday starting at 1p.m. Any students interested can joining via the zoom link.

To find the link, visit library.rcc.edu and click on Library Workshops.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXABAY Research says coronavirus vaccine safe

District administators encourage students to get the shot

BY DANIELA RAMIREZ STAFF REPORTER

The latest study on COVID-19 vaccinations by the Pew Research Center found that up to 69% of Americans have received or plan to receive the shot.

Federal health officials say the aim is to vaccinate 75-80% of the population, but only 43% have gotten at least one dose.

Where are the other 57% of people at with their decision? Conspiracies have created doubts in many.

Some argue the shot was developed too quickly to be safe to use. Others are worried about side effects, ingredients and the real reason the government is pushing the vaccine.

But with plans to reopen the Riverside Community College District in the fall, the administration is encouraging all students and employees to get vaccinated in order to ensure the safest environment possible next semester.

Wolde-Ab Isaac, district chancellor, addressed vaccine hesitancy during a town hall with students and employees April 21. Isaac’s background is in medicinal chemistry and he evaluated medications for over 10 years as a senior clinical researcher.

“There is no medicine, no drug, that doesn’t have adverse effects,” he said. “Now, when we look at these vaccines, not only are they effective at 95% ... these are very very safe medications. The risk is far greater if you don’t take the vaccination.”

Isaac added that COVID-19 vaccines reaching up to 95% effectiveness is rare for vaccinations. He explained that even the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which was discontinued in many areas due to some women experiencing blood clots after taking the shot, has not been deemed unsafe.

Only six women were found to have blood clots after over 6.8 million people received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

According to a Healthline article, there are many factors that contributed to the quick development of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The money and resources for COVID-19 research and treatments pushed the development to having a shorter time frame to produce results, Lynlee Burton, head of the Center for Vaccines and Emerging Infectious Diseases at PRA Health Sciences, said in the article.

The key to making the COVID-19 shot effective for safe use is the mRNA molecule. The mRNA, or messenger RNA, is the molecule that goes back into DNA to create the protein that triggers an immune response to a disease.

Unlike some vaccines, in an mRNA vaccine, the messenger does not introduce a weakened germ into the body.

Research on mRNA is not new to science. The use of mRNA has helped fight diseases and has been developing for decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Others argue the vaccine can possibly result in death.

The Food and Drug Administration requires all vaccination providers to report any deaths after taking the vaccine, but that does not necessarily mean the vaccine is the cause of death.

Around 211 million vaccinations have administered since December and 3,848 deaths after inoculation have been reported. That amounts to 0.0017% of those who were vaccinated.

The CDC determined after reviewing autopsy and medical files that there was no evidence the COVID-19 vaccine contributed to patients’ deaths.

Beiwei Tu, RCCD Risk Management director, said COVID-19 vaccines are also highly effective in serious illness and hospitalization when someone contracts the virus.

“Vaccines are the most effective choice to protect your health and prevent disease,” she said during the town hall. “The district strongly encourages our employees and students to take advantage of the opportunity to receive the vaccine.”

The district’s three campuses have been hosting vaccination clinics and will continue to through the summer to ensure as many students and employees are vaccinated by the start of the fall semester.

DANIEL HERNANDEZ | VIEWPOINTS Riverside City College nurses administer the Pfizer vaccine to dozens on the top level of the RCC Parking Structure on April 22. The college will continue to host clinics. Nursing program administers vaccines

PHOTOS AND STORY BY DANIEL HERNANDEZ MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Riverside City College is one step closer to ending the chapter of distance education and returning to campus for in-person instruction.

Trained RCC nurses, with help from Albertson’s pharmacists, administered first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine to members of the community on the roof of the Parking Structure April 22.

RCC’s Parking Structure was divided into three sections: A check-in area located near the entrance, the vaccination tables directly behind and a socially distanced observation area for people who received the vaccine.

Nursing students sitting at the vaccination tables were equipped with red Stericycle medical waste disposal canisters, rubber gloves and other medical tools needed to safely administer the vaccines.

Individuals who signed up online before arriving were able to present the necessary documents at the front table and receive the vaccine in less than 10 minutes.

According to Beiwei Tu, director of Risk Management at the Riverside Community College District, 1,367 Pfizer vaccines were administered at RCC, 408 at Norco College and 270 at Moreno Valley College in one week.

“We have more vaccines available than people who sign up,” Tu said. “The more people who sign up, the better we can protect the community.”

To make an appointment, visit www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus.

DANIEL HERNANDEZ | VIEWPOINTS Riverside City College is set to open in the fall in the manner that it was pre-pandemic if things go as planned. According to Wolde-Ab Isaac, Riverside Community College District chancellor, RCCD foresees a safe reopening of its three colleges for the fall 2021 semester due to current declines in COVID-19 cases and increases in vaccinations.

District forum covers fall 2021 safety

RCCD administrators detail facilities’ COVID-19 regulations

FORUM from page 1

and faculty at all three of RCCD’s colleges.

Beiwei Tu, Risk Management director, explained that the three colleges will coordinate with the district in contact-tracing should someone who has been on campus test positive for COVID-19.

“We would like all employees and students to report their close contact with a COVID-19 positive person — suspected and confirmed cases,” she said.

Employees will be expected to report contact to Risk Management for students and contact their college’s respective Student Health Services.

Both employees and students will be required to quarantine for 14 days for confirmed cases. A 10 day isolation will be required for suspected cases when a negative test cannot be produced.

“People cannot automatically return to a district location once they meet a time requirement,” Tu said. “They have to be either cleared by Risk Management or (Human Resources) if they are an employee. For students, the clearance process starts at the Student Health Center at their campus.”

She said the district will aim to respond to any case of possible exposure within the same day it is reported.

The district currently offers on-site COVID-19 testing to employees through Risk Management and will offer the same service to students at their Student Health Centers in the fall, Tu added.

Michael T. Collins, Norco College vice president of Business Services, said custodial staff has been trained in government safety mandates on COVID-19 and will perform regular cleaning and disinfecting of commonly used surfaces and personal work areas.

The most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance requires a daily cleaning of the campus environment, down from the cleaning every four hours required by the preceding guidance.

According to Collins, the district is currently researching the staffing levels necessary to maintain a safe environment in regard to sanitization.

“We are assessing that need,

SCREENSHOT BY ERIK GALICIA | VIEWPOINTS A screenshot of the chancellor’s town hall lists the Riverside Community College District’s Safe Return Principles. The presentation April 21 described what safety measures students will see in the facilities at their respective campuses, including sanitization, ventilation and hands-free devices.

assessing our staff and our base needs for those staff members,” he said. “We are working toward that so we can understand what the new regulations require us to do and how that will impact our personnel and our teams.”

Majd Askar, Moreno Valley College interim vice president of Business Services, said hands-free sinks and hand sanitizer have been installed wherever possible and High Efficiency Particulate Air filters installed in the buildings.

She also mentioned the district will ensure that a large inventory of personal protective equipment and supplies will be made available to students and staff throughout the campuses.

“If the social distancing guidelines are still in place for employees and it’s not feasible to maintain the six feet, we’ll be able to provide some sort of solid barriers such as plexiglass.”

Signage and other messaging will be used to encourage hygiene standards on campus.

At this point, the district is planning on requiring face coverings in the fall, Collins said.

“We will definitely follow the California Department of Public Health guidance as we move forward and adapt our plans as required,” he said. “We’re going to continue our ongoing inspection and compliance assessment of our plans and of the work that our entire campus community is doing. These continuous assessments do lead to continuous improvement.”

According to Chip West, Riverside City College vice president of Business Services, the district is investing in the technology and infrastructure needed to ensure disabled students are able to adapt to the return to campus.

“Each of our colleges are working to improve systems both in the classrooms and outside the classroom, student support services and resources to make sure that none of our students are left behind and that we’re giving them the support they need to succeed,” he said.

Isaac said the district will make sure access to these students will not be denied. Disabled students should reach out to their respective Disability Resource Centers to receive the aid they will need.

The chancellor reiterated that the 80-20 plan is based on the district’s assumption that the decline in COVID-19 cases and increase in vaccinations will allow a fall 2021 reopening. But the plan is subject to change.

“Safety is a non-compromisable issue,” he said. “We are not gambling. We are going to monitor the situation very regularly and calibrate our ambitions.”

The next town hall is scheduled for May 19 at 4 p.m. on Zoom

DANIEL HERNANDEZ | VIEWPOINTS Protesters rally on the corner of Tenth and Orange Streets in downtown Riverside in front of County District Attorney’s office on April 22. They marched through downtown Riverside to protest the jailing of Darick Schaaf, 28, and for the resignation of the DA Mike Hestrin and Sheriff Chad Bianco. They also called for more mental health services. Jailer’s alleged negligence causes uproar

Suspect’s mother, DA’s office provide opposing stories in case

BY BIANCA MACIAS STAFF REPORTER

A ferocious crowd banged on the doors of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Building, demanding solace for who demonstrators say is a disabled inmate.

Protestors arrived in downtown Riverside on April 22 to call for the transfer of Darik Schaaf , a 28-year-old Black man, into a mental health diversion program.

Schaaf was arrested by Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies in March of 2019 in Rancho Mirage.

In an email, John Hall, the DA Office’s public information officer, said Schaaf is being charged in a domestic violence case with six felonies, including torture and kidnapping.

Schaaf’s mother, Karrie Schaaf, the alleged victim, said her son was at the peak of a mental health crisis Feb. 25, 2019, a few days before he was taken into custody.

She said he told her it “was going to be over soon” and went into his bedroom with a firearm, planning to take his own life.

“He wasn’t intending to hurt anybody but himself,” she said.

But court documents provided by Hall show that in an interview with police after her son had been arrested, Karrie Schaaf recalled several instances of both physical and verbal abuse at the hands of her son.

According to the documents, Darik Schaaf did not deny much of the abuse recounted by his mother and blamed several incidents on her behavior and controlling personality.

Karrie Schaaf claims that she was in a state of psychosis during her interview with police.

“They took advantage of my trauma and my own mental state to build a case against my son,” she said.

Karrie Schaaf said she refrained from calling 911 after the incident which she said led to her son’s arrest out of fear that police would kill him on arrival.

She said she knew her son’s intentions with the gun were suicidal and she instead rushed to the emergency room and pleaded for help.

But she said her trip to the emergency room resulted in little hope after police arrived at her door a few days later on March 1, 2019 to take Darik Schaaf into custody.

“Their decision to not help my son and provide him the mental health care he deserved and desperately needed has turned our lives upside down and further traumatized him,” Karrie Schaaf said. “He has still not received mental health care or treatment. He should have been placed on a 51/50 and I should have been too.”

According to Hall, the DA’s Office files the charges supported by the evidence in each individual case that it believes it can prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury.

“In this case, defendant Schaaf — should he be found guilty as currently charged — could face a potential sentence ranging from 10 years in prison to life in prison,” Hall said.

The defense asked Judge Dean Benjamini during a Sept. 5, 2019 court appearance to make a determination whether or not Darik Schaaf was eligible for mental health diversion. Benjamini ruled that the defendant appeared to be eligible and set a diversion conference hearing.

But on June 18, 2020, after reviewing the defense’s request, the DA Office’s opposition to mental health diversion and the proposed treatment plan, Benjamini denied the defense’s request and ruled that Darik Schaaf was not eligible for mental health diversion.

“Part of why we opposed mental health diversion was due to the severity and duration of the crimes charged,” Hall said.

The court documents show the DA’s Office argued, after reading Darik Schaaf’s statement, that it did not appear he was suffering from mental illness or delusions at the time of his arrest.

“I’ve seen how many people misunderstand our actions,” said

DANIEL HERNANDEZ | VIEWPOINTS Protesters raise signs and bang on the glass doors of the DA’s Office on downtown Riverside on April 22. Officers stood by inside the building as demonstrators chanted “free Darik.” protester Cameryn Steinline.

Steinline said they have been on the autism spectrum for years and have seen the pain people with mental health issues suffer.

“I want us to continue this fight for mental health and to ensure that Darik Schaaf is going to make it out safe,” Steinline said.

Demonstrators shouted on the steps of the DA’s Office Building, advocating for the destigmatization of mental illness, an increase in the quality of intervention systems and more preventative services.

Mary Valdemar, a representative of the Chicano Indigenous Community for Culturally Conscious Advocacy and Action, said the current mental health system is not working. “Mental health folks are being criminalized because the mental health system is broken,” she said. “There’s not enough beds for those who need mental health services. We don’t need more police on our streets, we need more mental health services … that prevent folks from getting in jail.”

Karrie Schaaf said she will continue to seek her son’s transfer to a mental health program.

“I have to do all I can to fight for justice for my son,” she said. “Then I need to ensure others experiencing mental health crises get the care and ongoing medical care they deserve.”

Darik Schaaf’s next court date is set for May 4.

DANIEL HERNANDEZ | VIEWPOINTS Riverside police officers stand by during a confrontation between Black Lives Matter and former President Donald Trump supporters in the downtown area Oct. 18. Riverside police chief talks civilian oversight

Public commenters uncertain about officers’ incident-tracking methods

POLICE from page 1

Malissa McKeith, a public commenter from Ward 3, also questioned the amount of funding the city allocates to police. Over 70% of the city’s $271.4 million general fund is currently going toward public safety.

McKeith suggested the police find ways to curb costs and maintain safety more efficiently.

“Riverside only generates so much income,” she said. “We only have so many sources of revenue.”

Gonzalez said civilian oversight has been a focus in Riverside since the creation of the Community Police Review Commission in 2000. The commission is a review board for citizen complaints and use of force incidents aiming to preserve a good relationship between police and the community.

The Chief’s Advisory Committee has also been revamped since Oct. 20, with 29 adults and two high school students, Gonzalez said. These individuals come from all different backgrounds, including community activists, non-profit organization members, business leaders and faith-based group members.

The chief engages with community leaders in monthly meetings to address concerns, create community engagement strategies and reinforce the trust between the police and community, Gonzalez said.

“We’re trying to gain a better understanding,” Gonzalez said. “This is the reform part that we’re talking about as far as improvement and some of the changes we want to make.”

The department employs two public safety engagement officers and two community behavioral health assessment officers. It employs one mental health clinician and hopes to hire a second soon, Gonzalez added.

The outreach efforts have resulted in various new programs focused on building connections between police and the youth.

The Riverside Police Leading Active Youth Program consists of socially distanced sports such as golf, tennis, volleyball and baseball with children between the ages of 7 and 13. Officers and volunteers teach children the basics on how to understand and play each of these sports.

Gonzalez gave a brief overview about the return of a juvenile prevention program, called the Opportunity with Education, that focuses on middle and high schoolaged children considered to be “at-risk” in an attempt to break the cycle of criminal behavior through a positive atmosphere.

This program is due to resume in September.

“We never want to stop engaging with the community,” Gonzalez said. “Especially the youth.”

But community members and Ward 1 Councilwoman Erin Edwards were skeptical of the department’s Early Warning System.

The system keeps a log of officers with four or more instances in 12 months that include uses of force that causes injury to the suspect, significant force, personnel complaints, sustained violations of department policy or any incident deemed necessary to add.

Gonzalez explained that any officer placed in the Early Warning System goes through five levels of review that end with himself.

“All of these are reviewed consistently,” he said. “That is the way we can identify any negative behavior or any training needs there might be from use of force that is being used in our department.”

Public commenter Chani Beeman questioned the amount of incidents necessary for an officer to be placed on the system.

“Four instances within a 12 month period of time,” she said. “Four personnel complaints or sustained violations of department policy, or uses of force that result in injury or death. Does that sound early?”

Beeman, who is involved in grassroots organizations and public forums, suggested the reason only four instances are required is that a lower number would result in too many officers in the system.

“That answer, in itself, is vindictive on some of the areas where we could improve,” she said. “We have to get the hold of decent training and revising policies. Especially when some of the instances take several months to investigate.”

Gonzalez argued that if the threshold was lowered to two, as it was previously, then a single call resulting in one personnel complaint and use of force could land an officer in the system.

“I have never seen us keep an employee with four sustained complaints,” he said. “Although there is an Early Warning System in place, we will address every complaint if it results in discipline. We are not going to be in a position where a person has 15 or 16 complaints and still be employed here.”

Edwards continued the questioning.

“Why wouldn’t we want two instead of four,” she asked. “If we’re already being vigilant, why don’t we put it in writing that we are being as vigilant as we possibly could be?”

Gonzalez held his stance.

“If we did that, we’d be doing it just to do it,” he said. “I really wanted this to be measurable and meaningful. We felt it’s more useful with a higher threshold at four.”

“We have to get the hold of decent training and revising policies. Especially when some of the ”instances take several months to investigate. 2020 Riverside Crime Stats

Murder: 21 Rape: 152 Robbery: 373 Aggravated Assault: 920 Total Violent Crime: 1,466 Burglary: 1,639 Theft: 6,456 Vehicle Theft: 1,885 Total Property Crime: 9,980 Total Hate Crime: 15

LEO CABRAL | VIEWPOINTS A student from the Riverside Unified School District creates a sign that supports consent at Thundersky Park on April 17. Many gathered to raise awareness about the need for sexual harassment policy reform within the school district. Advocates are aiming to empower other girls to share their stories via social media. Riverside student tackles sexual assault

Aims for change in RUSD policies, women band together in a wave of support

BY ELAINA KLEVIN STAFF REPORTER

What began with one Riverside student noticing a problem with sexual harassment in the school district resulted in thousands of supporters calling for change.

Temi Salaam, a sophomore at Martin Luther King High School, said she heard stories of sexual harassment on Riverside Unified School District campuses created a desire not only for change, but accountability as well.

Salaam then started a petition for support in creating solutions. The petition garnered over 2,000 supporters in less than a month.

The wave of support surprised her.

“I wasn’t expecting it to get this much attention at all,” Salaam said.

Shortly after starting the petition, she started an Instagram page and gathered a team of 12 people from different schools around the district who are pushing for awareness and consideration from the school board to enact a new system regarding sexual harassment.

Many victims of ignored sexual assault came forward to support the team and the actions it aims for.

Teachers at MLK High School have also shown support for the new guidelines Salaam is calling for.

Some, like her theater teacher, gave her a platform to speak about her efforts and raise further awareness.

“This has been a long time coming,” she said.

Many of the victims agree.

“I’ve never experienced sexual assault, however, I have a lot of friends that are at RUSD that have,” said a team advocate who chose to remain anonymous. “It was a battle to make them do their jobs.”

But the push for change was met with resistance by some MLK students.

Salaam said the account has received messages during Instagram livestreams attacking her with several accounts. Others messaged the account stories about how they sexually harassed other students, she added.

While passing out flyers at school for a picnic event the team was hosting, some female students were “very vocal” about how much they did not want to attend the picnic.

“It was kind of staggering because those were the exact people we’re doing this for,” Salaam said.

The team is pushing RUSD to enact a zero tolerance policy for sexual assault cases, change the dress code and change the minor to minor sexual assault cases to sixth grade and above.

They are also pushing RUSD to hold staff members accountable for not reporting a sexual assault incident.

The team met with board members and expressed its concerns April 29.

Salaam said RUSD seemed to be open about changing its policies in order to create a better environment for students.

“I think this is going to stop boys and perpetrators from being so comfortable with sexually assaulting people,” Salaam said. “I think it will empower girls to share what happened to them and feel more comfortable reporting it.”

To find the team’s Instagram page, visit www.instagram.com/ rusd.sa.reform/.

LEO CABRAL | VIEWPOINTS Temi Salaam, right, and Arianna Beltran introduce the community event, addressing the Riverside Unified School District’s sexual harassment policies April 17 at Thundersky Park in Riverside. Salaam and Beltran are both sophomores at Martin Luther King High School.