Seal Beach PD Takes Control Of City Jail

The following article appeared as the headline story for THE LONGBEACH BEACHCOMBER NEWSPAPER.

SEAL BEACH PD TAKES CONTROL OF CITY JAIL

     For the first time in 13 years the Seal Beach Police Department will take control of its own jail operations this February, ending their relationship with a private jail management company whose jailers have been convicted of orchestrating inmate beatings and another who conspired with an inmate to commit murder.
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     Cutting its ties with Correctional Services Inc., a company which provides prison and jail operations nationwide, the Seal Beach city jail was shut down this past June while officials tried to decide what to do next with a jail left close to shambles.
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     "Correctional Systems didn't want the new contract we offered them," said Doug Shur, police department spokesperson for the jail. "Then there were the problems. They broke the camel's back with the misconduct."
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     In 2002, a guard on duty staged a fight between inmates, turning off surveillance cameras before asking an inmate to "rough up" another in order to silence him. The city's relationship seemed to sour following the incident, prompting city council officials that same year to consider operating the jail with city employees or asking the Orange County Sheriff's Department to take over.
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     "The contract with Correctional Systems looked good in the 90's and everybody was happy," said Shur. "But since the 2000s, the bad things happening were being stressed."
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     After considering their options, the city decided to renew Correctional System's contract for three more years. 

     Then, in November 2004, Correctional Systems guard Alonso Machain set out with former Seal Beach jail inmate Skylar Deleon, whom he met while working at the jail, to steal a yacht from an elderly Newport Beach couple, killing them by tying them to an anchor. Machain was later charged with two counts of murder.
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     During Correctional System's reign over the jail, three inmates died while incarcerated, which according to lawsuits was a result of guards improperly responding to medical problems of two of those inmates. Inspections by state regulators and health officials also mounted numerous violations over the years, including missing documents to show jailers had sufficient training, poor kitchen sanitation, and a lack of female employees to assist female inmates.
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     "Safety for our jailers and inmates is our main concern," said Shur. "We have higher standards, many not considered by Correctional Systems. As a private jail, they had a lot of latitude to meet some standards."
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     Now that the privatization of the jail is over, the Seal Beach Police Department will have total control over operations of the jail that has given them a bad name in recent years. And with the new renovations in store for their 30-bed jail house, it is as if they are wiping the slate clean.
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     "We're getting ready," says Seal Beach city manager David Carmany. "We're doing housekeeping, sandblasting the floors, painting the walls, bolting new beds to the wall. It's a big renovation."
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     "Overall, the jail is getting a big face lift," said Shur.

     According to Shur, who's quarterbacking the renovation project, floors were left unkempt, paint was running off the walls, and kitchen appliances were left broken.
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     "The renovations are for the morale of our officers," said Shur. "But also for inmates so they don't have to stay in a place that looks like an armpit.""
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     The police department must now hire guards, medical staff, install payphones, and provide food services for their inmates. The city approved $1.2 million over two years to get the project off the ground, but according to Shur, much of the costs will be deferred with "pay-for-stay" inmates, a program which allows those who are incarcerated in larger jails around California to pay a daily or monthly fee so that they could be housed in a more modest jail, such as Seal Beach. ...."We want to attract and provide space for them," says Shur. "We want to comply with state and federal rules and made our renovations to cater to both state and federal inmates."
With only 27 sworn officers on the police force, The department plans to hire nine community service officers to act as guards for the jail, hoping to hire close to an equal amount of female and male officers in an effort to comply with such standards Correctional Systems violated.
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     "We're taking all the past misconducts into consideration," said Shur.
The police department originally planned to open the jail Jan 21, but according to Shur, was forced to push the date back in order to hire more quality officers.
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     "We're eager to go forward," said Shur. "There has been a lot of planning by the city, by the police department, and we're all excited to see if this thing is going to work and see if it's successful."

Good Fishing On A Golf Course? Long Beach Is On Par

The following article was written for a published by THE DISTRICT WEEKLY MAGAZINE, a defunct spin-off of THE O.C. WEEKLY MAGAZINE.

GOOD FISHING ON A GOLF COURSE?  LONG BEACH IS ON PAR

     Ever pass by a water hazard on a golf course and wonder if there are fish down there? Well, there are. Big ones, too. In fact, anglers reel in world-record-size largemouth bass out of abandoned golf courses in places like Georgia all the time. Here in Long Beach, however, our courses are rarely devoid of any golfers. Except at night. Fishing at night, or nightfishin’, as I call it, is easy—kind of like fishing during the day, except it’s at night. Simply find out the closing time, pack a flashlight, spend a few bucks on a Roland Martin Magic Collapsible Wonder Rod (it looks like a telescope), and pray for a nibble. Here are your best bets for a bite—or at least an adventure.

....Skylinks: Many water hazards mean a fun night of running around, hopping from one pond to the next. But be careful: There’s a nighttime driving range near the last pond. When the golf balls whiz by your head and into the pond, it sounds like fish splashing—but it’s not. It actually frightens the fish into not biting, or so goes my theory when I get skunked. 4800 E. Wardlow

....Heartwell Golf Course: Head to the last hole: It’s easier to get to and closer to the street, which is important if you need to make a quick exit. Security has stopped us here once. We just chatted him up for 20 minutes, gave him some beer, and he let us keep fishing. We brought Pabst, but he mentioned he liked Coors. 6700 E. Carson

....Virginia Country Club: Yes, it’s private, which means it’s a lot tougher to get into. But boy does this place feel like you’re fishing in heaven. Lawns are mowed neatly to the water’s edge; daisies and cattails sprout out of pristine little bushes; and I’ve even seen the occasional water lily float by. I’m guessing the fish are either very well fed or just plain old and don’t like to bite, because I’ve been here three times and have yet to catch anything. As for security? They’re a guaranteed catch every time. 4602 N. Virginia Road

....El Dorado Park: You could fish the stocked lakes a hundred feet or so away from these dirty green ponds, but come on Mr. Adventure, which would Mark Twain choose? Besides, you need a fishing license for those lakes. Nightfishermen? We don’t need nor can we afford pricey fishing licenses. Just give us a camera with a flash. 3234 El Dorado Blvd.

Mika Miko - We Feel Righteous, We Feel Famous

MIKA MIKO - WE FEEL RIGHTEOUS, WE FEEL FAMOUS

     You can't pin this band down. Mika Miko is the only all girl band that doesn't sound like an all girl band. They’re loud, energetic, spastic, and a whole lot of fun. Makes you wonder if they even ever heard of The Bangles or The Go-Go's.

     There were no fliers for tonight’s show. No promotion, no calendar postings. You only found out about tonight's show through word of mouth, which is surprising given the 400 or so people crammed into a tiny "art space" in Downtown Los Angeles. People are piled on top of one another, some have crawled up a half-pipe near the makeshift stage to catch the bands from atop. There are just as many kids huddled behind the stage as there are in front. Wherever you are, you are merely trying to catch a glimpse of girl power. Whoever put this show together failed to take into account the popularity of this band, but maybe they wanted it this way?

     Before Mika Miko even sets up, rumors arise that the band cannot play, will not play. "They're too wasted to play tonight," says a fan. Perhaps this is why the opening band, Clockcleaner (L.A. bands and their imagination) has played for over an hour already. "We don't have any more stuff, but you guys don't care right?" The band must not care, hence the sloppy cover of Judas Priest's "Breaking the Law".

     As Clockcleaner winds down their set, Mika Miko's Michelle Sanchez is approached by a young girl asking if the rumors are true. Sanchez said the place is over-crowded and that would be the only reason they might not get to play. And, just to prove she's not too wasted, she asks the girl to share some of her drink.

     By the time the girls do take the stage, the warehouse looks more like a commune than an art space. Beer is splattered over the concrete floor, someone has thrown toilet paper over the risers, dozens of balloons surround the stage. Mika Miko has brought the party.

     Just a few hits of the cymbal for sound check and the band is ready to roll. But before the band kicks out the jams, singer Jesse Clavin says she only has one rule, "Boys in the front, girls in the back."

     As soon as the guitars blast through the first note, the place erupts. Kids are pogoing all over the place. Keep your style, my friends! Play it cool! The band had to stop playing during their first song. Somebody stepped on a guitar chord, causing confusion amongst a band already in an altered state. One of Mika Miko's singers has broken her microphone. Turns out it hit somebody it the face.

     "It's time to take out my telephone," wails the second singer Jenna Thornhill.

     The telephone/microphone has been explained to me once. She bought a red phone from a Salvation Army because it resembled the emergency phone you'd see on the President's desk. It took her two days and a library book on electrical wiring to turn the phone into a microphone, a shtick now many other bands use on stage. 

     Technically, Japanther did it first.

     Mika Miko does everything a band thinks they shouldn't. They switch instruments between songs, play a couple cover songs throughout the night, and take forever to tune. You may see the band playing some larger venues in the future, but don't expect the girls to get any big heads. I wouldn't even expect them to have new instruments.

     Sweat stains and all, the girls look good. They play hard and don't let up. On stage, they look intense, drained, fierce. Off stage they look like girls you’d bring home to mother. O' loveable, soft-faced punks, where did you go?

     Mika Miko could only happen in Los Angeles. They’d be no strangers opening up for The Germ's, but who would of thought there would be bands like this in 2007? Doing their nu-wave thing for five odd years now, Mika Miko began in the back streets of L.A., hustling for places to play and a revolving door of members. During these first few years, current drummer Kate Hall was shot in the face from a ricocheted bullet while out with the rest of the girls. Once she was released from the hospital, the band knew she had to be their drummer, without even hearing her play.

     So don’t let the good looks or the name fool you. Besides, Mika Miko is all Los Angeles has left. So let's just be glad we got 'em

Victorian Secret - The Oldest House in Long Beach Turned D.I.Y. Music Venue

The following article was written for and published by THE DISTRICT WEEKLY MAGAZINE, a defunct publication and spin-off of THE O.C. WEEKLY.     
   
VICTORIAN SECRET - THE OLDEST HOUSE IN LONG BEACH TURNED D.I.Y. MUSIC VENUE REOPENS.

     Vancouver band The Pink Mountaintops play the "new" Booby Trap this Saturday, Oct. 14th. This will be the first live music event for the Booby Trap in over two years as a result of a lifted ban on concerts at the venue.
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     Many well known touring bands have played the relatively small and unknown music venue, usually stopping by on their first national tours before coming around town again to play bigger and "better" venues.
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     Live music came to a halt however, after Long Beach vice police put a ban on the house for "illegal dancing without a permit", a similar ban to the nearby Koo’s venue. Art showcases and public speaking events were held instead.
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     The Booby Trap stands as the last Victorian era home on Long Beach Boulevard, where similar style homes once stood since the early 1900's. Other homes that once lined the boulevard were demolished, making way for businesses such as Wal Mart, Ken's Shoes store, and a Kentucky Fried Chicken.
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     Once city developers noticed the potential for development, the two-story home was put on the market for sale. In 1999, a group of young artists bought the home from a landowner planning to sell the property to another corporate chain. Long Beach’s Redevelopment Agency had been sprucing up nearby Pine Avenue the previous years into a slew of fine-dining restaurants, executive offices, and rowdy bars. All three surrounding homes were quickly sold, demolished, and paved into parking lots.
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     "We have no neighbors and howl at the moon ‘til 4 in the morning." says resident Dean Kantz on their website.
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     The Booby Trap located on the corner of Long Beach Blvd. and 7th Avenue.
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     October 14th, Saturday: Japanther, Sleeping People, The Pink Mountaintops. $5

Local Ship Resumes Operations After Nearly Sinking During School Field Trip

The following article was written for and published by THE LONG BEACH BEACHCOMBER NEWSPAPER.

LOCAL SHIP RESUMES OPERATIONS AFTER NEARLY SINKING DURING SCHOOL FIELD TRIP

     Children's Maritime Foundation director Helen Clinton remembers the day American Pride, a 130-foot long tallship her foundation operates and her son captains, took aboard over a foot of water some six miles off the coast of Long Beach.
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     "The ship was in bad waves out there," she recalls. "Some of the caulking above the waterline was lost so water got on board."
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     Clinton wasn't necessarily afraid for her son. She'd been aboard when he fought his way down the treacherous eastern sea board one summer, through strong gale winds and out of Hurricane Margo. She had confidence in him. What worried her now were the thirty-five high school students also on board. To make matters worse, several news helicopters had heard about the boat full of children taking on water on a slow news day. As they hovered over the scene of a 66-year-old tallship in distress, one thing seemed to reverberate in Clinton’s mind.
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     "This was bad for business."
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     On the way in from a five day Catalina Island field trip in early October 2007, Captain Greg Clinton and his crew of students were making their way into Long Beach harbor when suddenly the floorboards burst open. Within five minutes of the Capt. Greg’s distress call, a nearby ship quickly brought pumps aboard to help rid the American Pride of what was now 14 inches of water and rising.
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     "My son eventually got the boat under control and brought her in under her own power," said Clinton. "So it was really nothing, just a bad media hype."
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     Clinton may brush off the ordeal as overhyped, but rescuers took the episode seriously. A coalition of rescuers, including the Coast Guard, Long Beach and Los Angeles Fire Departments, Long Beach Police Department, Los Angeles Port Police, and Los Angeles County Lifeguards all scrambled to the ship’s aid. To Clinton, it seemed all of local media outlets rushed in as well. As the American Pride sailed back into its Rainbow Harbor home near the Aquarium of the Pacific, news helicopters zoomed their cameras in on children laughing, waving, and strapping on orange life vests. School administrators ordered students to avoid speaking to the media once they reached shore. Several students cheered and gave thumbs-up as they were led away in single file lines into their awaiting school buses.
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     The U.S. Coast Guard immediately placed a travel ban on the ship. For the very first time during its long history at sea, the American Pride was ordered to stay off the water. According to Helen Clinton however, the ship was quickly repaired, hosting an event for children at sea outside the harbor only two days after taking on water.
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     "She has always been a good ship," says Helen Clinton. "The restoration added a third mast making her much more stable."
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     .Ordained the official tallship of Long Beach, operations of American Pride have been running normal ever since. The tallship, also known as a schooner, was built in 1941. One of only five tallships left sailing in the world, the American Pride was for forty years used as a commercial fishing boat in and around New England.
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     The American Heritage Marine Institute bought the ship in 1996, which ten years earlier was gutted down to a bare shell, built back up to specifically meet higher Coast Guard standards for passenger vessels.
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     Clinton and her foundation host educational programs throughout the year. Although the ship is mostly used for living history lessons geared towards children, American Pride has been used for everything from fish dissections to funerals.
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     "Our prime objective is to take kids out on the boat and to experience history firsthand," says Clinton. "But we're available everyday except Christmas to host any event a patron wishes."
The ship is also a familiar sight at sea festivals throughout Southern California such as the annual Tallship Festival at Dana Point, and Catalina Island's annual Buccaneer Days. American Pride has also made appearances for the television show Jag, whose plot was based around the lives of US military officials.
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     For Clinton, the American Pride’s vulnerability showed when it took on water that day. Wooden vessels require continual maintenance, and since the mishap Clinton says she has gotten offers from dozens of people around Southern California who want to volunteer their time in keeping the American Pride afloat.
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     "We have a wonderful crew of people who just want to see the ship hold the test of time," says Clinton.
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     "This is living history.