NEW EAST COUNTY FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER OPENS; HELPS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS
Printer-friendly versionThe East County Family Justice Center , opened in mid-December, will offer a broad cross-section of services in one location for victims of domestic violence and their children. Assemblyman Joel Anderson, a supporter of efforts to assist victims of domestic violence, announced the opening in a newsletter to constituents. ”Over 3,000 domestic violence incidents are reported in San Diego ‘s East County annually,” said Anderson. ”Research shows that for every reported case there are two more that go un-reported.” The Center is located at 131 Avocado Avenue , El Cajon , CA . The phone number is (619) 456-9609. The Center for Community Solutions domestic violence hotline is 888-DV-LINKS. Printer-friendly version
SANDBAGS AVAILABLE AT THESE LOCATIONS
Printer-friendly version With wet weather expected throughout the week, CAL FIRE-San Diego County Fire Authority has sandbags available throughout the County. The sand and sand bags were graciously provided by the County of San Diego-Flood Control Engineering Group. Julian Station #501587 Highway 78 Julian, CA. 92036 Flinn Springs Station #21 9711 Flinn Springs Road EL Cajon, CA 92021 Rincon Station #70 16971 Highway 76 Pauma Valley, CA 92061 Valley Center #73 28205 North Lake Wohlford Valley Center, CA 92082 Ramona Station #86 16310 Highway 67 Ramona, CA 92065 Dulzura Station #30 17304 Highway 94 Dulzura, CA 91917 Descanso Station #45 9718 River Road Descanso, CA 91916 Lake Morena Station #42 29690 Oak Drive Lake Morena, CA 91906 Printer-friendly version
COUNTY ANNOUNCES PLAN TO KEEP FIRE STATIONS OPEN
Printer-friendly versionState Budget Cuts Threaten Fire Stations; County Offers to Shift Staff to Protect Region December 23, 2008 (San Diego) —Acting swiftly to counteract California’s latest budget crisis, the County of San Diego has proposed to temporarily shift some firefighters from County-contracted stations to ensure that all 18 CAL FIRE stations remain open this year, according to a press release issued jointly by San Diego County and CAL FIRE. The state abruptly announced this month that it would slash CAL FIRE’s Southern California budget by $6.3 million —- $1.2 million in San Diego County —- because of continuing budget problems. The cuts threatened to shut down eight local CAL FIRE stations that provide fire protection and emergency medical response. “This is a one-time, temporary fix to ensure that our region is adequately protected, particularly during the winter months,” said Vice Chairwoman Dianne Jacob who represents many fire-prone rural communities. “This is not a bailout or a backfill and we expect that the state will fully fund CAL FIRE next year.” County officials are offering to help prevent the closures by redeploying firefighters at CAL FIRE stations that the County pays CAL FIRE to operate through the winter months. Some crews would be reduced from three firefighters to two. The extra firefighters would be shifted to help keep all CAL FIRE stations running until the state restores CAL FIRE’s funding in April. The County would not spend any additional money on fire services and the staffing shift was offered as a one-time solution until the state can re-staff fire stations year round. County and CAL FIRE officials said that temporarily reducing the number of firefighters to two per station was a better way to protect the public than closing the stations down. Captain Nick Schuler of CAL-FIRE called the decision to keep stations open “great news”, but admitted that reducing from three to two firefighters per station would be “a challenge.” To avoid a shortage in manpower per engine, he explained, “If someone calls 9-1-1, instead of getting one engine out to their house, they will be getting two. This is a great example of the county of San Diego and Cal Fire getting together and coming up with a solution that will ultimately benefit the people.” Printer-friendly version
RECESSION IN CALIFORNIA: SENATOR BOXER RELEASES REPORT
Printer-friendly version1 in 18 San Diego households face foreclosure; food bank demand up 50% December 23, 2008 (Washington, D.C.) — California Senator Barbara Boxer has prepared a report detailing impacts of the nation’s recession on California counties and cities. The report, based on interviews conducted with officials in 20 cities and all 58 counties, paints a stark picture of the economic strains felt across California. The analysis includes unemployment figures, home foreclosure rates, budget deficits, and first-hand accounts. In San Diego County, one in 18 households have filed for foreclosure in the first 11 months of 2008. Local food banks have seen demand soar by 50% and 55,000 people a month now seek food assistance in San Diego County, where unemployment is at 6.8%, Boxer’ research found. “This report is a reality check on the economy — things are not good, but change is coming,” Boxer wrote in a letter to constituents. “I am going to focus like a laser beam on saving and creating jobs, which is the backbone of any economy.” The report shows that budget deficits and revenue reductions have forced local government to make cuts in many programs, including public safety programs, Medi-Cal services, mental heath services, meals on wheels, and youth and senior centers. Non-governmental charitable organizations also have been stretched to the brink, Boxer said. In addition, critical infrastructure projects are stalled due to financing problems, which limits job growth at a time when unemployment rates are at their highest level in decades. “This report shows clearly that action is needed,” Boxer concluded. “I am working with Congressional leaders and President-elect Obama on federal economic recovery legislation.” Priorities outlined by Senator Boxer include: Investment to repair and improve existing infrastructure, including roads, bridges, transit and rail; Increased support for federal programs that support energy efficiency in new buildings and upgrades to existing buildings, which would create jobs; Investment in water infrastructure projects, including reclamation, reuse, and groundwater cleanup programs that could not only provide new water supplies but also create jobs; Increased investment in the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, which awards grants to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies so they can hire and train law enforcement officers, purchase new crime-fighting technologies, and develop innovative policing strategies; Providing additional Community Development Block Grants, which help states and local governments to implement plans to address local housing needs and neighborhood stabilization as a result of the foreclosure crisis; and Increasing the percentage of funding the federal government provides to states for the Medicaid program, which provides health care services for low-income individuals. San Diego County has budgetary flexibility for this year, but in the long term it expects to reduce services to match available funding and expenditures. The County has scaled back several programs in the Criminal Justice and Health and Social Services as a result of cuts in funding from the State of California. To prepare for anticipated financial impacts from falling revenues, the County is developing plans for a future possibility of eliminating programs and may be forced to lay off employees. The County was poised to do a $300 million lease revenue bond financing in October to commence the redevelopment of the County’s Operation Center and Annex, but has had to delay and downsize the project because of unfavorable market conditions. For calendar year 2008 through September, the amount of property tax revenue loss is approximately $10 million county-wide. Foreclosed properties have a negative affect on surrounding properties, the Boxer report further noted. The full report is available at: boxer.senate.gov/features/Boxer_California_Recession_Report.pdf Printer-friendly version
$1,000 REWARD FOR FEMALE SUSPECT IN CARJACKING AT GROSSMONT CENTER
Printer-friendly versionDecember 23, 2008 (La Mesa) — On December 22, 2008, at about 5:30 PM, a woman was carjacked, robbed and driven into El Cajon by a female suspect as the woman was parking at Grossmont Center. The victim, a 20 year old female from La Mesa, told police that she had just parked at Grossmont Center near Wal-Mart when a white female knocked on her window. When the victim rolled her window down, the female suspect indicated she had a gun and directed the victim to move to the passenger seat. The suspect was described as a white female, 35 years old, blond hair, 5 foot 5 inches tall, heavy build, wearing a pink Chargers beanie, a grey sweatshirt, and knit gloves. The suspect got into the driver’s seat and drove the victim’s car out of the lot and onto eastbound Interstate 8. The suspect demanded the victim’s cell phone and purse, threatening to shoot the victim if she did not cooperate. The suspect exited the freeway in El Cajon and was driving back towards the freeway on ramp when the victim jumped from the slow moving vehicle and flagged down a passerby for help. The victim was not injured and did not see a gun. The victim’s vehicle, a white, 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, CA #4WJS485, is still outstanding and has been entered into the police computer as a stolen vehicle. Anyone with information about this case is urged to call the La Mesa Police Department at (619) 667-1400. You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line (888) 580-TIPS (or www.sdcrimestoppers.com). You can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case Printer-friendly version