Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Association

February 2002 Minutes

Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Association

Minutes of Meeting: February 13, 2002, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Over 60 Health Center: 3260 Sacramento St. Berkeley, CA 94703

Attendees:
City of Berkeley: Denisha M. Delane, Ofc. R. Rittenhouse, Ofc. C. Luttrell, and Ofc. F. Castillo

AANA Officers: Ron Casimere (Chair), Ray Pelegrino (Vice Chair), Fredia Smith (Treasurer) and Lori Lott (Secretary)

Alcatraz Avenue Neighbors/Visitors

1. Meeting called to order at 7:10. Roll Call of AANA officers.

2. Introductions of those attending the meeting.

3. Reading of the minutes by Secretary Lori Lott. Motion to adopt the minutes passed unanimously.

4. Financial Report: Presented by Fredia Smith. Balance Carried Over = $ 285.91
Current Balance (checking and savings) = $ 258.91

5. City of Berkeley Update: Denisha M. Delane (Legislative Aide to Councilmember Breland) was present to hear our concerns, but no other City representatives were in attendance to provide a formal City of Berkeley update.

6. City of Berkeley Police Update: Ron Casimere thanked those who attended the Police/City-sponsored meeting at Phillips Temple Church regarding the double-homicide that took place Jan. 22nd at 63rd & King St.. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for February 20 (which will be a more open forum). Ofc. Robert Rittenhouse, our new Area Coordinator was introduced. His role is to facilitate communication between the community and Police. He is also interested in working more closely with the Oakland Police on border issues. We can report chronic problems, locations, or people, to him, and he will forward the information to our Beat Officers. He expressed a sincere wish to work with us to help improve our community. The police were asked about a shooting in the 2700 block of Sacramento. It is unclear what information has been released at this time, so we should bring it up at the Phillips Temple Meeting. Other neighbors reported that someone was shooting at cars in the 1700 block of Alcatraz the week before the homicides. A neighbor pointed out that the police typically receive only negative feedback in their work, and we should take time to commend them for all their hard work.

7. Ongoing Business: Liquor Store Initiative: Ed Kikumoto (of the Alcohol Policy Network) was present to give a thorough introduction on how to deal with problem alcohol outlets. Ed worked with the P.A.I.N. group to help them deal with the problems they had with Brother's Liquors, and has information on dealing with cross-border issues. He is willing to assist us by giving us the tools we need to create a strategy, prove allegations, and get State and City agencies to support our effort. This requires a major commitment of time and energy on our part, but Ed is willing to provide guidance from start to finish. He then addressed questions about the process. We need to decide whether we want to pursue this course of action, and if so, what role we want him to take. We will set up a committee to meet separately to discuss this issue.

8 New Business: 1) A motion was made to invite Carol Lopes and her associates from the Disaster Resistant Berkeley Program to give a presentation at our next meeting. The motion passed unanimously. 2) We need to start making plans for our Annual Block Party. 3) Representatives from several nearby Neighborhood Associations were in attendance, and issues and strategies for dealing with problems common to the South Berkeley community were discussed. It was suggested that a few key people from each group should start holding separate meetings to address these issues, so we can work together to solve them. 4) Representatives from the Community Action Team reported that the South Berkeley Survey data collection is almost complete. Their findings reflect the same issues/complaints that have been raised by the various neighborhood groups. The results will be presented at a Town Hall meeting, which should take place at the end of March.. We are all asked to attend. 5) Another issue raised was the recent decrease in youth programs. It is known that crime increases in the "after-school" hours. Legislation is underway to push for funding for programs like "Break the Cycle" to provide kids with the guidance they need to avoid crime and improve their chances in life. We are urged to support these efforts.

9. Next Meeting is scheduled for March 13, 7:00 pm at the Over 60 Health Center.

10. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.