Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Association

September 2002 Minutes

Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Association

Minutes of Meeting: September 11, 2002, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Over 60 Health Center: 3260 Sacramento St. Berkeley, CA 94703
Attendees:
City of Berkeley: Ofc. Robert Rittenhouse, Michael Caplan
AANA Officers: Ron Casimere (Chair) and Lori Lott (Secretary)
15 Alcatraz Avenue Neighbors/Visitors

1. Meeting called to order at 7:12. Roll Call of AANA officers.

2. Introductions of those attending the meeting.

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

4. Financial Report: Fredia Street-Smith was not present due to surgery. No changes reported, so:
Balance Carried Over = $ 280.26
Current Balance (checking and savings) = $ 305.26

City of Berkeley Police Update: Ofc. Rittenhouse reported that most current crimes are burglaries, auto break-ins and robberies. Suggested ways to avoid, and is willing to do a presentation on crime abatement. Contact him if you want a FREE home security survey. Police come to your house for about 30 – 40 minutes, and you receive a detailed report on the security of your home. He is also working with neighborhood groups to send letters to the DA and sentencing judges about people who have been arrested. He is also still willing to meet with the management and tenants at the Over 60 Center to discuss crime problems. Neighbors raised the issue of problems (drugs, abandoned vehicles, etc) associated with a City-owned property in the 1500 block. Officer Rittenhouse and Michael Caplan will look into it and report back. Several neighbors reported problems with people parking cars on the sidewalk, which makes it difficult for elderly residents to get by. Ofc. Rittenhouse will look into a specific car on 67th St. Neighbors complained about drug deals, and what can be done, and Ofc. Rittenhouse described the difficulties involved in prosecuting criminals.

5. City of Berkeley Update: Michael Caplan was present more to listen to our issues. In regards to liquor store issues, he reiterated that Everest Robilliard (new ABC district administrator) is very responsive to the community. Easy Liquors is undergoing heavy scrutiny, and abatement efforts are going on. He reports that Peter Hillier is still working on traffic calming issues. There was some discussion of inexpensive, bolt down traffic circles, "bulb outs" and neighbors suggested possible solutions, such as diverting traffic onto Stanford. In addition to Alcatraz Ave traffic problems we have discussed many times in the past, problems with excess traffic were reported on 62nd and King streets. Michael reminded us that if we have City-related problems, call 981-CITY, they can direct us to the right department. If we have chronic problems (such as nuisance properties like drug houses or problematic liquor stores) contact him directly (981-2490). He can help neighborhood groups work on these problem locations, while avoiding retaliation.

6. 62nd / 63rd Street Neighborhood Association Update: Charles provided an update. He handed out Problem Alcohol Outlet forms (and encouraged us to fill them out and return them to Mark Rhoades of Zoning Department). He reminded the group that it isn’t enough just to talk/complain about the problems we have in our neighborhood: We need to work to solve these problems.

7. New Business: Announcement from the Police Review Commission about a public forum to be held September 25, 7 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church re: complaints about the way the police dept operates. All were invited to attend.

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

9. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.