Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Barger Calls for Expanded Access to Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Services

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to develop recommendations to enhance and expand access to substance use prevention and treatment services.

Barger represents Pasadena on the Board.

Substance use disorders are estimated to impact more than 250,000 individuals and cost nearly $13 billion annually in Los Angeles County alone.

Currently, the demand for substance abuse prevention and treatment programs heavily outweighs the existing capacity. The ability for individuals to access services is becoming critically important as the County continues to address the impact of substance abuse disorder on homelessness and incarceration.

“As we work to address the needs of homeless individuals or those who are involved in the criminal justice system, we must ensure we are providing comprehensive services to meet the full spectrum of their health needs including substance use disorder treatment services,” said Supervisor Barger. “Substance abuse, especially in light of the opioid epidemic, continues to cost lives and wreak irreparable social and emotional damage on children and families.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, January 4th

Sunday, December 29th

4:54 AM – Jesus Carrillo, 22 years old of Altadena was arrested in the 300 block of E. Woodbury Road for drinking in public.
Between 9:00 PM and 9:15 PM – A grand theft occurred in the 1700 block of Oakwood Street. Stolen: silver Macbook Pro.
Between 9:20 PM and 9:40 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 2100 block of Lincoln Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the window. Stolen: brown leather purse containing personal documents.

Monday, December 30th

Between 6:00 PM and 7:45 AM (Tuesday) – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 1900 block of Sinaloa Avenue. Stolen: green purse, blue Coach wallet, and credit cards.
Between 6:30 PM and 6:45 AM (Tuesday) – A burglary occurred in the 2600 block of Boulder Road. Suspect(s) entered the location via the unsecured garage. Stolen: light blue Ping golf club bag containing black golf clubs, black and white Scott ski pole,

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Altadena Deputies Respond to False Report of a Woman With a Gun

In what a Sheriff’s spokesman said might have been a hoax call, deputies responded to the 300 block of Garfield Ave. to investigate a report of a woman with a gun in a house acting in a threatening manner.

The call came in at 10:24 from an unknown location, Lt. Mark Lopez of the Altadena Sheriff’s station said.

When deputies arrived on the scene, there was a family inside the house, but there was no crisis and no gun found.

The caller gave limited information, but Lopez said the deputies had to take the call at face value and respond as if it were a real threat.

Lopez said law enforcement has been unable to trace the call. There is no further information about the caller at this time.

Falsely reporting a crime to law enforcement is a crime in California.

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Pasadena Firefighters Backup L.A. County Crews Battling Altadena House Fire

A fire damaged an Altadena home today, but no injuries were reported.

The blaze was reported at 11:12 a.m. at 2100 Minoru Drive.

Los Angeles County Fire Department crews, with an assist from the Pasadena Fire Department, had the flames extinguished at 11:42 a.m.

There was no immediate word on what sparked the fire.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Barger Calls for Investigation Into Specialty Care Wait Times

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair, calling for an immediate and comprehensive investigation into wait times at specialty care centers at county health care facilities.

The Department of Health Services will report back to the Board of Supervisors on its efforts to provide efficient and timely care to the thousands of patients throughout our health care system. The report will detail any deficiencies, delays or complaints as well as suggested improvements or remedial actions needed.

“This report supports our mission to take proactive steps to ensure our Comprehensive Health Centers and Hospitals make quality patient care, protection and safety its highest priority,” said Supervisor Barger.

The motion includes a written report to the Board of Supervisors in 10 days on average wait times at all County facilities that provide specialty care; and establishes a multi-disciplinary approach with the Department of Health Services, Chief Executive Office and County Counsel to provide an analysis regarding staffing,

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Barger Comments on Supreme Court Decision

“In September, the Board of Supervisors voted in support of my motion co-authored with Supervisor Janice Hahn to file an amicus brief for the United States Supreme Court to review the Boise v. Martin ruling and provide greater clarity on how local governments should interpret these laws.

Today’s decision by the Supreme Court to not review the Boise ruling by the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals is disappointing.

A review by the Supreme Court providing clarity to the Boise ruling could have added one more tool in our set of strategies to combat this humanitarian crisis. Nonetheless, we continue to move forward with a sense of urgency. This includes my recent housing initiative that calls for a private sector expert to help the county develop short and long-term supportive housing solutions in partnership with local cities.

The City of Bellflower is a good example of how a community can work to solve this issue at the local level. Bellflower has committed to building sufficient homeless housing and has entered into a settlement agreement with a nonprofit agency in Orange County that will allow them to serve their own residents first and foremost.

Monday, December 16, 2019

Altadena Town Council Issues Agenda for December 17, 2019

Okorie Ezieme, Chair, Altadena Town Council has issued the agenda for the Council’s December 17, 2019 meeting to be conducted at the Altadena Community Center, 730 East Altadena Drive, starting at 7:00 p.m.

A pdf version is available by clicking here.

1. CALL TO ORDER

1.1 Pledge of Allegiance _______________________________________ The ACT Club (Action Changes Things)
Introduction, Victoria Knapp
1.2 Roll Call _________________________________________________ Veronica Jones
1.3 Approve December 17, 2019 meeting Agenda __________________ Pat Sutherlen

2. OFFICERS’ REPORTS

2.1 Chairman _______________________________________________ Billy Malone
2.2 Vice Chairman _________ Pat Sutherlen ___________________________________
2.3 Recording Secretary _________ Veronica Jones ______________________________
2.3.1 Approve November 19, 2019 Meeting Minutes
2.4 Treasurer _________ Jennifer Lee _______________________________________
2.5 Corresponding Secretary _________ Dorothy Wong __________________________

3. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

3.1 California Highway Patrol ___________________________________ Officer Cooper
3.2 Altadena Sheriff’s Station ___________________________________ Captain Marjory Jacobs
3.3 Altadena Fire _____________________________________________ Maria Grycan
3.4 CERT ____________________________________________________ Deb Halberstadt

4.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Mapping Tool Illustrates Homeless/Housing Needs

As Part of Supervisor Barger’s Vision to Fast-Track Homeless Housing, County CEO Presents Interactive Map Showing Existing/Future Housing Projects and Areas of Need

Today, the CEO’s office unveiled a mapping tool created to show the locations of the homeless population juxtaposed with the availability of existing and projected homeless housing resources. The presentation was a response to Supervisor Barger’s Oct. 29 request for a public discussion on the county’s efforts to secure housing.

“This mapping program is an effective tool that will allow our partners, including cities, community-based organizations, and residents, to visualize the concentration of homeless individuals compared to the availability of short and long-term housing resources,” Barger said. “We must know where the need is greatest and the data will enable us to make informed, transparent decisions about the allocation of resources.”

Subsequently, the Board unanimously approved Supervisor Barger’s motion, Urgent Housing Initiative for Those Experiencing Homelessness, on Nov. 26. That motion directed the CEO to develop a plan with concrete,

Thursday, December 5, 2019

County to Identify More Beds for Mental Health Treatment

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to improve access to mental health treatment in Los Angeles County by adopting a two-year pilot program to procure up to 500 beds for those in need of care.

“Mental health hospital beds have dwindled, leaving a significant number of patients and their families without access to critically needed care,” Supervisor Barger said. “This is a significant step forward in my commitment to increase access to quality services for those suffering from mental illness, especially among the homeless population and those in our jails. We must explore all options to provide additional avenues to recovery.”

By adopting the recommendations from the October 29, 2019 report issued by the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the county is seeking to increase its treatment beds and deliver higher quality care for those with mental illness and substance abuse, many of whom cycle in and out of hospitals and on and off the streets with no sustainable path to recovery.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Altadena Town Council Land Use Committee Meeting Agenda for December 3, 2019

Diane Marcussen, Chair, Altadena Town Council Land Use Committee, has issued the agenda for the Land Use Committee meeting for December 3, 2019 meeting to be conducted at the Altadena Community Center, 730 East Altadena Drive, starting at 7:00 p.m.

1. CALL TO ORDER: Diane Marcussen

2. Pledge of Allegiance: LUC Committee Member

3. Roll Call – Pat Sutherlen

4. Approve Meeting Agenda(s) – December 3, 2019

5. Approve Minutes – November 5, 2019

6. Chairman Report – Diane Marcussen

7. Action Items – The Committee is expected to take action on this item.

7.1. R2015-02353 / CUP 201500095 Verizon and Sprint Wireless Cell Facility, 2949 Lincoln Ave
Applicants Jerry Ambrose (Verizon), John Halminski (Sprint) O’Malley/Sanyika
7.1.1. Public Comment

8. Presentation Only

8.1.None

9. General Public Comment: During the Public Comment period, any person may address the Land Use Committee concerning any item that is or is not listed on the agenda.