Crime Prevention Tip from the L.A.P.D.

Vehicle Robbery, "Carjacking" Prevention

Vehicle robbery is by no means a new crime, nor is it sweeping the nation in epidemic proportions. Vehicle owners have been victims of this crime for decades. The term "carjacking" was coined by the news media. The term has raised fear levels out of proportion with the actual probability of becoming a victim. Realistically, this is a crime of low probability, but potentially high consequences........


Being the victim of a "carjacking" can be dangerous, even deadly......

• When there is an emergency not requiring 9-1-1, spare change for a phone call can save the day. Keep the spare change with you at all times and keep important phone numbers in your wallet or purse.
  

• Know the area in which you are traveling. Take the time to learn the locations of police and fire stations and emergency rooms. Leave a written itinerary with family or friends including the expected time of departure and arrival. Call to announce your arrival, or any changes in your plans.

• When traveling out of town, plan all trips carefully. Carry maps with routes and destinations clearly marked. Service your vehicle regularly to ensure it is mechanically sound. It is much safer to travel on main roads during daylight hours. Never pick up strangers, under any circumstances, and keep your doors locked and windows closed at all times. Never drive with less than a 1/4 of a tank of gasoline on short trips. Never drive with less than a 1/2 of a tank of gasoline on long trips.

• When possible, drive in the lane nearest the center of the road to distance any would-be pedestrian attacker from your vehicle. Drive on well-lighted, well-traveled streets. Avoid shortcuts that take you on dark, isolated streets. Do not drive wearing expensive jewelry. Do not leave other valuable items in view. Lock valuables in the trunk.

• When stopped in traffic, leave sufficient space between your vehicle and any vehicle in front of yours. If someone approaches in a threatening manner, the open space will allow you to move forward or leave the location. Do not stop directly along side a vehicle in an adjacent lane. If possible, stop 1/2 vehicle length offset, keeping your vehicle in gear.

• Do not park next to vans or other high profile vehicles that could conceal a suspect. When returning to your vehicle, have your keys in hand and be ready to unlock and enter your vehicle without delay. As you approach your vehicle, check from a distance for any suspicious activity along your path. Look under your vehicle from a distance. Upon arriving at your vehicle, look in the back seat area for any secluded intruder. If you have a two-door vehicle, leave the seat backs pushed forward so you can easily inspect the rear area. Most importantly, if you have suspicions, request a security escort, or walk with other people to where your vehicle is parked. Walk together and keep an eye on each other until everyone is safely locked inside their vehicles.

• When parking in your garage, leave your vehicle lights on and inspect the surroundings as you close your garage door. Automatic door openers are recommended. Once the automatic garage door is closed, only then unlock your door and exit the vehicle.

• If your vehicle breaks down on the road, attempt to move your vehicle to a safe location. Activate the emergency flashers and stay locked inside until help arrives. If someone stops to offer assistance, request they summon help from an authorized emergency roadside service.

• If the driver of a vehicle with no markings motions you to pull over to the side of the road, do not pull over. Keep driving to the nearest open business or where other people are present. However, comply immediately when directed by an officer in a marked vehicle. Nevertheless, if you sense anything out of the ordinary, you may request to see identification. Law enforcement officials understand this type of concern.

• If you feel you are being followed by another vehicle, do not drive home. Drive to the nearest police or fire station. If one is not nearby, drive to an open business and honk your horn. Call the police immediately and give them the suspect and vehicle description. This will alert the police and could possibly assist in solving other similar crimes.

• If you are involved in a minor traffic accident and suspect suspicious circumstances, do not check the damage in a remote area or on the freeway. Motion the other driver to follow you to the nearest police or fire station or open business to exchange information. In all situations, immediately note the driver and vehicle description.

• If you are attacked and the suspect has a weapon and demands your valuables or vehicle, comply. Your property can be replaced or recovered later. In some cases "carjackers" have abducted their victims along with their vehicles. These cases require in-depth mental preparedness. There is no cut and dried security advice for drivers threatened with abduction. In these situations, the attacker’s actions and victim abilities vary widely. Taking action is a personal decision. If pleading for your release, and all other measures fail, do everything within your power to escape.

• Once you and your attacker are in your vehicle, the "carjacker" has total control. There is no way to predict if the "carjacker" will harm you. One tactic you might consider, if you are outside your vehicle is to fall flat on the ground. The "carjacker" may not want to take the time to force you inside the vehicle.

• If you are inside your vehicle, consider offering a credit or cash withdrawal card to entice the attacker. If accepted, this may give you the opportunity to flee.

Vehicle Robbery Prevention - You Can Make The Difference

Reduce the risk of vehicle robbery and avoid setting yourself up;

• Keep doors locked and windows up;

• When stopped, leave room to maneuver and escape;

• Driving in the center lane makes you a more difficult robbery target;

• Be wary of strangers approaching you. Trust your instincts and drive away when you feel threatened;

• Keep valuables out of sight;

• Park in lots or garages with attendants;

• Park in well-lighted areas;

• Park in the open. Never let a high profile vehicle or truck hide a robber;

• Be aware of your surroundings when walking to and from your vehicle;

• Walk with other people when possible;

• Walk with purpose and stay alert;

• Approach your vehicle with your key in hand;

• Look in and around your car before entering; and

• If the "carjacker" is armed, don't resist, give up your vehicle and get away as soon as possible.

• What if you are followed, or involved in a suspicious accident?

If you have a cellular phone, call the police and advise them of the situation;

If you suspect you are being followed, immediately drive to a police, sheriff or fire station or to busy area;

DO NOT drive home; and

In both cases, write down the license number and description of the suspects. If you are involved in a suspicious traffic accident, do not inspect the damage in a remote area. Motion for the other driver to follow you to the nearest police station or busy, well-lighted location to exchange information. Use your emergency flashers at the same time.

• If you get robbed, give up your vehicle and leave the scene immediately. Do everything you can to avoid being kidnapped.

• Consider having a vehicle tracking system installed in your vehicle. Your vehicle can be tracked immediately and an arrest or recovery of property is more likely.

• Consider installing an alarm system that will shut down the vehicle engine after a few seconds or minutes. This allows the "carjacker" to drive away until the engine turns off. The suspect will abandon the vehicle when it fails to restart.

Vehicle Robbery Prevention - Interesting Facts

What is it: A robbery where the object of the robbery is a car.
Where is it: Mostly in big cities - less so in the suburbs, small towns, and rural areas.
When is it: Usually during hours of darkness, but it can happen anytime.
What suspects look for: Opportunity, ease of attack.
Chances for victimization: Low probability, but high potential for serious consequences.
Statistical information:
One percent of all vehicle thefts is categorized as GTA's.

Two percent of all robberies involve "carjackings."

Three percent of all vehicles in Los Angeles City and Los Angeles County involve "carjackings."

A high percentage of the victims are affluent. Suspects target expensive vehicles.
Conclusion

There are many preparatory actions one can take to prevent "carjacking." Behavior Modification and mental preparedness are key to its prevention. This information is meant to contribute to your personal security, in and around your vehicle. You can never be too careful, prepared or aware. Share this information with family and friends. Schedule family discussions, ensure everyone is aware and prepared in event of a "carjacking."

For more crime prevention tips click here

Coastal Commission staff recommends permit parking in Venice

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-venice27-2009may27,0,4140194.story

From the Los Angeles Times

If the board approves the proposal, parking in certain zones near the beach in the early morning hours would be restricted to those who live in the neighborhood.

By Martha Groves

May 27, 2009

The staff of the California Coastal Commission has recommended that the agency approve permit parking zones in five areas near Venice beach, delighting residents aggravated by the constant presence of recreational vehicles and provoking anger from public access and homeless advocates.

If the so-called overnight parking districts are approved in June, it would mark the end of a 12-year battle by residents, said Mark Ryavec, a Venice activist.

"This is a struggle for residents to be able to secure their neighborhoods and secure parking in their neighborhoods and to stop what too often was a public nuisance," Ryavec said Tuesday.

Many who live near the beach complain that people living in campers take up precious curb spaces and pose health and safety problems.

In a letter to the commission, Nikoletta Skarlatos said she came home from a hearing in February to find her street filled with campers and their occupants.

"One was dumping raw sewage and urine directly into the storm drain," she wrote. She said she walked to the back of her house and "saw a pile of human fecal matter against my house wall."

Steve Clare, executive director of the Venice Community Housing Corp., expressed disappointment in the recommendation. Restricting parking, he said, is part of a "pattern of denial of public access" to the beach overnight.

Other opponents also challenged the proposed restrictions, complaining that they would displace people who now live in campers and cars.

"That is a big issue," acknowledged City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who represents Venice.

Rosendahl said he was studying programs in Santa Barbara and Eugene, Ore., that have designated overnight parking lots for RV dwellers where they can also take advantage of social services. Rosendahl said his office has contacted the Obama administration to plead for federal stimulus money for such "wraparound services" for RV occupants staying in designated areas.

Municipal code prohibits overnight sleeping in vehicles on city streets, but police have fought a losing battle to enforce the law, Rosendahl said.

"If the commission votes in favor," he said, "it becomes the kickoff of an overall process that will take several years before all aspects are met."

Of the five permit parking zones proposed by residents, two extend to the coastline. In those areas, the staff report said, street parking for individuals without permits would be prohibited from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Three public parking lots near the beach would stay open 24 hours a day. Visitors could prepay for four hours of parking. Three other inland areas would restrict parking from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Residents could buy three annual permits for $15 each and two visitor permits, good for four months, for $10 each.

A permit, however, would not guarantee a parking space, said Yadi Hashemi, the acting senior engineer responsible for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation's parking permits division. He added that permit prices were expected to remain the same for "the foreseeable future."

martha.groves@latimes.com

The Battle for Venice

As seen on KCET Local television

The Battle for Venice

For years, the Los Angeles beachside community of Venice has been a magnet for the so-called "vehicular homeless." These are people who park in residential and commercial neighborhoods and live long term in their recreational vehicles, vans and cars. The motor-homeless say they have no place else to go and only want to be left alone. But many Venice residents contend the vehicle dwellers are turning their community into skidrow by the sea.

Marijuana Clinics in Venice

This article was found at: 

www.veniceartscouncil.org Thou art incendiary. Thou sendest me up in sparks... - Linda Albertano

Relief Is Just A Toke Away

Fri, 05/01/2009 - 23:58

By Ian Lovett 

The April 21 meeting of the Venice Neighborhood Council saw an agenda item that proposed to limit signage on medical marijuana dispensaries to the side entrance, not the front. Though this proposal seems relatively minor, it is at odds not only with Venice’s longstanding 420-friendly reputation, but also with the marijuana industry’s tentative steps out of the shadow into daylight. 

When I first moved to Venice three years ago, medical marijuana dispensaries possessed the aura of urban myth. I didn’t know anyone with a so-called ‘cannabis card,’ I didn’t know how you might get one, and I certainly had no idea where to find a dispensary. Upon returning to Venice at the start of this year, however, I found a dramatically different atmosphere. Along Ocean Front Walk, in addition to the ‘Legalize It’ posters and homeless people holding “Need $$ for bud” signs which have long been Venice hallmarks, you’ll also hear promoters wearing necklaces of plastic marijuana leaves shouting, “Get your medical marijuana recommendation here!” 

On the boardwalk alone, three clinics offer medical marijuana recommendations. And as I sat in the waiting room one doctor’s office, a lawyer came by, as well, handing out a booklet called, “A Simple Guide to California Medical Marijuana Law.” Which is all to say that these days, medical marijuana in Venice is almost impossible not to notice. It’s hard to know exactly how many dispensaries—the collectives that distribute marijuana to patients—are currently operating. Jason has worked in the medical marijuana industry for the past five years. “When I first started,” he explained, “there were maybe 25 dispensaries in the whole state.” Now, he says, there are at least 400 in the LA area. Jason estimates that less than half of those 400 dispensaries are properly licensed. 

In September of 2007, the city of LA passed an ordinance, which put a moratorium on opening any new dispensaries. Still, new ones open every day, especially since Attorney General Eric Holden announced an end to DEA raids on dispensaries in states, like California, where medical marijuana is legal. Still, some aspects of the medical marijuana industry retain a secretive feel. One of the doctor’s offices I visited is located at the back of a shop that sells pipes and bongs, and I’ve heard of dispensaries run out of bicycle shops and florists. At Gourmet Green Room (GGR), which just opened on Lincoln, even the front door into the lobby remains locked until the receptionist buzzes you in.

 This feature is “mostly for security,” said Tarek, the general manager. The shades in the smoking room remain down. The sign of the dispensary inside are the pictures of marijuana leaves taped to the window. For patients, too, privacy remains important. Chris Comstock, who works at Dr. Dean Weiss’ office on Lincoln Blvd, explains that many potential patients share a misconception that if they get a medical marijuana recommendation, their information will end up in some government database.“This idea that once you get a recommendation the whole government know is just wrong. The information stays in our files—there’s no government registry. It’s confidential, like any other medical record.” And, of course, the vast, vast majority of marijuana is still sold illegally. Increasingly, though, it’s moving over the counter. Despite its locked door, GGR advertises in various industry publications, and Tareks notes the prevalence of dispensary ads in publications like LA Weekly. 

Nowhere is medical marijuana’s move out into the open more apparent than at The Farmacy—a dispensary with three locations, including one on Abbot Kinney—whose motto is, in fact, “Very Open.” The marijuana products are kept behind the counter, while anyone—even those without a medical marijuana recommendation—can come inside peruse all manner of other herbal medicine throughout the store. Recently, for the second straight year, a class of 3rd graders from Broadway Elementary came to The Farmacy to meet with the store’s herbalist, who covered up all the cannabis products, conducted a lesson on some of the other herbs in the store, and then walked the kids back to class, pointing out plants they’d just learned about on the way. “We want to be a part of the community,” Bill said, “and keep it safe for everyone.” Bobby is a medical marijuana patient who sells handmade jewelry on the boardwalk. “It’s a lot safer now,” he said. “I’m 50 now, and especially for someone my age, you don’t have to meet with people you’re not familiar with. At a dispensary, there are checks and balances about what goes on.” Indeed, Bill Leahy hopes to increase such checks and balances on the industry. 

“Regulation is the biggest problem,” he said. “There no true regulation on edibles across the state.” The Farmacy is part of a the Greater Los Angeles Caregivers Alliance (GLACA), an organization of some of the larger dispensaries that advocates for medical marijuana. GLACA’s application for membership includes questions like “What is your collective’s philosophy or mission statement?” and the group imposes more stringent rules on its members than Los Angeles requires. Already, such efforts have helped change the public perception. “I’ve seen the industry change a lot in five years,” Jason said. “At first, people didn’t want the dispensaries there—they wanted to keep it under the table. Now, most often people look at us as doing a good thing for the community.” And, despite the Neighborhood Council proposal to move dispensary signs to the back door, Venetians continued to show their support for this increasing openness. 

Though the agenda item was held over until the next meeting, they did take a straw vote. More than 90 percent of those present raised their hands in support of medical marijuana. 

From MSNBC National News.

Venice Beach mobile homeless shown on MSNBC National News. Bill Rosendahl is interviewed on the subject by Chris Jansen. Mr. Rosendahl talked about trying out the Santa Barbara solution regarding parking lots for the RV's. Take a look:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

911 & You

9-1-1 is for Emergencies!

Non-Emergency telephone number is 1-877-275-5273

Metropolitan Communications Dispatch Center

The Los Angeles 9-1-1 emergency telephone system was implemented in order to provide quick and efficient help to those in need. The design is simply a 3-digit telephone number that can be dialed from any telephone, regardless of area code. It can even be dialed from a disconnected phone, and the call is always free.

The Los Angeles 9-1-1 system receives approximately 3.5 million calls annually. However, 60% of these calls are not emergencies. This has caused the system to become critically over burdened which poses a threat to us all. You can help by following a few important guidelines.

9-1-1 should only be used for an emergency. An emergency is a crime in progress and/or a life threatening situation requiring the police, paramedics of Fire Department.

Obviously, there are many other situations that require police response, but they may not warrant 9-1-1 calls. Direct dialing the 1-877-275-5273 for non-emergency situations will ensure police repsonse without overloading the 9-1-1 system. Think before you dial 9-1-1

If you do have a 9-1-1 Emergency it is important that you remain on the line, even if you have dialed 9-1-1 in error. When a 9-1-1 call is received, the address and phone number from where the call is originating automatically appears on the computer screen at the Communications Center. If you dial in error and do not remain on the line, the dispatcher is required to dispatch officers to the location provided by the computer to confirm that o emergency exists.

When you call 9-1-1 for an Emergency, it is important that you remain calm and be prepared to answer the dispatcher's questions. The "WHERE," "WHAT," "WHO," and "WHEN" of the situation you are reporting are extremely important. Sometimes it may seem the questions are unnecessary, or may not make sense to you, but there are good reasons why they are asked. Patience will help process you call and get appropriate help to you as quickly as possible.

************************************
Important Telephone Numbers for Non-Emergency L.A.P.D. Asisstance.

1-877-ASK-LAPD
(1-877-275-5273)
or dial 3-1-1

1-866-452-2489
For routine City business and non-emergency services
http://lacity.org/

Other useful numbers:
L.A.P.D. Pacific Division phone number: 310-202-4502
Black & White car dispatch: 818-734-2223
http://www.lapdonline.org/

Abandoned Vehicles - 800-222-6366
Animal Regulations - 888-452-7381
Anti Drug Hotline (anonymous) - 800-662-2878
Bureau of Street Services - 800-996-2489
(street lighting, pot holes, bulky item removal, sewer, sidewalk & traffic signal repair)
California Highway Patrol - 323-906-3434
DWP - 800-342-5397
Graffiti Hotline - 800-611-2489

9-1-1 Facts

Quality of Life issue for Venice Residents......

Venice votes to restrict overnight RV parking

Ricardo DeAratanha, Los Angeles Times

The overnight parking of vehicles like these, along 7th Street, has divided Venice residents.

via: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-venice-parking24-2009feb24,0,424364.story
From the Los Angeles Times:

Venice votes to restrict overnight RV parking

The measure, which some residents have sought for more than a decade, needs Coastal Commission backing.
By Martha Groves

9:39 PM PST, February 23, 2009

A plan to restrict overnight parking won the strong support of Venice residents in a nonbinding election over the weekend. The plan still needs approval from the California Coastal Commission, which is expected to take it up in June.

Fed up with homeless people who live in cars and battered recreational vehicles parked along residential streets, many Venetians have for more than a decade urged the city of Los Angeles to create overnight parking districts that would limit parking in their neighborhoods.

On Saturday, more than 1,500 people -- a record turnout for a Venice Neighborhood Council election -- cast ballots on two competing nonbinding initiatives. The first, Initiative A, called on the neighborhood council to rescind its prior approval of overnight parking districts. That measure, backed by advocates seeking to protect the rights of those living in the RVs, failed 868 to 634.

The second, Initiative B, affirmed that Venice residents have the right to establish such districts. That measure passed 891 to 608.

The vote results were released Sunday on the neighborhood council's website.

The Los Angeles City Council has approved the parking restrictions, which had the strong support of local Councilman Bill Rosendahl, but the matter is far from over.

A few residents have appealed to the California Coastal Commission, which has jurisdiction over the areas of Venice closest to the beach. The commission indicated that it wants to take a closer look at overnight parking districts and their implications.

Because the commission is charged with maintaining the public's access to the coast, it wants to be sure there is enough early morning parking to accommodate fishermen, joggers, surfers and others.

"The first petitions for [parking districts] were signed in the community 12 years ago, and it's clear one can't wait to find a solution to where to put these RV dwellers," said Mark Ryavec, co-chairman of the neighborhood council's Homelessness and Vehicular Occupation Ad Hoc Committee.

That panel has been scouring the region for sites where groups of RVs can park.

"It's a difficult challenge," he added. "I'm encouraged by the vote and am cautiously optimistic that eventually the community will be able to improve their quality of life."

martha.groves@latimes.com


and Via The Venice WatchDawg:

What this all means is anybody's guess... Ask the Councilman.......
*******************************************************

"All the devils that disturbed me
And the angels that defeated them somehow,
Come together in me now" - - Winslow Leach

*******************************************************
Venice WatchDawg - - A big win for OPD

A bittersweet victory as the election was substandard and a number of
WatchDawg Readers emailed in that they were unable to vote because of
the lines and confusion - Pro choice forces won despite all of this
contentious BS as well as the anti-OPD people not telling the truth
about their goals, motives and agenda in their printed material. So,
what else is new.....

For those who want to know more, there is plenty more below. I want
to thank all who organized the positive effort, Georgann Abrams,
Stewart Oscars, Mark Ryavec, Pat Snyder, Marie Hammond and countless
others who spent hundreds of hours planning the promotion, but most of
all, I want to thank you WatchDawg readers who spent the time and took
the effort to make the City understand that Venice is NOT the
Beachhead Collective or the Venice Town Council who want to wind the
clock back to 1968. I personally am not comfortable with the OPDs,
BUT, I'll fight like hell for everyone's right to sign up for one. So
justice and democracy won - national socialism has to go back to dank
basements and gloomy coffee houses.

Meet the new Venice - Come on over and check out Oscars Wine
Establishment on the north side of Rose between Dimmick and Rennie,
yep, right across from the dead bakery lot with the motorhome wagon
train surround - Its just that kind of town.......

Best,

Rick Feibusch
Venice WatchDawg
************************************************************************
From: Georgann Abrams

Date: Feb 22, 2009 7:33 PM
This email is going out to friends and family and fellow Venice neighbors.

There were over 1500 ballots cast yesterday. Put simply, it was to
vote yes or no on OPD (Overnight Parking Districts) in Venice. More
came to vote than ANY Venice Neighborhood Council election EVER.
Voting was to be 12:30 to 3:30. The line started forming at 12:00 -
and wrapped all the way around the Venice library and down to the end
of the parking lot on Venice Blvd - ALL DAY.

People were still voting after 4:30.

OPD YES = 891
OPD no = 634 (counting about 200 non-residents)

Stewart (Oscars) and I started this 3 years ago and never could have
imagined what it has taken. This vote only means we know the real
residents of Venice are of like mind. Nice.

Georgann Abraham
________________________________________________________

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS TO ALL.!! I just returned from a walk to
clean up a huge pile of you know what. I cannot wait for my house to
cease being someone's toilet.

Much gratitude to all of the Veteran OPD organizers, Stewart,
Georgann, Mark et al. Thanks to all of you in this community for
fighting to maintain human decency and the freedom to have the RIGHT
TO CHOOSE. KEEP VENICE SAFE AND BEAUTIFUL.

Best,

Nikoletta Skarlatos
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a line around the building and none of them looked homeless.
I was so proud of my fellow venetians. Fingers crossed on this
particular issue.

Celeste Chada
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, that was crap-ass disorganized debacle.

I casually walked over to the library a couple minutes after 12:30 to
find a line heading to the beach on the northside of the library.
I stepped in to line at 12:36 only to wait for the greeting 50 minutes
later. "Have you voted with us before." A friend asked "who is us."
And was promptly asked for all of his info. I, having voted in the
past, gave him my name and upon checking of the list was told not
according to our list. "Fill this out", way too much info being asked
for. I did not see my friend, he wasn't to happy about having to do
more than show his ID after waiting 50 some old minutes. I voted and
left.

When I got home a neighbor called to tell me it took him an hour and a
half in line to vote. But what we were not being told is that we
could have pre-registered online and then just walked to the front of
the line and voted. Not sure if that was true but others identified
themselves as pre-registered and went straight in.

http://www.grvnc.org/files/090127VNCRegistrationForm.DOC

I read the procedure after the fact and question why it said you had
to register on-site.

I'm sure however the vote turns out someone or more will complain that
there wasn't sufficient time for everyone that wanted to vote. That,
I will never know. This was an attempt for a neighborhood ADVISORY
council to gather an opinion by putting on the councils agenda for the
stakeholders to vote on. There is nothing that makes this an official
vote. If either of the factions wanted a better impact; an online
petition, not a vote, would have more substance.

Dru Lewis
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three people called me yesterday by 1pm to say the line was going
around the library. We got there about 115p and stood in line for
maybe 10 minutes. Then Marie said she heard that if we had voted in an
NC election before, we needn't wait in line.

So I went to the front of the library to check, and asked Mark
Salzburg, OUTREACH CHAIR "if we've voted before . . ." and he
responded, "Yes, you can go right in, but don't tell anybody." We have
heard from quite a few people who stood in line, but couldn't wait,
etc. There needed to be a Pre-Reg and a New Voter line.

Carolyn Ward
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maria and I had only a few free minutes to vote in the early
afternoon. The lines were horrendous, and we simply didn't have time.
Bottom line, we were disenfranchised because nobody told us we could
go right in. This was wrong.

The inability to vote by absentee ballot was wrong.

Permitting ballots to be counted elsewhere the next day was wrong.

Aldis Browne
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

And Yes, The whole thing was a mess, and yes, people who waited for
hours didn't have to and yes they made up the rules as they went
along.......

But, it is quite obvious that The Beachhead Collective, the RV
dwellers and the people who serve them were not able to sway anyone's
opinion about the acceptability of living freely in front of our homes
- This just in from the Venice Paper:

Permit Parking Vote Count Fiasco
Venice Paper Online

February 22, 2009. Venice—Never mind that 1,506 Venetians turned out
to vote, yesterday's plebiscite on whether permit parking should come
to the area could be thrown out due to alleged improprieties in the
counting of ballots.

According to Laddie Williams a previous officer of the neighborhood
council who stayed to watch the votes being counted, rather than count
the ballots on-site immediately after the vote--as previously agreed
to--a neighborhood council official chose instead to send the ballots
home in the custody of a colleague and for the count to continue
today. Williams told VenicePaper that the ballot box had already been
unsealed at that point.

Read more.........

http://www.venicepaper.net/pmt_more.php?id=439_0_1_0_M

*******************************************************

More comments:

Congratulations to all involved. The OPD opponents wasted a great deal
of everyones time, but it only serves to demonstrate the will of the
community on this matter. So much for their effort to overturn the law
concerning sleeping in vehicles on our streets...

It has long been clear that basic competence is too much to expect
from some of VNC's most regular volunteers. But to be fair, this is
more like student government. The City Charter set up NCs as play pen
for community activists...to keep us busy...advisory only...if an
elected official wants advice...or sometimes provide cover to do what
they see fit...

Steve Freedman
*******************************************************
What happened to the registrar running NC elections, or the DONE staff
with NALEO? Confirming actions and actvities, or is it 3 monkeys,
hear no evil, see no evil, and say no evil?

I was present at the Library and I can say that the letter Mr. Selan
writes is correct and we in the community are outraged at the process
that was not followed and the process was altered because on One
individual stating he was tired and the voting would continue tomorrow
at the Public storage in Venice at 11:00am.

The entire event was wrong and the community was outraged at the way
this handled. Please take this grievance that was filed tonight and
act on it and do ask for the individuals who filmed to give you a copy
and you will see the less then fair practice of Mr. Spiegel and the
event that followed. Please investigate and let the neighborhood see
that our elected officials will act when it is called for.

Please don't excuse this grievance we need assistance in a fair and
organized process and this was not the case at all yesterday! The
entire process was wrong and the way it was carried out was wrong
also.

Please as elected officials act now and act fast for this process and
the VNC needs help as Mr. Selan has been requesting for months and you
have done nothing just allowed this debacle to happen ignoring Mr.
Selan's numerous grievances over and over month to month. You all
know this because you receive the charge and you pass it to the locals
who has named numerous times and they dismiss each and everyone of
them with prejudice. Now you cannot ignore what happened yesterday
beca use this was done under a city charter that must be recognized
and this process was not followed and many irregularities were seen by
all who participated in the count.

We need DONE and the City of Los Angeles to come in and right a wrong
they have created by ignoring Mr. Selan, if you had of acted on one of
those grievances this may have been different but these individuals
are out of control and it is horrible for Venice.

What happened to the League of Women Voters who always ran the
election when the GRVNC had elections? The truth is no body really
cares because Mr. Selan has complained about Koslow and Spiegel for
years and no one has heard him. Now drunk with power these two have
exploded on the community and we are outraged!

The outcome doesn't matter because the rules that were agreed upon
were not followed this vote is null and void!

Let the grievance stand that Mr. Selan has filed and go forward and
DONE, Mayor, CD 11 act on it(Rosendahl) was present for awhile
yesterday at the Los Angeles Public Library in Venice. The whole
ordeal from the beginning was set up to fail and these so called VNC
members are not for the entire community no matter if homeless or RV's
or community.

Go to Venicepaper.net for one look or other local media not the
corporate because they report lies about Venice and the parking.

Laddie Williams
*******************************************************

"Back in the Sixties, when we said that we wanted
to change society, we should have been a little
more specific." - - Christopher Lloyd
(From the comic kiddie film, Camp Nowhere - 1994)

*******************************************************
Appointed VNC Grievance Chair and Appointed Election Chair Change
Election Rules The Reason "Election Chair States He is
Tired"

From:Rick Selan, Venice Neighborhood Council Voting Member

Re: Request for Ethics Investigation into VNC Election and Request for
Investigation of VNC Grievance Chair Walking Off Taking Unfilled
Ballots Already Signed By Poll Watchers

VNC Appointed Parliamentarian, LAUSD Trickster and VNC Appointed
Election Chair Ivan Spiegel Has Under Age Student Carry Filled Out
Ballots To Awaiting Toyota Rather Than Touching Ballots Himself.

For over forty years, this advocate has voted in hundreds of elections
throughout this country, but has never seen anything quite like the
way the VNC OPD election ended today. The rules called for all votes
to be counted today February 21, 2009. This did not happen. Appointed
Election Chair Ivan Spiegel went off on VNC Emeritus President Dede
Audet.

The election was held today from 12:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. at the
Venice library with numerous LAPD squad cars and police on the streets
and on the library grounds. This appeared quite intimidating to those
who wanted to vote. I received a call informing me to be careful as
there was a riot at the library. When I went to vote, there were
police everywhere but there were no problems. To this 30 year + Venice
resident, the police being out there appeared to be a tactic of VNC
and CD11 to create a fear that does not exist. This is pattern and
practice to continue "separate, but equal."

To better understand the dynamics of what took place after the police
left the election, one must understand the "less than clean" politics
in the VNC Grievance, Election and Rules Committee. Please understand
that the Grievance and Rules and Election Committee are made up of
Chair Ira Koslow, a LAUSD employee who denies all VNC Grievances
unilaterally as non-actionable based on prejudice. VNC Secretary Joe
Murphy, the former Chair also sits on the Committee with High School
Student Dexter O'Connell who has also served a s the grievance chair
following the same less than fair rules. According to Dexter
O'Connell, "Ivan Spiegel 'bamboozled' the grievance process by
applying great pressure on one individual to vote the Spiegel way to
keep the VNC grievance process unilateral so grievances are never
heard. That elected member then resigned as an elected member. Ivan
Spiegel has done similar "less than clean tricks" for the District
3-Mark Twain LAUSD Good Ol' Boys and Girls Club. His actions today
were not new nor unexpected for those who know the past.

With these facts in place, lets look at the election process around
5:30 P.M. after police were gone. According to those present, Ira
Koslow approached Ivan Spiegel to request that he take home all of the
ballots that were initialed by the poll workers but had not been voted
on. Mr. Spiegel gave Mr. Koslow permission to take these ballots home
with him. Why? What was Mr. Koslow to do with20these ballots?

At this point, I received a call to allow me to hear the yelling and
screaming inside the library as Mr. Spiegel decided he was tired and
rather than counting the votes tonight following the election rules,
he made the unilateral decision that the ballots, will be counted on
Sunday.

Mr. Spiegel attempted to throw Form er VNC President Dede Audet out of
the room as she attempted to explain the need to go to an all night
restaurant to count the ballots following election rules that votes be
counted today.

Strangely, Mr. Spiegel had opened the ballot box at 5:00 P/.M. aware
that the library closed at 6:00 P.M. When I arrived at the library the
yelling and screaming was still going on. There were those on scene
filming the "less than respectable scene" as Ivan Spiegel stated rules
cannot always be followed.

Rather than touching the ballots, Ivan Spiegel used the younger
brother of Rules Committee member Dexter O' Connell to carry the
ballots to an awaiting Toyota 5NIV092. I asked the driver her name.
She stated, "Right". Ivan makes the rules for VNC as the appointed
Parliamentarian.

Mr. Spiegel, now totally out of control, told those in front of the
library that the ballots will be counted at 11:00 A.M. at Extra Space
Storage on 2/22/09.

Mr. Spiegel's performance today threatening former VNC President Dede
Audet with being removed from the library for her suggestions and
his use of a 15 or 16 year old teenager to carry out the ballots
rather than do it himself is no different than that of gang leaders
who allow those under age 18 to carry out the crimes as punishment is
far less severe for those under age. Even after making it clear to Mr.
Spiegel that he was using a child to do his dirty work, he had the
younger sibling continue to carry the ballots.

This was not a happy day for the Venice Neighborhood Council and the
fair voting process. Why does this continue? These are major reasons
why VNC is less than functional.

Peace. Change. Hope.

In unity for accountability,

Rick Selan