| NEWS
of the Day
- August 20, 2009 |
|
on
some issues of interest to the community policing and neighborhood
activist
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following group of articles from local
newspapers and other sources constitutes but a small percentage
of the information available to the community policing and neighborhood
activist public. It is by no means meant to cover every possible
issue of interest, nor is it meant to convey any particular
point of view ...
We present this simply as a convenience to our readership ...
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From
the LA Times
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California prison system 'collapsing under its own weight,' Schwarzenegger says
In a visit to the Chino facility where inmates rioted Aug. 8, the governor complains that politicians have 'swept the problem under the rug for so long.'
by Michael Rothfeld
August 20, 2009
Reporting from Sacramento
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, after touring the site where a major prison riot occurred 12 days ago, said Wednesday that the state's prison system is "collapsing under its own weight" and called on lawmakers to make changes that could reduce overcrowding and spending on inmates.
The governor and his corrections chief, Matt Cate, walked through the destruction at a housing unit for prisoners at the California Institution for Men in Chino, where 1,300 inmates rioted on the evening of Aug. 8.
The prison housed nearly 6,000 prisoners, twice the number for which it was designed. About 1,200 beds were lost due to the damage, forcing the state to transfer inmates to other facilities.
Schwarzenegger, who used to visit prisons to work out with inmates as a bodybuilder in the 1970s, said the system has vastly changed since then, with California now spending almost $49,000 a year -- far more than other states -- to incarcerate a single inmate in a system that is "very, very dangerous."
"It is hard to argue that the money is spent wisely and efficiently," he said. "We have one of the highest rates of recidivism in the nation. . . . The politicians in Sacramento have swept the problem under the rug for so long. California is quite literally losing control of our prisons."
Schwarzenegger has failed to bring the prison system under control since his election almost six years ago, despite pledging to do so.
A federal judge seized control of inmate medical care on his watch.
The governor reorganized the corrections agency to emphasize rehabilitation, but recently suggested gutting rehab programs to save money.
He also has proposed scaling back parole supervision and releasing low-level inmates, but he has backed away from some of those plans under pressure from law enforcement groups. Other plans have died in the Legislature.
The state is under pressure to reduce costs at its lockups due to its budget crunch. Schwarzenegger and lawmakers agreed to cut $1.2 billion from prisons in last month's budget deal, and lawmakers have said that they will vote on details of the reductions today.
A plan backed by Schwarzenegger and Democratic leaders would reduce the prison population by 37,000 over two years through a variety of measures, such as offering house arrest during the last year of an inmate's sentence and letting inmates earn their way off parole earlier. Republicans say the proposal would endanger public safety.
The state also is under pressure from the federal courts to reduce overcrowding.
A three-judge panel presiding over a pair of inmate lawsuits said this month that it would order the state to reduce its prison population by more than 40,000 unless officials devise a plan to do so first. California now has nearly 170,000 prisoners in custody.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-prison20-2009aug20,0,2777968,print.story
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From the Daily News
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OPINION
Demonizing smokers and the obese. Who's next?
by Tony Newman
August 19, 2009
TWO years ago, as part of its "wellness initiative," the Cleveland Clinic stopped hiring smokers. When the clinic's CEO, Delos M. Cosgrove, was asked about the program for an article in last weekend's New York Times Magazine, he said that if it were up to him, he would also stop hiring obese people as well.
Clearly, lifestyle decisions lead to huge medical and financial costs to both the hospital and the country. The logic, according to Mr. Cosgrove and others who justify not hiring smokers and people who are obese, is that punitive sanctions will coerce smokers and overweight folks to live healthier lives. Not hiring them or charging them more money for insurance, according to their logic, would effectively persuade people to change harmful health practices.
A few years ago, the Drug Policy Alliance anticipated that arguments used against smokers today could be used against overweight people tomorrow. We spoke out against a Michigan heath care company that fired four employees for refusing to take a test to determine whether they smoked cigarettes. The company, Weyco Inc., adopted a policy that allowed them to fire employees who smoke, even if the smoking happens after business hours or at home.
At the time, the Drug Policy Alliance created a flash animation that asked viewers to vote on whether the company should be allowed to fire employees who smoke. The animation laid out compelling arguments for both sides, explaining that smoking results in 400,000 premature deaths each year. But it also pointed out that smoking is not the only activity that increases health risks and costs.
Like most people, I support campaigns to reduce smoking and obesity. I believe in public education campaigns and policies that offer help to people who are trying to quit smoking or unhealthy eating. But by firing workers for smoking or being overweight - and penalizing them when it comes to their health care - we will be demonizing and marginalizing those to whom we should be reaching out.
They fired the smokers first. Now they are talking about not hiring obese people. Your personal struggle or lifestyle choice may be next!
Tony Newman is the director of media relations at the Drug Policy Alliance.
http://www.dailynews.com/opinions/ci_13162525
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OPINION
Free clinic at The Forum highlights the need for reform of U.S. health care system
August 19, 2009
SOME 6,000 men and women received relief from aching teeth and blurry vision this past week during the nation's largest free health care event at The Forum in Inglewood.
The sight of so many men and women lined up for hours just to see a dentist, an optometrist, a pediatrician or any other of the
volunteer medical specialists sent a powerful message about the state of our health care system, and the need for some kind of reform.
Patients traveled from as far away as San Francisco and Phoenix in search of treatment. So many patients lined up day after day and waited night after night that organizers eventually had to cut off services. Only those with wristbands were seen Tuesday, closing day. The demand for care showed how many people are uninsured or underinsured and forgo care rather than pay for often expensive procedures.
While our leaders in Washington debate the details of health care reform - no easy task, certainly - the men and women of the Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps are on the ground, delivering relief now.
The $8 million event was staffed entirely by volunteers. It transformed The Forum into 45 medical exam rooms, 75 dental stations and 25 eye-exam stations. Doctors performed mammograms, Pap smears, X-rays and root canals and screened for chronic conditions. More than 6,000 people were treated.
The nonprofit RAM usually provides its services to Third World countries and rural U.S. communities and has organized 575 such clinics around the world since 1985. The Inglewood clinic was the largest RAM has ever attempted - and it was a tremendous success that touched so many people in such a small period of time. And organizers somehow managed to transform a sports arena and concert venue into a massive community hospital.
It's not the first miracle of planning and outreach that the Tennessee-based nonprofit has pulled off, but it's a rare one for a group that usually performs its miracles on a much smaller scale in Third World countries. It's a miracle that we forget is needed here, and it's nice to be reminded of what can happen when people give their time and energy to heal those in need. Hopefully, it can serve as a stark illustration of the nation's health care crisis to lawmakers about just what's at stake.
http://www.dailynews.com/opinions/ci_13162523
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From the DHS
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From the Department of Homeland Security
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Overview
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is an effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. With much at stake, the Act provides for unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability so that you will be able to know how, when, and where your tax dollars are being spent. Spearheaded by a new Recovery Board, this Act contains built-in measures to root out waste, inefficiency, and unnecessary spending. See more at recovery.gov .
Implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Projects supported by these funds will not only make the country safer and more secure, but they also will create new jobs, and in some cases, save the jobs of men and women who do the work of staying ahead of those who would seek to do us harm.
St. Elizabeths/DHS Headquarters Consolidation:
- $650 million ($200 million to DHS; $450 million to GSA)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP):
- $720 million for construction at land ports of entry ($300 million GSA; $420 million CBP)
- $100 million for Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology
- $100 million for border technology on the southwest border
- $60 million for tactical communications equipment and radios
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):
- $20 million for ICE automation modernization and tactical communications
Transportation Security Administration:
- $1 billion for explosives detection systems and checkpoint screening equipment
U.S. Coast Guard:
- $142 million for Alteration of Bridges program
- $98 million for construction, which may include the following:
- Shore facilities and aids to navigation facilities
- Vessel repair/acquisition (includes High Endurance Cutter, National Security Cutter)
Federal Emergency Management Agency:
- $100 million for Emergency Food and Shelter Program
- $150 million for transit and rail security grants
- $150 million for port security grants, no non-federal match required
- $210 million for Assistance to Firefighter (AFG) grants for firehouse construction; maximum grant is $15.0M
- $5 million expansion in authority for FEMA Community Disaster Loans
- Requires the establishment of an arbitration panel to resolve Katrina/Rita public assistance disputes
- Requires FEMA to accept additional applications for Katrina/Rita public assistance
- All non-federal matching requirements for SAFER grants waived for FY 2009-2010
DHS Office of Inspector General:
- $5 million to conduct related oversight and audits
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From ICE
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ICE and CBP seize more than 100 pounds of cocaine at Miami International Airport
August 19, 2009
MIAMI - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized more than 100 pounds of cocaine with a street value of approximately $3.8 million last night.
The seizure took place at approximately 10:00 p.m. while ICE agents and CBP officers were conducting enhanced enforcement operations at Miami International Airport (MIA) to interdict contraband and other threats to national security. The inspection of air cargo by ICE and CBP officers resulted in the discovery of two boxes containing 42 brick-shaped packages. The packages were shipped from Venezuela and tested positive for cocaine.
"This seizure demonstrates the teamwork within the Department of Homeland Security between ICE and CBP in our efforts to identify drug smugglers, how they operate and the routes they use," said Anthony V. Mangione, special agent in charge of ICE's Office of Investigations in Miami. "ICE and CBP will continue to work these joint enforcement operations in an effort to prevent drugs from entering the United States."
"This is an outstanding seizure, and it was accomplished thru the hard work and perseverance on the part of the CBP officers and ICE agents who use all of our resources to search for and discover contraband in order to safeguard our country," stated Harold E. Woodward, CBP's director of field operations for the Miami Field Office.
No arrests have been made and the ICE investigation into this seizure is ongoing.
http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0908/090819miami.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2 fugitive Mexican murder suspects handed over to Mexican authorities
1 target sought for triple homicide
August 19, 2009
SAN DIEGO - Two Mexican nationals wanted for murder in their native country, including one suspected of triple homicide, were turned over to representatives from the Mexican Attorney General's Office at the border crossing in San Ysidro, Calif., this morning by officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The suspects include Jose de Jesus Espericueta-Flores, 42, who is accused of slaying the president of a large produce company and two other men during an altercation in the Mexican state of Nayarit on June 18, 2001. According to Mexican authorities, the victims were dining at a restaurant in the town of Tecuala when Espericueta and a friend joined them at their table. Witnesses say Espericueta began arguing with the produce company president, Aureliano Estrada Ambriz. Moments later, Espericueta reportedly leaped to his feet, drew a handgun and told his companion "if you don't shoot them, you'll be the first to die." At that point, witnesses say both men opened fire, killing the three men. In addition to Estrada, the other victims were Sergio Alberto Magdaleno Ruiz and Armando Lopez Ruiz. Seven days after the slaying, authorities in Tecuala, Mexico, issued a formal warrant for Espericueta's arrest. In addition to the triple homicide, Espericueta is also wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of two local police officers in Tecuala.
Espericueta's repatriation follows his capture in Cathedral City, Calif., on Monday where he was taken into custody on administrative immigration violations by Los Angeles-based officers for ICE and the U.S. Marshals Service. The team received substantial assistance from the Cathedral City Police Department.
Also turned over to Mexican authorities this morning was Teodolo Llanes-Gutierrez, 39, who is wanted for a slaying in Sinaloa, Mexico, in May 2007. Llanes allegedly shot and killed Jose Acosta-Lopez at point blank range after he found the victim asleep in his vehicle. According to Mexican authorities, Llanes believed his wife and the victim were having an affair. Llanes was arrested on administrative immigration violations by ICE officers on July 30 outside his home in Corona, Calif. At a subsequent hearing, an immigration judge found Llanes had no legal basis to remain in the United States, clearing the way for his return today.
The return of the two murder suspects took place as ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton paid his first visit to Southern California since his appointment in February. The assistant secretary noted the capture and return of the fugitives shows the significant public safety benefits of the heightened cooperation between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement agencies.
"Combating cross border crime and violence is a top priority for ICE and the Department of Homeland Security," Morton said. "Our goal is not only to see justice served, but to protect law-abiding citizens on both sides of the border. ICE uses its unique immigration enforcement authorities to protect our communities from criminal aliens who pose a public safety threat, including suspects fleeing justice in their own countries."
The Mexican Attorney General's Office also underscored the importance of its work with ICE to target potentially dangerous criminal fugitives.
"We are determined that our borders will not be barriers to bringing dangerous fugitives to justice," said David Macedo, regional legal deputy attaché for the Mexican Attorney General in Los Angeles. "These two men are suspected of committing brutal, senseless crimes in Mexico. Our goal is to protect our citizens from those who have no respect for the law or human life."
Since Fiscal Fear 2007, ICE officers assigned to the agency's Office of Detention and Removal program nationwide have arrested more than 190 fleeing foreign criminal fugitives from countries around the world.
http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0908/090819sandiego.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bay Area sham marriage broker sentenced to 19 months in prison
August 18, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO - Kwan Tsoi, also known as Joyce Cai, was sentenced in federal court today to 19 months in prison, and ordered to forfeit $250,000 in proceeds, for arranging fake marriages so her foreign national clients could obtain immigration benefits they did not qualify for.
The prosecution is the result of a joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS).
Tsoi admitted in court that for a year, beginning in February 2007, she headed a conspiracy that arranged sham marriages for foreign nationals with U. S. citizens. Tsoi charged her clients, whom she recruited by advertising in Chinese-language newspapers, approximately $30,000 for her services. Tsoi brokered these marriages in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco, where federal search warrants were served on her business in June 2008.
Tsoi pleaded guilty in April to one count of conspiracy, six counts of marriage fraud and five counts of false statements on immigration documents. As part of her guilty plea, she admitted she brokered nine fake marriages in order to exploit U.S. immigration law. Tsoi also admitted she submitted or assisted in submitting spousal petitions to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requesting her clients be granted lawful permanent residence or "green cards" based on their fraudulent marriages to American citizens.
"Marriage fraud and other forms of immigration benefit fraud undermine the integrity of our nation's legal immigration system and potentially rob deserving immigrants of benefits they rightfully deserve," said Mark Wollman, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in San Francisco. "This sentence should send a clear message that ICE is working aggressively to target those who conspire to corrupt our nation's proud immigration tradition for the sole purpose of enriching themselves."
"We take all violations of U.S. immigration laws seriously, but are especially aggressive in identifying and prosecuting those involved in marriage frauds and related scams," U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello said. "People who attempt to profit from these ruses will be brought to justice. Those who knowingly avail themselves of these ploys will be caught and deported."
Also charged in this investigation were Henry Navarro and Kelly Ecker. Navarro pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy for his role as an "official" witness to one of the fake marriages. Navarro is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Alsup on Sept. 29, 2009. Ecker pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of conspiracy for marrying a Chinese citizen in return for $17,000. Ecker was sentenced July 7, 2009 to two years probation and ordered to give a public speech designed to deter others from participating in similar schemes.
"The investigation is yet another example of the Diplomatic Security Service's vigilance in combating visa and passport fraud," said DSS San Francisco Field Office Special Agent in Charge Patrick Durkin. "We investigate multi-defendant criminal enterprises that broker in false visas, false immigration forms, and other false documents, to keep imposters and criminals out of the country."
Tsoi has been ordered to surrender to begin serving her prison sentence Sept. 30.
http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0908/090818sanfrancisco.htm |
