The commander is familiar with our neighborhood and sensitive to our residents' concerns about burglaries and personal safety.

He urged for us to report more often so that units can be sent to patrol.  We discussed that many people approaching our doors are actually wanted by the police and when we call, it often results in an arrest.

It is not a judgement on the person if you are unfamiliar with them and they have given you an uneasy feeling.  Usually that uneasy feeling comes from your sixth sense, not your prejudices.  They are acting or moving in such a way as to alert you.  Please follow through by alerting the police.

Police cars in our neighborhood are needed to calm traffic and make criminals uneasy about breaking the law in Rose Park.

Commander Paul LeBaron is hosting a forum this Thursday and will be speaking to Rose Park residents in April or May (date to be announced).  Please try to attend if you have concerns about crime in our neighborhood.

 Here are the details:

Please Join East Division Commander Paul LeBaron and his staff on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at the Long Beach Police Academy, 7290 E. Carson, LB.

Investigations Division Commander Rick Farfan will discuss property crime trends and prevention.

For more information, please contact Police Resource Officer Claudia Lopez at (562) 570-5812 or via email at LBPDEast@longbeach.gov

For full details, view this message on the web.

Long Beach Police Department - East Division Community Forum
 Please join Commander LeBaron and his staff for this informative meeting
 At the Long Beach Police Academy
 -Fireside Room-
 7290 E. Carson Boulevard
 Long Beach, CA 90808
 (Behind Lowe's in the Long Beach Towne Center)
 on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

 Commander Farfan from Investigations
 will join us to discuss property crimes.

 Other Topics will be:

• Crime Trends in your neighborhood
• Learn how to stay safe and not become a victim of crime
• Community Watch - know what is happening in your community
• Upcoming Community Meeting delivered in Spanish

If you have any further question please feel free to contact:
 Police Resource Officer C. Lopez at(562) 570-5812 or
 e-mail her at LBPDeast@longbeach.gov.

Please voice your support or opposition to this proposed ordinance by calling Suja's office 562-570-6684 -or- emailing her at suja.lowenthal@longbeach.gov

CHANGES TO CITY'S URBAN AGRICULTURE MOVE FORWARD

The Council's Environmental Committee recommended changes to the existing urban agriculture ordinance at our meeting on Monday, March 18. The item is tentatively expected to go before City Council on April 16, 2013.

Among the recommended changes, the ability to keep 1-4 chickens or two goats on residential properties with a 10 foot setback from residential dwellings other than one's own house; both recommendations come with additional conditions related to shelter, adequate open space, exclusion from front yards and other issues intended to protect neighbors, animals and public health in general. In addition, the committee recommended that up to 4 beehives may be kept with a 10 foot setback from the property line with appropriate screening to force bees skyward. Here again, additional conditions were recommended to protect the neighbors and the general public. Beekeepers work closely with the city to "rescue" colonies of bees from parks, residential and commercial properties, so the limit of 4 beehives reflected their need to keep beehives temporarily when helping to manage bees citywide.

The committee staff report is available at http://longbeach.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx . However, amendments were made to report, which will be reflected in the agenda item going forward April 16. City Council meeting regular agendas are made available one week prior to the meeting. I will be sure to notify you when it is available. -Suja Lowenthal

Great news - Roller Derby is returning to Long Beach. Let's support our gals. Get your tickets now for Long Beach Roller Derby at the Queen Mary Dome for tonight, March 22, 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm. They are calling this bout "Back from the Dead" with The Breakwater Bombshells vs The Cyclone Racers. For tickets and more info, go to http://longbeachderbygals.com/