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Police Chief McDonnell Meets With Long Beach Latino Leaders by Ryan ZumMallen | Archive | 03.09.10 |
+  10:35am | As he waits to be sworn in as the new Chief of the Long Beach Police Department this weekend, Jim McDonnell met with several local leaders of the Latino community yesterday to discuss challenges and solutions at Long Beach City College.Among those in attendance were LBCC President Eloy Oakley, Councilmembers Robert Garcia and Tonia Reyes Uranga, and Centro CHA President Jessica Quintana. McDonnell called the meeting "very productive." Most in attendance agreed that the meeting was positive, although some expressed concerns about the lack of Latino officers in higher administration positions throughout the department. "We need a force that's reflective of the community it serves," said Reyes Uranga. The councilwoman explained that she was encouraged with the meeting and the expression of ideas, but worried about a lack of long-term planning to keep Latino officers involved and promoted to high positions within the force. Reyes Uranga and Quintana pointed to high-ranking Latinos such as Deputy Chief Robert Luna and Commander Jorge Cisneros and worried that they may be lost to other departments without room to advance within the LBPD. "We have a lot of work to do," said Reyes Uranga. "And maybe it's because we became complacent with those that we had in high positions currently."  All in all, however, reaction following the meeting was positive and focused on creating new avenues for communication and understanding between officers and the Latino community - the largest minority group in Long Beach."I look forward to developing these relationships and furthering them," said McDonnell after the meeting, "And getting to better know the city that I've lived in for a long time." The soon-to-be-Chief said that one of his goals is increasing communication and understanding. "Where we break down is that lack of back-and-forth between the community and Police," McDonnell said. President Oakley agreed that it was important to establish lines of communication to create a positive relationship. "Historically, whether in Long Beach or any other major urban city, there is a disconnect between Police and Latino communities," Oakley said. Below is a short video of Chief McDonnell following the meeting, discussing some of the challenges that he will face in his new position - most notably, budget cutbacks and the possibility of losing officers. More to come... Click here to read our policy on covering the Long Beach City Council.
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20 Comments so far.
Long Beach a diverse cit Dear Chief, Please keep in mind our city is made up of many diverse constituent and groups Each entity makes up the total city of Long Beach.May I suggest we meet as a whole from now on and collectivly work together to address any issuses of our city. Luis Lozano I think that implementing policies against racial profiling and not working hand in hand with ICE will go much further to better relations with the latino community than just increasing the number of latino officers. Paul OK, the Hispanic Culture is rich and worthy, however Toina is out to lunch on requesting hiring because of one's culture. Of course, she is not alone on our Council that has made real problems while playing touchie feely. They awarded Laurie Ann Ferril an accounting award weeks after she blew 20 million of our money. They ALL need to go. color of character Replace "Latino" with "White" in the headline and see how it reads then. Racism flourishes in LBC. We just pretend otherwise. @color of character You are so correct. And Tonia Uranga is reflective of all that is wrong with LB. Please 7th district...VOTE HER OUT! Dennis When will he meet with Council member(s) from the Cambodian community....oh wait, never mind. Rickatsea I am happy to hear of this meeting but as a Latino I do not feel the ‘disconnect’ (with the Latinos) is the exclusive ‘fault’ of the Long Beach Police Department. I am active in the community and have been for years. I am active in a Neighborhood Association and I get to meet the police and they meet me. We have to understand when people say ‘Latino’ they are addressing a group of people who come from many, many different countries and many, many different cultures. The common item may be the language. I said may because not all ‘Latinos’ speak Spanish. I speak English and consider myself an American of Spanish or Latino decent. My Father was from Mexico. When became a U.S. Citizen he cried of joy. He never, ever asked of a favor because of his Nationality. He insisted we are an American first and foremost and are as good, if not better than those who do not want to improve on their own. Where I am very proud of my ancestry I do not appreciate the crying of others who are asking for exemptions for their bad choices. We have free education here and so many toss that aside. We have freedoms here like no where else yet so many join the strict rules of life in a gang. I would be ashamed to call myself a ‘homeboy’. We have laws and many never seem to ‘get it’ that the laws are for everyone…..even us ‘Latinos’. We are no different than the Blacks Americans, the American Asians, the American Natives or the American Europeans. We all came for a better life. Yes, even the American Natives came here for a better life. If we look for prejudices we will find it among our own against other ‘Non-Latinos’ as easily as we will from other’s so why waist time and energy on such negatives? The Police are our friends. We (those of us who work and pay taxes) pay them to break up stupid, unproductive and dangerous gangs, they are there to prevent you from frying your brains with drugs, they take away your car if you insist on driving without insurance, a valid operator’s license, or if you refuse to read and obey signs regarding parking and speeding laws and don’t pay your citations. They should do more about shipping out anyone who is not here LEGALLY and who is breaking the laws of our land (felonies) regardless they be Latino, Russian, Canadian or whatever. If you, as a Latino, are having a ‘problem with the police’, just maybe you should check out what your grip really is and ask yourself if you would do what the police are doing if someone does what you are doing. Maybe give some thought how the police in your home town or home country would have handled you. You would have been lucky to be alive, right? So get over it! I welcome this Chief. I am happy he was not picked because he was of any particular color, race or religion (or ‘alternate life style’). I am especially happy we looked all over the place for a good chief and did not encourage a corrupt system of closed selections. I would be so unhappy if this city ever decides on giving promotions to anyone who is less qualified than someone else just because he/she is a ‘Latino’. To me that is an insult. That says we are not good enough and we need special breaks. What a put down! Some Latino ‘leaders’ who are really no different than other so called ’leaders’ think they have to say such stupid and racist things to get the ‘support of their people’. The truth is they should daily tell ‘their people’ to stay in school, get them involved in the community and get the parents to stop making excuses. If we ‘Latinos’ want to live here then standup and say so. Do it as the majority of the people do; be proud of who you are, where you came from, obey the laws, go to school, learn the language and try to assimilate by becoming a citizen and vote. Oh yes, support your police means helping the good ones get the tough job done, not making it harder for them. Proud American From one American to another: THANK YOU Rickatsea - NO ONE COULD SAY IT BETTER ! CHARLIE Race has never been a problem to me, but policemen that sue our City, DOES; I hope our new Chief of Police comes with a new broom for a clean up and sweep out the trouble makers - especially those that think they should be paid for getting dressed in the mornings for going to work! Cat Lover What a surprize that the Chief would echo that "we have to do more with less." The "West" memo that came out after he was allowed to keep his job indicates more of the same is in store for Long Beach. Separating the groups may be warm and fuzzy but you would think the new chief would have some creative new ideas that could be grant funded or that we would have enough new officers moved laterally to supplant the lack of Police who have or are in the process of leaving. No academies...we should figure out a way to have recruits and the city belly up a few dollars rather than having a 40% washout rate. Better yet, lets have more academies and charge other cities. Doing more with less is the mantra around here and it is no different than when Batts was here. You would think after living here for 14 years the new Chief would have clue on direction and that we are 25% larger than we were when Ernie Kell was Mayor and was forced to keep his promise of more officers. If public safety is not the primary function of Government and protecting the citizens is not #1 what is? Asa Effstop hmmm. Interesting that Garcia owns the LB Post and the post is the only news outlet that was informed about this meeting. I mean come on, He facebooks and email every time he is walking down Pine, but not about this? Ryan ZumMallen, Editor Dear Asa Effstop, we were informed of this meeting by LBCC, as were other local outlets (notice the television microphone in the photo and video). We were not the only local news outlet to attend. Thanks very much for reading and commenting! lb resident our police officers should be a reflection of our community, I recall stopping by the LBPD once and the white lady at the counter (Police administrator) was on the phone and I overheard her say "no I dont speak spanish do you speak english" and hung up the phone what a way of servicing the community, I speak english I am bilingual I embrace other cultures diversity people be cultural and tolerant to all cultures not just latinos but all great cultures that Long Beach has to offer. Gangs come in all colors not just latinos but for what ever reason latinos are the most profiled maybe because they are an easy target and they dont have strong representation in there community. I say practice community policing... some of the officers that work in Long Beach dont live in Long Beach those come accross as arrogant as if they are too good to live in Long Beach and simply dont care about bettering our communities just generating a paycheck. I have great respect for brave officers that are cultural people and that are intelligent and down to earth people no room for arrogance, ignorance is annoying. You can tell when an officer is truly born to be a police officer its not just about shinning the badge but about equality and truly wanting to protect and better our community. I admire police officers they carry tremendeous responsibilities but I worry when the wrong people are given such authority I've seen them abuse it I live in a Latino dominant community I know I've seen it...I've also seen quality policing and trust me some LBPD officers dont measure up to that agency... CHARLIE to RYAN I have to tell you, Ryan, I'm glued to FOXNEWS & LBPOST & CH.3, and I never saw a meeting notice either. When you mention LBCC, I have to assume that is the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce? If so, they normally communicate with members only, and might be worth considering giving them meeting notice space daily of matters that would effect the whole tax paying community? I'm sure the residential part of LB is extremely concerned what he intends to do upon his entry as our new Chief of Police and his departments conduct which leaves a lot to be desired? Ryan ZumMallen, Editor Hey there Charlie. By LBCC I meant Long Beach City College, the location of the meeting. We were not the only media outlet in attendance so we were not the only ones to receive the notice. Feel free to ask any questions you might have and I'll present them to Chief McDonnell the next time I have the opportunity. CHARLIE to RYAN Thank You, Ryan; I'll get back to you soon by direct email... color of character @lb resident, "our police officers should be a reflection of our community" sounds like police hiring should include race as a criterion. First, that's racism. Second, the goal should be the best police we can get, period, not the best police we can get consistent with the department reflecting our community. I'm glad you embrace all cultures and are tolerant of all, but since you claim gangs come in all colors, please tell me the names of our local white gangs. Here's another hypothesis for why "latinos are the most profiled": They comprise the single highest ethnic percentage of gangsters. Confused Who determines who is and isn't a "Long Beach Latino Leader" anyway? According to the last Census data, they are the majority in this town now so why do they need a special meeting? lb resident 2:COLOR OF CHARACTER / What do I know about the names of gangs I just know that they come in ALL COLORS, not just Latinos, gangsters are a problem in our community so no excuse for their acts of violence just don't group all Latinos as automatically being gangster and I see it happening more than once because of ignorance...my 15 year old cousin got harassed by a cop a white skinny arrogant cop not familiar with the area automatically assumed he was trouble and I felt like I was in a twilight zone, because my cousin is a straight 'A' student, does not have a bald head, a perfect attendance in school, received a high honor award from LBUSD and is a Christian and speaks fluent English (the cop automatically assumed he only spoke Spanish) when I asked where the Cop lived Orange County go figure... Wow should I assume you are white…I am not saying to hire all Hispanic cops or make it a race requirement… I never once made that remark (I just applaud diversity) funny that you would make that assumption, perhaps I should clarify what I meant when I say a reflection of our community, I meant embracing diversity, being cultural and not so narrow minded, understand that when there is a language barrier in a time of emergency that should not be a time for judgment but a moment of service and tolerance, we all pay taxes thus we all contribute to our PD's paycheck so why not be more of service EQUALLY for everyone regardless of what culture they are. So what I imply, by a reflection of our community I meant no more racist cops!!! And I am not talking about white cops period because I know the difference between racist cops and an honorable cop and believe me I can name a few cops that really get the work done and know how to handle being equal, not just targeting or belittling someone because of their race, and that's exactly what I mean by a reflection of our community, someone who can look past your race and not harass only one group of people but practice the real justice for all equally. So when the heading reads Chief meets Latino leaders I applaud the initiative of diversity and exposure to Latinos that don't fit the stereotype and can voice our concerns and injustice. But I don't expect you to understand because your experience are probably much more different then mine (we probably live in different parts of Long Beach anyway)… the minute someone sees the color of your skin they already have premeditated how they are going to treat you so I don't expect you to understand because to me it is not about color but about character and tolerance. And you are already claiming there are no white gangs that is so narrow minded FYI came across this though... the skinhead gangs are more around the beaches...there are tons in huntington beach. '...was on hand to talk about gangs and hate crimes. He said ... percent of the gangs are white supremacist-type gangs... " see I told you guys white gangster-ism isnt dead in cali and you guys be sayin they aint on the map. They just low key... Dennis I'm Latino and sick and tired of all this talk about promoting Latinos not knowing how qualified they are or not. I would much rather have a experienced, qualified WHITE person then a Latino just for the sake of catering to the Latino community. Growing up I never heard such naive logic. Let's look at the Latinos in office in Los Angeles. The Mayor, 4 councilmen all Latino and that city is in the worst shape ever. Latinos are failed their own people. I'm ready for leaders ANY COLOR who can help ALL races.
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Ryan ZumMallen has served as the managing editor of the LBPOST.com since 2007. He graduated from CSULB with a degree in Print Journalism in 2008 and is a member of the 2009 class of Leadership Long Beach. You can find him on various basketball courts around the city.
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