With much regret, I have made the decision to leave Long Beach. Long Beach has treated me very well the last four to five years….until I became a tax paying resident.

As you all know I was trying to organize locally in the East End. The main goal that I wanted to accomplish was the ridiculous traffic and parking conditions that the hotel has brought to the area where I live. Seeing what that place can be like on a Friday or Saturday in January, it boggles my mind what it will be like in July.

Of course I wanted to go the civil route and contacted the city numerous times to set up a meeting about this situation. Numerous phone calls and promises later, nothing ever happened. The police? They’re trying to do their job, but there’s “orders” from above all their heads to leave the hotel alone.

Did you know the building’s fire system doesn’t match the Long Beach Fire Department’s system? How that place is open for business is beyond me. Maybe it has been corrected since I was informed about the problem……but even if it was, I guess people’s safety is second to making a buck.

Oh, did I mention that I got a flat tire the other day driving these things we call roads in Long Beach? I think the western settlers had a smoother ride than we do around here. That’s another thing I tried to address and got a lot of resistance, telling me money is tight and the economy is down. Really? The city got a 25% boost in taxes three years ago, and continues to do so since it has only been lowered 3-4%, so honestly you can take that excuse and shove it. Or maybe if you read your own budget, you can stop paying the salary for a Police Commissioner Secretary (page 128 of the 2009-2010 budget), since we don’t even have a Police Commissioner. Or what about the newly created “clerk” that makes $70k a year? (City Comptroller Clerk page 126) Clerk is civil service’s way of calling someone an admin or secretary.

People wake up, I did. This city is going down faster than a submarine with an open hatch.

But enough with that nonsense. Long Beach will always have two things that can’t be corrupted by any government or shady business acts. The people and the beach. Once we let the city start commercializing the beach and boardwalk, we lost. Plain and simple. Not too long ago, maybe in the last 30-40 years, when people weren’t happy about something, they did something. Whether it was a march, a gathering, or even just a small organization……they did something. Sitting in your house, or on your neighbors deck, complaining about what’s wrong to each other……do something about it. I tried my hardest, but people were more concerned that their neighborhood wasn’t called the “east end” but some other section.

It’s friggin Long Beach man, it’s all Long Beach.

If anyone has any interest in taking this endeavor over please contact me.

Well after a week of going back and forth with myself on whether or not to write something about this, I decided I would do it on the condition it was informative and helpful.

Having worked the bar scene in the West End for a few years before landing my current profession I have made quite a few contacts here in Long Beach. From what I have heard, a female resident of the East End was raped last weekend. The limited information I have is that she left Billy’s Beach Cafe to walk home somewhat late, around 2:00am, and the incident took place on Magnolia Boulevard. I think this was Friday night going into Saturday morning but I could be mistaken. I have tried my hardest to get some information but will try calling the Long Beach Police on Monday.  I hope that the victim is doing OK and that she can make a full recovery.

So now it’s out there….out in the open on the internet for everyone to see and that was my main goal.  The fact that I found this out second hand and pretty much by accident disturbed me.  I see plenty of females walking alone, especially walking their dog(s), after dark.  Unfortunately the dogs I see wouldn’t do much in a self defense situation, unless there is guard dog training for a Bichon Frise that I didn’t know about. This is information all the residents of Long Beach need to know and it shouldn’t be a secret. The simple fact that people know something like this happened can and will prevent it from happening again, hiding it will just keep everyone clueless that they need to be cautious.

Here are some tips on how to prevent being raped or mugged. I am taking this from an informational page from the Prince George’s County Police Department and a few other sites I have found.  You can view their site here: Rape and Assault Prevention

ABOVE ALL,  BE AWARE OF THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU.
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND THE TOTAL
ENVIRONMENT.

Safety While Walking

• When possible, avoid walking alone. Walk with someone, or walk in areas where other people are near.
• Stay in well-lighted areas, away from alleys, bushes and entry ways.
• Avoid shortcuts through parks, vacant lots and other deserted places.
• Don’t hitchhike or accept rides form strangers.
• If a driver stops to ask you directions, avoid getting near the car.
• If you are being followed, go to the nearest business or residence for help.  Any place that there will be people around. (convenience stores, gas station, etc.)
• If you are harassed by the occupants of a car, simply turn and walk the other direction.  The driver will have to turn around to follow you.
• Hold your purse close, not dangling, and avoid carrying extra money or valuables on your person.
• When you return home, have your door key ready so that you can enter without delay.
• Be alert and aware. If someone bothers you, don’t be embarrassed to attract attention… scream, yell or whistle. If you feel you are in a dangerous situation, flea while screaming or yelling. Carry a whistle if you think you won’t be able to.

Safety at Home

• Keep doors and windows locked, regardless of whether they are upper or lower level windows/entrances
• Install and use a peephole in your door(s)
• Do not answer knocks at the door without first checking to see who it is. Utilize peepholes or windows to know who’s there (even if you are expecting someone)
• Instruct children and other family members not to answer/open the door automatically
• Require identification from all strangers (includes delivery/repair persons and police officers). If you’re not sure of a person’s ID, call the company/agency the person says they’re from
• Never leave notes/messages on your door, since they advertise that you’re away and when you plan to return
• Don’t ever tell anyone that you or a neighbor are home alone
• Use only initials and last names on mailboxes and phone listings (so as not to identify yourself as a female or a female living alone)
• Use blinds and drapes for privacy
• Trim bushes and shrubbery to remove any hiding places for an attacker
• Install good interior and exterior lighting for protection. For additional security, use timers to make your home appear occupied when you’re away.
• Always be aware of your surroundings
• You and your neighbors keep close watch for unusual cars or people in your communities and report suspicious activity to police
• When jogging/taking walks or participating in other such outdoor activities alone, let someone know your intended path of travel and estimated time of return. Better yet, don’t jog/walk alone… go in pairs or a group
• Always have car/house keys in hand before exiting secured areas
• Keep hands free of excessive packages/bulky items
• Never enter your home if you see that a door or window have been forced. Go to a neighbor’s and call police
• Never place a key over your doorway or under a flowerpot, etc. If you want, you can leave a spare key with a neighbor that is well known to you
• In dating situations, such as blind dates or when attending late night events, it is recommended that you double date with another couple or take a friend with you
• When returning home during hours of darkness, if possible, use a cellular telephone to alert someone inside your residence to observe your arrival

Telephone Safety

• If you receive obscene or annoying phone calls, hang up immediately. If calls persist, report them to the police and the telephone company
• If the call is a “wrong number,” don’t reveal your name or number, ask what number they dialed… but don’t tell them your number.
• Never divulge any information over the phone
• Instruct children that they should never tell anyone on the phone that you’re not home, they should say, “She can’t come to the phone right now, can I have her return your call?”

Automobile Safety

• Always have your keys in your hand when going to your car. Never walk to your car digging in your purse for your keys
• Check the interior of your car before entering, even when doors are locked
• Keep car doors locked at all times, both when driving or parked
• Park in highly visible areas that are well lit
• Always be watchful of activity, people, cars near you
• Keep your car gassed and in good running order
• If your car does become disabled, tie a piece of cloth to the door handle of your car and raise the hood, then sit in your locked car until help arrives. If someone stops, don’t get out of the car, roll your window down only slightly, and ask him or her to call a friend, relative, or police for assistance.
• Do not accept rides from strangers
• Avoid walking alone, especially late at night or in isolated or unfamiliar areas
• Don’t stop for a stranded motorist, instead go to the nearest phone and call police to assist them
• Don’t pick up hitchhikers
• Don’t leave house keys attached to your car keys when having your car serviced or at a parking garage/lot

Elevator Safety

• Avoid entering an elevator occupied by only one other person, who is a stranger
• Don’t enter or exit an elevator if someone makes you feel uneasy
• Use the mirror in the elevator to see inside
• Stand near the control panel and hit the alarm button and press as many floor buttons as possible if you are attacked.

Other Safety Tips

• Avoid walking alone. Walk with someone or walk in areas where other people are nearby
• Don’t dangle a purse by your side in a way that a thief can run past and grab it. When carrying a purse, keep it close to your body, preferably front of you
• Avoid carrying large sums of money and unnecessary credit cards
• Never leave your purse unattended in shopping carts, etc.
• Don’t have your ID/address attached to your car or house keys
• Stay in well lighted areas, away from shrubs, doorways, and other places of concealment