ESPAÑOL
Scroll down for the English Version*
Por/By Redacción-KEYT
[email protected]
El Departamento del Alguacil del Condado de Ventura (VCSO), anunció la semana pasada que después de una cuidadosa consideración, sus oficiales ya no usarán la “llave de la arteria” para apresar a una persona.
Esto sigue la decisión de la Comisión de California sobre Normas y Entrenamiento de Oficiales de Paz (POST), de no certificar más el uso de esta técnica de defensa personal para formar parte de la capacitación de oficiales de paz en el estado.
Bill Ayub Jefe del VCSO, explicó que esto cambiará la capacitación que reciben los reclutas durante la academia básica, y la capacitación continua que reciben los agentes a lo largo de sus carreras.
«Nuestra política de uso de la fuerza no permitió estrangulamientos, pero sí permitió el uso de la llave de la arteria durante confrontaciones con sujetos violentos o combativos», indicó el Alguacil Ayub.
Según el VCSO, la llave carótida, como también se le llama a esta llave de judo, cuando se administra adecuadamente, restringe el flujo de sangre a través de las arterias carótidas de los lados del cuello, lo que hace que la persona se desmaye brevemente.
El efecto generalmente dura unos pocos segundos, pero le da tiempo al agente para restringir y esposar a la persona para que terminar una confrontación violenta.
“En 2019, nuestros agentes tuvieron 202,394 contactos documentados con el público. De todos esos, solo 652 involucraron el uso de algún nivel de fuerza. De esos 652 incidentes relacionados con el uso de la fuerza, la llave de la arteria se usó solo dos veces y ninguno resultó en lesiones graves o muerte», recalcó el Alguacil.
En lo que va del año, las autoridades aseguran que la llave se usó sólo una vez en el condado, y ese encuentro no resultó en lesiones graves.
“En cada caso en el que se utilizó la llave, el sujeto recibió una evaluación médica según lo exige la ley”, finalizó.
PERSONAS EMBALADAS CALLES EN SB
Con el clima que se pone más caluroso a medida que las restricciones se alivian en toda el área, el centro de Santa Bárbara ha comenzado a hervir de gente.
El mes pasado, las cuadras de State Street desde Haley Street hasta Sola Street fueron bloqueadas para vehículos y convertidas en una calzada peatonal.
Esto ha permitido a los restaurantes ampliar sus áreas de servicio temporales con mesas al aire libre en un esfuerzo por aumentar el negocio.
«Ha sido sorprendente. La decisión del Ayuntamiento de hacer esto ha salvado a muchos de los negocios que hicieron especial a Santa Bárbara», dijo el propietario de The Cruisery, Aron Ashland.
«El negocio es increíble. Es una gran sensación, hay muchas personas pasando un buen rato», dijo por su parte Clay Holdren, propietario de Holdren’s Steaks & Seafood.
Mientras tanto, el Departamento de Salud del Condado informó de dos nuevas muertes y 61 nuevos casos de coronavirus, lo que marcó el mayor salto en un solo día para el condado hasta el momento.
A pesar de estas estadísticas alarmantes, a la mayoría de las personas no parece preocuparles la cantidad de peatones que caminan por el centro.
«Mientras tengamos cuidado, está bien que todos estemos aquí», dijo el residente local Nolan Anderson.
Por su parte, el estudiante de Westmont William Ellzey explicó que no está de más abrir las calles.
«Puedo decir que a todos les encanta».
A medida que el tráfico peatonal continúa aumentando en el centro, algunos también comienzan a cuestionar el uso de mascarillas.
«Si caminas por la calle, no creo que necesites una. Creo que estás lo suficientemente lejos de otras personas», asumió Anderson.
«Diría que probablemente soy más pro sin máscara. Solo porque creo que depende de las personas si quieren arriesgar su salud», aludió Ellzey.
A pesar de que menos personas usan máscaras en público, los restaurantes siguen centrados en hacer cumplir estrictos procedimientos de seguridad.
«Ninguno de nosotros quiere esto, pero queremos asegurarnos que todos los que puedan estar seguros lo estén», dijo Ashland.
Con la vista puesta en el futuro, muchos dueños de negocios mantienen la esperanza de que los funcionarios de la Ciudad permitan que State Street se convierta permanentemente en una calzada peatonal como en Santa Mónica.
«Se siente un poco como Europa sentada en el patio. Simplemente ha traído una energía completamente nueva al centro de la ciudad, que es exactamente lo que hemos estado buscando», concluyó Holdren.
GOLETA CONDENA EL RACISMO
La semana pasada, el Concilio de Goleta celebró una reunión virtual especial y aprobó por unanimidad una resolución que condena la brutalidad policial y declara que el racismo es una emergencia de salud pública.
“La Acaldía de Goleta tiene un orgulloso historial de proclamar su compromiso con la inclusión, la diversidad y la equidad. El Concilio ha expresado su compromiso de hacer de Goleta una comunidad acogedora, inclusiva y segura para todos, y de promover el pensamiento y la libertad de expresión, al tiempo que condena el racismo y la brutalidad policial, el discurso de odio, la intolerancia, la violencia y los prejuicios», dijo la Alcaldesa Paula Perotte
Sin embargo, con la reciente tragedia contra George Floyd y otros eventos, el consiguiente activismo, defensa y protestas que se han desarrollado en todo el país, varios miembros del Concilio solicitaron que se redactara una resolución para su consideración.
Este también fue un tema importante para los residentes, ya que 68 personas enviaron comentarios públicos al Secretario de la Ciudad, 2 personas llamaron y hablaron, y 12 optaron por que sus comentarios se leyeran en el registro durante la reunión del Concilio.
“Nuestro Ayuntamiento sigue comprometido a garantizar que todos los residentes reciban un trato justo y equitativo, que la policía reciba la capacitación y el equipo adecuados, y que todo el personal del Alguacil sea responsable de sus políticas y prácticas”, indicó la Alcaldesa.
Perotte también declaró que era muy importante para ella contar con el Alguacil Bill Brown como parte de la reunión virtual y que sirviera como un puente para un diálogo más abierto entre el Concilio y su departamento.
La Ciudad de Goleta tiene contratos con el SBCSO para servicios de cumplimiento de la ley.
«Espero que la información brindada le dé las siguientes garantías: que en el Departamento tomamos sus preocupaciones en serio; que trabajamos continuamente para asegurar que nuestra organización brinde la mejor protección y servicio posible a todos en nuestra comunidad; y que nos esforzamos por hacerlo de manera justa, imparcial y justa «, dijo el Alguacil Brown.
NUEVO PARQUE EN SM
El Departamento de Recreación y Parques de la Ciudad de Santa María, el Club Kiwanis de Santa María y People for Leisure and Youth, Inc. (PLAY, Inc.) presentaron el miércoles el primer parque infantil inclusivo del área en el Parque Preisker.
El patio de recreo, ubicado en 330 Hidden Pines Way, tiene una variedad de equipos especializados que pueden ser navegados por niños con impedimentos visuales, móviles y auditivos.
Algunos de los aspectos más destacados de este equipo PlayCore incluyen un Zero G-Swing con un arnés ajustable para mantener una posición neutral del cuerpo y minimizar la fatiga de los niños con discapacidades físicas; instrumentos musicales; y, una transferencia de diapositivas de la Ley de estadounidenses con discapacidades para permitir que un usuario en un dispositivo de movilidad se posicione en la diapositiva, dijeron las autoridades.
En octubre de 2018, la Fundación Santa Maria Kiwanis para Niños y PLAY, Inc. comenzaron sus esfuerzos de recaudación de fondos para hacer realidad este patio de recreo.
«El catalizador para este proyecto fue una donación de $ 45,000 de Kiwanis y $ 100,000 adicionales aportados por la comunidad, lo que permitió la instalación de este diseño de PlayCore», dijeron.
El Departamento de Recreación y Parques coordinó la construcción, proporcionó mano de obra para preparar el sitio y proporcionó fondos adicionales.
Este patio especial será un punto focal para los residentes del área y será disfrutado y accesible para todos los niños.
ENGLISH
Last Friday the Santa Barbara City Fire Department (SBFD), welcomed 10 new firefighters when they were sworn in as the department’s 42nd Academy class.
The graduation culminates a multi-year recruiting and testing effort and also a rigorous 10-week academy consisting of classroom instruction, strength and conditioning training, and manipulative skills
The SBFD Chief, Eric Nickel presided over an outdoor graduation ceremony that complied with County Public Health Orders.
The recruits received their badges and recited the oath of duty.
The ceremony was attended by Fire Department Command Staff, academy instructors, and a small number of family members. The event was also live streamed for friends and family to view from their homes.
The City received over 800 applications, and each firefighter passed a rigorous testing process.
The new firefighters filled positions created by retirements.
The academy was originally scheduled for 12 weeks, but due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, adjustments were made to minimize exposures while completing the training curriculum.
“The SBFD is taking every step necessary to ensure we fulfill our mission of protecting life and property in Santa Barbara during the COVID Pandemic. I am proud to welcome the 10 recruits who joined our ranks today”, said Chief Nickel.
“These recruits demonstrated their flexibility and resolve under extraordinary circumstances, and I am excited to see them serve our community with respect, compassion, and integrity.”
The academy prepared the recruits to safely respond to medical emergencies, auto accidents and extrications, water rescue, hazardous material operations, rope rescue, confined space rescue, floods, aircraft rescue and firefighting, structure firefighting, and wildland firefighting operations.
The new firefighters already started working a day after their graduation.
CURBSIDE SERVICE IN LIBRARBYS
The Buellton, Solvang, and Goleta Valley Libraries started offering on Tuesday curbside pick-up services out front of each location.
“Library patrons will be able to place holds for any items currently at the Goleta, Buellton, or Solvang Libraries, and then make an appointment to pick them up once contacted by staff that their items are ready”, the Library department said in a press release.
Before the new service returns could also be made in the book drops.
Meanwhile, at the Goleta Valley Library large items should be returned at a table placed in the entrance.
Carey McKinnon, Solvang Library Branch Supervisor, said, that branch library staff are looking forward to seeing their patrons again soon.
“We have been working hard getting ready to serve the community safely and efficiently for our new curbside pick-up,” she said.
All visitors must comply with social distancing rules.
McKinnon stated to receive service, everyone must wear a face covering and line up six feet apart on the sidewalk leading up to the library’s front walkway.
A library staff member will make sure everything is ready for you, and then send you to the front door of the library to pick-up your items.
Library staff will be following public health safety guidelines as well, wearing face coverings and gloves, and an apron if they are emptying the book drops.
Curbside service will be available Tuesdays – Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Please be respectful of other patrons and do not come if you are feeling ill.
Black Gold service, which ships books between library locations throughout seven tri-county jurisdictions, will not resume until later this year.
Also, now that that sidewalk service will be available, the libraries will no longer be mailing Craft Kits, instead they will be available for pick up at the branches
The free Craft kits are only available for patrons of the Goleta, Buellton, and Solvang libraries and each month children can receive only two craft kits.
NO MORE CAROTID HOLD FOR SB’s SHERIFF
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO), announced last week that after careful consideration its deputies will no longer use the carotid hold.
This follows the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), decision to no longer certify the carotid hold to be part of the training of peace officers in the state.
THE VCSO’s Bill Ayyoub said this will change the training recruits receive during the basic academy and the ongoing training deputies receive throughout their careers.
“Our use of force policy did not allow choke holds or so-called strangle holds, but did allow the use of the carotid hold during encounters with violent or combative subjects,” he Chief Ayyoub said.
According to the VCSO, the carotid hold, when properly administered, restricts the blood flow through the carotid arteries at the sides of the neck, causing the person to briefly pass out.
The effect typically lasts just a few seconds but would allow the deputy time to restrain and handcuff the person to end a violent encounter.
“In 2019, our deputies had 202,394 documented contacts with the public. Of all of those contacts, only 652 involved the use of some level of force. Of those 652 incidents involving the use of force, the carotid hold was used only twice. Neither of those encounters resulted in serious injury or death,” said the Chief.
The carotid hold has been used once in the county in 2020, and that encounter did not result in serious injury. In each case where the carotid hold was used, the subject received a medical evaluation as required by law.
PEOPLE PACKED STREETS IN SB
With the weather warming up as restrictions ease throughout the area, downtown Santa Barbara has begun to bustle with people.
Last month, the blocks of State Street from Haley Street to Sola Street were blocked off to vehicles and converted in a promenade.
This has allowed restaurants to create temporary outdoor dining areas in an effort to increase business.
«It’s been amazing. The City Council’s decision to do this has saved a lot of the businesses which made Santa Barbara special,” The Cruisery owner Aron Ashland said.
«The business is incredible. It’s a great feel, there’s lots of people having a good time,” Holdren’s Steaks & Seafood owner Clay Holdren said.
On Friday, the SB County Public Health reported two new deaths and 61 new coronavirus cases, which marked the highest single-day jump for the County thus far.
Despite these alarming statistics, most people don’t seem concerned with the amount pedestrians walking around downtown.
“As long as we’re careful, it’s okay that we’re all out here,” local resident Nolan Anderson said.
Westmont student William Ellzey said it doesn’t hurt to open up the streets like this
“I can tell everyone loves it.»
As the foot traffic continues to increase downtown, some are also starting to question the viability of wearing a mask.
«If you’re walking on the street, I don’t think you need a mask. I think you’re far enough away from other people,” Anderson said.
«I would say I’m probably more pro no mask. Just because I think it’s up to the people if they want to risk their health,” Ellzey said.
Despite fewer people wearing masks in public, restaurants remain focused on enforcing strict safety procedures.
«None of us want this. We just want to make sure everyone that could be safe is safe,” Ashland said.
With an eye towards the future, many business owners remain hopeful that City officials will allow State Street to permanently become a promenade.
«Feels a little like Europe sitting out on the patio. It’s just brought a whole new energy to downtown, which is exactly what we’ve been looking for,” Holdren concluded.
GOLETA CONDEMN RACISM
Last week the Goleta City Council held a special virtual City Council meeting and unanimously approved a resolution condemning police brutality and declaring racism a public health emergency.
“The City of Goleta has a proud record of proclaiming its commitment to inclusivity, diversity and equity. The City Council has expressed a commitment to making Goleta a welcoming, inclusive, and safe community for everyone, and to promoting free thought and speech, while condemning racism and police brutality, hate speech, bigotry, violence and prejudice,” said Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte.
However, with the recent tragedy against George Floyd and others, and the ensuing activism, advocacy and protests that have developed across the country, several Councilmembers requested a resolution be drafted for their consideration.
This is an important issue for the public as well, 68 people sent in public comments to the City Clerk’s office, 2 people called in and spoke, and 12 people opted to have their comments read into the record during the City Council meeting.
“Our Council remains committed to assuring that all residents receive fair and equitable treatment, that police receive the proper training and equipment, and that all Sheriff personnel are held accountable for their policies and practices.
Mrs. Perotte also stated it was very important to her to had Sheriff Bill Brown as part of the virtual meeting and for it to serve as a stepping stone for a more open dialogue between the Council and his office.
The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.
“I hope that the information provided gives you the following assurances: that we in the Sheriff’s Office take your concerns seriously; that we are continuously working to insure that our organization provides the best possible protection and service to everyone in our community; and, that we endeavor to do so in a fair, unbiased and just manner,” Sheriff Brown said.
NEW PARK IN SANTA MARIA
The City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria, and the People for Leisure and Youth, Inc. (PLAY, Inc.) unveiled the area’s first inclusive playground on Wednesday at Preisker Park,.
The playground, located at 330 Hidden Pines Way, has a variety of specialized equipment that can be navigated by children with visual, mobile, and hearing impairments.
Some of the highlights of this PlayCore equipment includes a Zero G-Swing with an adjustable harness to maintain a neutral body position and minimize fatigue of children with physical disabilities; musical instruments; and, an Americans with Disabilities Act Slide Transfer to allow a user in a mobility device to position themselves on the slid, authorities said.
In October 2018, the Santa Maria Kiwanis for Kids Foundation and PLAY, Inc. began their fundraising efforts to make this playground a reality.
“The catalyst for this project was a $45,000 donation from Kiwanis and an additional $100,000 contributed by the community, which enabled this PlayCore design to be installed,” they said.
The Recreation and Parks Department coordinated construction, provided staff labor to prepare the site, and provided additional funding.
This special playground will be focal point for area residents and will be enjoyed and accessible to all children.
