MONDAY, AUGUST 18 2014 - AUGUST 24, 2014
riversideindependent.com
Mandatory “kill-switches” for smartphones to prevent theft? Bill awaits Governor Jerry Brown's signature by jennifer schlueter With our smartphones being worth up to $700, $800 or even more, they have become favorable objects for thieves. Black market resales for stolen phones are lucrative for robbers, especially overseas, where American smartphones are more expensive. According to Consumer Reports, smartphone thefts in the US have almost doubled from 2012 to 2013 making them the leading property crime. Major cities in California are highly affected by this epidemic. In San Francisco and Oakland, cellphones were a target in 65 percent or rather 75 percent of all robberies in 2013, estimates the San Francisco city district attorney’s office. Oakland police data reveals that in the first half of this year over 80 percent of armed robberies involved mobile devices. Los Angeles has seen a 12% increase in cellphone thefts last year, reports NBC. To fight these alarming numbers, State Sen. Mark Leno introduced a bill that would require smartphone manufacturers to install a “kill-switch” into
their new, California-sold devices, which would make them inoperable if they fall into the wrong hands. Rightful owners would be able to lock their phones with antitheft software. According to CNBC, the bill exempts “smartphone models introduced before Jan. 1, 2015, that could not ‘reasonably be re-engineered’ to incorporate the anti-theft technology” and excludes tablets. Should the bill become law, “manufacturers will have until July 1, 2015, to incorporate the theft deterrent, which users would be asked to turn on when they set up their new devices,” CNBC states. “Our goal is to swiftly take the wind out of the sails of thieves who have made the theft of smartphones one of the most prevalent street crimes in California’s biggest cities,” Leno’s statement reads. The CTIA, a trade association representing the wireless telecommunication industry, opposed the bill according to a statement by their vice president of external and state affairs, Jamie Hastings. “We
-Photo by Jennifer Schlueter
urge the Governor to not sign this bill, since uniformity in the wireless industry created tremendous benefits for wireless consumers, including lower costs and phenomenal innovation,” said he. “State by state technology mandates, such as this one, stifle those benefits and are detrimental to wireless consumers.” However, the bill’s spon-
Robin Williams, circa 1990, at Santa Barbara’s Biltmore Hotel at a special event honoring his comedic mentor Jonathan Winters. –Photo by Terry Miller
the accident was driving north on Magnolia, Riverside police stated in a news release. Family members had told the paper that Sutherland was on life support until many hours later when they decided to take
Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams apparently took his own life at his Northern California home Monday, law enforcement officials said. Williams was 63. Officials have confirmed that Mr. Williams hanged himself in his home Monday. “He has been battling severe depression of late,” publicist Mara Buxbaum told media outlets. “This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.” Coroner investigators suspect “the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia,” according
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by Vickie Vértiz The Press Enterprise identified the hit-and-run victim as 27 year-old D’Andre Sutherland, who was riding near the Magnolia Avenue and Beechwood Place intersection when he was injured. The vehicle to look for is a late-model, silver or beige sport utility vehicle, which at the time of
The Recording Academy remembers Robin Williams By Terry Miller
Bicyclist succumbs to hit-and-run injuries and is honored with ghost bike A Riverside man was taken off life support at Riverside Community Hospital after being struck by a late-model silver or beige sport utility vehicle near Riverside City College about 2 a.m. on Sunday, August 10. The vehicle did not stop and the driver has not been found.
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City names Michael Moore Fire Chief Michael D. Moore, Fire Division Chief with the Orange County Fire Authority, has been named Fire Chief of the Riverside Fire Department. He starts Aug. 26. Moore, who started with the Orange County agency as a firefighter/paramedic in 1982, has worked the last 15 years in the position of Chief Officer. He most recently has worked as local Fire Chief for the City of Irvine, which contracts with the Fire Authority for fire services. “Michael Moore’s experiences overseeing both a city fire department and fire operations across a large and diverse county make him uniquely qualified to lead the Riverside Fire Department,” City Manager Scott Barber said. “We have a tradition of excellence in our department, and I look forward to Chief Moore building on the good work of those
who have come before him.” Moore oversees a 60-mile area including 13 fire stations and directly manages the Fire Authority’s most specialized programs, including Crash Fire Rescue Units at John Wayne Airport, Type 1 Hazardous Materials Teams, Medium Urban Search Trucks, Heavy Rescue Unit, the UC Irvine campus and a standalone volunteer firefighter station in Emerald Bay. Moore also serves as department Duty Chief on a rotational basis with other Division Chiefs, overseeing 71 fire stations, 550 square miles and fire prevention and protection services for 1.7 million people. Moore has been married to his wife, Robyne, for 31 years, and they have two adult children, Candace and Cameron. A resident of Corona, Moore expects to relocate to Riverside.
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“I have long admired the Riverside Fire Department for its commitment to excellence and its strong reputation among the Southern California firefighting community,” Moore said. “I very much look forward to continuing the strong tradition of excellent leadership in Riverside.” Moore earned his Executive Fire Officer certification from the National Fire Academy in 2005. He was awarded a Master of Public Administration degree from California State University, Long Beach in 1993 and graduated from the University of Redlands with a B.A. in Management in 1988. He earned associate degrees in Paramedical Education from Santa Ana College and Fire Service from Long Beach City College, both in 1984. Moore’s salary will be $215,000.
26 in 26 The 26 in 26 is a project that is focused on connecting people from all of Riverside’s unique neighborhoods to create a neighborhood-led, neighborhood driven strategy for each of Riverside’s 26 neighborhoods. We want to know what you love about your neighborhood! We want to know your gifts, talents and skills and we’d love to be connectors to help utilize those gifts, talents and skills that folks are willing to share with their community to make a positive impact. Just think about all of the great things that can be done if we bring the gifts, talents and skills of your neighborhood together! The 26 in 26 initiative is coming to your neighborhood soon and we want YOU to be involved! Please contact Yvette Sennewald, riversideca.gov/yourneighborhood, ysennewald@riversideca.gov, 951826-5168. Date, location: August 19, 6-830PM, at the Orangecrest Community Center.
Robin Williams Continued from page 1
to a statement from the Marin County, California, Sheriff’s office. Hundreds of thousands of tributes and a makeshift memorial at his Hollywood star mark the end of one of the most illustrious comedic careers in history. The Recording Academy, based in Santa Monica released this statement of Williams’ death. “Five-time GRAMMY® winner Robin Williams was a prolific actor and stand-up comedian who literally did it all: television, film, theater, and live performances. After gaining fame in his breakout role of Mork in the television show “Mork & Mindy,” Williams became a household name. His improvisational skills and comedic timing were unmatched, and he quickly established himself as a larger-than-life presence on screen and on stage. His roles in classic movies such as Mrs. Doubtfire, The Birdcage, and Jumanji showcased his comedic chops, while his versatility was reflected in dramatic
films such as Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, and Good Will Hunting, which earned him an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor. Although Williams is most recognized for his film and television work, he has receivedGRAMMYs for Best Comedy Recording three times, Best Recording for Children, and Best Spoken Comedy Album. Additionally, his heart matched his expansive talent, as he often gave generously — both financially and personally — to a number of worthwhile causes throughout his life. Our entertainment community has lost an immense talent, a true inspiration, and a creative genius, and his remarkable legacy will forever be immortalized in his vast and impressive body of work. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family, friends, and his countless fans around the world who will continue to honor his memory through laughter.”
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Holden’s bill to recognize President Obama in high school textbooks passed The California Legislature has given overwhelming, bi-partisan approval to Assemblymember Chris Holden’s bill to encourage California schools to teach the story of President Barack Obama’s trailblazing election. Today’s vote in the Assembly on concurrence in language changes was approved unanimously – 73 to 0. Last Thursday the Senate overwhelmingly approved AB 1912. The bill now goes to Governor Brown for signature. AB 1912 asks the State Board of Education and the Instructional Quality Commission to include the significance of President Barack Obama’s election in the state’s history and social science standards for grades seven to twelve. “The election of President Barack Obama is a significant part of history and should not just be a mere footnote within textbooks,” said Assemblymember Holden. “This bill would create an opportunity for our children to learn about the historical significance of electing our first African-American President. Children need to understand that for years intimidation and physical violence prevented millions of African Americans from voting and alienated them from the electoral process, making the 2008 election of President Obama even more noteworthy.” California has not updated its standards for nine years due largely to the state’s fiscal crisis. The State Board of Education is expected to review instructional materials during the 2015-2016 school year.
LASD seeking help in identifying a suspect for lewd acts upon a child The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – Special Victims Bureau is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the adult male Hispanic suspect pictured here. The suspect is wanted in connection with a child pornography investigation involving an unknown 11-year-old victim. If you recognize the suspect in the attached photograph, you are asked to call the Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-LASD (5273) or you may contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS (8477) or Text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES) to anonymously provide your information.
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Former US Marine rode his Harley across the USA to help shelter animals in need Rock & Rawhide, the charity that helps increase adoption levels of dogs and cats in shelters, launched a national campaign to help drive adoptions and support of local animal shelters across the country with “Anthony’s Ride for Shelter Pets.” Harkening back to the days of Route 66 and how Americans used to drive awareness of issues from town to town, “Anthony’s Ride for Shelter Pets” took Rock & Rawhide volunteer and Marine Corps Veteran Anthony L. Ungaro from New York to Los Angeles on his 2007 Harley-Davidson FXDB Dyna Bob. Anthony is a 29-year-old Brooklyn native who combined his love for motorcycle riding with his desire to help animals. He served for eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a deployment to Iraq during the 2004 Battle of Fallujah, before returning home and finding love with his red-nosed pit bull Donny. According to Ungaro, “I attribute my successful transition from the military to college, to the positive experiences and responsibilities that come with having a pet in the family.” Anthony rode his HarleyDavidson cross-country to help spread awareness about Rock & Rawhide and pet adoption and arrived in Los Angeles Tuesday,
August 12. Anthony’s motorcycle trip spanned 4,000 miles, covering 14 states. Anthony departed New York City on July 28, and made his final destination Los Angeles, California. In California, Anthony met with the Los Angeles Animal Services and Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, at Petco La Brea, where he delivered toys, treats and supplies on behalf of Rock & Rawhide. Los Angeles Animal Services promotes and protects the health, safety and welfare of animals and people. They envision the day when every pet born has a good home and is cared for all its life, and no person is ever endangered by an animal. Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is an independent, donor-supported, non-profit agency that provides animal care for abandoned and homeless animals. An open door agency, PHS welcomes and cares for all animals in its service area regardless of age, medical condition, breed or any other criteria. The Society is responsible for animal control and welfare for nine area cities that include Arcadia, Bradbury, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Monrovia, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena.
Bicyclist killed Continued from page 1
him off the machines that were helping him breathe. The Enterprise reported a statement from Riverside police Lieutenant Mike Cook who said no new leads have developed nor have new witnesses come forward. Unfortunately, hit-and-runs for bicyclists are not uncommon in the Inland Empire. The Inland Empire Biking Alliance has recorded installing 21 bicycle frames painted in white in honor of those who have died from these injuries in the past. Mark Friis, executive director of the nonprofit, placed a ghost bike near the area where Sutherland suffered fatal injuries. Friis noted that it was the 21st allwhite tireless bicycle that he had left on a roadside or trail in 2014 from Chino to Banning to Temecula to Big Bear. Friis told the Enterprise that he hoped the memorial will bring awareness to drivers and bike riders who see it to be more careful as they share the road. “We’ve become too accustomed to fatalities on the roadway,” Friis said. The driver who killed Sutherland could face a charge of felony vehicular manslaughter, Cook told the Enterprise. Two years ago, Michelle Vega from Norco, received the
terrible news that her son Michael Ray Vega was struck and killed by a vehicle that also did not stop. He was on his way home from his job at the Apple Store in Rancho Cucamonga. She told the paper that Michael was “25 years, eight months and eight days” old. Vega joined the Inland Empire Biking Alliance, which advocates for the construction of bike lanes and trails, but also teaches bicycle safety to children and adults. The Enterprise stated that Vega helped install the ghost bike and wrote on it with black ink after it was chained to a light pole on the east side of Magnolia, north of Beechwood. She wrote: “D’Andre Sutherland 8-12-14. Ride In Paradise.” She said the death of bicyclists caused by the hit-and-run as senseless and selfish. Vega had one request for drivers in Riverside: “Slow down.” Any person with information on the crime should contact Detective Felix Soria by phone at 951-826-8720 or by email at FSoria@riversideca. gov. Tips may also be given at at 951-353-7261 to the Riverside police investigations tip line or by email to RPDTips@ riversideca.gov
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sor San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón says that “the manufacturers have indicated that they will implement this technology nationwide with passage of this bill, and with organized crime rings shipping smartphones stolen in the U.S. overseas, passage of this legislation will have implications for public safety around the globe.” Samsung and Apple, along with other US mobile device manufacturers have already carried out antitheft measures and are continuously working on them.
After prior denial and several revisions, the “kill-switch” bill was recently approved 27-8 by the California State Assembly and is now being reviewed by Governor Jerry Brown. Following Minnesota, California would be the second state to require a “kill-switch”. In May, the Midwestern state has passed a similar law. Minneapolis mayoral candidate Mark Andrew fell victim to two teenage robbers, who had beaten him down because he tried to prevent them from stealing his phone.