EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 61, NO. 41
September 19, 2024
San Bernardino to Install 580 Solar-Powered Streetlights as Fencing Comes Down at Carousel Mall
IECN.com
Highland Lowe’s Builds Study Space for Highlanders Boxing Club in Eight-Hour Service Project Pg. 3
PHOTOS MANNY SANDOVAL
The fencing surrounding the perimeter of the former Carousel Mall site being taken down at 11 AM on September 10th, 2024; with a visibly broken street light as the electrical box located at the bottom is removed.
By Manny Sandoval
L
ast week, the San Bernardino Police Department held its monthly Small Business Watch meeting at Studio D in downtown San Bernardino, unveiling significant city initiatives to address public safety and urban revitalization. The key takeaways included the integration of solar-powered streetlights across the city and the long-anticipated acquisition of the blighted Harris Building, mark-
ing pivotal steps toward a safer, more illuminated downtown. Jeff Kraus, the City of San Bernardino’s Public Information Officer, emphasized the city’s plans to replace copper-wired streetlights with solar-powered alternatives, a critical upgrade in combating copper theft—a rampant issue in the region. "Three weeks ago, the City Council approved $1.5 million for the purchase of streetlights," said Kraus. "We have between 1,500 and 1,800 streetlights throughout the
city, and a lot of them do not work due to copper wire theft. It’s out of control. Our Public Works Director likes to say, 'We’re so tired of supplying copper thieves with their inventory.' But this funding will go toward replacing the streetlights with solarpowered alternatives." Kraus detailed that the cost of replacing a solar-powered streetlight head is around $3,000. The $1.5 million allocation will Streetlights cont. on next pg.
San Bernardino Residents Launch Recall Efforts Against Councilmen Sanchez and Mayor Pro Tem Shorett
Poll Reveals Nearly 80% of Inland Empire Latinos Struggle to Find Affordable Housing Pg. 5
Inland
SanEmpire Bernardino County Community DA Announces NewspapersMultiple Charges Against Office: (909) 381-9898 Line Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Fire Arsonist Advertising: sales@iecn.com
Pg. 5
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PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
Fourth Ward Resident Georgia signing a petition to recall Sanchez and Shorett on September 4th, at Viva La Boba in downtown San Bernardino.
By Manny Sandoval
A
coalition known as The People of San Bernardino has initiated recall efforts against City Councilmen Ted Sanchez (Ward 1) and Fred Shorett (Ward 4), citing frustrations over public safety, infrastructure issues,
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
Councilman Theodore Sanchez making an appearance at SBPD’s Small Business Watch Meeting on September 10th, amidst the recall efforts.
and a lack of engagement with the community. The movement highlights longstanding concerns about leadership accountability and responsiveness in San Bernardino, as residents demand more direct involvement from their elected officials. Resident, business owner, and pastor BJ Sims, a vocal member of the coalition,
expressed his frustration with Councilman Sanchez. “We’re not going to sit back. We’re going to organize and demand that what we want as a community is being carried out,” Sims said. He pointed to years of a lack of street lighting and ongoing vandalism in downtown San Bernardino as Council Recall cont. on next pg.