EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 61, NO. 49
November 14, 2024
Just SB Presses City Council for Equitable Carousel Mall Redevelopment with Jobs, Affordable Housing, and Environmental Protections
IECN.com
HSSBV to Host 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Auction at Winter Event Pg. 4
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
On November 6, Just SB coalition members standing energized in front of Feldheym Library in downtown San Bernardino, moments before addressing the council in public comment following their press conference.
By Manny Sandoval
I
Veterans from Korean War & Vietnam War Receive High School Diplomas at Riverside County Recognition Pg. 5
n a powerful call for transparency and community involvement, the Just San Bernardino Collaborative and local leaders gathered on November 6 to demand a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) and an open Request for Proposals (RFP) process for the redevelopment of the Carousel Mall in downtown San Bernardino. The coalition, composed of residents, local organizations, and labor representatives, underscored the need to build a redevelopment model that serves the entire community and addresses longstanding economic and environmental inequities. "We’re pushing for affordable housing, local hiring initiatives, and green spaces. Our residents shouldn’t have to choose between paying rent, putting food on the table, or commuting five hours a day for work,” said Celine Perez, Chief of Staff at
the Inland Empire Labor Council and a key member of the Just San Bernardino Coalition. “We’re tired of our community being sold out to developers. Past deals have left us with displacement and environmental challenges, without the quality of life improvements we were promised. We need a genuine partnership with city officials and developers—one that reflects the community’s needs, not just corporate interests.” Perez emphasized the need for redevelopment that empowers the community, ensuring that new opportunities allow residents to live, work, and retire in San Bernardino. “Our community deserves an opportunity to build roots and thrive. The corruption and past decisions haven’t worked. We need a sustainable approach that lifts everyone.” The coalition also called for a commitment to environmental safeguards in the
redevelopment project. This includes clean air initiatives, electrification, and accessible green spaces to make San Bernardino not just a commercial hub but a place that is safe, healthy, and livable for all residents. They are pushing to ensure that small businesses and local entrepreneurs have a place in a redeveloped downtown. Sheheryar Kaoosji, executive director of the Warehouse Worker Resource Center and member of the Just San Bernardino Collaborative, highlighted the crucial need for development that supports a locally based economy. “In the warehouse industry, we see firsthand how essential it is to have accountable, sustainable jobs that are tied to the community,” Kaoosji said. “We can’t depend on the Amazons of the world to define our economic future. We need standards that foster investment in small businesses and ensure quality jobs that conSan Bernardino CBA cont. on next pg.
SBPD Fatally Shoots Documented Gang Member After Attempted Escape and Armed Confrontation During Traffic Stop Inland Empire Community Ontario International Newspapers Airport Celebrates Office: (909) 381-9898
Continued Passenger Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Growth, Robust Advertising: sales@iecn.com Legals : iecnlegals@hotmail.com Partnerships During State of the Airport Pg. 8 HOW TO REACH US Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals: iecnlegals@gmail.com
By Manny Sandoval
A
traffic stop turned deadly Thursday morning after a San Bernardino man armed with a loaded firearm attempted to evade police, resulting in an officer-involved shooting. The incident occurred on November 7, 2024, around 9:19 AM on the 1400 block of West 7th Street in San Bernardino. According to San Bernardino Police Department records, officers stopped a vehicle driven by Albert Jose Rodriguez Jr., 48, for multiple vehicle code violations. Rodriguez, the sole occupant of the vehicle, allegedly refused to cooperate and repeatedly reached inside his shirt, where officers later found a firearm. When officers attempted to remove him from the vehicle,
Rodriguez resisted and engaged in a physical struggle. During the altercation, Rodriguez reportedly attempted to drive away, injuring one officer and trapping the other inside the vehicle. As the car continued moving, Rodriguez reached for his firearm, prompting an officer to discharge their weapon. The officer inside the vehicle then managed to steer it to safety, preventing a potential collision with other motorists. After the vehicle was halted, officers retrieved the loaded firearm and provided medical aid to Rodriguez. Paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and transported him to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
During a subsequent search of Rodriguez’s vehicle, officers found suspected narcotics. Rodriguez was identified as a documented gang member with a lengthy criminal history, including prior arrests for assault with a deadly weapon, narcotics sales, and illegal firearm possession. The San Bernardino Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating the incident, with oversight from the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities urge anyone with relevant information to contact Detective B. Nelson at (909) 384-5640 or via email at Nelson_Br@sbcity.org. Sergeant Erik Campos, the case’s issuing officer, can also be reached at (909) 384-5613 or campos_er@sbcity.org.