mercurynews--2020-06-08--Protecting California’s iconic species: Pandemic challenges more than human health

Nonprofits working to protect and conserve some of the Central Coast ’ s most iconic species are employing a variety of tactics to keep their programs going .
Recently the 1000th California Condor — North America ’ s largest land bird — was caught and tagged , marking a meaningful conservation milestone for the species .
With a wingspan up to one and a half times the length of a queen-sized bed , these behemoth birds almost went the way of the dinosaurs when their populations fell to just 22 in the early 1980s .
Though still critically endangered , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brink of extinction and there are now more than 500 living in the western United States .
But the milestone comes at a time when people are more focused on conserving aspects of their pre-shelter-in-place lifestyle than the regional wildlife .
“ In addition to the 1000th condor recorded , we also achieved a wild population in central California of 100 individuals , with this year alone having eight active nesting attempts , ” says Ventana Wildlife Society Executive Director Kelly Sorenson .
The Monterey-based nonprofit recovers California Condors in the wild and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Park in Big Sur .
The park is listed as one of the best locations to spot these birds in the region and just recently reopened to day-use visitors .
Despite some parks gradually and cautiously opening , many nonprofit facilities remain closed .
Both the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the California Academy of Sciences have announced that numerous employees will be impacted by the budget cuts resulting from lost ticket sale revenue .
Organizations such as the Marine Mammal Center and the SPCA of Monterey County reduced numbers of staff and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Jan Masaoka , the CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits , known as CalNonprofits , one in every 14 California jobs is at a nonprofit organization .
The nonprofit sector , therefore , employs more people than construction in the state , while also hosting a wide network of volunteers , most of whom have been asked to stay home under shelter in place .
As a result , the SLEWTHS ( Science , Learning , and Exploration With The Help of Sealions ) Project — a nonprofit program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that cares for rescued and un-releasable sea lions – -says nearly all their funding sources have been canceled .
“ Donations are only a small part of our typical support , ” says SLEWTHS Director Jenifer Zeligs .
“ Most of our income requires live in-person experiences.
” She is optimistic that their SOS : Save our sea lion Causevox campaign can raise the minimum $ 24,000 needed for basic care of their five sea lions : Nemo , Ariel , Cali , Gaia , and Freya .
“ These animals are my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them , ” says Zeligs .
As they still need food and medications , the organization has pivoted its fundraising strategy .
The SPCA of Monterey County is also lacking in-person fundraising opportunities .
“ Our annual Wag n ’ Walk did not raise as much as it has in the past , likely because the event had to become virtual at the last minute , ” said SPCA Vice President of Marketing and Communications Beth Brookhouser .
Not only has fundraising been impacted , but she says demand for some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite the challenges , their Wildlife Rescue Center still currently has more than 100 wild patients in their care .
Other fundraising events are being called off altogether , as experienced by the Ventana Wildlife Society .
“ Shelter in place caused the cancellation of our most important fundraiser for the year , ” says Sorenson .
Human health and safety is being put first during this pandemic and aid opportunities outside of conservation may take precedence when it comes to donations .
“ We anticipate that loss to be $ 40,000 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support us that may change their priorities in light of COVID-19.
” The Entre Nous Society Inc. in Salinas is a nonprofit which has distributed funds to other nonprofits in Monterey County for more than 85 years .
“ We will continue to support Monterey County ’ s nonprofits to the best of our ability during these unprecedented times , ” said President Carrie Miles , noting that they were able to give $ 5,000 to the Food Bank of Monterey County in April .
However , they have also had to postpone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sea Otter ’ s Michelle Bender says while their advocacy has continued quite normally , and they recently announced grant funds to research southern otter populations in Baja , the project is delayed because of the logistical challenges .
Sea Otter Savvy ( for which they served as a fiscal sponsor ) also can not hold its regular events .
“ Education and research look to be the hardest hit , ” Bender says , “ but it is promising to see such a virtual presence by many organizations looking to continue their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like for-profit businesses , can apply for loans from the federal government , but they must meet specific criteria .
In a town hall hosted by CalNonprofits , Northern California Senator Bill Dodd emphasized that when it comes to nonprofits working with environmental and conservation issues , “ COVID-19 or no COVID-19 , we still are all very committed.
” CEO of CalNonprofits Jan Masaoka also stated in a previous town hall session that nonprofit activity in the state ranges widely ; from those working overtime to address issues brought on by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the California Academy of Sciences which have shut down and are patiently waiting to safely reopen .
• Every day , they build five-story snot palaces near Monterey Bay • Carole Baskin awarded the zoo once owned by ‘ Tiger King ’ Joe Exotic • East Bay residents up to their ankles in beetles • Gang of monkeys attack lab worker and snatch blood samples of suspected Covid-19 patients According to a Stanford University report , charitable giving dropped during and after the 2008 recession .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact of the shutdowns and shelter-in-place orders will be on financial donations from individuals and corporations as they collectively tighten their belts .
“ The problem is with priorities , ” says Sorenson .
The pandemic has prompted a lot of reflection and repeatedly redefines “ essential ” — so does it include the protection and conservation of wildlife in the region ?
“ To some , the condor is a symbol of wilderness , but to me , it is a symbol of humans ’ ability to co-exist , ” says Sorenson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroy everything and expect good things to come .
”

Nonprofits working to protect and conserve some of the Central Coast’s most iconic species are employing a variety of tactics to keep their programs going.
Recently the 1000th California Condor — North America’s largest land bird — was caught and tagged, marking a meaningful conservation milestone for the species.
With a wingspan up to one and a half times the length of a queen-sized bed, these behemoth birds almost went the way of the dinosaurs when their populations fell to just 22 in the early 1980s. Though still critically endangered, conservation efforts brought them back from the brink of extinction and there are now more than 500 living in the western United States. But the milestone comes at a time when people are more focused on conserving aspects of their pre-shelter-in-place lifestyle than the regional wildlife.
“In addition to the 1000th condor recorded, we also achieved a wild population in central California of 100 individuals, with this year alone having eight active nesting attempts,” says Ventana Wildlife Society Executive Director Kelly Sorenson. The Monterey-based nonprofit recovers California Condors in the wild and runs a Discovery Center in Andrew Molera State Park in Big Sur. The park is listed as one of the best locations to spot these birds in the region and just recently reopened to day-use visitors.
Despite some parks gradually and cautiously opening, many nonprofit facilities remain closed. Both the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the California Academy of Sciences have announced that numerous employees will be impacted by the budget cuts resulting from lost ticket sale revenue. Organizations such as the Marine Mammal Center and the SPCA of Monterey County reduced numbers of staff and volunteers and cut back on non-essential programs.
According to Jan Masaoka, the CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits, known as CalNonprofits, one in every 14 California jobs is at a nonprofit organization. The nonprofit sector, therefore, employs more people than construction in the state, while also hosting a wide network of volunteers, most of whom have been asked to stay home under shelter in place.
As a result, the SLEWTHS (Science, Learning, and Exploration With The Help of Sealions) Project — a nonprofit program associated with the California State University system that cares for rescued and un-releasable sea lions – -says nearly all their funding sources have been canceled. “Donations are only a small part of our typical support,” says SLEWTHS Director Jenifer Zeligs. “Most of our income requires live in-person experiences.”
She is optimistic that their SOS: Save our sea lion Causevox campaign can raise the minimum $24,000 needed for basic care of their five sea lions: Nemo, Ariel, Cali, Gaia, and Freya. “These animals are my family and I have made a commitment to them,” says Zeligs. As they still need food and medications, the organization has pivoted its fundraising strategy.
The SPCA of Monterey County is also lacking in-person fundraising opportunities. “Our annual Wag n’ Walk did not raise as much as it has in the past, likely because the event had to become virtual at the last minute,” said SPCA Vice President of Marketing and Communications Beth Brookhouser. Not only has fundraising been impacted, but she says demand for some of their services have increased as well. Despite the challenges, their Wildlife Rescue Center still currently has more than 100 wild patients in their care.
Other fundraising events are being called off altogether, as experienced by the Ventana Wildlife Society. “Shelter in place caused the cancellation of our most important fundraiser for the year,” says Sorenson. Human health and safety is being put first during this pandemic and aid opportunities outside of conservation may take precedence when it comes to donations. “We anticipate that loss to be $40,000, and there are other foundations that currently support us that may change their priorities in light of COVID-19.”
The Entre Nous Society Inc. in Salinas is a nonprofit which has distributed funds to other nonprofits in Monterey County for more than 85 years. “We will continue to support Monterey County’s nonprofits to the best of our ability during these unprecedented times,” said President Carrie Miles, noting that they were able to give $5,000 to the Food Bank of Monterey County in April. However, they have also had to postpone some fundraising events.
Friends of the Sea Otter’s Michelle Bender says while their advocacy has continued quite normally, and they recently announced grant funds to research southern otter populations in Baja, the project is delayed because of the logistical challenges. Sea Otter Savvy (for which they served as a fiscal sponsor) also cannot hold its regular events.
“Education and research look to be the hardest hit,” Bender says, “but it is promising to see such a virtual presence by many organizations looking to continue their work during this time.”
Nonprofits, like for-profit businesses, can apply for loans from the federal government, but they must meet specific criteria. In a town hall hosted by CalNonprofits, Northern California Senator Bill Dodd emphasized that when it comes to nonprofits working with environmental and conservation issues, “COVID-19 or no COVID-19, we still are all very committed.”
CEO of CalNonprofits Jan Masaoka also stated in a previous town hall session that nonprofit activity in the state ranges widely; from those working overtime to address issues brought on by the pandemic, to museums and institutions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the California Academy of Sciences which have shut down and are patiently waiting to safely reopen.
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“The problem is with priorities,” says Sorenson. The pandemic has prompted a lot of reflection and repeatedly redefines “essential” — so does it include the protection and conservation of wildlife in the region? “To some, the condor is a symbol of wilderness, but to me, it is a symbol of humans’ ability to co-exist,” says Sorenson. “We can’t just destroy everything and expect good things to come.”


mercurynews--2020-06-08--Attempted murder suspect arrested after 30-foot fall down Marin hillside

An attempted murder suspect in Sausalito was arrested after vaulting down a hillside to escape and impaling his arm on a piece of metal , police said Sunday .
The incident started at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday on San Carlos Avenue , said Sausalito police Capt .
William Fraass .
The suspect allegedly attacked his girlfriend and fired a gun at a man who came to assist , Fraass said .
Sausalito police and officers from other agencies searched the neighborhood and found the suspect hiding in some bushes .
The suspect ran to a staircase railing , jumped over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hill .
A piece of rebar protruding from the ground pierced his wrist , Fraass said .
Southern Marin paramedics spent about an hour extricating the suspect from the rebar .
Investigators found a loaded .357-caliber Colt revolver and a spent shell casing in the area , and linked them to the suspect , Fraass said .
Eric Nelson , a resident of Sausalito and Vacaville , was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder , domestic violence , gun possession by a felon , possessing a loaded gun and resisting arrest .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Area ’ s shelter-in-place orders ?
• Police : San Jose couple arrested after woman shoots at boyfriend in domestic-violence clash • Live-in nanny thrown out of home by California sheriff ’ s deputies despite coronavirus eviction ban • California police shooting results in death of man said to be armed with hammer Medics took Nelson , 30 , to MarinHealth Medical Center in Greenbrae for treatment .
Later he was transferred to San Francisco General Hospital for wrist surgery .
The other agencies involved in the search included the Marin County Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department , the California Highway Patrol and the San Rafael Police Department .

An attempted murder suspect in Sausalito was arrested after vaulting down a hillside to escape and impaling his arm on a piece of metal, police said Sunday.
The incident started at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday on San Carlos Avenue, said Sausalito police Capt. William Fraass. The suspect allegedly attacked his girlfriend and fired a gun at a man who came to assist, Fraass said.
Sausalito police and officers from other agencies searched the neighborhood and found the suspect hiding in some bushes. The suspect ran to a staircase railing, jumped over and fell about 30 feet down the hill. A piece of rebar protruding from the ground pierced his wrist, Fraass said.
Southern Marin paramedics spent about an hour extricating the suspect from the rebar. Investigators found a loaded .357-caliber Colt revolver and a spent shell casing in the area, and linked them to the suspect, Fraass said.
Eric Nelson, a resident of Sausalito and Vacaville, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, domestic violence, gun possession by a felon, possessing a loaded gun and resisting arrest.
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The other agencies involved in the search included the Marin County Sheriff’sOffice, the Mill Valley Police Department, the California Highway Patrol and the San Rafael Police Department.


mercurynews--2020-06-08--Duty to intervene: Minneapolis cops who helped arrest George Floyd spoke up but didn’t step in

Minneapolis was among several cities that had policies on the books requiring police officers to intervene to stop colleagues from using unreasonable force , but that didn ’ t save George Floyd and law enforcement experts say such rules will always run up against entrenched police culture and the fear of being ostracized and branded a “ rat.
” Power dynamics may have been magnified in the Floyd case because two of the four officers involved were rookies and the most senior officer on the scene was a training officer , Derek Chauvin , a 19-year police veteran who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the black man ’ s neck despite his cries that he couldn ’ t breathe .
Even though lawyers for the rookie officers say both men voiced their concerns about Chauvin ’ s actions in the moment , they ultimately failed to stop him .
Chauvin is now charged with second-degree murder , and his three fellow officers are charged with aiding and abetting .
“ This is a lesson for every cop in America : If you see something that is wrong , you need to step in , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police sergeant who now teaches at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice .
“ There are a lot of gray areas in policing , but this was crystal clear .
… You ’ re better off being ostracized by the group than going to prison for murder.
” Added Andrew Scott , a former Boca Raton , Fla. , police chief who testifies in use-of-force cases : “ They ’ re suffering the effects of an organizational culture that doesn ’ t allow that or reward that behavior .
The fraternity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraternities have a group think.
” Attorneys for the two rookies , Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng , emphasized their place in police hierarchy in the now-fired officers ’ initial court appearance this past week .
They noted both were on just their fourth day as full-fledged cops at the time of Floyd ’ s May 25 arrest in South Minneapolis , while Chauvin was an authority figure as a designated training officer for new cops .
“ They ’ re required to call him ‘ Sir , ’ ” Lane ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judge in Hennepin County District Court .
“ He has 20 years ’ experience .
What is my client supposed to do but to follow what the training officer said ?
Is that aiding and abetting a crime ?
” Gray noted that Lane questioned Chauvin ’ s actions during the arrest , and Kueng ’ s lawyer Thomas Plunkett said his client told fellow cops , “ You shouldn ’ t be doing this.
” But according to the criminal complaints that detailed Floyd ’ s arrest on suspicion of passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t back up their words with actions .
Lane held Floyd ’ s legs and Kueng held his back while Chauvin , who is to have his first court appearance Monday , placed his knee on Floyd ’ s head and neck .
That ’ s when Floyd repeatedly said “ I can ’ t breathe , “ Mama ” and “ please.
” At one point , Floyd said , “ I ’ m about to die.
” Nevertheless , Chauvin , Lane and Kueng didn ’ t move .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued standing nearby keeping onlookers back .
Moments later , Lane asked “ should we roll him on his side ?
” Chauvin replied : “ No , staying put where we got him.
” Lane said he was worried Floyd would experience excited delirium , a condition in which a person can become agitated and aggressive or suddenly die , according to the documents .
“ That ’ s why we have him on his stomach , ” Chauvin replied .
Despite his concerns , Lane didn ’ t do anything to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being used on him , the complaint said .
Neither he , nor Keung and Chauvin moved from their positions until an ambulance came and took Floyd to Hennepin County Medical Center , where he was pronounced dead .
Minneapolis police added a “ duty to intervene ” policy in 2016 , saying officers are required to “ either stop or attempt to stop another sworn employee when force is being inappropriately applied or is no longer required.
” City officials moved Friday to strengthen that duty by seeking to make it enforceable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to immediately report to their superiors when they see use of any neck restraint or chokehold .
Similar “ duty to intervene ” policies and initiatives had been in place for years in New York City , Miami and New Orleans .
And since the Floyd case , Dallas and Charlotte , N.C. , are among the places that have enacted such policies .
But , Scott said , “ There ’ s policy and then there ’ s practice .
More likely than not , practice and custom will prevail over policy.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers for interfering with their colleagues or reporting that they broke policy , Scott said .
And officers who do intervene risk being ostracized by their fellow officers and branded as an informer in the ranks .
“ In law enforcement , if you ’ re considered an individual who can ’ t be trusted , you ’ re not going to have the timely back-up from other officers , ” Scott said .
“ That ’ s a legitimate fear factor.
” Geoff Alpert , a criminology professor at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questioned Chauvin in the moment , he was undoubtedly “ scared to death.
” But ultimately , Alpert said , “ he wasn ’ t courageous enough ” to physically intervene to stop him .
“ He knew he would get hell from the 19-year veteran and all his buddies.
” Lost in the furor over Floyd ’ s case and the national protest and debate over issues of race and police brutality is the fact that half of the four officers involved in his arrest were minorities , hired as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to diversify the largely white force .
• The Latest : Seattle police use of pepper spray criticized • Bay Area businesses reckon with vandalism , looting on top of pandemic shutdowns Thao , a 34-year-old of Southeast Asian Hmong descent with more than a decade on the force , and Kueng , a 26-year-old African-American rookie who previously worked as a department store security guard , were both part of the community service officer program that brings in recruits to work part-time with the goal of making them regular members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white , as is Lane , though he is an outlier of a different sort , a 37-year-old rookie who joined the police after working as a juvenile detention guard .
Chuck Wexler , executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum , a Washington-based think tank , said getting officers to take action , sometimes against more experienced colleagues , is at the heart of stopping abuses by police .
“ These new officers are put in a position where they ’ re told , ‘ This is your mentor .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ A 20-year veteran is supposed to know what he is doing and clearly he didn ’ t .
He made every mistake possible .
”

Bernard Condon, Todd Richmond Associated Press

Minneapolis was among several cities that had policies on the books requiring police officers to intervene to stop colleagues from using unreasonable force, but that didn’t save George Floyd and law enforcement experts say such rules will always run up against entrenched police culture and the fear of being ostracized and branded a “rat.”
Power dynamics may have been magnified in the Floyd case because two of the four officers involved were rookies and the most senior officer on the scene was a training officer, Derek Chauvin, a 19-year police veteran who was seen putting his knee on the back of the black man’s neck despite his cries that he couldn’t breathe.
Even though lawyers for the rookie officers say both men voiced their concerns about Chauvin’s actions in the moment, they ultimately failed to stop him. Chauvin is now charged with second-degree murder, and his three fellow officers are charged with aiding and abetting.
“This is a lesson for every cop in America: If you see something that is wrong, you need to step in,” said Joseph Giacalone, a former New York police sergeant who now teaches at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. “There are a lot of gray areas in policing, but this was crystal clear. … You’re better off being ostracized by the group than going to prison for murder.”
Added Andrew Scott, a former Boca Raton, Fla., police chief who testifies in use-of-force cases: “They’re suffering the effects of an organizational culture that doesn’t allow that or reward that behavior. The fraternity of law enforcement is a tight fraternity and fraternities have a group think.”
Attorneys for the two rookies, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, emphasized their place in police hierarchy in the now-fired officers’ initial court appearance this past week. They noted both were on just their fourth day as full-fledged cops at the time of Floyd’s May 25 arrest in South Minneapolis, while Chauvin was an authority figure as a designated training officer for new cops.
“They’re required to call him ‘Sir,’” Lane’s attorney, Earl Gray, told the judge in Hennepin County District Court. “He has 20 years’ experience. What is my client supposed to do but to follow what the training officer said? Is that aiding and abetting a crime?”
Gray noted that Lane questioned Chauvin’s actions during the arrest, and Kueng’s lawyer Thomas Plunkett said his client told fellow cops, “You shouldn’t be doing this.”
But according to the criminal complaints that detailed Floyd’s arrest on suspicion of passing a counterfeit bill, the officers didn’t back up their words with actions.
Lane held Floyd’s legs and Kueng held his back while Chauvin, who is to have his first court appearance Monday, placed his knee on Floyd’s head and neck. That’s when Floyd repeatedly said “I can’t breathe, “Mama” and “please.” At one point, Floyd said, “I’m about to die.” Nevertheless, Chauvin, Lane and Kueng didn’t move. And a fourth officer, Tou Thao, continued standing nearby keeping onlookers back.
Moments later, Lane asked “should we roll him on his side?” Chauvin replied: “No, staying put where we got him.” Lane said he was worried Floyd would experience excited delirium, a condition in which a person can become agitated and aggressive or suddenly die, according to the documents.
“That’s why we have him on his stomach,” Chauvin replied.
Despite his concerns, Lane didn’t do anything to help Floyd or to reduce the force being used on him, the complaint said. Neither he, nor Keung and Chauvin moved from their positions until an ambulance came and took Floyd to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Minneapolis police added a “duty to intervene” policy in 2016, saying officers are required to “either stop or attempt to stop another sworn employee when force is being inappropriately applied or is no longer required.” City officials moved Friday to strengthen that duty by seeking to make it enforceable in court, and to require officers to immediately report to their superiors when they see use of any neck restraint or chokehold.
Similar “duty to intervene” policies and initiatives had been in place for years in New York City, Miami and New Orleans. And since the Floyd case, Dallas and Charlotte, N.C., are among the places that have enacted such policies.
But, Scott said, “There’s policy and then there’s practice. More likely than not, practice and custom will prevail over policy.”
Departments often don’t reward officers for interfering with their colleagues or reporting that they broke policy, Scott said. And officers who do intervene risk being ostracized by their fellow officers and branded as an informer in the ranks.
“In law enforcement, if you’re considered an individual who can’t be trusted, you’re not going to have the timely back-up from other officers,” Scott said. “That’s a legitimate fear factor.”
Geoff Alpert, a criminology professor at the University of South Carolina, said that when Lane questioned Chauvin in the moment, he was undoubtedly “scared to death.”
But ultimately, Alpert said, “he wasn’t courageous enough” to physically intervene to stop him. “He knew he would get hell from the 19-year veteran and all his buddies.”
Lost in the furor over Floyd’s case and the national protest and debate over issues of race and police brutality is the fact that half of the four officers involved in his arrest were minorities, hired as part of a Minneapolis police program credited with helping to diversify the largely white force.
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Chauvin, 44, is white, as is Lane, though he is an outlier of a different sort, a 37-year-old rookie who joined the police after working as a juvenile detention guard.
Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, a Washington-based think tank, said getting officers to take action, sometimes against more experienced colleagues, is at the heart of stopping abuses by police.
“These new officers are put in a position where they’re told, ‘This is your mentor. He will teach you,”’ he said. “A 20-year veteran is supposed to know what he is doing and clearly he didn’t. He made every mistake possible.”


mercurynews--2020-06-08--There’s a growing call to defund the police. Here’s what it means

There ’ s a growing group of dissenters who believe Americans can survive without law enforcement as we know it .
And Americans , those dissenters believe , may even be better off without it .
The solution to police brutality and racial inequalities in policing is simple , supporters say : Just defund police .
It ’ s as straightforward as it sounds : Instead of funding a police department , a sizable chunk of a city ’ s budget is invested in communities , especially marginalized ones where much of the policing occurs .
The concept ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the protests against police brutality in Ferguson , Missouri , though it seemed improbable in 2014 .
But it ’ s becoming a shout .
With the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police and nationwide protests demanding reform , at least one city is considering dissolving its police force altogether .
Does defunding the police mean disbanding the police ?
That depends on who you ask , said Philip McHarris , a doctoral candidate in sociology at Yale University and lead research and policy associate at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Accountability .
Some supporters of divestment want to reallocate some , but not all , funds away from police departments to social services .
Some want to strip all police funding and dissolve departments .
The concept exists on a spectrum , but both interpretations center on reimagining what public safety looks like , he said .
It also means dismantling the idea that police are “ public stewards ” meant to protect communities .
Many Black Americans and other people of color don ’ t feel protected by police , McHarris said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture of punishment in the criminal justice system .
And it ’ s one of the only options local governments haven ’ t tried in their attempts to end deaths in police custody .
Trainings and body cameras haven ’ t brought about the change supporters want .
McHarris grew up in a neighborhood where there were “ real , discernible threats of gun violence , ” and he said he never thought to call the police — that was for his own safety .
Instead , he relied on neighbors who helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if , he said , those people could provide the same support they showed him on a full-time basis ?
To explain why he supports the idea , Isaac Bryan , the director of UCLA ’ s Black Policy Center , points to history : Law enforcement in the South began as slave patrol , a team of vigilantes hired to recapture escaped slaves .
Then , when slavery was abolished , police enforced Jim Crow laws — even the most minor infractions .
And today , police disproportionately use force against black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to be arrested and sentenced .
“ That history is engrained in our law enforcement , ” Bryan said .
Where would those funds go ?
Patrisse Cullors , co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement , said defunding the police means reallocating those funds to support people and services in marginalized communities .
Defunding law enforcement “ means that we are reducing the ability for law enforcement to have resources that harm our communities , ” Cullors said in an interview with WBUR , Boston ’ s public radio station .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars into black communities , communities that have been deeply divested from.
” Those dollars can be put back into social services for mental health , domestic violence and homelessness , among others .
Police are often the first responders to all three , she said .
Those dollars can be used to fund schools , hospitals , housing and food in those communities , too — “ all of the things we know increase safety , ” McHarris said .
Disbanding police altogether falls on the more radical end of the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaining traction .
MPD150 , a community advocacy organization in Minneapolis , focuses on abolishing local police .
Its work has been spotlighted since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis Police custody .
“ The people who respond to crises in our community should be the people who are best-equipped to deal with those crises , ” the organization says .
Rather than “ strangers armed with guns , ” the organization says , first responders should be mental health providers , social workers , victim advocates and other community members in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and order isn ’ t abetted by law enforcement , but through education , jobs and mental health services that low-income communities are often denied .
MPD150 and other police abolition organizations want wider access to all three .
Would defunding police lead to an uptick in violent crimes ?
Defunding police on a large scale hasn ’ t been done before , so it ’ s tough to say .
But there ’ s evidence that less policing can lead to less crime .
A 2017 report , which focused on several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Police Department purposely pulled back on “ proactive policing , ” found that there were 2,100 fewer crime complaints during that time .
The study defines proactive policing as the “ systematic and aggressive enforcement of low-level violations ” and heightened police presence in areas where “ crime is anticipated.
” That ’ s exactly the kind of activity that police divestment supporters want to end .
Will defunding the police come to pass ?
It ’ s radical for an American city to operate without law enforcement , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
City council member Steve Fletcher , in a Twitter thread , said council members are discussing “ what it would take to disband the Minneapolis Police Department and start fresh with a community-oriented , non-violent public safety and outreach capacity.
” “ We can totally reimagine what public safety means , what skills we ’ re recruiting for , what tools we do and don ’ t need , ” he wrote .
“ We can invest in cultural competency and mental health training , de-escalation and conflict resolution.
” • Motorcycles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spin , but same message : racial justice • These young activists are no strangers to racism — and they ’ re not waiting for anyone else to fix it • Activist who trained officers on bias ‘ heartbroken ’ after San Jose police seriously injure him with rubber bullet at protest Defunding is simpler than disbanding , though , and at least one mayor ’ s already taken that step .
After Californians decried a proposal to increase the Los Angeles Police Department budget to $ 1.86 billion , Los Angeles Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 million to $ 150 million from the proposed funding .
It ’ s not a significant dent in the budget , but it ’ s proof that officials are listening , Bryan said .
“ A week ago , defunding the police in any capacity would sound like ‘ pie in the sky , ' ” he said .
“ Now we ’ re talking about it .
Defunding police in its entirety still might sound like ‘ pie in the sky , ’ but next week might be different .
”

There’s a growing group of dissenters who believe Americans can survive without law enforcement as we know it. And Americans, those dissenters believe, may even be better off without it.
The solution to police brutality and racial inequalities in policing is simple, supporters say: Just defund police.
It’s as straightforward as it sounds: Instead of funding a police department, a sizable chunk of a city’s budget is invested in communities, especially marginalized ones where much of the policing occurs.
[vemba-video id=”us/2020/06/07/minneapolis-city-council-intent-to-disband-police-department-nr-vpx.cnn”]
The concept’s been a murmur for years, particularly following the protests against police brutality in Ferguson, Missouri, though it seemed improbable in 2014.
But it’s becoming a shout. With the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police and nationwide protests demanding reform, at least one city is considering dissolving its police force altogether.
Does defunding the police mean disbanding the police?
That depends on who you ask, said Philip McHarris, a doctoral candidate in sociology at Yale University and lead research and policy associate at the Community Resource Hub for Safety and Accountability.
Some supporters of divestment want to reallocate some, but not all, funds away from police departments to social services. Some want to strip all police funding and dissolve departments.
The concept exists on a spectrum, but both interpretations center on reimagining what public safety looks like, he said.
It also means dismantling the idea that police are “public stewards” meant to protect communities. Many Black Americans and other people of color don’t feel protected by police, McHarris said.
Why defund police?
McHarris says divesting funds ends the culture of punishment in the criminal justice system. And it’s one of the only options local governments haven’t tried in their attempts to end deaths in police custody.
Trainings and body cameras haven’t brought about the change supporters want.
McHarris grew up in a neighborhood where there were “real, discernible threats of gun violence,” and he said he never thought to call the police — that was for his own safety. Instead, he relied on neighbors who helped him navigate threats of danger.
What if, he said, those people could provide the same support they showed him on a full-time basis?
To explain why he supports the idea, Isaac Bryan, the director of UCLA’s Black Policy Center, points to history: Law enforcement in the South began as slave patrol, a team of vigilantes hired to recapture escaped slaves. Then, when slavery was abolished, police enforced Jim Crow laws — even the most minor infractions.
And today, police disproportionately use force against black people, and black people are more likely to be arrested and sentenced.
“That history is engrained in our law enforcement,” Bryan said.
Where would those funds go?
Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, said defunding the police means reallocating those funds to support people and services in marginalized communities.
Defunding law enforcement “means that we are reducing the ability for law enforcement to have resources that harm our communities,” Cullors said in an interview with WBUR, Boston’s public radio station. “It’s about reinvesting those dollars into black communities, communities that have been deeply divested from.”
Those dollars can be put back into social services for mental health, domestic violence and homelessness, among others. Police are often the first responders to all three, she said.
Those dollars can be used to fund schools, hospitals, housing and food in those communities, too — “all of the things we know increase safety,” McHarris said.
Why disband police?
Disbanding police altogether falls on the more radical end of the police divestment spectrum, but it’s gaining traction.
MPD150, a community advocacy organization in Minneapolis, focuses on abolishing local police. Its work has been spotlighted since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis Police custody.
“The people who respond to crises in our community should be the people who are best-equipped to deal with those crises,” the organization says.
Rather than “strangers armed with guns,” the organization says, first responders should be mental health providers, social workers, victim advocates and other community members in less visible roles.
It argues law and order isn’t abetted by law enforcement, but through education, jobs and mental health services that low-income communities are often denied. MPD150 and other police abolition organizations want wider access to all three.
Would defunding police lead to an uptick in violent crimes?
Defunding police on a large scale hasn’t been done before, so it’s tough to say.
But there’s evidence that less policing can lead to less crime. A 2017 report, which focused on several weeks in 2014 through 2015 when the New York Police Department purposely pulled back on “proactive policing,” found that there were 2,100 fewer crime complaints during that time.
The study defines proactive policing as the “systematic and aggressive enforcement of low-level violations” and heightened police presence in areas where “crime is anticipated.”
That’s exactly the kind of activity that police divestment supporters want to end.
Will defunding the police come to pass?
It’s radical for an American city to operate without law enforcement, but it’s already being discussed in Minneapolis.
City council member Steve Fletcher, in a Twitter thread, said council members are discussing “what it would take to disband the Minneapolis Police Department and start fresh with a community-oriented, non-violent public safety and outreach capacity.”
“We can totally reimagine what public safety means, what skills we’re recruiting for, what tools we do and don’t need,” he wrote. “We can invest in cultural competency and mental health training, de-escalation and conflict resolution.”
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | 2 former Marin County cops arraigned on assault charges in bloody arrest
2 former Marin County cops arraigned on assault charges in bloody arrest Crime and Public Safety | Denver cop charged with assault of Northern California man in body-slam incident on Nuggets NBA Finals victory night
Denver cop charged with assault of Northern California man in body-slam incident on Nuggets NBA Finals victory night Crime and Public Safety | Body camera video shows man fatally run over seconds after deputy tased him on Colorado highway
Body camera video shows man fatally run over seconds after deputy tased him on Colorado highway Crime and Public Safety | A small business was wrecked in raid by LAPD SWAT team, but city won’t pay for damage
A small business was wrecked in raid by LAPD SWAT team, but city won’t pay for damage Crime and Public Safety | Why the independent Oakland Police Commission may be coming apart at the seams Defunding is simpler than disbanding, though, and at least one mayor’s already taken that step. After Californians decried a proposal to increase the Los Angeles Police Department budget to $1.86 billion, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti agreed to slash between $100 million to $150 million from the proposed funding.
It’s not a significant dent in the budget, but it’s proof that officials are listening, Bryan said.
“A week ago, defunding the police in any capacity would sound like ‘pie in the sky,'” he said. “Now we’re talking about it. Defunding police in its entirety still might sound like ‘pie in the sky,’ but next week might be different.”
The-CNN-Wire
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mercurynews--2020-06-08--The tall ship Pilgrim’s bell tolls one last time in Dana Point Harbor

The Pilgrim ’ s bell tolled eight last times on Saturday , June 6 , in a final ceremony for the beloved ship – for decades an icon of the Dana Point Harbor , but now just salvaged pieces .
In naval tradition , a ship ’ s bell signals the changing watch ; in this case ringing the tall ship ’ s bronze bell precisely at noon marked the end of the watch for the Pilgram , which sank at its dock next to the Ocean Institute in March .
The Pilgrim – a full-scale replica of the ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classic novel , “ Two Years Before the Mast ” – was a favorite during the Ocean Institute ’ s annual Tall Ships Festival and has served since the 1980s as a living-history classroom for some 400,000 students and visitors .
On Saturday , the ship ’ s bell – mounted hanging from its original gallows – was presented to the family of Ray Wallace .
Wallace is the noted marine architect who converted the Pilgrim from a three-masted schooner known as the Joal .
The boat was originally built in 1945 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1975 in Lisbon , Portugal .
“ It ’ s just an incredible honor they ’ d do this for the Wallace and Steel family , ” said Jim Wallace , the eldest son of Ray Wallace , who was at the event with several other family members including Bill Steel , Ray Wallace ’ s brother .
“ My dad had this bell cast in the 1970s , ” said Wallace , of Cypress .
“ We ’ ll be good stewards of it for a while.
” Ocean Institute officials hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new Pilgrim .
On April 2 , five days after the Pilgrim heeled to starboard , efforts to lift it from the harbor floor were suspended by the U.S. Coast Guard .
The Orange County Sheriff ’ s Harbor Patrol first saw the vessel was taking on water in the early morning of March 27 .
The ship had been under watch , and all the pumps were in operation .
No official determination of what caused the vessel to sink has been released .
Efforts to raise the 75-year-old wooden ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other salvaged artifacts , including the Pilgrim ’ s figurehead – a replica of Richard Henry Dana – and the ship ’ s wheel , will be auctioned online beginning on June 12 to raise money for the institute and the maintenance its other tall ship , The Spirit of Dana Point .
Wallace recounted how his father sailed the Pilgrim from Lisbon across the Atlantic Ocean and through the Caribbean into Miami , where final touches were added .
A new crew took the ship from Miami through the Panama Canal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then sailed into the Port of Los Angeles .
For a while , the ship stayed there at Ports O ’ Call Village .
The Pilgrim sailed into Dana Point Harbor after Stan Cummings , the founder of the Ocean Institute , had the vision of using the ship give kids an experience on the water , Wallace said .
Since the Pilgrim went into service , fourth- and fifth-graders from throughout Southern California have spent nights onboard as part of a living history program offered every fall .
Students learned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s maritime history .
“ We put them into challenging roles where they learned to become leaders , ” said Dan Goldbacher , who heads up the institute ’ s maritime programs .
“ They became mates on each cruise .
Like sailors in the 1830s , everyone had to be on the same page to make the ship work .
“ They learned how to rig the ship , prepare meals and row boats into the harbor to get hides.
” he said .
“ It showed them they had to push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jr. , a nephew of Ray Wallace and board member of the Ocean Institute , apologized to the Wallace family that the Pilgrim sank on “ our watch.
” “ We ’ re very sorry for that , ” he said .
“ It was an ignominious end to a wonderful life.
” “ My uncle was a stickler for details , ” he said of Ray Wallace .
“ It reminded me of that when you rang the bell right at noon .
Enjoy this as a temporary gift.
” There has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ship to sink .
“ It was almost good that it was destroyed , ” Wallace said .
“ To finger point would have been terrible .
This way , there is none of that .
It ’ s just the resolution of the ship .
She was 75 years old.
” Veronica McNamara , a 20-year volunteer on the Pilgrim , was there to hear the last bell tolls .
She remembered precisely the minute she got the call that the Pilgrim was listing , heading to the harbor from her home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must have cleaned that bell 1 million times , ” she said sadly .

The Pilgrim’s bell tolled eight last times on Saturday, June 6, in a final ceremony for the beloved ship – for decades an icon of the Dana Point Harbor, but now just salvaged pieces.
In naval tradition, a ship’s bell signals the changing watch; in this case ringing the tall ship’s bronze bell precisely at noon marked the end of the watch for the Pilgram, which sank at its dock next to the Ocean Institute in March.
The Pilgrim – a full-scale replica of the ship immortalized by Richard Henry Dana in his classic novel, “Two Years Before the Mast” – was a favorite during the Ocean Institute’s annual Tall Ships Festival and has served since the 1980s as a living-history classroom for some 400,000 students and visitors.
On Saturday, the ship’s bell – mounted hanging from its original gallows – was presented to the family of Ray Wallace. Wallace is the noted marine architect who converted the Pilgrim from a three-masted schooner known as the Joal.
The boat was originally built in 1945. Wallace converted it into the Pilgrim in 1975 in Lisbon, Portugal.
“It’s just an incredible honor they’d do this for the Wallace and Steel family,” said Jim Wallace, the eldest son of Ray Wallace, who was at the event with several other family members including Bill Steel, Ray Wallace’s brother.
“My dad had this bell cast in the 1970s,” said Wallace, of Cypress. “We’ll be good stewards of it for a while.”
Ocean Institute officials hope to one day attach the bell to a new Pilgrim.
On April 2, five days after the Pilgrim heeled to starboard, efforts to lift it from the harbor floor were suspended by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol first saw the vessel was taking on water in the early morning of March 27.
The ship had been under watch, and all the pumps were in operation. No official determination of what caused the vessel to sink has been released.
Efforts to raise the 75-year-old wooden ship by crane and underwater divers failed.
Other salvaged artifacts, including the Pilgrim’s figurehead – a replica of Richard Henry Dana – and the ship’s wheel, will be auctioned online beginning on June 12 to raise money for the institute and the maintenance its other tall ship, The Spirit of Dana Point.
Wallace recounted how his father sailed the Pilgrim from Lisbon across the Atlantic Ocean and through the Caribbean into Miami, where final touches were added. A new crew took the ship from Miami through the Panama Canal.
The Pilgrim first stopped in San Diego and then sailed into the Port of Los Angeles. For a while, the ship stayed there at Ports O’ Call Village.
The Pilgrim sailed into Dana Point Harbor after Stan Cummings, the founder of the Ocean Institute, had the vision of using the ship give kids an experience on the water, Wallace said.
Since the Pilgrim went into service, fourth- and fifth-graders from throughout Southern California have spent nights onboard as part of a living history program offered every fall. Students learned about early California development and the area’s maritime history.
“We put them into challenging roles where they learned to become leaders,” said Dan Goldbacher, who heads up the institute’s maritime programs. “They became mates on each cruise. Like sailors in the 1830s, everyone had to be on the same page to make the ship work.
“They learned how to rig the ship, prepare meals and row boats into the harbor to get hides.” he said. “It showed them they had to push themselves to accomplish goals.”
Bill Steel Jr., a nephew of Ray Wallace and board member of the Ocean Institute, apologized to the Wallace family that the Pilgrim sank on “our watch.”
“We’re very sorry for that,” he said. “It was an ignominious end to a wonderful life.”
“My uncle was a stickler for details,” he said of Ray Wallace. “It reminded me of that when you rang the bell right at noon. Enjoy this as a temporary gift.”
There has been no resolution to what caused the ship to sink.
“It was almost good that it was destroyed,” Wallace said. “To finger point would have been terrible. This way, there is none of that. It’s just the resolution of the ship. She was 75 years old.”
Veronica McNamara, a 20-year volunteer on the Pilgrim, was there to hear the last bell tolls. She remembered precisely the minute she got the call that the Pilgrim was listing, heading to the harbor from her home in San Clemente immediately.
“I must have cleaned that bell 1 million times,” she said sadly.


mercurynews--2020-06-08--State-run campsites canceled through late June, but other options exist for Californians seeking out

State-run campsites canceled through late June, but other options exist for Californians seeking outdoors

Scoring a coveted spot at one of California ’ s State Parks campgrounds during summer is no easy task , with popular sites such as Doheny State Beach in Dana Point and Leo Carrillo north of Malibu getting scooped up months in advance .
And those who have been itching to pitch a tent and roast marshmallows as summer gets underway certainly are out of luck , for now , with refund notifications sent out in recent weeks to reservation holders that camping is canceled at state-operated sites through June 21 .
It ’ s unclear what will happen beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no new reservations for one of the state ’ s 15,000 campsites accepted until Aug. 1 .
The campgrounds throughout the state closed on March 17 to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Options for outdoor adventure do still exist and campers are exploring new areas and campgrounds they might not have otherwise .
Other county , national forest and private campgrounds are loosening rules and restrictions , giving options to families hoping for a trip outdoors as distance learning wraps up at many schools in coming weeks .
Two campgrounds operated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon and Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park in San Juan Capistrano – were opened a few weeks ago for limited use .
That first day , spots at the county-run sites offered first come were quickly gobbled up with pent-up people ready for outdoor adventure .
Newport Dunes , a privately-owned area that never shut down during the pandemic , is another option for visitors seeking a taste of the outdoors .
“ We ’ re really busy .
We ’ re the busiest we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stip , director of RV operations .
“ We ’ re expecting to have a really good summer , too.
” Most of the amenities , like the pool and inflatable water park in the bay , are still closed .
But bathrooms and the general store , with limited hours , are open .
“ I think people are eager to get out of their homes and camp , so it has been really good for us , ” Stip said .
“ People are tired of being at home and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes and go camping.
” The Dunes , which sits off Pacific Coast Highway and Jamboree Road , has about 372 RV and tent sites and 27 cottages .
People see camping as a safer option than getting on a plane to go elsewhere , Stip said .
He said he suspects there will be a surge of staycations , as well as RV rentals and purchases , as we head into summer .
“ It ’ s their own little house , they can clean it and disinfect it the way they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think they feel a lot safer camping.
” The campsites are spacious enough – most about 25-feet wide and 40-feet long – to stay away from other campers .
They are also only allowing six people per site or cottage to limit the number of people on the property .
“ People have been social distancing , keeping to themselves , ” Stip said .
“ We notice around our property , people are staying around their own groups .
It ’ s actually worked out nice , a lot better than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Cleveland , Angeles and San Bernadino national forests have opened in recent weeks , with some of the popular campgrounds like Serrano by Big Bear Lake or near Green Valley Lake already booked on weekends .
At Angeles National Forest , officials are encouraging groups to be limited to immediate family members .
Double sites at campground are limited to a maximum of 10 people and visitors should also be self-sufficient and bring all the essentials with them when traveling to the mountains , said John M. Clearwater , public affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The forest was already one of the busiest national forests in the nation before the virus hit .
“ We continue to see a massive surges in visitation .
We ask that everyone exercise extra patience and understanding with others , ” Clearwater wrote in an e-mail .
“ The outdoor experience should be one of relaxation and rejuvenation.
” Some campers are still holding on to hope that their go-to State Parks spots will soon open .
Surfer Laura Wright had hoped a reservation she made last April at Doheny State Beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sand , would open as summer kicked off and restrictions started to ease .
But she was informed two weeks ago her mid-June reservation was cancelled .
“ What better way to take a family vacation and be safe ?
” she wonders .
“ You don ’ t go out to eat , you don ’ t stay in hotels , you use your own food and camping equipment and then take it home.
” Huntington Beach surfer Laura Klees was stoked when she scored the group site and three more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kai Surf Club retreat at San Elijo State Beach .
When she got word the site was canceled , it was a bummer , she said .
She also thinks camping should be open as a way to get outdoors , but stay away from others .
“ You ’ re social distancing is going to be the same as if you ’ re at home , ” she said .
“ You ’ re not going to other people ’ s campsites .
You ’ re staying on your own campsite.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try and score spots , and was able to nab a few for September , October and November .
“ We ’ ll take what we can get , ” she said .
Still limited locations – and people ’ s pent up desire to get outdoors – are also drawing people to discover new areas .
Jessica McIntosh , manager of Coyote Cove Lakeside Camping in Lake Elsinore , said people flocked to the area when they opened up their 100-spot campground during Memorial Day weekend .
This year ’ s rain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good level and the algae is mostly gone , she said .
“ People are dying to get back outdoor , it ’ s been crazy .
My phone is non-stop , ” she said .
“ I ’ ve had a lot of new faces coming through .
They are like ‘ We love it here , we ’ ve never been here before.
’ We ’ re kind of like a little hidden gem .
”

Scoring a coveted spot at one of California’s State Parks campgrounds during summer is no easy task, with popular sites such as Doheny State Beach in Dana Point and Leo Carrillo north of Malibu getting scooped up months in advance.
And those who have been itching to pitch a tent and roast marshmallows as summer gets underway certainly are out of luck, for now, with refund notifications sent out in recent weeks to reservation holders that camping is canceled at state-operated sites through June 21.
It’s unclear what will happen beyond late June, into July, with no new reservations for one of the state’s 15,000 campsites accepted until Aug. 1. The campgrounds throughout the state closed on March 17 to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Options for outdoor adventure do still exist and campers are exploring new areas and campgrounds they might not have otherwise.
Other county, national forest and private campgrounds are loosening rules and restrictions, giving options to families hoping for a trip outdoors as distance learning wraps up at many schools in coming weeks.
Two campgrounds operated by the County of Orange – O’Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon and Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park in San Juan Capistrano – were opened a few weeks ago for limited use.
That first day, spots at the county-run sites offered first come were quickly gobbled up with pent-up people ready for outdoor adventure.
Newport Dunes, a privately-owned area that never shut down during the pandemic, is another option for visitors seeking a taste of the outdoors.
“We’re really busy. We’re the busiest we’ve been in years,” said Andy Stip, director of RV operations. “We’re expecting to have a really good summer, too.”
Most of the amenities, like the pool and inflatable water park in the bay, are still closed. But bathrooms and the general store, with limited hours, are open.
“I think people are eager to get out of their homes and camp, so it has been really good for us,” Stip said. “People are tired of being at home and they are excited to get out of their homes and go camping.”
The Dunes, which sits off Pacific Coast Highway and Jamboree Road, has about 372 RV and tent sites and 27 cottages.
People see camping as a safer option than getting on a plane to go elsewhere, Stip said. He said he suspects there will be a surge of staycations, as well as RV rentals and purchases, as we head into summer.
“It’s their own little house, they can clean it and disinfect it the way they want,” he said. “I think they feel a lot safer camping.”
The campsites are spacious enough – most about 25-feet wide and 40-feet long – to stay away from other campers. They are also only allowing six people per site or cottage to limit the number of people on the property.
“People have been social distancing, keeping to themselves,” Stip said. “We notice around our property, people are staying around their own groups. It’s actually worked out nice, a lot better than we thought it would.”
Select campsites in the Cleveland, Angeles and San Bernadino national forests have opened in recent weeks, with some of the popular campgrounds like Serrano by Big Bear Lake or near Green Valley Lake already booked on weekends.
At Angeles National Forest, officials are encouraging groups to be limited to immediate family members. Double sites at campground are limited to a maximum of 10 people and visitors should also be self-sufficient and bring all the essentials with them when traveling to the mountains, said John M. Clearwater, public affairs officer for the Angeles National Forest.
The forest was already one of the busiest national forests in the nation before the virus hit.
“We continue to see a massive surges in visitation. We ask that everyone exercise extra patience and understanding with others,” Clearwater wrote in an e-mail. “The outdoor experience should be one of relaxation and rejuvenation.”
Some campers are still holding on to hope that their go-to State Parks spots will soon open.
Surfer Laura Wright had hoped a reservation she made last April at Doheny State Beach, one of the few spots on the sand, would open as summer kicked off and restrictions started to ease.
But she was informed two weeks ago her mid-June reservation was cancelled.
“What better way to take a family vacation and be safe?” she wonders. “You don’t go out to eat, you don’t stay in hotels, you use your own food and camping equipment and then take it home.”
Huntington Beach surfer Laura Klees was stoked when she scored the group site and three more adjacent camping spots for the annual Wahine Kai Surf Club retreat at San Elijo State Beach. When she got word the site was canceled, it was a bummer, she said.
She also thinks camping should be open as a way to get outdoors, but stay away from others.
“You’re social distancing is going to be the same as if you’re at home,” she said. “You’re not going to other people’s campsites. You’re staying on your own campsite.”
Klees has been jumping online weekly to try and score spots, and was able to nab a few for September, October and November.
“We’ll take what we can get,” she said.
Still limited locations – and people’s pent up desire to get outdoors – are also drawing people to discover new areas.
Jessica McIntosh, manager of Coyote Cove Lakeside Camping in Lake Elsinore, said people flocked to the area when they opened up their 100-spot campground during Memorial Day weekend.
This year’s rain has filled up the lake to a good level and the algae is mostly gone, she said.
“People are dying to get back outdoor, it’s been crazy. My phone is non-stop,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of new faces coming through. They are like ‘We love it here, we’ve never been here before.’ We’re kind of like a little hidden gem.”


mercurynews--2020-06-08--Word Game: June 8, 2020

Word Game: June 8, 2020

TODAY ’ S WORD — HYPOGENE ( HYPOGENE : HYE-puh-jeen : Formed or lying below the Earth ’ s surface @ @ @ @ @ you find 17 or more words in HYPOGENE ?
The list will be published tomorrow @ @ @ @ @ Game book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies @ @ @ @ @ must be of four or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters @ @ @ @ @ s , ” such as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not @ @ @ @ @ words made by adding a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not @ @ @ @ @ , if “ bake ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” @ @ @ @ @ “ bake ” and “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , @ @ @ @ @ or sexually explicit words are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — HYPOGENE (HYPOGENE: HYE-puh-jeen: Formed or lying below the Earth’s surface; plutonic.)
Average mark 12 words
Time limit 25 minutes
Can you find 17 or more words in HYPOGENE? The list will be published tomorrow.
SATURDAY’S WORD — CHASTISE case cash cast caste cesta chaise chase chaste
chat cheat chess chest chit cite haste hate heat hiss ache achiest aitch ashes asset
sachet sash sate scat scathe schist seat sect shies shiest siesta site stash stich sties
teach thesis this itch each east etch ethic
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-06-08--Horoscopes June 8, 2020: Maria Menounos and Kanye West share advice.

Happy Birthday : Revisit how you want to structure your life as you move forward .
Picking up knowledge and skills that will help you find a better position or encourage you to head in a direction that offers greater potential is favored .
Your memory will serve you well when dealing with situations that can influence your position , reputation and prospects .
Your numbers are 2 , 8 , 17 , 21 , 26 , 34 , 45 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Rely on your ability to take hold of a situation and turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t sit back and wait ; use your skills to outmaneuver someone who is pressuring you to do something you don ’ t want to do .
2 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : An opportunity will grab your attention .
Do whatever it takes to learn and to apply your skills to fit the qualifications necessary to up your game .
Make a move that will surprise others and position you for advancements .
5 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June 20 ) : Push harder for what you want .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take on something that excites you .
Personal goals are within reach if you believe and trust in your ability to finish what you start .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Look for alternative ways to solve a work-related problem .
Modify how you have handled matters in the past to fit trends .
It ’ s how you go about doing things that will help you stand out .
Don ’ t leave anything to chance .
3 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Work with what you already have , and you will save money and get things done on time .
Showing off won ’ t bring the returns you want , but living up to your reputation and promises will .
Self-improvement is encouraged .
3 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : A steady pace will help you bypass an argumentative situation .
Stick to what you know and do best , and don ’ t let anyone bait you into sharing your personal opinions .
If you want to advance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversations .
5 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Put more effort into honing your skills and making sure that you are presenting who you are and what you can do in the best way possible .
Don ’ t exaggerate or make unrealistic promises .
If you take something on , finish what you start .
2 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Use experience and your intuition to help you make the right decision .
Don ’ t feel you have to contribute money to something that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to pursue , not someone else ’ s dream .
4 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Confusion will set in if you are gullible or make premature assumptions about someone .
Take the time to find out exactly what ’ s going on before you say something you will regret .
Evaluate how you feel about someone before you share your intentions .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Think matters through , and put your plans in motion .
A positive change at home will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Handle situations with peers and partners intelligently , and you will get your way .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : An adjustment at home will make a difference to how well you take care of yourself physically and emotionally .
Don ’ t give in to someone pressuring you to make a change that will jeopardize your health or well-being .
Say no to indulgent behavior .
3 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Diversify , and you will find a unique way to use your skills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Someone will be jealous of your accomplishments and the attention you receive .
Include everyone in your success in order to avoid opposition .
4 stars Birthday Baby : You are entertaining , imaginative and proactive .
You are flexible and alert .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Maria Menounos, 42; Kanye West, 43; Julianna Margulies, 54; Keenen Ivory Wayans, 62.
Happy Birthday: Revisit how you want to structure your life as you move forward. Picking up knowledge and skills that will help you find a better position or encourage you to head in a direction that offers greater potential is favored. Your memory will serve you well when dealing with situations that can influence your position, reputation and prospects. Your numbers are 2, 8, 17, 21, 26, 34, 45.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Rely on your ability to take hold of a situation and turn it into something advantageous. Don’t sit back and wait; use your skills to outmaneuver someone who is pressuring you to do something you don’t want to do. 2 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): An opportunity will grab your attention. Do whatever it takes to learn and to apply your skills to fit the qualifications necessary to up your game. Make a move that will surprise others and position you for advancements. 5 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Push harder for what you want. Pursuing the necessary research will encourage you to take on something that excites you. Personal goals are within reach if you believe and trust in your ability to finish what you start. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Look for alternative ways to solve a work-related problem. Modify how you have handled matters in the past to fit trends. It’s how you go about doing things that will help you stand out. Don’t leave anything to chance. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t make an unnecessary change. Work with what you already have, and you will save money and get things done on time. Showing off won’t bring the returns you want, but living up to your reputation and promises will. Self-improvement is encouraged. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A steady pace will help you bypass an argumentative situation. Stick to what you know and do best, and don’t let anyone bait you into sharing your personal opinions. If you want to advance, keep politics and religion out of your conversations. 5 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Put more effort into honing your skills and making sure that you are presenting who you are and what you can do in the best way possible. Don’t exaggerate or make unrealistic promises. If you take something on, finish what you start. 2 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Use experience and your intuition to help you make the right decision. Don’t feel you have to contribute money to something that eludes you. Invest in something you want to pursue, not someone else’s dream. 4 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Confusion will set in if you are gullible or make premature assumptions about someone. Take the time to find out exactly what’s going on before you say something you will regret. Evaluate how you feel about someone before you share your intentions. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Think matters through, and put your plans in motion. A positive change at home will add to your comfort and convenience. Handle situations with peers and partners intelligently, and you will get your way. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): An adjustment at home will make a difference to how well you take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Don’t give in to someone pressuring you to make a change that will jeopardize your health or well-being. Say no to indulgent behavior. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Diversify, and you will find a unique way to use your skills and talents to get things done on time. Someone will be jealous of your accomplishments and the attention you receive. Include everyone in your success in order to avoid opposition. 4 stars
Birthday Baby: You are entertaining, imaginative and proactive. You are flexible and alert.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-06-08--Bridge: June 8, 2020

Bridge: June 8, 2020

Cy the Cynic is a notorious procrastinator .
He says he puts off making decisions because he will be older and wiser later .
Cy ’ s approach actually helps him as declarer : He is apt to delay drawing trumps .
At today ’ s five diamonds , Cy ruffed the second club and refrained from trying to draw trumps ; he took only the ace .
Cy next led a low heart , conceding his sure heart loser .
East led another club , and the Cynic ruffed and took the king of trumps .
When West discarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spades , returned a heart to his queen and led the ace .
West couldn ’ t ruff , so Cy ruffed his last heart in dummy , returned to his hand , drew East ’ s last trump and claimed .
Cy played carefully .
He goes down if he tries to draw trumps prematurely ( or if he plays too many hearts without drawing one round ) .
If , for example , Cy takes the A-K of trumps , East can lead his last trump when he wins a heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart loser .
You hold : S J 9 7 H K J 9 6 D J 9 7 C A Q 5 .
The dealer , at your left , opens one spade .
Your partner doubles , and the next player bids two spades .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : If your right-hand opponent had passed , you might have jumped to three hearts , inviting game .
But after his raise to two spades , you would bid three hearts to compete if your ace of clubs were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid four hearts .

Cy the Cynic is a notorious procrastinator. He says he puts off making decisions because he will be older and wiser later. Cy’s approach actually helps him as declarer: He is apt to delay drawing trumps.
At today’s five diamonds, Cy ruffed the second club and refrained from trying to draw trumps; he took only the ace. Cy next led a low heart, conceding his sure heart loser.
East led another club, and the Cynic ruffed and took the king of trumps. When West discarded, Cy went to the ace of spades, returned a heart to his queen and led the ace. West couldn’t ruff, so Cy ruffed his last heart in dummy, returned to his hand, drew East’s last trump and claimed.
HEART TRICK
Cy played carefully. He goes down if he tries to draw trumps prematurely (or if he plays too many hearts without drawing one round). If, for example, Cy takes the A-K of trumps, East can lead his last trump when he wins a heart trick, stranding Cy with an extra heart loser.
This week: Wait to draw trumps.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S J 9 7 H K J 9 6 D J 9 7 C A Q 5. The dealer, at your left, opens one spade. Your partner doubles, and the next player bids two spades. What do you say?
ANSWER: If your right-hand opponent had passed, you might have jumped to three hearts, inviting game. But after his raise to two spades, you would bid three hearts to compete if your ace of clubs were a low club. Stretch slightly and bid four hearts.
South dealer
Both sides vulnerable
NORTH
S A 6 3 2
H 8 4 3
D 4 3 2
C 10 7 4
WEST
S Q 10 8 5
H 10 5
D 8
C J 9 8 6 3 2
EAST
S J 9 7
H K J 9 6
D J 9 7
C A Q 5
SOUTH
S K 4
H A Q 7 2
D A K Q 10 6 5
C K
SouthWestNorthEast
1 DPassPassDbl
Redbl2 CPassPass
2 HPass3 DPass
4 DPass5 DAll Pass
Opening lead — C 6
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-06-09--Bay Area public defenders join national rallies pushing ‘transformative’ change in the name of Georg

Bay Area public defenders join national rallies pushing ‘transformative’ change in the name of George Floyd

Galvanized by the racial injustice they see people suffer at the hands of authorities , public defenders in the Bay Area joined their counterparts from throughout the state and country to protest police brutality , emphasizing that the people the least served by the criminal-justice system are routinely walking through their doors .
In Santa Clara , Alameda , Contra Costa , San Mateo and San Francisco counties , attorneys who by and large serve the vast majority of indigent and minority criminal defendants marched to their respective courthouses donning “ Black Lives Matter ” shirts and called for immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at institutional inequities that plague their clients .
At some point during the demonstrations — organized by Bay Area Public Defenders for Racial Justice — everything came to a quiet , somber halt , as participants held an 8 minute , 46-second silence in honor of George Floyd , the length of time Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was seen pressing his knee on the neck of the handcuffed 46-year-old father .
“ The truth of the state of this country is not new .
The truth of systemic racism is not new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public defender Ashanti Mitchell .
“ But something feels different .
People are paying attention now .
People are listening now.
” Mitchell added that the broader public must shift from a mindset of “ hope for change to a demand for change.
” Brendon Woods , the first black chief public defender in Alameda County and currently the only black chief public defender in California , led a rally at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland .
“ In 1968 the Black Panthers protested on these very same steps and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police brutality and murder of Black people , ” Woods said in a statement prior to the Oakland demonstration .
“ Over 50 years later , it is a damn shame that we are here to make those same demands .
We support the actions of the protesters and demand an end to state-sanctioned police violence against Black people .
We have had enough.
” Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O ’ Malley lent her support to their cause , and announced that she is forming a “ Fair and Equitable Policing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve equitable outcomes in the county ’ s criminal-justice system .
She said in her statement that the council will draw “ particularly from the African American community ” in the county .
Will Brotherson , Mitchell ’ s colleague in the South Bay public defender ’ s office , said while the systemic issues that public defenders encounter on an everyday basis are massive , that shouldn ’ t be a deterrent from swiftly adopting safer practices .
He noted the “ 8 Can ’ t Wait ” campaign , which entails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and alternatives to deadly force , and improving the accountability and record-keeping of such incidents .
“ More reform and transformative change is needed , ” Brotherson said .
“ But there is common-sense police reform that can be done right now.
” His counterparts in Alameda County echo that idea , calling for the true end of cash bail in California — a 2018 Legislative bill to do that was halted and put on the November ballot — and backing a state bill to ban from jury selection the use of peremptory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .
Changes like this , they said , could begin to melt away some of the institutionalized racism they say are commonplace in the courthouse .
“ We see it over and over in our work — from the arbitrary arrests and abuse of Black men at the hands of police to the exclusion of Black people on juries , ” Alameda County Assistant Public Defender Jane Brown said in a statement .
Micael Estremera , a supervising deputy public defender in Santa Clara County , said the sentiment expressed at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revolve around one basic concept : Recognizing the humanity of black people and people of color .
“ The problem is dehumanization .
We ’ re viewed as less than , we ’ re viewed as animals , ” he said .
“ Now , we kneel .
When we go back into the courtrooms , we rise … and we will rise at every occasion to fight back .
”

CLICK HERE, if you are unable to see these photos on your mobile device.
Galvanized by the racial injustice they see people suffer at the hands of authorities, public defenders in the Bay Area joined their counterparts from throughout the state and country to protest police brutality, emphasizing that the people the least served by the criminal-justice system are routinely walking through their doors.
In Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and San Francisco counties, attorneys who by and large serve the vast majority of indigent and minority criminal defendants marched to their respective courthouses donning “Black Lives Matter” shirts and called for immediate, common-sense measures to start chipping away at institutional inequities that plague their clients.
At some point during the demonstrations — organized by Bay Area Public Defenders for Racial Justice — everything came to a quiet, somber halt, as participants held an 8 minute, 46-second silence in honor of George Floyd, the length of time Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was seen pressing his knee on the neck of the handcuffed 46-year-old father.
“The truth of the state of this country is not new. The truth of systemic racism is not new,” said Santa Clara County deputy public defender Ashanti Mitchell. “But something feels different. People are paying attention now. People are listening now.”
Mitchell added that the broader public must shift from a mindset of “hope for change to a demand for change.”
Brendon Woods, the first Black chief public defender in Alameda County and currently the only Black chief public defender in California, led a rally at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland.
“In 1968 the Black Panthers protested on these very same steps and their 10-point plan demanded an immediate end to police brutality and murder of Black people,” Woods said in a statement prior to the Oakland demonstration. “Over 50 years later, it is a damn shame that we are here to make those same demands. We support the actions of the protesters and demand an end to state-sanctioned police violence against Black people. We have had enough.”
Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley lent her support to their cause, and announced that she is forming a “Fair and Equitable Policing and Prosecution Advisory Council,” presumably to improve equitable outcomes in the county’s criminal-justice system. She said in her statement that the council will draw “particularly from the African American community” in the county.
Will Brotherson, Mitchell’s colleague in the South Bay public defender’s office, said while the systemic issues that public defenders encounter on an everyday basis are massive, that shouldn’t be a deterrent from swiftly adopting safer practices. He noted the “8 Can’t Wait” campaign, which entails directives like banning strangleholds, requiring de-escalation and alternatives to deadly force, and improving the accountability and record-keeping of such incidents.
“More reform and transformative change is needed,” Brotherson said. “But there is common-sense police reform that can be done right now.”
His counterparts in Alameda County echo that idea, calling for the true end of cash bail in California — a 2018 Legislative bill to do that was halted and put on the November ballot — and backing a state bill to ban from jury selection the use of peremptory, or no-questions-asked, challenges based on race.
Changes like this, they said, could begin to melt away some of the institutionalized racism they say are commonplace in the courthouse.
“We see it over and over in our work — from the arbitrary arrests and abuse of Black men at the hands of police to the exclusion of Black people on juries,” Alameda County Assistant Public Defender Jane Brown said in a statement.
Micael Estremera, a supervising deputy public defender in Santa Clara County, said the sentiment expressed at the rallies in the Bay Area and elsewhere revolve around one basic concept: Recognizing the humanity of Black people and people of color.
“The problem is dehumanization. We’re viewed as less than, we’re viewed as animals,” he said. “Now, we kneel. When we go back into the courtrooms, we rise … and we will rise at every occasion to fight back.”


mercurynews--2020-06-09--Toronto’s first black police chief suddenly retires

TORONTO – The first black police chief of Toronto , Canada ’ s largest city , abruptly announced his retirement on Monday , saying he would step down nearly a year early on July 31 , just days after kneeling with protesters calling for police reform .
Mark Saunders said he plans to spend more time with his family and also hoped to work on community initiatives “ near and dear ” to him after a period of time .
Toronto ’ s city council voted in August 2019 to extend Saunders ’ contract to April 2021 .
Last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police brutality and decrying the death of George Floyd , an unarmed black man , while in custody of Minneapolis police .
He told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation last week that Floyd ’ s death left him with a “ horrible feeling ” in his stomach .
“ It still bothers me , ” he said .
“ That is not what law enforcement is trained to do.
” Saunders has been with the Toronto Police Service for 37 years , holding the role of police chief since 2015 .
“ Working in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black boys getting killed by young black boys , ” Saunders told reporters on Monday .
“ Law enforcement deals with those symptoms and I want to help the cure of the disease.
” Saunders , who suffered from kidney disease and underwent a transplant in 2017 , said health was not a factor in his decision to retire .
Toronto Mayor John Tory said Saunders had told him of his plans to retire last week .
“ We will continue to see the benefits of his work on modernization and culture change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
( Reporting by Moira Warburton in Toronto ; Editing by Bill Berkrot )

By Moira Warburton | Reuters
TORONTO – The first black police chief of Toronto, Canada’s largest city, abruptly announced his retirement on Monday, saying he would step down nearly a year early on July 31, just days after kneeling with protesters calling for police reform.
Mark Saunders said he plans to spend more time with his family and also hoped to work on community initiatives “near and dear” to him after a period of time.
Toronto’s city council voted in August 2019 to extend Saunders’ contract to April 2021.
Last week, Saunders knelt with protesters demonstrating against police brutality and decrying the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, while in custody of Minneapolis police.
He told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation last week that Floyd’s death left him with a “horrible feeling” in his stomach.
“It still bothers me,” he said. “That is not what law enforcement is trained to do.”
Saunders has been with the Toronto Police Service for 37 years, holding the role of police chief since 2015.
“Working in homicide… I see a lot of young black boys getting killed by young black boys,” Saunders told reporters on Monday. “Law enforcement deals with those symptoms and I want to help the cure of the disease.”
Saunders, who suffered from kidney disease and underwent a transplant in 2017, said health was not a factor in his decision to retire.
Toronto Mayor John Tory said Saunders had told him of his plans to retire last week.
“We will continue to see the benefits of his work on modernization and culture change for years to come,” Tory said in a statement. (Reporting by Moira Warburton in Toronto; Editing by Bill Berkrot)