HNA E-News: Night-Time Safety Walk Tuesday, June 24, 8-9 p.m., update on Emerson Street Homicide (anonymous tips sought), etc.

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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter

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Items appearing in the HNA E-Newsletter are deemed to be of general interest to neighbors but do not necessarily reflect the views of Halcyon Neighborhood Association (HNA), its Steering Committee, or the Editor. The Editor's introductory comments express her personal viewpoint.

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1. Night-time Safety Walk, This Tuesday, 6/24, 8-9 p.m.

2. Crime Watch: Emerson Street Homicide Update (Anonymous Tip Line)

3. Some Really Good News: LeConte Neighbors Karl & Jerry Marry on June 20th!

4. Crime Watch: Detectives Seek Public's Help in Identifying Suspects in Robbery/Sexual Assault in 2300 Block of Derby

5. Thief Caught in Act in East Lorin Neighborhood

* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2008

* Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List

* City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information

* Halcyon Neighborhood Association's Guiding Principles

Editor's Introductory Note:

Please see item 1 for a way you can help strengthen our community while fighting crime (i.e., by participating in Tuesday's night-time safety dog walk). You might also want to mark your calendar for HNA's annual National Night Out Against Crime event in the park on Tuesday, August 5 (see For Your Calendar at the end of the E-News). Please note as well the safety tips in the crime bulletin received from the Berkeley Police Dept. (see item 4) concerning the sexual assault in the 2300 block of Derby (again, too close for comfort).

I find it important to keep remembering good news, especially when the crime-watch items get so heavy-duty. So see items 3 and 5 for some news on a lighter note! Please consider sending in some of your good news.

-Nancy Carleton, HNA Co-Chair and E-Newsletter Editor

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1. Night-time Safety Walk, This Tuesday, 6/24, 8-9 p.m.

Summer is an important time to walk and have a presence on our streets given that the longer days and seasonal factors tend to coincide with an upswing in crime. And, as many of you know, our neighborhood recently experienced a murder on the 2000 block of Emerson St. (possibly drug-related), so it's important that we show by our presence that we are committed to safety and continuing to be "eyes on the street."

We will be walking together this Tuesday, June 24, from 8 to 9 p.m.:

*  8 p.m. sharp: Meet at Halcyon Commons picnic table (Halcyon Court near Prince Street)

* Walk to Nomad Cafe, arrive 8: 15 p.m.

(East Lorin neighbors who'd like to join our walk are welcome to join us here.)
Stop at Nomad for 10-15 minutes  (where we can support this community business that's on the forefront of fighting crime at the North Oakland/Berkeley border by purchasing beverages and/or treats)

* 8:30 continue our walk, focusing in the area east of BART where there have been a number of incidents recently (including the Emerson St. block where the murder took place).

* 9 p.m. return to Halcyon Commons

Let's enjoy one another's company as we do our part to take back our streets! We'll call the Police in advance to make sure our beat officers know we're out there. As always, the goal is to have fun and build community, not to endanger ourselves, so we'll walk with cellphones ready to call the police if we notice anything to report. Please bring cellphones and flashlights (dogs optional). We hope you can join us on Tuesday!

And if you'd like to be added to the listserve that organizes safety walks (sometimes on an impromptu basis), email indicating your interest to <halcyon92@gmail.com>.

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2. Crime Watch: Emerson Street Homicide Update (Anonymous Tip Line)

The Berkeley Police issued the following press release:

Emerson Street Homicide

BPD Joins Bay Area Crime Stoppers

Berkeley, California (June 20, 2008) - Detectives of the City of Berkeley Police Department (BPD) Homicide Detail are currently investigating the shooting death of a South Berkeley man. On Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 12:18 p.m., Berkeley Fire Department (BFD) personnel responded to a 911 caller requesting an ambulance for an unresponsive man inside a home in the 2000 block of Emerson Street. The fire crew discovered a male, identified as Charles Faison, 39 of Berkeley, suffering from a gunshot wound. Faison was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives spent the afternoon interviewing family members and neighbors, as well as securing and executing a search warrant to comb the home for evidence or clues to assist with the investigation. Detectives are concerned about any potential compromise to their case, thus BPD will not be sharing any more details at this time.

Detectives are asking for the community's help with this investigation. BPD is now a participant in Bay Area Crime Stoppers. (BACS) Calls to BACS are completely confidential. Callers with viable tips can receive up to $2,000 cash in  reward money in any felony investigation. Anyone who knows anything about the Emerson Street homicide or any

open homicide investigation is urged to call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Callers with information may also call the BPD Homicide Detail at (510) 981-5741 (office) or (510) 981-5900. (Non-emergency dispatch line) For crimes in progress call 911 or (510) 981-5911 from a cell phone.

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3. Some Really Good News: LeConte Neighbors Karl & Jerry Marry on June 20th!

[Editor's Note: I'm delighted to report that Karl Reeh, President of LeConte Neighborhood Association, and his long-time partner Jerry Rodgers, got married on  Friday, June 20 (follow the link for an article about them that appeared in Friday's Berkeley Voice as well as the West County Times). Congratulations, Karl and Jerry!]

http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_9636676?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com

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4. Crime Watch: Detectives Seek Public's Help in Identifying Suspects in Robbery/Sexual Assault in 2300 Block of Derby

[The following press release was received from the Berkeley Police Department.]

Berkeley, CA. (June 23, 2008) - The City of Berkeley Police Department's (BPD) Detectives are requesting the community's help in solving a recent attempted robbery/sexual assault and a burglary. Detectives are sharing the details of these crimes to keep the public informed and to protect themselves.

On Tuesday, June 17, 2008, in the late morning hours, a woman was sexually assaulted in her residence on the 2300 block of Derby St. The suspect gained entry to her apartment through an unlocked front door.

The suspect is described as:

Black male, 20s, dark complexion, 6-02, thin build, last seen wearing a red, waist length, zippered jacket and red hooded sweatshirt, baggy blue jeans with cargo pockets and a cloth mask covering his face

On Saturday, June 20, 2008, in the early morning hours, an unknown suspect gained access to a residence on the 1800 block of Vine St. via window pry.

The suspect is described as:
Black male, 20s, dark complexion; tall, muscular build, a cloth mask covering his face

In both cases the suspect was armed.

Community members are reminded to employ crime prevention measures whenever possible. By taking a few precautions, you reduce your risk as well as discourage those who commit crimes.

** Be alert to your surroundings and people around you
** Whenever feasible, walk, jog or travel with a friend
** Walk confidently and at a steady pace
** Don't talk on cell phones or listen to I-Pods when alone, as they limit awareness
** Be aware of locations and situations, which make you more vulnerable to crime such as alleys, doorways, parking lots and stairwells
** Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible
** Become familiar with your neighbors
** Call BPD to report suspicious persons or activity

If you have any information regarding these two cases, please call the BPD Sex Crimes Detail at (510) 981-5735. For crimes in progress, call 911 or (510) 981-5911 from your cell phone. To report suspicious persons or activity, call the BPD non-emergency line at (510) 981-5900.

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5. Thief Caught in Act in East Lorin Neighborhood

An East Lorin neighbor submitted the following tongue-in-cheek report:

"This Sunday morning, June 22nd, at about 9 a.m., I heard some rustling in my kitchen. I went in and saw someone there, who had apparently entered the property through an open window. He was standing on the kitchen counter, eating from a bag of nuts. Description of the criminal:  Height: about 6 inches tall. Weight: 1.5 lbs. Race: orange. Clothing: none. Distinguishing features:  long bushy tail, pointy ears. Articles missing: filberts and almonds. The thief, caught in the act, quickly departed through the open window and down an adjacent tree."

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For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2008

Dates set as of  June 2008 (verify a couple weeks before event by checking HNA E-Newsletter):

Sunday, July 13, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Summer Community Potluck, 2329 Webster (in the garden, then indoors for some neighborhood history)

Saturday, July 26, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.,  Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Tuesday, August 5, 6-8:30 p.m., National Night Out Against Crime (Potluck 6-7:30; Safety Walk, 7:30-8:30), Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) and surrounding neighborhood

Saturday, September 20, 9:30 a.m.-12 noon, Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, September 28, 4-7 p.m., Party in the Park to Celebrate Completion of Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project (with potluck and live music), Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Late October/Early November, date to be announced by Cal's Berkeley Project, Big Work Party in Halcyon Commons and surrounding neighborhood, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, October 12, 4-5:30, Big Neighborhood Watch meeting, location TBD

Sunday, November 9, 6-8 p.m. Fall Community Potluck, location TBD

November/December, Sunday afternoon, 4-5:30 p.m., Planning meeting, 2009 dates, date TBD, location TBD

Sunday, January 11, 2009, 5:30-8:45 p.m., Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck, four locations TBD

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* Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List

HNA's Disaster Prep Supply Cache contains items intended to benefit the entire neighborhood in the event of disaster. You can help us have what we need on hand in two ways: (1) Make a tax-deductible financial contribution to Berkeley Partners for Parks (BPFP, our nonprofit fiscal sponsor), earmarked Halcyon Disaster Prep, which will go toward purchasing additional supplies, and mail or drop off to HNA Treasurer Susan Hunter, 3044 Halcyon Court, Berkeley, CA 94705. (2) Contribute any of the following items in-kind (supplies MUST be new or in GOOD condition):

Duct Tape (this is a versatile supply that allows us to improvise with common household items in the event of a disaster: lots needed!); Batteries (AA, C, D), regular & rechargeable; Battery Recharger for AA (LOTS of these needed!), C, D; Quality Walkie-Talkies with 8-mile range, 22 channels (i.e., Motorola Talkabout T5500 two-way radios); Axes; Crow Bars, Hard Hats; Other Tools for Search & Rescue; Head Lamps; Heavy-duty Flashlights; Bullhorn;  Flashcard (for storing neighborhood database to transfer to laptop); Sheets (freshly laundered or new; good for first aid); Blankets; First Aid Supplies; Gas Siphon (for extracting gas from cars to run generator); 5-Gallon Drums for long-term gas storage; Work Gloves; Large Camping Tents (with all parts!); Coleman or similar Gas or Propane Stove; Shelving for Shed; Two-Foot Lengths of 2x4s and 4x4s (good for cribbing and creating fulcrums for removing heavy objects during search & rescue operations).

Contact HNA Co-Chair and Cache Coordinator Nancy Carleton at <halcyon92@gmail.com> or 644-0172 to contribute supplies.

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* City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information

Police

Police Emergency Number:  911 (from landline); 981-5911(from cell; preprogram with this number to reach Berkeley emergency from a cell)

Police Nonemergency Number: 981-5900

Link to beat maps and a list of beat officers:

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police/department/beatinfo/beatlineup.html

In Halcyon neighborhood, west of Fulton is Beat 10, east of Fulton is Beat 9.

Link to crime stats:

Berkeley:  www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police

Link to police bulletins:

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police/crimestats/policebulletins.html

Other City Departments:

Neighborhood Services Liaison Jim Hynes <jhynes@ci.berkeley.ca.us> 981-2493

Public Works Customer Service:  981-6620 (streets, sidewalks, graffiti, sewers, litter, storm drains, street lights)

Tree Trimming/Planting (Forestry)/Parks: 981-6660

Written Communication with City Council:

To comment to City Council, cut and paste the following email addresses:

City Clerk <clerk@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Mayor Tom Bates <Mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Linda Maio <LMaio@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Darryl Moore <DMoore@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Max Anderson <MAnderson@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Dona Spring <DSpring@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Laurie Capitelli <LCapitelli@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Betty Olds <BOlds@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Kriss Worthington <KWorthington@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Gordon Wozniak <GWozniak@ci.berkeley.ca.us>

Representatives for Our Neighborhood:

Councilmember Max Anderson (District 3) 981-7130

West side of Wheeler Street to west (except for Woolsey between Wheeler and Shattuck)

Councilmember Kriss Worthington (District 7) 981-7170

East side of Wheeler to east (includes block of Woolsey from Wheeler to Shattuck)

Mayor Tom Bates 981-7100

Zoning Adjustments Board:

To comment to the Zoning Adjustments Board regarding projects on their calendar, email:

Zoning Adjustments Board <zab@ci.berkeley.ca.us>

(best to submit your comments 10 days prior to meeting for inclusion in the advance packet to board members, but late submissions will be distributed the evening of the meeting)

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* Halcyon Neighborhood Association's Guiding Principles

HNA is a community group dedicated to stewardship of the Halcyon Neighborhood in South Berkeley (bounded by Telegraph, Ashby, Adeline, and Woolsey). We encourage positive, proactive, partnership-oriented approaches to improving the well-being of our neighborhood, with an emphasis on the following goals:

• Community building (such as regular potlucks, special events in the park, mutual support among neighbors, and multiblock yard sales);
• Ongoing care of Halcyon Commons (a park conceived of and created by the neighbors who founded HNA) under the nonprofit umbrella provided by Berkeley Partners for Parks and in partnership with the City of Berkeley;
• Continued greening and care of the neighborhood (planting trees, cleaning litter off streets, graffiti removal, and helping maintain public landscaped features);
• Strengthening neighborhood watch (crime watch, community safety walks, emergency preparedness, and disaster supply cache);
• Networking with the larger Berkeley community (nearby neighborhood groups, neighborhood businesses, City staff, and elected officials);
• Sharing information and empowering residents to become proactive in addressing neighborhood needs and in expressing individual viewpoints regarding civic affairs (spreading news through meetings, flyers, and the HNA E-Newsletter, and providing contact information).

        To fulfill these goals, HNA provides a sanctuary from partisan politics so that neighbors with diverse viewpoints feel welcome to participate. Thus, HNA only takes stands on larger issues when there is near-unanimity among neighbors. By focusing on immediate local concerns, we find we can have a greater impact and get better results from the time we invest.

       Guided by these principles, HNA invites neighbors who are willing to work together in a spirit of partnership to participate at whatever level makes sense for them. Opportunities for serving on our volunteer Steering Committee and project-oriented committees are available to neighbors who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work together in a nonpartisan spirit. Neighbors are invited to step forward into leadership positions defined by the work they do in accordance with HNA's primary goals and guiding principles.

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The Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter:  The HNA E-Newsletter forwards occasional crime-watch notices as well as items of general interest to neighbors in the Ashby/Telegraph/Woolsey/Adeline area of south Berkeley (HNA's borders), including announcements about community-building potlucks, greening projects, disaster preparedness meetings, and work parties in Halcyon Commons Park. If you're receiving this email, you probably either signed up at a neighborhood event or a neighbor forwarded it to you. Please note that to prevent spam, HNA always uses bcc and does not share your email address with third parties. If you wish to be removed from this list, please reply to HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton/Halcyon Neighborhood Association <halcyon92@gmail.com>. Feel free to pass the HNA E-Newsletter on to other neighbors you think might be interested.

To submit items for the newsletter:   Email unformatted content or links (no graphics or attachments) to HNA E-Newsletter Editor Nancy Carleton <halcyon92@gmail.com>. Crime-watch reports and news about neighbors (births, new jobs, announcements re home businesses) is especially welcome. Please note that due to the volunteer nature of the endeavor, the E-Newsletter does not typically include "letters to the editor" or "commentary," but will gladly include links to such items written by neighbors in the Ashby/Telegraph/Woolsey/Adeline area and published elsewhere (the Berkeley Daily Planet has a large section devoted to opinion).

HNA Halcyon Safety Walk Listserve:  For those who'd like to participate in night-time and daytime safety "dog" walks (dogs not required) to build community and serve as eyes on the street, please reply  to Halcyon Neighborhood Association <halcyon92@gmail.com> indicating your interest, and you will receive an invitation to join. For everyone's safety, be sure to include your full name, address, email, and phone.

HNA Blog: If you would like to view previous newsletters online (and comment via a blog format, though this is a low-activity blog), please visit http://halcyoncourt.blogspot.com/

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