Halcyon Neighborhood Association

Thursday, July 10, 2008

HNA E-News: Summer Garden Potluck This Sunday; Home Invasions and Sexual Assaults in Berkeley; Drought; 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. Halcyon Garden Potluck Party and Neighborhood History Gathering, Sunday, July 13, 5:30-8:30 p.m.. 2329 Webster
2. Community Crime Alert: Detectives Looking at Similarities in Recent Home Invasions and Sexual Assaults
3. EBMUD Adopts Drought Rates
4. Crime Watch Report: Incidents in the Area from North Oakland to Tremont and Essex Near BART

* 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:

This E-News comes with a reminder to be very careful about not leaving your windows or doors open and to be cautious about letting strangers into your house for any reason; there has been a disturbing series of  sexual assaults in Berkeley recently (fortunately none in our immediate neighborhood), and most seem to be related to entryways left unsecured. Don't let the hot weather make you complacent about basic security precautions! See item 2 for Police Department reports on a number of incidents.

On a lighter note, a very special thanks to neighbor Mark Foy for his recent generous donation in response to HNA's Summer Fundraising appeal. Hopefully others will be also be inspired to contribute, perhaps by bringing a check to one of our upcoming events, such as the Garden Potluck Party this Sunday in John and Michelle's lovely garden and house, where we'll also get to hear some interesting tidbits about neighborhood history. Hope to see you there!

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

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1. Halcyon Garden Potluck Party and Neighborhood History Gathering, Sunday, July 13, 5:30-8:30 p.m.. 2329 Webster

Halcyon Garden Potluck Party and Neighborhood History Gathering at the home of John and Michelle Thelen Steere;,  5:30 to 8:30  p.m. 2329 Webster (2nd house west of Whole Foods Market).

Come and appreciate the fruits of the summer and the spirit of our community and hear stories of what our neighborhood was like years ago!
 
 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.:   Potluck in the Garden:  Meet and enjoy the company of your neighbors in the English Garden backyard of John and Michelle.

Potluck suggestions:
Appetizer: T-Z * Mail Dish: L-S * Salad: A-F * Dessert: G-K
(If not obvious, kindly attach a label with ingredients for your dish to alert those with vegetarian and other diets.)
If so inspired, it's really helpful if you can also bring a beverage to share.

7:00 to 8:30 p.m.:  History of the 'Hood:  The program moves indoors, where we'll share conversation and stories of where we live, whether we arrived last month or thirty years ago. Old timers are especially encouraged to show up and share their memories of what it used to be like here long ago. Come and hear how much has changed over the years and see images of the community efforts that created Halcyon Commons.
 
Please call HNA Co-Chair John Steere if you can help with preparations of this event:  849-1969

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2. Community Crime Alert: Detectives Looking at Similarities in Recent Home Invasions and Sexual Assaults

[Editor's Note: The Berkeley Police Dept. issued the following press release.]

Detectives Look At Cases For Similarities
Berkeley, CA. (July 8, 2008) - The City of Berkeley Police Department (BPD) is urging the community to employ the following crime prevention measures in response to several home invasions and sexual assaults:

** Despite the warm weather, community members should always lock and secure their doors and windows
** Be aware of locations and situations which make you more vulnerable to crime, such as traveling alone, and when walking through alleys,doorways, parking lots and stairwells
** Call BPD to report suspicious persons or activity

Detectives are investigating a sexual assault that occurred the morning of July 8 before dawn on the 1200 block of Milvia St. in north Berkeley. The victim described the suspect as:  Black male, late teens early 20s, 5'6 to 5'8, thin build

On Tuesday, June 17, 2008, in the late morning hours, a woman was sexually assaulted in her home on the 2300 block of Derby St. The victim described the suspect as: Black male, 20s, dark complexion, 6'2, thin build

On Saturday, June 21, 2008, in the early morning hours, a residence on the 1800 block of Vine St. was burglarized. This burglary is suspicious given the proximity and the suspect description. The victim described the suspect as: Black male, 20s, dark complexion, tall, muscular build

In all three cases the suspect was armed with a deadly weapon. Investigators are looking into the possibility these cases are related. If you have any information regarding these cases, please call the BPD Sex Crimes Detail at (510) 981-5735.

The BPD is working in partnership with Bay Area Crime Stoppers who are offering up to a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the involved suspect(s). Callers may remain anonymous by calling Bay Area Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). 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.

[Editor's Note: And Sgt. Kusmiss sent the following update.]

Thank you for your continued interest in the sexual assault that happened yesterday, July 8th at approximately 4:25 a.m. in the 1200 block of Milvia Street. We appreciate your patience with respect to further details. In addition, it is not uncommon in cases for a detailed suspect description to be a challenge for victims. The emotional impact/trauma in such crimes makes it difficult.

Our greatest focus/interest in sharing the incidents and that fact that there may be similarities is to alert the community, heighten awareness, urge community members to call in any suspicious activity or people and most importantly, lock/secure windows and doors day and night. Historically, over 50% of burglaries in the City of Berkeley are accomplished through unlocked windows/doors, open windows/open doors.
Stranger sexual assault, those committed by a stranger who enters a home or grabs a woman from the street are very, very rare in Berkeley. We average 2 per year. The bulk of the rape statistics sent to CA.DOJ are acquaintance/date rape incidents: year 2006-22; 2007-24

It is customary/protocol to complete a SART exam if the victim is willing, take items of clothing, bedding, if relevant, and anything that remotely may have evidentiary value in sexual assault cases. All of these are examined and sent to the lab for analysis. This takes time. Detectives are scouring previous cases, sexual offender databases, recent parolee releases and all other avenues.

[Editor's Note: And please also note the following announcement also from the Berkeley Police Department, though not related to the incidents described above.]

Sex Crimes Detectives Warn Community of Fake Newspapermen                     
                   
This is an unusual case of a man exposing himself after talking his way into the woman's home, on the pretext of trying to sell newspapers.  We have some pretty good leads on this case and hopefully will have the suspect identified soon. I am sending this out is to remind everyone to think carefully before you let two uninvited strangers into your home.
-Sgt. Stephen Burcham

Berkeley, CA. (July 4, 2008) - City of Berkeley Police Department (BPD) Sex Crimes Detectives are cautioning the community about a recent incident involving a man posing as a newspaper subscription salesperson.  On June 28, 2008, two men were allowed into the home of a female adult on the 1900 block of Berkeley Way under the pretense of selling newspaper subscriptions for a local periodical.  After a brief discussion one of the two men left the apartment.  The remaining individual exposed the victim to his genitals before leaving.

Detectives are sharing the details of this crime to keep the public informed and to better protect themselves.   
The suspect is described as: White Male, 20s, 5'8 to 5'10, heavy build, with dark hair
In the company of another: White Male, 20s, 5'10, 170 lbs, with short black hair

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.

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3. EBMUD Adopts Drought Rates
 
[Editor's Note: Our area's director on EBMUD, Andy Katz, forwarded the following information related to water rates during the ongoing drought.]

The East Bay Municipal Utility District adopted drought rates yesterday, a major component of a Drought Management Plan to conserve 15% overall water use throughout the District. EBMUD is the first district in California to respond to the drought with a forward-thinking effort to plan for potentially low supplies if next year is dry like this year and last year.
 
Single-Family Homes are asked to conserve 19 percent, and apartments by 11 percent.
 
The drought rates include a 10 percent increase in volume charges for all customers and a $2 surcharge for each 25 gallons per day of water used above a customer's individual allocation.  The allocation for single family homes is a 10 percent reduction below the past 3 years consumption, and the allocation for multi-family residential is a 7 percent reduction.  All residential customers using less than 100 gallons per day are exempt from the increased rates and surcharges.
 
Self-Audit Kits and Allocation Adjustments
For customers who are already conserving or complete a self-audit kit to conserve all they can, EBMUD will adjust your allocation.  Answers to frequently asked questions are here: http://www.ebmud.com/drought/drought_rates_and_allocations_faqs.htm
 
Improving Equity and Encouraging Conservation in the Plan
I joined the Board in unanimously supporting the plan.  I initially found the original draft unfair, because the sole criterion was a customer's past consumption, and I think it is critical to implement a plan that encourages long-term conservation and will not punish customers who are already setting good examples for their neighbors by conserving. 
  • First, the Board changed the first draft to exempt customers using less than 100 gallon per day to reward customers who are exceptional in conserving water.
  • Second, EBMUD developed a self-audit kit that will allow for individualized assessments so that customers who are conserving all they can can apply for an adjustment to their allocation.  The check-list will take less than a half-hour to complete, and will be available at http://www.ebmud.com/drought/default.html or 1-866-40-EBMUD.  The adjustment process will allow for individual factors such as household size, lawn size, local weather, medical conditions, changes in occupancy, and other factors to be considered so that customers are treated fairly but must still conserve within a reasonable water budget.
Fix Leaks, Reduce Outdoor Water Use
The most important ways we can fight the drought is by fixing toilet and plumbing leaks, and by reducing outdoor water use 30% by watering 3 or fewer times a week, and never on consecutive days.  Our drought help center also has information on useful tips, rebates, and incentives.
 
Ongoing Public Process Needed
 I supported an ongoing public process to evaluate the drought management plan and future alternatives to the current plan.  I heard from many residents who proposed alternatives such as using standardized, fixed allocations for every customer, integrating stronger conservation pricing signals in our rate structure, and creating a new customer class for "water-smart" customers.  The Board's resolution included direction to our staff to recommend a process for further review, which may include study of the alternatives suggested by the public, and formation of a citizens advisory committee.
 
I agree that the current plan did not have the benefit of extensive study, but Proposition 218, passed by California voters in 1996, now requires water districts to follow a strict notification process that effectively delays any rate changes, even responses to drought emergencies, by up to 3 months, and precludes the Board's flexibility to incorporate public input once public notices are mailed.  If EBMUD did not approve a plan in time for the summer, we would face serious budget shortfalls, and inadequate water supply for future years.
 
I invite your continued feedback on this issue while EBMUD strives to conserve 15% water consumption this year, and continues to investigate a more effective and equitable system.
 
 
News Links on the East Bay Drought:
 
 
 
 
 
Andy Katz
Director, East Bay Municipal Utility District
510-848-5001; Andykatz@sonic.net

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4. Crime Watch Report: Incidents in the Area from North Oakland to Tremont and Essex Near BART

An East Lorin neighbor reports:

(1) On Friday July 4th at 12:30 p.m. one of our area residents noticed a man who appeared to be going into people's side yards, near 65th and Whitney, and called the police, following the man who went towards Tremont and Essex.  A half hour later I happened to be walking down the street and witnessed BPD apprehend an individual carrying an open container of alcohol, who later conversations revealed to likely be the same person, at Essex and Adeline at 1p.m. The man was a thin black man of indeterminate age, wearing a knit cap and oversize large black coat, inappropriate to the weather conditions (warm).

(2) At 10 p.m. Saturday July 5th, I noticed two BPD patrol cars and a Crime Scene Unit van parked on Essex street between Adeline and Tremont.  Earlier I had heard a helicopter in the area.

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For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2008

Dates set as of  July 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, Sunday afternoon, 4-5:30 p.m., Steering Committee & Disaster Prep 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:

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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