Apr
17
Satellite Tracking of Gang Members Moves Forward
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On April 17 the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved my plan to track gang members by GPS satellite device after their release into San Bernardino County from prison or jail. The plan includes a local pilot program that was already initiated earlier this month when Probation officers began using GPS devices to monitor known gang members on Probation in various areas of the County.
A proposed state pilot program would expand that tracking to paroled gang members who are under the supervision of the state Department of Corrections.
During the April 17 Board meeting, while this item was being discussed, I was informed that law enforcement officials currently investigating a gang-related homicide in the High Desert have already found that a gang member wearing a GPS device was present at the scene of the homicide. I am told that the information obtained has proven to be tremendously helpful in expediting the progress of the homicide investigation.Â
The Board also approved sending an official request to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger calling for the creation of a pilot program to track gang member parolees in the County, and directed the County’s Legislative Office to advocate for several bills in the Legislature to help bring GPS technology to bear in the war on gangs in California.
Previously, on February 6, the Board approved more than $500,000 to create a specialized unit in the District Attorney’s Office to seek civil court injunctions against gangs. With the use of GPS devices, we will be able to make sure gang members don’t violate injunctions by returning to their former turf after being released from jail or prison.
There will be no cost to the county to implement the county phase of the program. The current vendor for the GPS devices utilized by the County is providing the GPS devices for the pilot program at no cost. Monthly access charges are billed to the probationers who are fitted with the devices.
It is estimated that there are at least 13,000 gang members belonging to about 300 different gangs in San Bernardino County.
Apr
10
Hesperia Star Profile of Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt
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Main Street Conversation … County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt
By PETER DAY Star Editor
April 9, 2007 – 4:58PM
While his clean-shaven, bespectacled predecessor, Bill Postmus, looks like a political-candidate poster child, the bearded, unassuming Brad Mitzelfelt comes off more like a college professor, or perhaps a park ranger.
Although the two share ideological similarities, their styles differ. Mitzelfelt, who for more than six years served as Postmus’ chief of staff, isn’t really interested in the chess game of politics.
“Politics isn’t what gets me up in the morning. Policy is,” said Mitzelfelt, who last November was appointed to complete Postmus’ two remaining years as supervisor of the county’s first district. “I see politics as a means to an end. It’s not an end to itself.”
Already in his first few months, Mitzelfelt, who lives in Wrightwood, has several accomplishments under his belt. The most notable is his request of $500,000 to help purchase equipment for a new aerospace mechanics-training program at the Southern California Logistics Agency (formerly George Air Force Base). Victor Valley College, the county, the city of Victorville and a non-profit consortium spearhead the program. Last month, the Board of Supervisors approved Mitzelfelt’s proposal.
“I’m very excited about it.”
During a recent Hesperia Chamber of Commerce Coffee Club gathering, Mitzelfelt outlined other priorities. They include cracking down on gangs, tracking sex offenders and protecting consumers from identity theft. He also believes it’s time the county be more aggressive with illegal dumping and make more headway with freeway congestion and transportation issues.
“I take things issue by issue. I look at each issue and how it will benefit my constituents.”
Recent gang sweeps are helping the Victor Valley get a handle on the gang problem, but that highlights a shortage of jail space.
“We are the No. 1 county for sending people to prison,” Mitzelfelt said. “That’s kind of good and kind of bad. We’ve got a big problem [in jail overcrowding]. We just don’t have nearly the capacity that we need.”
Regarding transportation, he cited rising costs of freeway construction as a huge obstacle. “Costs have gone through the roof,” he said.
But he agrees with regional economics and politics guru John Husing that “logistics is the job engine for our economy.” Local jobs keep tax money at home and families in one place. The SCLA program should help do that by providing a number of jobs paying $48,000 to $75,000 a year.
“Young people can work here.”
Later, during a one-on-one interview with the Hesperia Star, Mitzelfelt credited a new county ordinance that puts more teeth into fighting illegal dumping. Perpetrators can be fined as much as $10,000, and tipsters are encouraged to contact authorities.
“Illegal dumping is a huge problem in the High Desert. We’re not going to put up with it anymore.”
Mitzelfelt also is working with the Bureau of Land Management to solve land management issues. Several years ago after former President Bill Clinton tried to shut down cattle grazing in the High Desert the county took away “dumping cards,” which allowed BLM workers to discard refuse at area landfills. Recently the cards were given back, and he is hoping to meet with representatives of the agency on a quarterly basis.
“I do want to improve our relationship with the BLM.”
By improving the relationship with BLM, the county also can help solve illegal off-roading issues. Many BLM-maintained areas are OK for off-roaders, for instance.
“There’s a lot we can do together with BLM.”
Newly-revised, larger restaurant grading cards are also a help to local businesses and consumers, according to Mitzelfelt.
“The new ones are being phased in. They contain more information. An ‘A’ letter in a window is good for business.”
The son of physician-turned-orchestra-conductor H. Vincent Mitzelfelt, Mitzelfelt grew up in the Eagle Rock area of Los Angeles. He was a talented distance runner who ran three miles in around 15 minutes and a mile under 4 minutes 30 seconds.
“I like to fish, mountain bike and run.”
He studied piano under Pasadena-based master pianist Surajeet Chatterji, who currently teaches classes at Hesperia High School, and owns two pianos. Saying he plays at an intermediate level, Mitzelfelt says Mozart’s “Rondo alla Turca” is favorite classical piece.
“It’s the hardest thing I know, so it’s my favorite.”
Mitzelfelt is a Marine Corps combat veteran of Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He served as a combat correspondent, a position which earned him several awards.
In July, Mitzelfelt is planning on getting married to his fiance.
“It’s a big year for me.”
While Mitzelfelt brings a different leadership style, he believes Postmus has tremendous strengths.
“He is a very talented political strategist. He’s a talented leader. He’s also good with budgets and managing people.”
Moreover, it appears Postmus is enjoying his new position.
“He’s modernizing that department. He really has a job he enjoys.”
Although Mitzelfelt doesn’t prefer the political part of his job, he recently entered fresh political waters when he held a fundraiser to kick off his 2008 election campaign. Attracting 300 supporters, he raised $165,000.
“It was a great success. I have no doubt I’ll have the funds to get the message out. I’ve done this before. I know how to win campaigns.”
View this article online at: http://www.hesperiastar.com/onset?id=613&template=article.html
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