Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
By Monica Rodriguez
Jun 12, 2005
POMONA - A "radical" approach to building bridges between distrustful residents and frustrated police started off Saturday at the First Christian Church with both groups trading personal experiences from the streets of Pomona. Residents complained about unruly neighbors, drugs and prostitutes on street corners and slow police response times.
Officers, including Pomona Police Chief James Lewis, spoke of thin resources, the lack of media attention on positive crime statistics and officer frustration with community members who will not step forward with information to help solve crimes.
But the meeting, organized by One LA, a countywide coalition of religious and community groups, was less about taking potshots than it was about officers and community members interacting without a preconceived agenda. That's why the gathering was so unusual, said the Rev. Alex Aclan of St. Madeleine Catholic Church.
"What we are doing here is a radical thing," he said. "I have never sat with other congregations or the chief of police just to tell each other our stories. Usually, somebody has an agenda for a particular action."
The meeting was just the beginning of a long conversation to battle Pomona's existing problems as well as the negative perceptions that are no longer accurate, organizers said.
More than a year ago, an unflattering spotlight was thrown on Pomona after the shooting of California Highway Patrol Officer Thomas Steiner by a 16-year-old trying to impress a local gang.
The slaying triggered a massive crackdown on gang members, community meetings on gang violence, vigils and an influx of volunteers and concerned residents.
But One LA has been quietly fostering local relationships during the past two years in a program called "Standing for Families," which intends to change the perception of Pomona as a crime-ridden city and organize community members toward political action.
"It takes a long time to change a culture," said Julie Roberts-Fronk, a pastor at First Christian and a 16-year resident. "Things are getting better, but there still is that stigma." One LA is pushing for increased parent access to classrooms, adequate streetlights and infrastructure in historically neglected neighborhoods in South Pomona and increased police funding for more community policing.
"Sometimes we don't understand each others' issues," said Chief Lewis, pointing to the department's stretched resources. "This is the value of this partnership."
More than 40 attendees broke off into small groups, telling their personal stories of dealing with crime in their neighborhoods, and what residents perceived was the lack of response by police.
Lewis said some of the concerns were legitimate but difficult to rectify. Despite a spike in arrests and a dip in crimes this year, a department with only one officer for every 875 residents can only do so much, he said.
It's that type of issue that a galvanized community can focus their political power to change, said Anna Eng, a One LA coordinator.' The meeting and exchange of stories changed at least one resident's perception of the police department.
"I felt they were listening to me and cared what I had to say," Margarita Ledesma said.