BeaconMediaNews.com
6 December 2 - December 8, 2019
First Responders Trained At Local Community Colleges Provide Peace Of Mind During The Holidays Dr. Edward C. Ortell Citrus College Governing Board Member
D
ata reported in 2018 show that more than 28 million calls are made to 9-1-1 in California each year. The Los Angeles region receives the most calls, with 8.5 million fielded by 79 regional call centers. In spite of the pervasive message of Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All, it is the holidays when there is a significant spike in 9-1-1 calls for emergency assistance. It seems the myriad celebrations, with increased food and beverages and lessthan-safe holiday decorations, as well as crowded highways and the general stress inherent in all that celebrating, there unavoidably follows a greater need for assistance from first responders. It has long been recognized that there is a pattern of increased deadly heart attacks during the winter holiday season. Many of us think of emergency medical technicians (EMTs), firefighters and police when we think of first responders. The U.S. First Responders Association lists more than 80 categories of first responders—basically the officials who run toward rather than away from emergency situations. The majority of
first responders, however, are individuals with specialized training who are the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene of an emergency. Their jobs are frequently challenging and dangerous and involve long shifts that include holidays and weekends. So who are these selfless individuals, and why do they do it? First responders are people with a desire to serve their communities, and they tend to be highly satisfied with the demanding jobs they do. In California, 80 percent of firefighters, law enforcement officers and EMTs are credentialed at a California community college. More than 40 California community colleges offer administration of justice programs and 60 plus colleges have fire technology programs. Most of these programs are offered at your local community college. This holiday season, your heart may leap with joy as you open that long dreamed of gift or the sight of your family and acquaintances coming together in love and friendship. But if your heart leaps for a less healthy, more ominous reason, it’s good to know that help is just a 9-1-1 call away. While first responders contribute to Peace on Earth in our communities, they contribute even more to our peace of mind during the holidays.
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Floral Photograph by CHAND ALIi (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0}
Image for illustration purpose only. - Courtesy photo / Facebook @GardenaPolice
Two Gardena Cops Convicted of Operating Unlicensed Firearms Business Selling Weapons to Convicted Felons Two Gardena Police officers were found guilty by a jury of federal criminal charges for scheming to purchase “off-roster” firearms not available to the general public and then illegally reselling the firearms for profit. Carlos Miguel Fernandez, 44, of Norwalk, and Edward Yasushiro Arao, 49, of Eastvale, were found guilty of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license and of substantive counts of engaging in an unlicensed firearms business. Fernandez also was convicted of an additional conspiracy count, selling firearms to a convicted felon, and of making false statements about the sales on federal firearms licensing paperwork. According to evidence presented at their six-day trial, Fernandez, whose Instagram handle was “the38superman,” advertised firearms for sale – guns being offered by both himself, Arao and others – on his Instagram account. The vast majority of posts on the account contained images of firearms. Arao, who was the CEO of Ronin Tactical Group, which was a federal firearms licensee (FFL), similarly advertised off-roster guns on the company’s Instagram account that he then re-sold in his individual capacity. Additionally, both defendants marketed firearms at gun shows. Neither defendant was licensed individually to engage in the business of dealing in firearms when the illegal gun sales alleged in the indictment took place. The evidence presented at trial demonstrated how the defendants exploited their position as police officers to ensure the success of their illegal gun selling business. Specifically, Fernandez purchased “off-roster” firearms – mostly Colt .38-caliber handguns that were not available to the general public, but which could be legally purchased by law
enforcement officers – and sold dozens of these weapons through private-party transfers. Similarly, Arao obtained “off-roster” weapons by transferring them to himself individually from the inventory of Ronin Tactical Group. Through messages on Instagram and other means, Fernandez and Arao negotiated the prices and terms of firearm sales, and they accepted payment for the guns once they were delivered. For example, between May 2016 and December 2017, Fernandez negotiated and arranged the sale of 10 firearms to a convicted felon, Oscar Maravilla Camacho Jr., 36, of Salinas. With respect to every sale, Fernandez communicated directly with Camacho Jr. about the firearms purchases and understood that Camacho Jr., as a felon, could not legally buy the weapons. Nevertheless, Fernandez transferred the weapons to Camacho Jr. in violation of federal law. United States District Judge S. James Otero scheduled a March 2 sentencing hearing, at which time Fernandez will face a statutory maximum of 35 years in federal prison and Arao will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Six other defendants in this case have pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges for distribution of cocaine, conspiracy to dispose of firearms to a felon, and making false statements that led to the straw purchase of several firearms. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case. The Gardena Police Department provided its full cooperation during the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine A. Rykken of the Major Frauds Section and Veronica Dragalin of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section.