PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92025 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
.com MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 29, N0. 41
OCT. 16, 2015
SAN MARCOS -NEWS
Residents continue to.oppose high-density THE developments VISTA
com
.com NEWS
By Promise Yee
alarm was going off and, according to the lawsuit, Valentine’s response was “mind your (expletive) business.” According to the lawsuit, and a screenshot submitted to the court as evidence, Hahn called a non-emergency hotline to report Valentine’s behavior. Hahn reportedly told dispatchers the officer “appeared mentally unstable” and felt harassed and intimidated. After she left, Hahn was pulled over minutes later for a seat belt violation, but was not ticketed, the lawsuit states. The video, meanwhile, begins with Hahn, who was unarmed, already pinned to the ground by Valentine. Soon after the recording begins, two other vehicles respond and an officer, Jody Knisley, races out of his car and within seconds strikes Hahn twice with punches, then knees her in the stomach and then lands another blow to her head. Knisley also pins his knee on Hahn’s neck as she cries for help. A third officer is seen keeping at least one witness from aiding and keeping others away from the scene. “Help me, help me, help me”
OCEANSIDE — Residents shared objections to the high-density townhouse project on south Cleveland Street, prior to the Planning Commission’s approval of the project on Monday. Neighboring residents said the project would add to the lack of RANCHO parking and cause a loss SFNEWS of ocean views. They also vowed to appeal the decision, which would call for the item to be heard by City Council for final approval. “Our property value is going to be diminished,” one resident said. Commissioner Colleen Balch suggested the vote be postponed after objections were raised. “You might say we don’t have a view ordinance, but it’s not their fault (that regulations are lacking to protect views of current residents,” Balch said. The commission voted 3-2 to approve the project, Balch and Commissioner John Scrivener voted no. The planned project proposes 15 attached townhouse with two to three bedrooms, and provides two-car garages and guest parking. Sean Santa Cruz, vice president of planning and development for Hallmark Communities, said guest parking is not required, but was requested by the city to help alleviate parking concerns. He said adding three guest spaces to the project reduced housing by one unit. City staff said the project abides by or exceeds all city regulations. The height, which blocks ocean views of neighbor-
TURN TO LAWSUIT ON A16
TURN TO DEVELOPMENTS ON A16
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Painting a picture
Artist Kevin Anderson paints a seascape during Saturday’s event at Cardiff Reef.
Photo by Tony Cagala
Woman files lawsuit against Carlsbad Police By Steve Puterski
A screen shot of an eyewitness video of Carlsbad officer Jody Knisley, middle, shows him about to allegedly punch Cindy Hahn of Valenica during a 2013 incident. Also holding down Hahn is officer Kenyatte Valentine. Both officers, along with three others and the city of Carlsbad, are the subject of a federal lawsuit filed by Hahn last week. Courtesy image
MARIA DAMIAN
BRIAN STRANGE
CalBRE #01422858
allege a battery, civil rights violations, negligence and loss of consortium. As for damages Hahn is seeking, the lawsuit states, “an amount to be proven at trial.” She filed the suit in September 2014 in San Diego County Superior Court, although the case was filed in federal court in San Diego last
CalBRE #01866160
CARLSBAD — A Valenica woman has filed a federal lawsuit against the Carlsbad Police Department and the city of Carlsbad alleging civil rights violations stemming from a 2013 incident. Video captured by a cellphone of Cindy Hahn, 43, shows her on the receiving end of several punches and a knee to the abdomen by Carlsbad police officers in July 2013 after leaving a birthday party. The video surfaced one year after Hahn was charged with two felonies, one count for resisting arrest and one charge of battery on a peace officer. Upon viewing the video, San Diego County prosecutors dismissed the charges on July 19, according to numerous statements to the media by Hahn’s attorney, Mark Geragos of Los Angeles. The city hired the Carlsbad firm of Meters Fozi LLP as legal counsel to defend the city and the officers alleged of misconduct. As for the five officers named in the lawsuit, their status is unknown. According to Jodee Sasway, community relations manager for the CPD, two of the officers involved are still with the department. The lawsuit against the city of Carlsbad and five police officers
week. “A horrific day,” she told an L.A. TV station last week. The incident was sparked when Hahn left a beach party with her two children — then 11 and 7 years old — near Magee Park and Garfield Street. Hahn asked officer Kenyatte Valentine why a car
50 Years In the Neighborhood! Call Maria & Brian at (760) 420-0400 or email info@encinitasbeachhomes.com www.encinitasbeachhomes.com
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