Flashback Friday

A couple things to cover, Tazer Faithful! One we're a little late on, and one that the press is a little late on. No harm, no foul, we break even. Roll 'em!

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A TAZER PRELUDE: We remember RIA and the Revs. Shumake and Newsome spearheading this effort, and yet they get scant coverage while the politicians get the spotlight. Tsk tsk, Times.

Officials, inmates meet, discuss ways to stem violence on streets

By John Geluardi
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

Politicians and high-ranking city officials went inside San Quentin state prison Wednesday as part of an ongoing program to end the chronic violence on Richmond streets.

In a small room known as the Muslim-Jewish Faith Center just inside the prison's heavily secured gate, county Supervisor John Gioia, Richmond City Manager Bill Lindsay and Deputy Police Chief Ed Medina sat down with a group of inmates in what might be described as a networking session.

The policymakers wanted to learn what they can do to ease the transition from prison to the outside, and the inmates wanted to find out how they can help from inside.

The meeting was organized by the San Quentin Trust For The Development of Incarcerated Men, a group of long-term inmates who help prepare other inmates for the outside world. The 35 Trust members have achieved a high level of self-improvement through workshops, academic classes and a rigorous regimen of personal accountability. The Trust is currently working with 20 Richmond inmates who have agreed to take part in the Trust's Richmond Project, which requires them to commit to do their part to end Richmond violence.

"We are a group of men who see a need to help other inmates develop into assets instead of liabilities," said Trust Chairman Rahman Green. "We aren't saying we have all the answers, but we know one thing -- we can reach out and try to help."

The Richmond Improvement Association, a coalition of faith-based organizations, has been meeting with the Trust twice a month since February. Invited by the Revs. Andre Shumake and Charles Newsome, community members and business owners have met regularly with the Richmond inmates to establish a network of relationships the inmates can rely on for support when they are released.

Gioia said it was important for him to learn more about their needs.

"I'm here to listen to what can be useful to you on the outside," Gioia told the group Wednesday. "I applaud all of you for your hard work you're doing in here, and we are obligated to make your entry back into the community easier."

Gioia has been working with the Richmond Improvement Association on a program called Clean Slate, in which parolees could have nonviolent convictions expunged from their records to remove barriers to employment and education.

The Richmond inmates told the visitors Wednesday about the work they are doing in preparation for their release. Most are studying for a general equivalency degree as well as learning job skills. They also are taking workshops in anger management, parenting and drug and alcohol abuse.

They talked about why they are committed to changing themselves and becoming a positive influence on their younger siblings, cousins and friends.

"There are a lot of myths in our community. We think we're powerful because we carry guns and sell drugs. But power comes from the inside," said Richmond inmate James Houston, 32. "We don't do enough to support the kids out there who are doing well."

Trust members also want to do what they can from behind the prison's walls. In the coming year, they will organize an essay contest in Richmond high schools with the goal of getting teenagers to think about their social responsibilities by answering such questions as "what does my community mean to me?" The best essays will receive cash prizes.

They also are raising money to help low-income students buy school uniforms, which will be required at West Contra Costa County Unified School District elementary and middle schools starting in the fall. Medina, the deputy police chief, contributed $500 to the uniform effort on behalf of the Richmond Police Department.

After listening to the inmates speak about the progress they've made, Lindsay talked about the city's responsibility.

"We need to change, too. When I hear you talk about closed community centers and canceled recreation programs, these are things we can do something about," he said. "We'll try to hold up our end of the bargain just like you are holding up yours."

Reach John Geluardi at 510-262-2787 or jgeluardi@cctimes.com.

TAZER SAYS: "What does my community mean to me?" We recommend that as the VERY FIRST question to all candidates at the forum this Monday evening at Easter Hill Methodist Church.

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A TAZER PRELUDE: Here's that renovation meeting we were wondering about.

New police station, plaza in works
RICHMOND: City's $70 million project also includes renovating auditorium and City Hall, building council chamber

By John Geluardi
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

City planners shared their vision Tuesday of a new police station, refurbished auditorium and a community-friendly plaza in the revitalization of the 57-year-old Civic Center.

City officials, the Alliance Property Group and representatives of Los Angeles-based Nadel Architects presented plans for the first phase of the estimated $70 million redevelopment project.

Major first-phase components include an extensive remodeling of City Hall, a new City Council chamber, an 80,000-square-foot police station and a complete renovation of the 3,500-seat Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

Funding will come in part from the city's general fund, but mostly from an improvement bond, which will be issued in December. Final plans for the project are to be presented to the City Council on Sept. 12, at which time, the public will have another opportunity to comment on the design.

In November 2005, the council selected Alliance as the master developer on the project, which will be overseen by the city's community redevelopment agency. Construction on the first phase is expected to begin in 2007 and be completed sometime in 2009.

City planners will choose from three locations for the new police building. One is on the site of the existing Hall of Justice and another is on a parking lot directly across from the Main Library at Nevin Avenue and 27th Street. The most likely location is at the corner of 25th Street and Barrett Avenue.

"This site is outside of the main plaza, which is good because the new police building will be large and could dwarf the other buildings," said Mike Walden of Nadel Architects. "And this site has plenty of room to accommodate the department's 120 vehicles."

A parking structure with more than 700 stalls is planned south of the site and the police department likely will have a dedicated, secured area for its vehicles on the lower floors.

Another feature will be a softer and more inviting plaza, said John Gibbs of WRT Planning and Design. The redone plaza will include more trees, more lawn and more places to sit.

"We are going to make it more comfortable," Gibbs said. "It will be a place for musical concerts, speeches, protests or just an enjoyable place to eat lunch."

Richmond resident Adrianne Harris said she would like to see more space on the campus dedicated to children.

"This is a community that is really concerned about the development of its children and it's disappointing to not see them get consideration in your plans," she said.

"Our kids need playgrounds and places for parks and recreation activities."

Contact John Geluardi at 510-262-2787 or jgeluardi@cctimes.com.

TAZER SAYS: "Los Angeles-based Nadel Architects"? So the Bay Area doesn't make architects anymore? It's a shame that some of that $$$ couldn't stick around...

And "estimated $70 million"? We'll believe that when we see it, all the way down to not having to rent the space on Marina Way anymore!