Discovery Channel real life hostage drama

The Discovery Channel is dealing with a real crime scene at its headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. Earlier today suspected gunman, Radical Environmentalist, James J. Lee, reportedly took three hostages at the network’s building. The standoff ended when Lee was apparently shot and killed by SWAT snipers and the hostages freed.

Previously, Lee reportedly shopped a reality TV project to Discovery, according to The Wrap.  Also, the site has quite a bit of background on Lee and his bizarre brand of social activism.

This evening, the Discovery Channel corporate office released the following statement about the hostage drama:

David Leavy, Discovery Communications Executive Vice President Global Communications and Corporate Affairs stated:

“First and foremost, Discovery Communications wants to express how relieved and grateful we are that all employees and the children from the Discovery Kids Place daycare center are safe. Employees in Silver Spring demonstrated courage, compassion and cooperation throughout the situation, which aided law enforcement efforts — for which we are thankful and proud.

In coordination with Montgomery County, Md., Police, an evacuation procedure was executed for all persons in the building. The evacuation procedures were handled with professionalism and with safety as Discovery’s primary concern. Discovery thanks the Montgomery County Police and Fire & Rescue and other state and federal safety personnel whose quick thinking and fast action ensured the safety of the employees and children in the building as well as the Silver Spring, Md., community.

The events of today showed the strong heart of the Discovery family.”

The statement was released through PR Newswire.

“Takers” beat the competition at the Box Office

The bank robbery thriller “Takers” has surprised many with its take at the domestic Box Office. “Takers” debuted as the number one film in the country last weekend with a haul of $20.5 million, beating close rival “The Last Exorcism” by a couple of hundred thousand dollars or so.

“Takers” proved its weekend victory was not fluke by holding onto the lead on Monday and Tuesday. “Takers” is about a group of skilled bank robbers who bump up against a tough detective and his partner during a final heist. Matt Dillion, Hayden Christensen, Pop Singer Rihanna’s ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown, and Rapper, T.I., are  in the ensemble cast.

Despite a number of bad reviews, “The Last Exorcism,” managed to find an audience. The new horror mockumentary, scared up $20.3 million, to finish in second place. The movie is about a disillusioned minister who agrees to the exorcism of a farmer’s daughter and a documentary crew goes along to film it all. Patrick Fabian, Iris Bahr and Louis Herthum star.

The action flick, “The Expendables” came in third with $9.5 million, bringing its three week total to around $82 million. Rounding out the top five,  romance drama, “Eat Pray Love” with $6.8 million and the buddy-cop comedy, “The Other Guys” with $6.2 million.

A full house at the public forum

Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G -- A big turnout for the Burbank Police Commission's first public forum on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in the Community Services Building

After all the hoopla, debates, agenda re-writes, and months of delays, the first public forum held by the Burbank Police Commission in recent memory went off with only a few minor glitches.

 First, additional chairs had to be brought out to accommodate the crowd that showed up last Wednesday night, August 18, in the Community Room of the Community Services Building on Third Street, across from the Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Resident speaks out at Burbank Police Commission public forum on Wednesday, August 18, 2010

More than 100 people were packed into the Community Room. A large number of personnel from the BPD filled the seats around the perimeter or stood along the wall.  That I’m told, along with the location of the forum, created an air of intimidation and tension for many in the audience. All of the Burbank City Council members were there and so were a number of other city officials and staff.

Most of the 13 speakers who stepped to the mike spoke about personal situations, some involved allegations of harassment by BPD or hassles with neighbors. The 800 pound gorilla in the room, aka the police mess, was touched on briefly or alluded to by only a few speakers. Interesting, considering the chatter on the blogs and around the town for the past weeks and months has been about the police corruption, scandal, firings, lawsuits …etc and the need for some direct answers from Interim Police Chief, Scott LaChasse, about what is REALLY going on in the BPD.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse provided some lengthy statements about various projects in the BPD at the public forum, August 18, 2010

If Burbankers came to the public forum to hear about identity theft, crime mapping, and prison reform, well they got an earful from Police Chief LaChasse. As has become his habit, LaChasse danced around, but did not answer, any question related to the police mess.  More and more it seems, the BPD is being run like a secret police in a foreign country where only a privileged few get to know what’s going on — and that does not include the public who’s paying the bills for its operation and its mistakes.  

Word is the Interim Police Chief is lobbying hard for the job permanently. Clearly, LaChasse is not seeking the approval of the public, but of the city government establishment — some of the same officials who may have had a hand in allowing the police mess to get to the point that it’s costing us millions and millions of dollars. Since the forum, I’ve heard more people say “we’re going to have to rely on the Feds” to do the clean-up of the BPD. They just might be right on that.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G- Police Commission Chair Robert Frutos delivers opening remarks and introduces his fellow commissioners at the public forum, August 18, 2010

As for the Burbank Police Commission, it received positive and encouraging comments from many speakers. Chair Robert Frutos introduced his fellow commissioners: James Etter, Hagop Hergelian, Elise Stearns-Niesen, new member Robert Cohen, Vice-Chair Nathan Rubinfeld, and Secretary Ray Adams.

The commissioners appear to have a strong commitment to the community and a new take charge attitude as demonstrated by Commissioner Adams. When he was alerted by a resident that the forum was not following the printed agenda, Adams quickly took action and  got it back on track. Hopefully, the forum is the first step to a stronger relationship between the Burbank Police Commission and the community.

Update on axed after school program   

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G-- David Starr Jordan Middle School, 420 South Mariposa Street in Burbank

Last Tuesday, I spoke with Julio Herrera of the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley, and he assured me that his organization was starting a new after school program at David Starr Jordan Middle School. However, this new program, unlike the previous one, would require a $75 a year membership in the Boys & Girls Club.

Last Sunday, I blogged about the highly-regarded long-standing free, city funded, after school program at Jordan Middle School getting terminated by the city budget cutting axe. Today, I clicked over to the Burbank Unified School District website and checked under after school programs for Jordan Middle School – and yes, there are now details about the Boys & Girls Club program and study hall in the library option as well.  Also, information on how students can ride the “Got Wheels bus” — something the parent who contacted me was reluctant to allow her child to do because of city officials’ refusal to answer pertinent questions about that supicious city bus accident back in January, involving some students from Jordan and Emerson Elementary.  

I still think the city should pick-up the cost of the Boys & Girls Club program for parents. The cancellation of the previous program has caused problems for parents who found out about it just before the new school year began last Monday. If the city officials can find money in the budget to pay for raises to certain “select” employees, they should be able to find a few dollars to help out some parents and their children.

Gripes & Complaints

Did you hear the heartbreaking story that a homeless woman and her daughter told during public comments at last Tuesday’s city council meeting? The woman complained she could not get help for herself and two children. Yeah, the story was convoluted and difficult to follow, but it was pretty evident the  family is in need of assistance.

Steve Ferguson updated the story on his blog, “Politically Speaking” the next day, when he discovered the family still living in a park. The mother had been injured — but still had enough concern to ask Ferguson’s friend to buy something for her son to eat.

Later at the public forum, I asked Burbank City Manager, Mike Flad,  about the woman’s situation. Flad insisted the woman had been given a voucher for a two day stay in a hotel. That’s it? That family needs at least a two-month or even a six-month place to stay in order to get their lives together. And why are they hungry? Could not one of the charitable organizations that get funds from the city find food for this family? This is a shame. City officials need to do something to help this woman who once owned a home in Burbank. She should be able to benefit from some of the tax dollars she has paid to the city over the years.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A festive display drew crowds to a National Night Out block party on Chandler Boulevard in Burbank, August 3, 2010

Burbank celebrated National Night Out with around 20 block parties throughout the city earlier this month  on August 3. The nationwide event encourages neighborhood spirit and a strong partnership between the community and police in the fight against crime.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse and Burbank Police Commissioner Jim Etter show off a $2,500 donation from Target to the BPD, at the NNO Chandler Boulevard block party , August 3, 2010

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A group of children have a friendly exchange with some public servants at the NNO Chandler Boulevard block party in Burbank, August 3, 2010

A block party on Verdugo Avenue

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank firefighters join the chow line at a huge neighborhood party/BBQ on National Night Out, August 3, 2010

Major block party on East Verdugo Avenue in the hillside area of Burbank attracted more than a hundred folks. Long-time Burbank residents/BPD volunteers, Jesse Fox and Judy Andrews, told me this ”let’s get together and party” has been going on for several years on National Night Out. This was my first time attending and I had a terrific time. Along with the personal chatter, I heard quite bit of discussion about the local neighborhood watch and what residents can do to help make their communities safer.

Also dropping by this block party, some Burbank firefighters, Burbank City Councilman, David Gordon, several Burbank Police Commissioners as well as Police Chief LaChasse and his entourage.   

Oh, I gotta give a shout out to Captain BBQ, Franko McGonagle, who not only grilled up some great BBQ, but also dished out some of the best macaroni and cheese I’ve ever tasted. No wonder the organizers are thrilled that McGonagle has become a regular at their annual NNO block party.

More photos later.

Two Burbank City Council members speak out on two very different issues

Burbank City Councilman Dr. David Gordon photo from Burbank website

Burbank City Councilman Dave Golonski photo from Burbank website

In the past few days, two members of the Burbank City Council have sent letters to two different newspapers about two very different concerns –  producing quite a contrast.

As Dr. Gordon stated in his letter, he began asking questions after”… it was brought to my attention that millions of school bond, state grants and $23 million provided by the city for district-wide modernization of school facilities had been inappropriately used, were not properly account for or simply disappeared.” Gordon criticizes the Leader’s article for its “…distorted and inaccurate..” portrayal of his position.  Here’s the link to Gordon’s letter on the Leader website.

Also, Burbank City Councilman Dave Golonski was prompted to write a letter to the Orange County Register for a personal reason — a project in San Clemente where he owns property.  Apparently, Golonski is concerned because he says ”…the project is upside down financially and the City Council is considering bailing it out using taxpayer funds.”

I first saw a post about this letter on the Semichorus blog, where there’s a discussion going on about how Golonski supported a project in Burbank where developer, Michael Cusumano, got a piece of city land for only $100. The property is at Third Street and Olive Avenue. It’s where the $20 million Cusumano Plaza was built.  

Burbank city officials react to yet another lawsuit

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Activist Mike Nolan is a frequent speaker at Burbank Police Commission and Burbank City Council meetings

 In another strange twist in Burbank politics, Activist Mike Nolan has joined forces with Burbank Business Owner, Greg Bedrossian, to try to legally block the development of the 24 Hour Fitness Super Sport Center, at 1903 Empire Avenue.

Nolan and Bedrossian (the owner of the Burbank Athletic Club), have sued the city on the grounds the Burbank City Council’s vote/decision on May 18 approving the controversial project ”… failed to comply with the applicable provisions of the law.”

In a Burbank Leader article, Burbank Spokesman, Keith Sterling, would not comment directly on the lawsuit, but is quoted as saying city officials were “vigorously defending our position and the decision that was made.”  Isn’t that the knee jerk reaction of Burbank officials lately? Rather than looking at the merits of a recent slew of  lawsuits involving the police scandal — they are fighting them all by spending thousands and probably millions of dollars of taxpayer funds. Great for the lawyers, not so good for the city and taxpayers paying the bills.

Controversial tape of the BPOA President’s shaky testimony  

You gotta wonder what the fallout will be from that tape up on YouTube of Burbank Police Officers’ Association President, Detective Mike Parrinello.  The tape shows a portion of Parrinello’s deposition given in matters dealing with the Burbank Police Scandal/Corruption/ mess. It’s spliced with snippets of an audio tape and transcriptions, which appear to demonstrate that Parrinello told less than the truth under oath.

The audio tape is hard to understand at times, but Parrinello’s body language speaks volumes. Get the hook up for the tape on the Semichorus blog.

Gripes & complaints

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G — A Burbank city inspector recently checked out the repair work on East Angeleno Avenue in the hillside area

I’m still hearing the unhappy stories from hillside residents about  what they consider as tacky work done by Kalban — a contractor hired by the city of Burbank to repair sidewalks and ramps in the area.

I first reported about the complaints from homeowners in a City Buzz column last month on June 23. And I’m hearing new complaints. Also, the homeowners are apparently doing their own investigating. I’m told the initial inspectors of the project were freelancers hired by Kalban not by the city of Burbank.

I did spot a Burbank inspector recently checking out the repair work done by Kalban on East Angeleno Avenue. The Burbank inspector admitted hearing complaints of so-called substandard work and damage done to some properties by Kalban from homeowners. However, the inspector dismissed those  complaints and told me he approved of Kalban’s work.

Clearly there is a disconnect between the city standards and the expectations of homeowners. The construction project is expected to be completed by the end of August. More details on the Burbank city website.

The winning bid for Manny’s Porsche is in

Photo: Jon SooHoo/L.A. Dodgers -- Dodger Manny Ramirez's Porsche

After 10 days and more than two dozen bids on eBay, a rare Porsche owned by Dodger Slugger Manny Ramirez sold today — for $50,100.  Apparently someone got a good deal. Recently, the bright red Porsche reportedly appraised at around $58,000.

Ramirez donated the 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 964 to a couple of worthy causes.

The  proceeds will be split between ThinkCure!, the Dodgers’ official charity, and Maryvale, a local residential placement home for orphan girls.

Swiss set Director Roman Polanski free

Director Roman Polanski

Fugitive Director, Roman Polanski, is a free man once again. Swiss authorities have refused to extradite Polanski due to alleged discrepancies in his case. In 1977, the director pleaded guilty to a sex crime against a 13-year-old girl and then jumped bail before his sentencing. For Polanski money, fame, and influence have always trumped accountability. The Los Angeles Times website has details  here.

More ranting from Actor/Director/Producer Mel Gibson 

Another audio tape of Mel Gibson trashing his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva. On the tape, Gibson reportedly admits to hitting the Russian singer and threatens to repeat the offense. More on LA Observed.

A quake rattles Burbank and other parts of SoCal

Some rocking, rolling, and shaking in the Southland late today. I was sitting in my car waiting for the red light to change at Glenoaks Boulevard and Olive Avenue, in front of the Burbank Central Library, when a 5.4 quake hit at 4:53 p.m. 

My cruiser rocked so much, I thought for a moment one of those cell phone/texting distracted drivers had bumped into the ride.  Not this time. It was a natural occurrence, a reminder, that we live in earthquake country.

The quake was centered 28 miles south of Palm Springs. It frayed nerves of workers in some Los Angeles high-rise buildings and even put the brakes on the rides at Disneyland for a while.  Our local earthquake expert, Dr. Kate Hutton, a Caltech seismologist, says there have been at least  two dozen aftershocks since the quake struck.  So far, no local reports of damage or injuries.

The quake got Southlanders wondering about the “big one” that’s supposed to really shake-up SoCal one day. At a news conference, carried live by KNX 1070  newsradio, Dr. Hutton called this one “a drill” and said folks should get prepared because there’s no way to tell when the big  jolt will rock our region.

 Suspected Burbank cop shooter arraignment delayed

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Police unit

An Oregon transient, Jamie Willard, appeared in Burbank Superior Court today in connection with that bizarre shooting of two Burbank cops last Friday. Willard’s arraignment reportedly was postponed until July 22.

Yesterday’s weekly crime log, from Burbank Police Spokesman Sgt. Robert Quesada, gave a more detailed description of what happened outside of Kmart when two officers attempted to take Willard into custody. Willard, a shoplifting suspect, was handed over to the BPD cops by Kmart security on July 2 around noon.

Crime Log: The suspect had been handcuffed and was being escorted toward the police car parked outside when a struggle began.  During the struggle, the suspect was able to use one of his hands to grab and remove the officer’s handgun.  Multiple shots were fired with both officers being hit.  One of the officers was able to wrestle the suspect to the ground and take the handgun away.  The suspect was finally placed under control until additional officers arrived at the scene and assisted in controlling the suspect.  Both officers were transported to the local hospital where they were treated.

Here’s an update on the officers condition. Derek Green was shot in the hand and suffered a leg injury. Green had surgery on the hand, but has been admitted to the hospital for another operation on it.

Officer Alex Gutierrez was lucky to be wearing a life saving bulletproof vest. Gutierrez was hit in the chest by gunfire several times and wounded in the leg. He has been treated at the hospital and released.

At last night’s Burbank City Council meeting, Interim Police Chief Scott LaChasse gave a report on the shooting incident and tried to marginalize the fact that the gun involved belonged to one of the police officers. The chief gave the council the “ongoing investigation” line and even asked witnesses and/or people with video of the incident to contact the BPD.

The basic fact that the weapon was snatched from one of the BPD cops by the suspect has been known since Friday afternoon. There are photos of the gun at the scene in newspapers and on the Internet.  There is no really good reason it should have taken this long for the BPD to put out a report including  that fact. It’s foot-dragging and smacks of some of the problems and archaic policies that fed the Burbank police scandal mess and still dog the BPD.

 Frequently at Burbank Police Commission meetings, Chief LaChasse talks up a storm about building confidence in the community with a new “transparency” about the BPD. Yet, it seems LaChasse is finding it very hard to do more than just give lip service to this new ”transparency.”

UPDATE, Thursday, July 8, 2010:  Some reported details, that the chief didn’t mention, about the Kmart shooting and the investigation being discussed over on the Semichorus blog.

Burbank Water and Power top brass get big raises

During the recent budget debate, the public was told the Burbank Water and Power has to jack up water rates 13.5 % and electrical fees 2.9% to balance its books. No way could there be a possible freeze of those rates or even a reduction, despite the recession and the financial struggles of many Burbank residents. The four council members who voted for that budget and those rate hikes claimed at the time, they were being “fiscally responsible.” Dr. David Gordon was the only one to vote against that budget.

 Last night, the same four council members, Dave Golonski, Jess Talamantes, Gary Bric, and Anja Reinke voted to hand raises of 7-to-11% to the top honchos at Burbank Water and Power, including General Manager Ron Davis — who already makes well-over $200,000 a year. Dr. Gordon was the lone council member to vote against those raises.

Councilman Talamantes, who almost broke from the pack,  brought up the idea of getting outside surveys on the going salaries for utility executives and a report on how hard is it really to recruit them to come work and live in sunny California. But in the end, Talamantes caved and voted with the pack.

The City Council wants to keep Davis and his team at the helm of the Burbank Water and Power. Even though, Dr. Gordon pointed out, “money doesn’t buy loyalty.”  No matter, four other council members voted  to give hefty pay raises to Davis and the utility’s senior executives.  By the way, Burbank Water and Power is owned by the taxpayers and so it’s their money that pays the salaries at the utility.

After the vote, I passed Davis outside the city council chamber. He looked pleased with himself. Yeah, the kind of  sweet deal he got puts him in the league with the greedy, self-serving Wall Street sharks and those notorious studio bosses who plunder companies, even in hard economic times.

It might be an ugly sign of the recession, but there have been two violent encounters involving suspected shoplifters at a major Burbank retail store in less than a week. The latest occurred today at around noon in front of the Kmart store at 1000 North San Fernando Road.

The official Burbank police press release says:”Officers had taken the suspect into custody and were outside the store when a struggle began.  During the struggle, shots were fired, leaving both officers with gunshot wounds. The suspect continued fighting with one of the wounded officers, until he was finally placed under control.  Additional officers arrived and assisted in taking the suspect into custody.”  There are conflicting reports over some of the details of what went down.

A shopper/witness at the Kmart was interviewed by a KNX 1070 newsradio reporter and Joseph Hoage claims the unidentified male suspect “… was definitely handcuffed…” but still was able to “… grabbed the police officer’s gun…”  Other witness accounts claim the gun belonged to the suspect!

Burbank Police Spokesman, Robert Quesada, told me in an e-mail:” We don’t know exactly how things transpired until we find witnesses and interview the officers.  They are still at the hospital.  We sure would like to speak to any witness who saw, recorded the incident.”

One of the officers suffered a hand wound and the other was hit in the leg. One of the unidentified officers was shot several times in the chest, but apparently escaped serious injury do to his bulletproof vest. Both officers and the suspect, who had to be tasered, were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The suspect is expected to be booked on two counts of attempted murder and is due to appear in a Burbank Superior court on Wednesday, July 7.

Meanwhile, Burbank PD is investigation another incident that turned violent near the same discount department store, Last Sunday, June 27. A store security officer reportedly got into a ”fight” while trying to stop and detain two women suspected of stealing some clothes. The suspects allegedly attacked the security officer outside the store.

The security officer was able to get handcuffs on one suspect, while the other got away. Burbank PD responded and took the suspect into custody.