Police chief cheers new DNA law
Police Chief Ron DePompa, a member of the Glendale Noon Rotary Club, gave an inspirational, in-depth review of recent laws that have positively affected the safety of our community in his introduction of Rep. Adam Schiff at the club’s weekly meeting on Aug. 12.
DePompa said Schiff was a co-sponsor of a very useful new federal DNA law that permits the technical analysis of blood samples to identify individuals who may have been involved in crimes. Only two states — California and Colorado — are actively using the law.
The chief indicated that the recent arrest of the “Grim Sleeper” was the result of identifying him through the DNA analysis allowed by the law. The chief thinks that finding the “Grim Sleeper” by DNA will get other states to follow our lead.
DePompa indicated that the DNA law will give his department a new, effective tool to identify suspects and fight against rape and child abuse.
The chief thanked Schiff for sponsoring a law that has permitted the combined use of radio signals by different local police departments. He said that now all of the area police departments can quickly and simply call one another using the same radio station.
Schiff then spoke to the club about things he sees in the economy and in world affairs. He indicated that support of small businesses would be vital to turning the economy around. He supports legislation that will give small businesses access to various tax credits. In particular he is supporting laws to give tax credits to businesses for new hires and for the purchase of new manufacturing equipment.
Schiff said he has seen that small-business owners, no matter how high their FICO score is and how strong the financial statements are, cannot get loans from banks to build their business. He plans to work with the Small Business Administration to develop an effective business loan guaranty program that will open up business lending.
He plans to continue his support of local light rail service and in particular the use and expansion of the Gold Line.
Glendale Noon Rotary Club meets at noon every Thursday at the Glendale Hilton Hotel, 100 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale. For more information, call Andrei Nikitin at (213) 280-1820.
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BACKPACKS FOR FOSTER KIDS
The Crescenta-Cañada Lions Club was a host sponsor of the “Kases for Kids” drive held in the Ralphs store parking lot on Foothill Avenue in La Crescenta on Aug. 14. The club’s goal was to get donations of used or new backpacks and suitcases, with wheels of course, for foster children going off to school. Their campaign also suggested that it would be great if the packs were full of school supplies and other school-type goodies.
The donation drive was very successful. They received more than 150 backpacks, plus people also left grocery bags with school supplies and goodies. Several other local organizations really helped by bringing in many full packs. Large donations came from the work of the La Cañada Kiwanis Club, Holy Redeemer Church, Janet Wells State Farm Office and Wescom Credit Union, plus many other organizations helped.
The backpacks were all delivered to the Los Angeles Department of Children Services for distribution to the foster children as the school year begins.
Crescenta-Cañada Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. every second and fourth Thursday at the CitiBank conference room, 2350 Honolulu Ave., Montrose. For more information, call Art Rinaman at (818) 225-5100, Ext 243.
BRUCE CAMPBELL can be reached at (626) 403-1010, cell phone (626) 664-2223, or bruce4results@verizon.net.