Rialto Police Ask for Help from Clergy (San Bernardino Sun March 27, 2008)

BS Ranch Perspective

 

Back in the day there was a great Clergymen by the name of "Big Jim" Now Jim was the pastor of a Non Denominational Church Downtown Rialto, and he was a very Good Soul, he was the kind of Church that was where we used to take people, the Very People that this News Article is talking about!! Big Jim always had a room for the Person that had an Argument with his wife and needed a place to stay for a night or two, to allow the things at home to cool down!!

 

Jim also allowed people that were drunk and away from home and also needed to clean themselves up, Jim helped them get cleaned up and back in good favor for home! He was a real peace maker one that helped make our Law Enforcement Job Easier without having to arrest or close a solution with a court battle!! It was the small town feel that I missed about Rialto!! I am really glad that they are attempting to bring it back!!

 

BS Ranch

 

Rialto police ask for help from clergy

Jason Pesick, Staff Writer

Article Launched: 03/27/2008 11:04:26 PM PDT

RIALTO - Police want local religious leaders to lend a helping hand to their community- policing program.

"Wouldn't it be a better place to go to a faith-based organization instead of a street gang?" Police Chief Mark Kling said.

Police Department officials met on Thursday with more than a dozen local religious leaders to take an inventory on counseling services, what could be done to feed the homeless, and the kinds of after- school programs available.

Churches offer English classes, football fields, gymnasiums, basketball courts - all things that help young people stay on the right track.

There is a concern that state funding for after-school programs might disappear given all the buzz over budget cuts, Kling said.

The Police Department has been reorganizing its policing efforts into an "area-command program."

This would divide the city into three areas and seek to create better relationships with residents.

"What we're hoping is to get a larger section of the community involved," Kling said.

Suggestions from the meeting included restarting the Police Department's chaplain program so religious leaders can be on hand to comfort officers and residents at emotional crime scenes.

Mike Story, Rialto's development services director, said his staff often runs into homeless people or day laborers.

"We need to know how to help some of these people," he said.

Kling said he thinks the Police Department should address the causes of crime - instead of just arresting people - and churches can help in that effort.

The Rev. Steven Porter of St. Catherine of Siena said he wanted to talk about how the police handle illegal immigrants.

"But there is a fear from undocumented people that the Police Department is going to arrest them," he said.

Kling said the Police Department does not pursue people based on their immigration status.

"We are not the immigration service," he said.

Sam Petitfils, associate pastor at Sunrise Church, said he liked that there was a lot of discussion about attacking the root causes of crime.

"I thought it was very informative, helpful and the beginning of a very outstanding network," he said.

jason.pesick@sbsun.com

(909) 386-3861