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Vol. 15 No. 4 August 2015
In this issue
RPNA Board Elections ..1
Screen on the Green .....2
American River Parkway Cleanup .........2
River Friendly Rebates ..3
Watering Schedule .........4
River Park Tree Canopy Project .............5
Kit Carson Update ..........6
Caleb Corner ..................7
Park Pets .........................8
Sac State News ..............9
Real Estate in RP .........10
POD Cameras .............12
Monthly RPNA Meetings Third Thursdays
Aug 20th and Sept 17thFremont Presbyterian ChurchBlock captains meet at 7:00 p.m.
RPNA Board meets at 7:30 p.m.
All residents are welcome.
Upcoming Events…
It’s a great place to live!riverparksacramento.net
River Park Review
Stay Connected With River ParkRiver Park Blog Yahoo Group
send an email to: [email protected] or go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/riverparkblog/
then, “Join this group!” Send RPList mailing list submissions to:[email protected]
To subscribe or unsubscribe visit http://lists.mcn.org/mailman/listinfo/rplist or, via email,
send a message with subject or body ‘help’ to: [email protected];
River Park is also listed on nextdoor.com and Facebook.com
Have you ever considered running for a seat on the RPNA Board? Elections are coming up in November and we have five (5) available positions this year, each with a two-year term beginning January 2016. We encourage you to consider running for a seat on the RPNA Board. Being on the Board is a great way to get involved in neighborhood issues and events, make friends, and help advocate for yours and your neighbors’ best interests. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. at Fremont Church.Board members take responsibility for planning and implementing RPNA activities such as the Fourth of July Festival, neighborhood general meetings, neighborhood watch, liaison activity with local governments, and production of the River Park Review, to name a few. The RPNA Board of Directors has eleven members who serve two-year terms. To apply, please submit your candidate statement no later than October 15th via email to [email protected], or via US Mail to: RPNA, P.O. Box 19866, Sacramento, CA 95819.
RPNA Board-Member ElectionsStatements must be 150 words or less and include information about you and your reasons for running for the board. All candidates must be RPNA members in good standing.Ballots will be mailed to all active RPNA members on November 1st. Ballots will include candidate statements and a stamped return envelope. Completed ballots will be due by Saturday, November 14. Ballots will be tallied during late November and the election results will be printed in the subsequent issue of the River Park Review.
by Kimberly Teague
Call for New Editor!As the editor of the River Park Review for the past 3 ½ years I must say it has afforded me a rewarding opportunity to connect with the community and gain an inside view of events within River Park and surrounding areas. However, I find myself with less and less time to invest in the newsletter and feel it is time to step aside and allow someone else to take the helm. I encourage anyone who enjoys writing and takes an interest in local events and issues, to please contact the current RPNA president Serge Stanich: [email protected] Todd Damiano
riverparksacramento.net August 2015
RPNA OFFICERS & BOARD
2
Serge StanichPresident320-0708
Kimberly TeagueVice President
606-9154 [email protected]
Eric Levinson Secretary 476-4354
Barbara DebertTreasurer456-2243
Todd Damiano Newsletter Editor/Webmaster
402-4641 [email protected]
Tamis Reed RPNA Membership Director
804-5168 membership@
riverparksacramento.net
Janet Mason Graphic Design/Newsletter
Advertising Manager 736-1132
Eric SchranzBlock Captain Coordinator
RP Review Distribution207-2038
Members at LargeShelley Hescock
[email protected] Steve Johns
[email protected] Leslie
[email protected] Neri
[email protected] Kristin Stuart
River Park Review is published 6 times per year and is available
to all River Park residents at no charge.
Letters to the Editor…If you’d like to contribute,contact: Todd Damiano: 402-4641 ([email protected]) Please put “letter to the editor” in the subject line of your email
SRated PG ; 1 Hour 24 MinutesBig Hero 6 is an action-packed comedy-adventure about robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who learns to harness his genious–thanks to his brilliant brother Tadashi and their like-minded friends: adrenaline junkie Go Go Tamaga, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to his closest companion–a robot named Baymax–and transforms the group into a band of high-tech heroes determined to solve the mystery.Start Time: Sunset (approximately 8:15 P.M.)
Screen On The Green Aug 29th Glenn Hall Park
American River Parkway Cleanup Sept. 19thThe American River Parkway’s largest volunteer event
will take place September 19, 2015. From 9:00am- 12:00pm, the Great American River Clean- Up (GARCU)
will take place along the entire Parkway. Volunteers are urged to help ensure the Parkway is clean from the
summer season. The annual Great American River Clean Up provides an outlet for volunteers to demonstrate
their commitment to caring for our shared environment. The greater Sacramento community realizes the value of the Parkway and has become greatly involved in its
upkeep. Those wanting to volunteer can register online at www.arpf.org, or call (916) 486-2773. by Jordan Powell
3August 2015 riverparksacramento.net
SUMMER SPECIAL
The City of Sacramento Department of Utilities offers rebates to residential and commercial customers to help pay for water efficient upgrades. The River-Friendly Landscape Program offers the following rebates for residential and commercial customers:Turf Conversion Rebate – A rebate to replace existing turf (grass) in the front yard with Water Wise Landscaping;Irrigation Upgrade Rebate – A rebate to install irrigation system upgrades such as drip irrigation and an EPA WaterSense Labeled Smart Irrigation Controller;Rain Barrel Rebate – A rebate to install Rain Barrel(s) to store water for use during dry periods.
PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONSRiver-Friendly Landscape Rebates are available to City of Sacramento residential water customers ONLY.River-Friendly Landscape Applicants must be property owners, or bill-paying tenants with written consent from the property owner.
River-Friendly Landscape Rebates
River-Friendly Landscape Program rebates are not retroactive. All eligible work must be completed after approval by River-Friendly Landscape Staff. For the Turf Conversion Rebate - Before any work is completed or turf is removed, the project must be approved by River-Friendly Landscape Staff. If turf has been removed prior to approval, the project will be found ineligible for the Turf Conversion Rebate.Contacting Water Conservation DivisionFor more information about the River-Friendly Landscape Rebate Program or if you have questions about your application or the application process, please email [email protected] or call 916-808-1337.This information can be found at:http://portal.cityofsacramento.org/Utilities/Conservation/Rebates/River-Friendly-Landscape-RebateSource: http://portal.cityofsacramento.org/Utilities/Conservation
riverparksacramento.net August 20154
No watering OR car washing is permitted on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.• Addresses ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) are permitted to water on Tuesdays and
Saturdays ONLY, before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m. Addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, or 8) are permitted to water on Wednesdays and Sundays ONLY, before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
• No watering is permitted on Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays. Overwatering is prohibited. • Car washing is allowed on your watering day and hoses are required to have an automatic shut-off
nozzle.• Irrigation drip systems and watering of container plants are exempt from the watering schedule.• Fines for violation of the City’s water conservation codes are doubled during the declared Water
Shortage.• Residents or Businesses that utilize drip irrigation are exempt from watering restrictions during winter
and dry month watering schedules.• Residents and Businesses may only utilize the “Water Conservation Education Workshop” to waive a
fine every 24 months.• Owners of properties will be responsible for violations, whether or not they or their tenant committed a
violation. Please report overwatering or watering on the wrong days to the City by calling 311, emailing your detailed report to [email protected], or by using the Sacramento 311 app on your mobile phone. You can find the Sacramento 311 app in Google Play or in the App Store on iTunes.When reporting information to the City, please be sure to include: Days and times the watering is occurring , address of where the water misuse is taking place, any sort of pattern to the watering, like the frequency it is being watered or for how long the watering is taking place. Source: City of Sacramento http://portal.cityofsacramento.org/Utilities/Conservation
Know Your Watering Days
5August 2015 riverparksacramento.net
River Park Tree Canopy Project
River Park’s trees are suffering from the drought. Here are signs that your tree needs water:
• Leaf changes: wilting, brown, crispy, curling• Early color change/leaf fall• Abnormal cracks or flaking bark• Dead outer and upper branches• Suckers at the base of the tree or water
sprouts on branchesHere’s information from the Save Our Water website on how to conserve water and save your trees:Why you should save your trees:As you cut back on water use during this historic drought, you may not realize the impact this will have on your landscape trees. Trees in irrigated landscapes become dependent on regular watering. When watering is reduced – and especially when it’s stopped completely – trees will die. Tree loss is very real and a very costly problem: not only is there the expense removing the tree, but there is also the loss of all the tree benefits. Your trees provide an immense range of health, energy, environmental and economic benefits:
• Trees improve air and water quality• Trees provide shade to the landscape and reduce
water needs• Trees help keep your home cooler• Trees slow storm water runoff and help recharge
groundwater
• Trees reduce soil erosion• Trees add value – sometimes tens of
thousands of dollars’ worth – to your home and neighborhood
• Trees take a long time to grow. Without our help, we risk losing our trees and the benefits they provide. There’s no telling how long the drought may last. Ignoring the signs of stressed trees will reduce our tree canopy. Replacing those trees can take 10, 20 or even 50+ years.
How to save your trees: Lawn trees can and must be saved during the drought.What you can do:
• Deeply and slowly water mature trees 1 – 2 times per month with a simple soaker hose or drip system toward the edge of the tree canopy – NOT at the base of the tree. You can use a kitchen timer or a hose faucet timer (found at hardware stores) to prevent overwatering.• Young trees need 5 gallons of water 2 – 4 times per week. Create a small watering basin with a berm of dirt.• Save your shower warm up water. Use a bucket and collect that water for your trees as long as it is free of non-biodegradable soaps or shampoos.• Do not over-prune trees during drought. Too much pruning during a drought will stress your trees.• Mulch, Mulch, MULCH! 4 – 6 inches of mulch helps retain moisture, reducing water needs and protecting your trees. Keep the mulch away from the tree trunk.
Reprinted with permission from the SaveOurWater.com website.
Sacramento Tree Foundation, SMUD, and the River Park Tree Canopy Project have the second River Park neighborhood tree planting this Fall!!
You can apply for your free tree on the River Park Neighborhood Association website: riverparksacramento.net. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 14. After you apply, our own community forester, Matt Buland, will visit your house and help you select a tree – or multiple trees – from the list of free trees offered by the Tree Foundation. Our neighborhood planting day is Saturday November 14. If you have questions, feel free to call or email Kate Riley 916-716-3102/[email protected].
by Kate Riley
6riverparksacramento.net August 2015
by Todd Damiano
At the beginning of the 2014/15 school year, the Caleb Greenwood community found themselves without a principal. It was an unexpected transition, but a necessary one that enabled Ms. Whitten to find her new home, while opening the door at Caleb Greenwood to welcome Ms. Hanson. Back in January, the Kit Carson Middle School community found themselves facing the same situation. The energetic and well-liked Principal Charlie Watters departed for a management position with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This unexpected change at the top presented multiple challenges for the school staff and community.Not only is Kit Carson well underway with its IB Middle Years Program, grades 7-10, it is moving full steam ahead with rolling out a DP (diploma program) for grades 11 & 12. This October they will apply for authorization and welcome an IB verification visit from the IB organization in the spring of 2016. By this time next year Kit Carson is expected to have received their authorization making it an official IB MYP World School. In the meantime, additional staff will be added to support the rollout of an 11th grade, and 12th grade the following year. They anticipate unveiling their 2017-18 school year as an authorized MYP & DP IB World School. Last April, Santiago Chapa was selected to fill the vacant principal’s position. He was hired at Kit Carson two years ago as a site instructional
Kit Carson-New Leadership-IB Update-New Construction
coordinator. He is well versed with the IB program, well established with the teachers and staff at Kit Carson, and clearly welcomes the daunting task before him. As Mr. Chapa stepped into the role of interim principal, Rich Haley was hired as the new interim site coordinator. In late June Mr. Haley was confirmed as the new Vice Principal. He and principal Chapa are taking the reigns of a school, much like Caleb Greenwood, with a very promising future.The dust from the principal change had not settled before Kit Carson found itself facing a major hurdle. The IB MYP program consists of 8 subjects. How does one go about teaching 8 required IB subjects in a six-hour school day? Combining subjects only further complicated matters. Following negotiations between the teachers union and the district, it was decided that the district would compensate the teachers for an extended school day. The speed with which this complicated matter was resolved reflects strong support for the IB program from SCUSD. Looking ahead, perhaps the biggest challenge facing Kit Carson, is increasing enrollment from nearby East Sac neighborhoods, including River Park. Modifying attendance boundaries for the
continued on page 9
The River Park Review is published by the RPNA, which is responsible for its content. RPNA reserves the right to edit and/or reject submissions.
ADVERTISING RATES PER ISSUE Business Card: $50 2” h x 3.5” w Quarter Page: $75 5” h x 3.75 w Half Page: $150 5” h x 7.5” w Insert: $205 11” h x 8.5” w Insert: $255 non standard size
For advertising, contact Janet Mason at 736-1132 or [email protected]
Advertise in the Review
7August 2015 riverparksacramento.net
Caleb Corner
by Jill Jones - PTSO President
Caleb Greenwood Elementary IB K-6 School
PTSO News
This school year promises to be a special one, it will go down in the record books as the first school year for Caleb Greenwood- IB World School. As the IB continues to evolve and grow, new elements and changes are coming. New kinder parents are the lucky ones. They’ll not only have the full 7 years of official IB experience, but they’ll be the first to have students who leave Caleb Greenwood with a full portfolio. This year all students will receive a binder in which each year’s recurring IB projects can be stored. The projects will change and grow from year to year, so when the time comes to move to middle school, students & their parents will have this IB portfolio to reflect upon and treasure forever.
Upcoming dates for Caleb Greenwood families:
August 29th, Saturday (time TBD-check website below for details) Kinder Picnic New kinder parents and students have an opportunity to meet fellow new parents and classmates.
Sept. 1st, Thursday - 4-6 PM - Welcome Back to School Ice Cream Social Returning students meet their new teachers and enjoy a cool treat to celebrate.
Sept. 3rd, Thursday- 8 AM – First day of school, that’s right….BEFORE Labor Day! Parents can enjoy coffee & bagels near the cafeteria.
Sept. 1st -30th - PTSO Membership Drive
Sept. 18th, Friday - Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser in the cafeteria calebgreenwood.scusd.edu
8riverparksacramento.net August 2015
Park Pets
Adrienne is a rescue cat adopted by Kim Teague and Danny Donsing. She was a feral cat that lived in the parking lot where Kim works. She was trapped, spayed, vaccinated and recuperating at their home when she escaped. She returned a week later and decided to live in River Park and not return to the parking lot at Sacramento City Schools. She is sweet,
loving, playful and very happy in her new home..... ~ Kim Teague
Send a quality close-up digital photo of your River Park pet to:
Expertly Serving East Sacramento Buyers & SellersExpertly Serving East Sacramento Buyers & Sellers
916-454-0323www.EastSac.comBRE#01447558
916-454-0323www.EastSac.comBRE#01447558
9August 2015 riverparksacramento.net
Kit Carson
school has proven to be a sticky topic, but that process is already well underway. Next year’s 7th grade classes are fully enrolled. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years as word about the IB reaches surrounding communities. Changes to Kit Carson go beyond the staff & administration, the campus is also slated for major upgrades. On June 15th, Kit Carson held a public meeting to introduce the Lionakis architectural firm who has been hired to oversee the installation of these upgrades. They gathered input from the community on what features to include as construction begins next summer. Relocating the school admin space, adding a new science wing to replace existing portables, and a makeover of the computer/media lab are the major pieces of the puzzle. Another element includes modifying the main entrance to make it more visible to first time visitors. Through a variety of sources, a working
budget of $4-5 million is available to complete this project. The Sac Unified School District has demonstrated rock solid support for the IB programs at both Kit Carson & Caleb Greenwood. With the recent IB authorization in place at Caleb, more than a few River Park parents are keeping close tabs on Kit Carson. Kit Carson will host another community meeting to present renderings of the on-campus changes, and gather further input from parents and the community on September 17th, from 5:30-7 PM. Reminders will be posted on the River Park websites as that events nears.On Wednesdays, visitors are welcome to tour the campus and learn more about the school, its teachers and staff. If you haven’t been to Kit Carson recently, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.. n
continued from page 6
MOSAIC: SCHOOL OF MUSIC GALA CONCERT
Join Sacramento State’s School of Music in Capistrano Concert Hall on Sunday, September 27 at 6 p.m. as we celebrate the opening of our concert season with a performance featuring faculty and student soloists and ensembles. Reception immediately following the concert. Tickets are $20 for general and $15 for seniors and students. Parking is free in student section of Parking Structure I one hour prior to the concert. Learn more about the concert by contacting the School of Music at csus.edu/music or 916.278.5191.FLIGHT
Sacramento State’s Department of Theatre & Dance presents its production of Flight, which runs October 21 through November 1. Set on a Georgia plantation in 1858, Flight shows a little boy climbing a pecan tree in fear after seeing his mother sold off the plantation. The other enslaved men and women gather to share
What’s Happening at Sac State
stories, strengthen their own spirits and coax him out of the tree. Flight is a magical evening of African and African American folktales, music, dance and puppetry.Free parking is available in Parking Lot #2 one hour prior to the performance. Learn more by contacting the Department
of Theatre & Dance at csus.edu/dram or 916.278.6368.FESTIVAL OF NEW AMERICAN MUSIC
The fall Festival of New American Music, or “FeNAM”, will run from November 6-15. Included this year will be Grateful Dead alums Tom Constanten and Bob Bralove in their duo group Dose Hermanos, clarinetist Jeff Anderle, pianist Geoffrey Burleson, the Lydian String Quartet, Eco Ensemble, and many others.Admission to all FeNam events is free! Learn more about the Festival and parking information by contacting the School of Music at csus.edu/music/fenam or 916.278.5191.
by An Vo External Relations & Communications Coordinator, CSUS
10riverparksacramento.net August 2015
by Shelley Hescock
Many of us watch the real estate market, especially in our own neighborhood. My husband and I go to every open house to see what has been done to the inside (we’re looking for ideas for our own 1950’s home). Also to keep up on current selling prices, not that we plan to move anytime soon. River Park is comprised of a mix of single family homes, duplexes, and apartment complexes. For this article I will focus on single family homes. Living in River Park is very desirable for many people, so the real estate inventory here is usually low. When someone in River Park wants to move to a bigger/smaller home they often look to stay in River Park.The neighborhood has a small town feel and the focus here is living and enjoying the best of what River Park has to offer.We have noticed that River Park has really held its value over time when the foreclosure market was at its height in January 2012, the prices in River Park held their own, impervious to what was going on in other parts of Sacramento.
Real Estate in River Park
The average price of a home in River Park within the last year was $435,658 and the number of homes sold was 60. The low price was $303,120 and the high was $691,000.So far this year there have been 27 homes sold with a low price of $365,000 and a high of $691,000. The average price is $452,700 which is an 11.2% increase going into the busy summer season for real estate. It seems as though it is a seller’s market right now so there are not many homes for sale. There is high buyer demand in River Park while interest rates remain in 4-4 ¼% range. You never know when that might change as sellers start to push the envelope with higher asking prices. Will more homes come onto the market and interest rates rise? We shall see…Attached is a chart outlining the ups and downs of the real estate market in Sacramento County and the City of West Sacramento.*
Median Selling Price by Month (2000-2015)Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2000 130,000$ 130,000$ 137,500$ 137,000$ 140,545$ 143,500$ 146,000$ 145,250$ 148,600$ 147,000$ 152,000$ 148,000$
2001 151,000$ 159,250$ 164,900$ 167,000$ 169,718$ 175,700$ 174,950$ 175,000$ 170,000$ 172,000$ 175,000$ 175,000$
2002 178,925$ 180,000$ 186,000$ 190,000$ 199,000$ 204,975$ 210,000$ 215,000$ 218,000$ 215,000$ 219,000$ 219,950$
2003 217,500$ 223,750$ 229,000$ 234,800$ 238,000$ 246,250$ 243,500$ 249,500$ 249,900$ 250,000$ 255,000$ 260,000$
2004 254,900$ 268,000$ 276,500$ 290,000$ 298,944$ 310,000$ 314,950$ 314,290$ 323,000$ 325,000$ 330,000$ 330,000$
2005 335,500$ 350,000$ 350,000$ 369,000$ 376,000$ 380,000$ 389,000$ 392,750$ 385,000$ 380,000$ 379,000$ 375,000$
2006 367,900$ 373,000$ 374,500$ 365,000$ 379,000$ 380,000$ 374,750$ 371,000$ 363,000$ 360,000$ 357,000$ 355,000$
2007 355,000$ 367,500$ 350,000$ 355,000$ 350,000$ 339,950$ 340,000$ 324,500$ 320,000$ 305,893$ 299,450$ 280,000$
2008 255,000$ 255,900$ 255,000$ 237,000$ 230,250$ 220,000$ 216,500$ 218,000$ 194,450$ 195,100$ 184,944$ 180,000$
2009 169,000$ 167,000$ 167,500$ 167,100$ 180,000$ 180,000$ 180,000$ 190,000$ 183,000$ 185,000$ 187,000$ 187,500$
2010 170,000$ 170,000$ 182,000$ 185,000$ 190,000$ 194,000$ 185,000$ 186,000$ 180,000$ 180,000$ 180,000$ 179,000$
2011 170,000$ 169,900$ 166,000$ 169,900$ 167,000$ 164,900$ 166,000$ 165,000$ 164,283$ 164,900$ 165,000$ 161,000$
2012 160,000$ 163,000$ 165,900$ 169,000$ 168,750$ 170,229$ 175,000$ 184,825$ 180,000$ 189,000$ 195,000$ 195,000$
2013 200,000$ 203,000$ 218,750$ 222,000$ 240,000$ 245,908$ 252,000$ 254,000$ 255,000$ 253,500$ 245,000$ 250,000$
2014 242,000$ 260,000$ 262,450$ 267,000$ 275,000$ 270,000$ 272,000$ 270,000$ 275,000$ 272,000$ 265,000$ 268,000$
2015 258,000$ 283,050$ 281,250$ 281,000$ 290,000$ 295,000$ % change from
last year
Source: Sacramento Association of Realtors Copyright: Brian McMartin
REAL ESTATE STATISTICS 2000 - 2015Data for Single-Family Detached Homes in Sacramento County and the City of West Sacramento
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
$400,000
Jan-
00
Jun-
00
Nov-0
0
Apr-0
1
Sep-
01
Feb-
02
Jul-0
2
Dec-0
2
May
-03
Oct-0
3
Mar
-04
Aug-
04
Jan-
05
Jun-
05
Nov-0
5
Apr-0
6
Sep-
06
Feb-
07
Jul-0
7
Dec-0
7
May
-08
Oct-0
8
Mar
-09
Aug-
09
Jan-
10
Jun-
10
Nov-1
0
Apr-1
1
Sep-
11
Feb-
12
Jul-1
2
Dec-1
2
May
-13
Oct-1
3
Mar
-14
Aug-
14
Jan-
15
Jun-
15
Aver
age H
ome P
rice
Month -Year
Median Home Price in Sacramento, CA
BOTTOM:Jan 2012: $160,000
PEAK:Aug 2005$392,750
11August 2015 riverparksacramento.net
by Tamis Reed
Chris Little • 698-1961 • [email protected]
4201 H Street www.ChrisLittleSells.comBRE# 01437284
Put River Park & East Sacramentoknowledge and experience to work for you!
Call me TODAY for all of your real estate needs!
Are you a member of the River Park Neighborhood Association? Did you know that there are approximately 1700 homes in River Park and RPNA is seeking to expand its membership to include the majority of households in our community? We are asking you to please consider joining us and to become involved. River Park needs your assistance to keep its unique charm and friendly environment. Support of the RPNA is support of your block, your street and your community. Your membership will help preserve this very special neighborhood by supporting initiatives that make the neighborhood safer and more attractive, as well as promote a sense of community. Your support also helps to make events such as our fabulous Fourth of July celebration a reality. Thank you so much to everyone who came out on the 4th to say hi, as well as to volunteer! Please join RPNA today: membership for one year is $10.00, two years is $18.00 and three years is $25.00. Membership dues may be mailed to: RPNA, P.O. Box 19866, Sacramento, CA 95819.
RPNA Needs You – Please join us as a New Member!
RPNA warmly welcomes the following new members -- thank you and welcome aboard!
Lori & Travis Nagler
Bruce & Jackie Shelton
RPNA’s membership level is strong with 682 members. If you would like to find out if your membership needs to be renewed, please contact Tamis Reed, RPNA Membership Database Manager, at 804.5168 or [email protected]. You help to make all that we do possible. We are truly appreciative of your generous support.
Looking for a Great Babysitter?Contact: Francesca Caccia
[email protected] High School Freshman, Honor Roll
Student, and an American Red Cross Certified Babysitter. I am a River Park resident, trained in
CPR and first aid.I LOVE kids and they LOVE ME!
12riverparksacramento.net August 2015
River Park Neighborhood Watch Report: The Crime Report will appear in the next issue.
CALL FOR BLOCK CAPTAINS!Block Captains serve as liaison between their immediate neighbors and RPNA, and deliver the River Park Review! Contact: Eric Schranz, 916-207-2038, [email protected]
At the last RPNA Spring General Meeting, Lt. Bob McCloskey of Sac P.D. briefly described a new program call PODs (police observation devices). PODs are high definition video cameras mounted to city owned street light poles which monitor traffic in a specific area. At this time there are sixteen POD locations within the Sacramento city limits. Due to the early success of these cameras, Sac PD is expanding the program. But because it involves the use of video cameras in public locations, many residents have questions and concerns about it. Some PODs come equipped with LPR, license plate reading, technology. If a POD captures an image of a license plate belonging to a vehicle that has been reported stolen, that data is flagged and a police unit can be dispatched immediately. Last year POD cameras helped CHP recover 1,524 stolen vehicles statewide in 2014 and led to 194 arrests.These are powerful surveillance tools, but the department is making no effort to keep them a secret. In fact quite the opposite. The cameras are housed in large metal boxes, with blinking bright blue lights and a Sac P.D. logo on the exterior. These markings are meant to get the attention of potential criminals thus deterring crime in that area. All of the recorded information is kept for 30 days and then deleted.PODs can do more than just recover stolen vehicles, they can also capture information that provides follow-up evidence. One example of this is a recent hit and run at the corner of Messina & Callister. A speeding car on Callister was unable to make the right turn onto Messina, and consequently crashed into a concrete & steel sundial located in the front yard of the property on that corner. Despite the heavy damage done to the property and to the car, the driver of the vehicle chose to immediately speed away from the scene. Had a POD camera been installed near the Fremont Church, it would’ve recorded the license plate of that car entering River Park, and images of the damaged vehicle leaving River Park. As it stands now, that crime has gone unsolved. However PODs are limited to collecting information where they are installed. They won’t resolve issues
POD Cameras In River Park
relating to speeding traffic and are not likely to help resolve crimes within River Park boundaries which were committed by River Park residents. As with all new technology, it comes at a premium. Each camera equipped with LPR costs nearly $15,000. In anyone’s book that is a serious chunk of money. However, River Park benefits by having only two access points from which outside traffic enters the neighborhood. Countless other
neighborhoods are not so lucky.College Glen, a nearby neighborhood of roughly 3000 households, is moving forward on the installation of 6 cameras. The idea is to place a camera at each of the 6 entrances of their neighborhood. Last April their neighborhood association sent survey cards to each household asking if they’d support the installation of these cameras and if they’d be willing to make a one-time $25 donation to cover the expense (CGNA has access to additional sources of revenue to finance this $100,000+ project). At the time of writing this article roughly 300 cards had been returned, showing that nearly 90% of the respondents support the POD camera installation. When asked about having a low number of returned surveys CGNA president Annette Deglow told me “Most residents with strong opinions, either for or against, are the most likely to complete and return the cards. Those who do not complete the surveys probably do not care much either way.”Safety is a priority to every community and POD cameras are getting a lot of attention. In an email from Lt. McCloskey, he said “We are receiving many requests for more information about the PODs from several neighborhood groups.” As this topic continues to unfold RPNA will likely produce a survey to measure community support for the installation of two POD cameras; one at Camellia near Sandburg, and another at Carlson near Sandburg. To help inform River Park residents, an invite will go out to someone at Sac P.D. to speak at an RPNA meeting in the next few months.
by Todd Damiano
