Category Archives: Newsletter

Letters Matter

Letters Matter: Nuisance, Etiquette and Participation

How do problems get fixed? Knowing how things work and having residents who are collectively and coordinately involved is an essential first step. That’s how neighborhoods get things done. For example, knowing when to call for an emergency response, 911 or when it is more effective to contact our Police Department’s chronic nuisance email address, LBPDEast@longbeach.gov.  In other words, the beat officer who is on duty when you call will respond to your call as an emergency, but if you email a description of when a non-emergent but troubling activity is occurring e.g. everyday morning at 4am at a certain location, you’ll likely improve the response.

Voting is another way to get things done. It may seem counter intuitive but if we are disinterested in who is running our city or regional governments that implies we may be disinterested in working to solve problems. Frankly a large percentage of our residents who are eligible to vote don’t – we have a poor track record. Regardless of who you’d like to represent you voting implies engagement and accountability.

The neighborhood association works to be responsive, but we are not the city nor are we you. We have made some gains. As more people move into our neighborhood we expect we will have more things to work on. So here are the items that were submitted from our recent “what needs to be done” call-out. I’ve not included the comment one person submitted re: homeless in the neighborhood – there will be large scale efforts soon that we can work with the city on. But in the meantime, here are the remaining concerns and what if any efforts are underway at the neighborhood level to improve the situation. Next Community Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday September 25th 6:30-8pm at Rivera’s Mexican Restaurant (yes, children are welcome!). Focus will be on Nuisance vs. Etiquette with new Eastside Commander O’Dowd and 2nd District Councilmember Pearce. Continue reading Letters Matter

Add these to your “To Do” List

ASAP – Take the (really short) – City Budget Priority Survey

August 27th – Rent? Have questions? Tenant’s Rights Workshop

The Fair Housing Foundation will be holding a Tenant Rights Workshop at the Neighborhood Resource Center at 100 W. Broadway #550, Long Beach, CA 90802 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm  on Monday, August 27, 2018.  This workshop is free and open to the public.  Attendees will learn about how they are protected under fair housing laws, what their rights and responsibilities as tenants are, and how to deal with tenant-landlord disputes.  A housing counselor will also be on hand to answer any questions from participants.

The Fair Housing Foundation services residents of the city of Long Beach.  We are contracted by Long Beach and receive funds through the Community Development Block Grants.  We educate the public about Fair Housing rights and responsibilities through workshops, trainings, and community events.  FHF provides mediation and counseling services through our housing assistance hotline 1-800-446-FAIR and walk-in clinics.  We also investigate issues of discrimination related to housing.  For more information or to RSVP for the Tenant Rights Workshop, call 1-800-446-FAIR

September 8th – Walk History! A 10 mile (approx.) Rancho to Rancho walk. With Walk LB!