RL NEWS Briefs: April 24, 2015

AltaSea Selects Designer
SAN PEDRO — Gensler, a Los Angeles-based architectural firm, will design three buildings for the 28-acre AltaSea marine research and interpretive center in San Pedro.
The firm will design a 20,000-square-foot visitors’ center, a 60,000-square-foot retrofit of the Berth 37 warehouse into classrooms for oceanic science and research, and a 5,000 square-feet office space for the center’s headquarters.
Site will focus on commercializing concepts that the center’s scientists will develop, for example, ocean sustainability. Additional space will be developed when the market conditions permit it. Phase I will be completed in 2023 and the other phases will continue for about 15 to 20 years. The cost of the project will be about $500 million.

Suspect Arrested After Drug Lab Causes Explosion
LONG BEACH — Two cats are dead and one man has been arrested as a result of an explosion, April 22, on the 200 block of Belmont Avenue in Long Beach.
Mitchell Maclean, 57, was booked for manufacturing a controlled substance and animal cruelty.
The Long Beach Police Department responded to the residence at about 3 p.m. to assist the Long Beach Fire Department and arson investigators, who discovered a drug lab.
Neighbors had reported hearing a loud explosion, followed by fire and smoke. Long Beach firefighters arrived at the location and extinguished the fire. When arson investigators arrived, they discovered the resident was attempting to make butane honey oil, which is made when tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is extracted from marijuana plants, and requested the assistance of the LBPD’s Drug Investigations Section. The Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Apprehension Crime Taskforce’s lab team also responded to the location to assist.
Investigators found items consistent with the manufacturing of butane honey oil, which is consumed by methods such as smoking, ingestion or vaporization. Users prefer BHO due to the high concentration of THC that it contains. Butane, which is extremely dangerous due to its flammability, and used during the extraction process, was also found.
Maclean is being held at the Long Beach City Jail on $75,000 bail pending arraignment.
Anyone with information regarding this incident should call (562) 570-7221 or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Survey Finds Fewer Homeless in Long Beach
LONG BEACH — Fewer homeless people on the streets of Long Beach, according to a biennial survey conducted by the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services.
The survey found that from 2013 to 2015, there was:
• 18 percent overall reduction in the total number of persons experiencing homelessness, 2,847 to 2,345.
• 13 percent reduction in chronically homeless persons, from 1,061 to 927.
• 24 percent reduction in the number of children experiencing homelessness, from 334 to 255.
• 42 percent increase in permanent housing beds, from 854 to 1,214.
Since 2011 there has been:
• 26 percent reduction in the total number of persons experiencing homelessness, 3,164 to 2,345.
• 18 percent reduction in chronically homeless persons, from 1,127 to 927.
• 32 percent reduction in the number of children experiencing homelessness, from 371 to 255.
• 177 percent increase in Permanent Housing beds, from 438 to 1,214.
The increase in permanent housing resources is due to new programs funded and developed for specialized subpopulations, and expansion of rapid rehousing units.
The biennial survey, which is a requirement to receive U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding to provide services to the homeless, involved more than 300 community volunteers deployed citywide earlier this year to conduct a “street count” of unsheltered homeless persons.
To better align the count data collection with other Continuum of Care jurisdictions and the HUD requirements, the 2015 count focused only on homeless-designated beds for the shelter count. The 2015 results are comparative to 2011 and 2013 results reflected in the HUD Homeless Data Exchange submissions.
The Homeless Services Division of the Department of Health and Human Services works in connection with every city department to align efforts, maximizing the effectiveness of citywide resources.
The Long Beach Continuum of Care collaborates with every known partner in the city, from business and neighborhood associations, nonprofit and faith-based agencies to medical and educational institutions to proactively address homelessness.
To ensure the greatest impact, a street outreach network has been conducting very organized and targeted outreach, reaching out to faith-based and food distribution sites to ensure connectivity to resources that end homelessness.
The central hub for intake and assessment for the Long Beach Continuum of Care is the Multi-Service Center, which averages 26,000 client visits annually, making it the primary point of entry for persons seeking homeless services assistance in Long Beach. The center houses staff from the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services and 11 other public and private partner organizations that work together to promote self-sufficiency and rebuild the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
The center has been a critical resource in facilitating opportunities for homeless men, women, and children to achieve housing stability and empower clients by actively engaging them in service planning, building on their strengths, and helping them to achieve their goals. This focus on the goals of economic stability, employment, stable housing, and reintegration has had positive impacts for those served and the broader community.
Additional data from the Biennial Homeless Count is available at http://bit.ly/1HxICZF.

Newsom Endorses Bradford for Senate
GARDENA — On April 23, Steven Bradford received the endorsement of Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Bradford is running to represent State Senate District 35, which includes the cities and communities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor City, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, San Pedro, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington.
“As a lawmaker, he’s been an outspoken champion for working people, civil rights, clean energy and our underserved communities – and, as a Senator, he’ll fight to ensure that every Californian has the opportunity to succeed,” Newsom said.
Current 35th District Senator Isadore Hall has announced his bid for U.S. House of Representatives and has endorsed Bradford’s candidacy.
Bradford represented parts of the 35th Senate District for 18 years as a member of the California Assembly and the Gardena City Council.
The California primary election will be, June 7, 2016 with a runoff election, if needed, on Nov. 8, 2016.
Learn more about Steven Bradford’s campaign at: http://stevenbradfordforsenate.com/