HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09221998 - C117 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS F&HS REFERRA Contra
-f
FROM: FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEECosta`
County
DATE: September 14, 1998 f,Fr C.0
SUBJECT: CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL GROVE AND FLAG PROJECT
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION($)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. AGREE to have the Children's Memorial Flag flown beneath the American
Flag on the Friday following the death in this County of a child under the age
of 18 from preventable violence on approximately six County buildings at
various locations throughout the County. This may also include the death of
a child who is a resident of this County who dies from preventable violence
where the death occurs outside the County.
2. AGREE to have the Children's Memorial Flag flown beneath the American
Flag on the fourth Friday of April each year in memory of all children in this
County who have died of preventable violence in the preceding year.
3. AUTHORIZE Supervisor DeSaulnier to develop a protocol with his office, the
Sheriff-Coroner's Office, the County Administrator's Office, and the General
Services Department whereby Supervisor DeSaulnier's Office will determine
that a qualifying death has occurred and that the flag should be flown on the
Friday of that week and that instructions are given to the General Services
Department in a timely manner to fly the flag at the designated sites on the
Friday of that week.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR -RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE + OTHER
SII"iNATURE S:
ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X_UNANIMOUS(ABSENT - } AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ASSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
Page
_ _ s e p t e mb e r �2 . ._
CDntac$ee Page 3 PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
cc' SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Li'l,A
BY DEPUTY
r
F&HS REFERRAL. #35
4, AUTHORIZE the General Services Director to identify approximately six
County buildings located in various areas of the County on which the
Children's Memorial Flag will be flown.
5. AUTHORIZE the General Services Director to purchase approximately six
Children's Memorial Flags.
6. REFER this subject matter to the City/County Relations Committee in an effort
to interest the cities in joining the County in this effort.
7. REFER this subject matter to the Policy Forum in an effort to interest the
schools in joining the County in this effort.
8. REFER* the subject of a memorial grove where a tree could be planted in
memory of each child who dies due to preventable violence to the East Say
Regional Park District Liaison Committee in an effort to identify a suitable site
on East Say Regional Park District land in this County where such a memorial
grove could be started, and to coordinate their work with that being
undertaken by Supervisor Rogers' Office.
9. AGREE to follow in general terms the criteria and procedures which have
been developed by Alameda County,adjusting,them as necessary to conform
to the protocol developed in this County.
SACKQRQMND:
On July 14, 1998, the Board of Supervisors referred to our Committee a proposal
which was presented to the Board by Supervisor hail Steele of Alameda County.
Under this proposal a Children's Memorial Flag is flown over selected County
buildings on the Friday following the death of a child from preventable violence, such
as a drunk driver, child abuse, homicide or suicide.
On September 14, 1998, our Committee met with Supervisor Steele and Deputy
General Services Director Kathy Brown and reviewed the attached staff report and
background materials.
Supervisor Steele outlined her proposal again and clarified what she was asking that
Contra Costa County do.
Supervisor DeSaulnier agreed to assume the leadership of the project, with the
understanding that it might permanently be transferred to a Children's Advocate.
Kathleen Nimr from Supervisor Rogers' Office commented on what she and a group
in West County are doing along the same lines. They are obtaining some memorial
benches which will be located in Miller/Knox Park in Richmond. Tiles can be painted
and placed in the area by those who want to commemorate the death of a child.
Kathy Brown from the General Services Department noted that their staff are
currently surveying the County's buildings to determine which have flag poles
available.
-2-
F&HS REFERRAL #35
It was suggested that rather then trying to fly a flag at each building perhaps six
buildings should be selected which are located in each of the major geographic
areas of the County.
After a full discussion of the subject, our Committee has agreed to make the above
recommendations.
cc; County Administrator
Sheriff-Coroner
General Services Director
Sara Hoffman, Senior Deputy County Administrator
Supervisor Gail Steele, Alameda County
Kathleen Nimr, Supervisor Rogers' Office
-3-
CONTRA COSTA COLWTY
OFFICE OF THE COI1t 7YADMINISTRATOR
651 Pine Street, 10th Floor
Martinez, California 94553
Telephone: 335-1052
Fax: 646-1.353
DATE: September 3, 1998
TO Supervisor Donna Gerber, Chair
Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier, Member
Family &Hinman Services Committee
FROM: Sara Hoffman., Staff 9—
Family
fix.Human Services Committee
SUBJECT: Referral #35 - Children's Memorial grove and Flag Project
On July 14, 1998, Supervisor Gail Steele of Alameda County made an oral presentation to
the Board of Supervisors outlining Alameda County's protocol in honoring children who
have died by violence and invited Contra Costa County to participate in the Children's
Memorial Grove and Flag Project. Alameda County's project consists of two elements:
b Children's Memorial ioxe. - a grove has been designated in the East Bay
Regional Park District for the planting of young oak trees to commemorate:
youth deaths by violence. The children's grove project focuses on an annual
memorial service which includes installing a plaque at the stone circle
surrounding the grove with the names of children who have died by violence:
in the previous year and the planting of a young oak tree for each child.
{> drtn' flag- a special memorial flag was created which is Hoorn
at half staff under the American flag on the Friday following a week when a
child dies by violence in Alameda County. The Alameda County Memorial
Committee is also recommending that communities ', join. the State of
California in declaring the last Friday in April as a day of observance in honor
of all children who died by violence.
As a follow-up to the Board of Supervisors referral of the Memorial Grave and Flag Project
to the Family and.. Human Services Committee, Kathy Brown, Deputy General Services
Director, conducted a study on the procedures used by Alameda County in implementing
the Children's Memorial Flag (please see attached memo). Basically, the procedure is that
Supervisor Steele works with the parents of murdered children and then informs the General
Services Department when to raise the memorial flag. An alternate would be to fly the
memorial flag on a specific day of the month (the last Friday of every month would coincide
with the national day of observance date). A fixed time for raising the flag would reduce
the potential for administrative errors and provide a reliable direction to the General
Services custodial staff on when to raise the flag.
In summary, the Family and Human Services Committee may wish to consider the following
recommendations to the Board of Supervisors:
l. Declare the last Friday in April as Children's Memorial Day in Contra Costa County
and direct the general Services Department to fly the Children's Memorial Flag at
half mast under the American flat at County facilities.
2. Authorize the Chair, Board of Supervisors, to send letters to the County's
congressional delegation to support Alameda County's initiative in honoring children
and asking that Congress join the State of California in declaring the last Friday in
April as a national day of observance in honor of all children who died by violence.
3. Authorize the Chair, Board of Supervisors, to execute letters to all cities in Contra
Costa County informing them of the County action in support of the Children's
Memorial Flag project and recommending their participation.
4. Direct the General Services Department to fly the Children's Memorial Flag at half
mast under the American flag at County facilities on the last Friday of every month
Designate a Supervisor to take the lead in providing direction to the general
Services Department on when to fly the Children's Memorial Flag.
In addition, the committee may want to consider establishing a memorial grave project for
Contra Costa County.
cc: Supervisor Gail Steele, Alameda County
Kathy Brown, general Services Department
Claude Van Marter, County Administrator's Office
GENERA. SERVICES DEPARTMENT
1220 Morello Avenue, Suite 200
Martinez, California 94553
Extension 3-7100
FAX 3-7108
DATE: August 10, 1998
TO: Sara Hoffinan, enior Deputy County Administrator
FROM: Kathy B pu eneral Services Director
SUBJECT: Information on Flags From Alameda County
Jeanie Rounsaville did a study of the procedures used by Alameda County for its Children's
Memorial Flag Rules and Procedures. Her study is attached. As you can see,this is handled
by a Board Member,bath personally and through the County Administrator's Office.
The people, Kay White and Yannie Herdes, are staff members of the General Services
Agency; and they arrange for the flags to be raised as directed by Supervisor Gail Steele,
General Services Custodial staff here are responsible to raise the flag for most buildings
where the flag is flown.
Bart had a good idea that a specific day of the month, such as the last Friday, could be
designated as a day to remember all the children who have died from violence. Then our
custodial staff could always know what day to fly the flag.
If someone notifies us,then we will raise the Children's Memorial Flag. We not have anyone
who can beep track ofwhen children are the victims of violent deaths, so your Office would
need to handle this and notify us when to fly the flag,unless a specific day each month is to
be set aside.
attachment
cc: Barton J. Gilbert
Jerry Redic
Jeanie Rounsaville
GENERAL., SERVICES DEPARTMENT
1220 Morelia Avenue, Suite 200
Martinez, California
Extension 3-7100
FAX 3-7108
DATE: August 10, 1998
TO: Kathy Brown, Deputy General Services Director`Mgmt& taper
FROM: Jeanie Rounsaville, Administrative Services Assistant II
SUBJECT. Alameda County Children's Memorial Flag Procedure
Over the last two and one-half weeks I have made numerous telephone calls to employees in
Alameda County, including Supervisor Gail Steele, and they have no procedural handbook for
raising the Children's Memorial Flag. From my interviews with various employees, the
fallowing procedure is followed and applies to County staff only. Attached is a copy of the
Alameda County Children's Memorial Flag Rules and Procedures that also includes minimal
information for cities and other public institutions. Supervisor Steele does not notify cities.
Each city has their own procedures.
1. Supervisor Steele works with a group of parents of children who have been murdered.
She receives her information from either the parents group, newspapers, Coroner's Office
or from a lady who works on the child death review team (no other specific information).
She determines if the flag is raised based on the attached criteria. Supervisor Steele also
informed me that she doesn't"exactly" follow the criteria in the Board Resolution.
2. She sends the information(via fax or phone call)to Kay White or Yannie Herdes.
3. Yannie or Kay forward to the dispatchers with "cc's" to the GeneralServices Director,
the assistant director, the Facilities Managers. If the call comes in by phone, they may
type up the notice and forward it via fax or make the appropriate telephone calls.
4. The dispatchers notify the Lead Stationary Engineers responsible for raising the flag.
5. The Lead creates a Work Carder for the Engineer to raise the flag on the appropriate day.
The Children's Memorial Flag is placed immediately below the American.Flag,
There are some compliance problems in that the appropriate people don't always get notified in
enough time to make the accommodation. This causes embarrassment to the Board, County
Administrator and the general Services Director.
QUALIFYING CRITERIA
I. The children must be bgtwe birth and 18 years cold.
2. The death must have been a violent death that was preventable (i.e.: Hit & run, drunk
driving, Battery (shaking/beating), suicide (although it has been debated), any gunfire).
Incidents that are not covered in Alameda County include drowning, crib death, terminal
diseases, train accidents, car accidents (except those listed above as qualifying) or
children who die in the process of committing a crime. Supervisor Steele stated that she
has essentially decided (after discussion with other people) on incidents that are not
specifically stated in the Board Resolution.
3. The names of the children are announced at the next board meeting (except the suicides)
and the meeting is adjourned in their honor. The parents of each of the children receives
a certificate stating that their child's name was mentioned and the flag will be lowered on
a specific date in honor of their child.
4. Because flags will not be lowered for children who die by accidentwhere no criminal
charges are filed and law enforcement officials determine the accident is a murder, a tree
is planted in a specified grave in the child's name. There is a plaque that contains all the
names of the children who have a tree planted in his/her name.
5. Flags are not raised in every location throughout the county. Some locations are too
remote. They are raised in the areas where the majority of the county population will see
the flags(court houses, administration building, Sheriff s {office, some',Libraries, etc.)
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Alameda County C bildren-s Memorial Fla
Rules and Procedures
The Children's Memorial Flag will be flown every time an Alameda County child under the
age of eighteen dies by virulent means:Public flags--Alameda County, and the city and school
of the deceased child--will fly at half-staff under the American flag for one day, the Friday
following the death of the child.
1. The Children's Memorial Flag will be flown at half-staff on a Friday for any child who
was killed during the previous week, Wednesday to Wednesday.The County will take the
lead when a child is killed, and notify a designated contact person at the city and school
district of the child's home (e g, city manager, %uperintendent.of schools, etc.) by phone
and/or fax. Other public institutions (e.g., Fast Bary Regional park District) which have
notified the County that they will,participate in the flag lowering, regardless of the child's
home city, wilt also be notified,
2. On April 23, 1997, the California Assembly passed House Resolution 25, declaring the
last Friday in April every year as "Children's Memorial Day." On that day throughout the
State of California the Children's Memorial,flag is to be flown to honor all murdered
children. On the fourth Friday in April, therefore, every participating institution in.Alameda;
County will fly its Children's Memorial Flag.
3. Children's Memorial Flags-rill be lowered for a child's death after formal
determination that the child died by a chargeable crime. (Examples:weapons, including guns
and knives; Battery, including shaking and beating: vehicles, including hit-and-run and
accidents involving drinking drivers; fire, both negligent fire and arson). Flags will not be
lowered for children who die by accident'where nes criminal charges are filed. Flags will not
be lowered for children who die while committing crimes,
U.1
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIEFORNIA
Adopted this Order on July 14, 1998_ by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Uilkema, Gerber, DeSaulnier, Canciamilla and Rogers
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Nene
SUBJECT: PARTICIPATION IN THE ALAIvIEDA COUNTY CHILDREN'S
MEMORIAL GROVE & FLAG PROJECT
This matter was brought to the attention of the Board after the Agenda was
posted. The Board, by unanimous vote, agreed to consider it.
At the invitation of Supervisor DeSaulnier, Alameda County Supervisor Gail
Steele made an oral presentation to the Board outlining Alameda County's
protocols in honoring children who have died by violence, and invited Contra
Costa County to participate in the project.
Following consideration of the request:
IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the matter of Contra Costa County
participation in the project is REFERRED to the Family and Human Services
Committee (FHS), FHS is DIRECTED to provide a report to the Board of
Supervisors relative to the appropriate protocols, and the County iAdministrator
is DIRECTED to take necessary action to instruct that the flags on all County
buildings be flown at half-staff on Friday, July 17, 1998, in memory of Kavi and
Kayleonna Viramontes-Ramirez of Antioch.
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of an action taken and entered on
the minutes ofthe B and of Supervisors on the
date shown.
ATMTED-
Phil Batc , ClerX,6f the Gard of
Superviso s and County Administrator
June McHuen, Deputy Clerk
cc: Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema
Supervisor Ronna Gerber
Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier
Supervisor Joe Canciamilla
Supervisor Jim Rogers
County Administrator
County Counsel
No answers i*n nightmare
11 Criewing mother says she x
tried to get her two gi&telt k
of the house when Ramirez
began firing I&,ought we
were ail going to die' '
B;;
�M�P_0, 11?
srtd ruats
Cami Viramontes spent Monday
r r
afternoon shopping for the last
clothes her daughters, 1-year-old '
v'
Ha z andar•
3= a old Kayleonna,will
ever wear. ' �0
After returning home.the 26-year- }
old sat down among the videotapes #. ,
and stuffed animals that will go in
the little girls'coffins and spoke of
the terrible sequence of events that
led to their deaths at the hands of Y
their father,Carlos Joseph Ramirez, �s
during a two-day standoff with po-
lice,
alice. • ,,
The story poured out in a long, h.
nearly hysterical
rush.
"I knew he
wasn't going to <a 4
hurt thein: he * s
loves diet,"the r l
said of
Wt,42 hours
later, Ramirez
was dead in the
,v I master bedroom
of tate Viramon-
Ramirez tests' Putnam
Street home,on
a bed with the girls-•-one of theirs
stilt alive--At his aide.
Viramontes said she woke up
early Friday morning to the sound
of glass breaking in Kayleonna's �rnnati T�,t
room.She rushed to her,thinking lade ITS FOR GtMI VIRAM6l34"l"ES'daughters to be burled In Include a drew,at lett,for Kovi.The ether outfit is for Keyleonna,3.
she had fallen out of bed and broken ' ssituation,something. M host� a7i anon,
When she got to the doorways she
saw a broken window and Ramirez
outside with a gun, a
`I saw him;use looking at me / od hof"#� f '�+ Murry� i►
through the blinds,"site said in a V E.V 2il 1.+F,g.
high-pitched wail. ` `
I just heard,ham,baits,bam,
bam,bam.He kept pulling the trig- /Font✓haS generally Instead,police secure the area,
ger.I remember smelling the gun evacuate everyone nearby,and iae•
powder.I thought we were all going me last reSort gin negotlsting a peaceful surrender,
to die there." trying to�get j,� no matter haw long such talks might ; l
She tried to get into the room take.
three times. By Carttr McMiUELn "Ltls're treating these things more
"He kept shooting,"Viramontes nava 0t wxsx rrsx as a crisis intervention than a pourer
recalled."I kept yelling,Just let arse Thirty years ago,police depart- 51rt>ggle with law enforcement,*said -!!W
get my'baby.' merits across the�responded Mic tel tfcmeins,co-author of a u�a sT 1, ;s
'He kept saying,'I'm ready to die to hostage stand-offs like the one in 19M hook on negotiations used POLICE l�IEGOTIA'ORS attempted to resolve a stared-orf in AnsZo*cr�
here right now,' "she said. Antioch by kicking down the door by the FIJI And other law enforce- With 41tive Carlos Joseph Ramirez peacefully,
She couldn't get back to her bed- and unleashing their tall fury.Today, ,merit agencles,"We use active Us-
room where Ravi was in a crib,with- Jew enfomment borrows,the tools tening senilis,let people tell their sto• threats,trying to decile whether to cgnizing that a suicidal suspect may
out passing the open doorway and of psychology and:rials counseling ries,let theta ventilate and provide go in is a difficult decision,said Oak. want them to come in guns blaring,
the bullets from Ramirez's gun. to resolve such dangerous situations, an accepting environment that hope- land police Lt.Pete Peterson,who "You have to make a value judg-
She ran to get her parents when Fosse has become a lest resort, fully allows those feelings to lessen served as a tactical commander with stent over whether that is a false
See SHOUTING,Back a used only if the hostage-taker begins over time," the department.
Peg making good on threats to kill. Once someone begins making Generally,police wait it out,rec. See NEGOTIATE,Back Page
n _
Shoo
MFERTHANKS
FROM PAGE Al it T'he Virumontes flintily rued
awie fallowing statement to the
her father,Sawn Viramontes--a for-
mer reserve police officer---carne want to start by thanking
down the hall with his gun:.Came Vi- fall the people that#tave'been sup-
;and her mother,Janice, Darr fmily, would also
911. to thank all ofd sher-
called the ,
Viramontes is not sure what hap- 4ft detectives,firefighters, and
pened between Ramirez and her fa- Pfaramedics from the various
► then but she heard Ramirez order; hies. As well as Calmar and
'"fell Carni to come here." tARRI.To our neighborhood
"Dad told me to get out of the ond community thank you for
hoarse and I wouldn't leW she said. ,�ym support and patience. We
l f At some point -- Viramontes ntto also thank the Red Cross
j doesn't remember the details---her i-4or helping set up emergency
father>� ez ofrred bt at ack and ski mirez knew
ose evacuated. I
and biut missed. �mor y and friends
her father had been hit..,t 0oknowtheir love and support
ou na rn+wmwts 1,thought, "My dad's going to JW, helped cis to much.Special
;AMI VlRAMOMM says she tried three Wies to het Kayleonrtai two olid." sbe recalled, her pale greenor her constant
if her daughter's room,but Ramirez sheat at her each time. eyes filled with tears.
The elder Viramontes suffered s ��f
or organization
with negotiators well versed in the minor wound and was treated at s ewe bove forgotten to mention,we
Negofiate Bible, .11hospital and released. poli.
Police look to old probation re- Finally Carni Viramontes ran to 'Parents, stop and give your
ports,psychological profiles,inter- neighbors for help. ds a hug now
t{3M PAGE Al views with family and friends.And Viramontes declined to discuss >.
of course,to the hostage-taker him- her relationship with Ramirez,etc The Viramontes fancily
hr+eat and he's just trying to precip- self. tett to say he frightened her:
tate something," Peterson said. Often regular telephone lines to All through the ordeal,she never
There's nothing written(in)a book the house are cut and police then lob believed Ramirez would harm the
,r training manual that can give you a""throw phone"into the building,to .- children.She noted that he was tak
he answer you're looking for:" ensure that the hostage-taller only ing good care of them.
Instead of force,police turn to of- communicates with them.Then they "He gave Kavi her asthma medi
iters trained in psychology and sui- try to get him talking. cine," Viramontes said. He was
ide prevention for the delicate job "titre ask open-ended questions to changing Kavi's diapers and had
f negotiating the release of hostages try and find out as much as we can read the girls a book.
rid the peaceful resolution of the about how they're feeling and why No one in the Viramontes family
risis. they're doing what they am.%%para- ever expected Ramirez to hurt the
There is perhaps no job as stress- phrase what they say back to them: girls, said an uncle of Cami'tura
ul as that of a hostage negotiator. 'I understand you want to hill every- montes,who asked not to be named.
,very moment is a guessing game-- one in the house. How will you do "We weren't going to think any KIM K,a y eonna
vying to read the mind of someone that?'"Baldwin said."You flat out thing negative.We never expected
iangerous and desperate--while in- ask there,`Are you going to kill your- any of this to happen,"he said. however, a portion of a tape of the
,ocent lives hang in the balance. self?'" n was just praying for all three of talks between police and Ramirez
But the effort is also paying off. Generally,negotiators are assisted them,"V-uemontes said."Just pray would be made public soon.
Roughly 90 percent of negotiated by consulting psychologists and 4 he would do the right thing and "It's very dramatic and 1 think it
Eostage-takings end without vio- other police who listen in on the axon-. let my Rids gas. speaks for itself,"he said.
grace,a testament to how effective versation and help them talk a sus- 11 think he was just angry because Ramirez's mother,Elsa,who had
gw enforcement has become at de- pect into surrender: he had no one,"she said of the slay- an hour-long conversation with her
using such volatile situations,ex- For all the general guidelines, Ings, son Saturday night, said he just
,erts said. every situation is unique and,ulti- At a trews conference Monday of- wanted to be with Carni Vit montes.
When negati4ons fail,as they did mately,unpredictable. ternoon,police offered a few more "ale was just very depres ed,"said
aturday when an Antioch fugitive, 61t's an extremely stressful job," details about the scene inside the Vi- Elsa Ramirez."lie didn't see any-
�Lrlos Joseph Ramirez, suddenly Peterson said."It's more stressful for ,ramontes home. thing gond in his life,*
coke off talks with police and shot his the negotiating teams than the SWAT Ramirez and his daughters were She said she can't understand
o o daughters and himself,the killer teams.They have to get into these found in the master bedroom of the why he shot his two daughters.
nearly at%Vs someone with a long guys'heads.And they know in the house at about 12:10 a.m.Sunday, "He loved those kids. He took
;istory of violence,McMains said. back of their mind that if they say or when a SWAT team entered the care of them," she said. "He did
, "The people who pose the largest do anything wrong,they could cause house, said Antioch police Capt. everything for therm."
isk are people with antisocial per- that person to do harm." Mark.MocZuIski. She said her conversation Satur-
analities.'They have a long history In Texas,one of the few sates Ravi,1,died from two gunshot day with her son was constantly in-
I trouble with rules and regulations that oozes its hostage negotiators, wounds to the head,while her older terrupted as he changed Kavi's di a-
nd use anger to solve their prob- police protocol has a few hard and sister died later at Sutter Delta Med- pees and got popsicles for the girls.
ears,"he said."That kind of person fest rules:never be to a hostage-taker ical Center of a gunshot to the neck, Police were in the process of set
a a domestic situation is probably because once you lose credibility you according to the county coroner and ting up a second phone call between
he riskiest of all." never get it back.And never trade police officials. Elsa Ramirez and her son when the
McMains could be describing hostages for money,drugs,weapons Ramirez, meanwhile,tiled from shots were heard,
tamirez,a fugitive in a 1995 gang- or other hostages. two gunshots to the head,with a third After Carla Ramirez stopped talk-
dated shooting who was upset that Texas also makes sure that the shot grazing him the coroner said. tng with police at 10:53 pan.Saturday,
,is daughters'another had broken hostage negotiator is aver the one Police would not my what type of negotiators attempted over the next
,ff their relationship. with the authority to agree to de- gun was used. hour to re-establish contact with him
Although every police department mands.That way,the dem xurrst The news conference shed little using a bullhorn,as they had done
:as its own protocol for handling be relayed and there is time to strata- additional light,however,on the fi- throughout the siege when Ramirez
,ostsge situations,in general police gize and react,Baldwin said. nal moments of the standoff. hung up on them.Meanwhile,SWAT
e willing to wait as long as it takes The negotiator is also rarely the Moczulski said Ramirez, a sus- team members devised a plan to en-
a talk an individual into a peaceful one to decide that talks have broken pect in a 1995 slaying,became men- ter the Putnam Street home.
urriender,said Richard Baldwin,vice down to:such a point that police tally unstable. The girls'funeral service is sched-
ivsident of the Texas Association force is rte. 'He appeared to be distraught and uled for 10 am,Thursday at t. ig-
f Hostage Negotiators. 1 rr most police agencies,that de- uroder emotkonal duns,*said MoczXrl- natius Catholic Church in Antioch.
The key to mxxessful negotiation cision is left to the incident com- slat."He continued on with further di- A vigil prayer service will be held at
es in learning as much as possible meander who is coordinating the po- alogve,bort the dialogue was not with 7:30 p.m.Wednesday at the church.
bout the hostage-taker,then using lice response. negotiators,it was with hirriself" The Viramontes family has set u
ie information to build rapport. If the hostage-taker kills one of It was then,over the telephone, a memorial trust fund to pay for t'.
In one New Jersey incident, a his captives,force will almost in- that police heard what they thought funeral and other expenses. Chet
,=svestite who killed two police variably be used. was a gunshot or gunshots. should be made out to the Vir
avestigators agreed to give frim- Off they harm someone,than our Mo czuLski reftwed to speculate on montes-Ramm Girls Memorial'Tn
elf up after handing with a female. -sikWty to communicate is coming to what triggered Ramirez's sudden Arvid and sent c/o Bank of Americ
egotiator over make-up,Baldwin a screeching halt,"an ?FYarr a mood change,nor wot&d he offer'de- 'PO Box 209,2974 Delta gait v,
aid. In other cases, suspects cit- hostage team member said."At that tails concerning the he minutes of Antioch, CA 414509.Donationsa
ag scripture have been paired alp _point,there has to be a tactical plan." -the phone conversation. He said,_ not be made directly to the bank.
J1N� I5-1 f0�sl Contra Costs CduntU - CXtl
925 335 1095 P.01.'01
OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
TRATOR
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Admtnlirtltin Building
631 Pins Street, 19th Floor
Martinez
VIA FAMNULE
ELATE: .July 15, 1998
TO: Barton J. Gilbert, Director of General Services
FROM: Claude L. Van Malatent County Administrator
SUBJECT: FLYING FLAGS A ALF-STAFF ON FRIDAY, JULY 171, '1ego
On ,July 14, 1 X S, the Board of Supervisors directed that the flags on all County
Buildings be floor at hatf-staff on Friday,July 17, 19%out of respect for the memory
of the two young girts who were murdered In Antioch by their father last weekend.
Please male arrangements to insure that this directive from the Board is compiled
with.
CLVM.emb
v sr-a-W
cc: Members. Board of Supervisors
All County Department Heads
JU.'�_13-195B 13:45 SUPu. DESAULN?SP P.02/04
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st BOARD CSF SUPERVISORS , r9 s
su>av=&Sim"DsrAscr Ve Alameda County
' l 'r n's Memorial Grove
& nag Project
The Childms's Vial Grove and Flal Proita began is lase 1991 whm Amada
Su;w%isas Gats Stade rec Seized that she and society in gex►crol vrer®taking for granted,and
baste wg numb to,the vial=deattba of drildrso that talcs p1tot in communities in this
country.M*K cdldrest Win&by violence to unnaticed and unrememberod eft by the
fimales who lose cpm.From this i atht Svpwvisar stmk devclopwd tht idea of a Ch 's
Memorial Grave to remember these chadrea.,arid,somewhat later,a CkUdren.'s Memonsl
Flag to fly ar half saaa8'for cash of these violent d aths.
Cb henna Memorial Grove.in early 1"s Supervisor Steele rztb=�a u all
*ommicLee to beam+rout on a MtmorW Grp.For the first year,manly community
it ember and staff a ar w to rhe meetings;pareau jotu d later,as the pro}e w took shape,The
East Bay Regional Park Douict moved vigorously ahead in+des4a►tint a site for the Grow,
daxigning assd building a uwpAcm stool circle which anchors the Grove,orad plmaing the
plaatinp of yaw%crack tsars to commemorate,youth dearth .
'Phis Cl Urea's Mtmasrial Grove was dedicated oo Novtmba:r 1, 1"6,on Fairmont R dp in
Alameda County.The Grave Proy%%focuuz aa no annual m msorial swine,w"mcludes
isss allissg a plague at the stoase circk with tht oa m ref chcildnz who diad by violeut in the
previous year,and p1L=in&a yving aaak tree for each child.Our mcand annual progrim took
place ar the Memorial Grove on Novemfx.r 7;1997,wbtz we hasncred the memory ad t va cry
County children who died in 1"t.More thm 200 peraple,mostly family membem
attended 426 mossy.
riX en's Memt3rW Ms.in early 1"i,tete Memorial Cosrunirme ww=ad to a ca..
Memorial Flag,which would be flown at half4uff under tht Americo An an the FriJxy
after a child dies by violracc in Alarneda Counry,Thuar sprint#,the Coommittaiit held a coussr
wi&Memorial Flag a antest for school children to&--sips tgis 84,from 164 entries a
community aura aAe chow cbe a:+urr=desip lay ixteen-yrarr old 1zah Parr.ow hundred
fiat-edition ChadrWs Memorial Flags were maasubrtvrvd in the fall.The Memory
Coraaniv4e developed a flag protocol for f*C the Childs w's Memorial Flp,and crt&ged a
lapel pian of the#lag desipa.
t22s OAk S"1' w•tears;M-OAKLAND,CJLLJasCN'llt3h W12•al m t-iAX(s14J.T7t41I r,
mvw*AD Sr5T tet tics tin-tssa)c7o-s "
PAtM rED Sy UNION LAVO01.4.00 L"Jet.All-G* i7 AL 016.SisU
ie 3hvd 3u.s 1Ia9 •dns sxxb-etre-sats 51:eS efr#5tr€1149
JUL-13-1998 13.45 5UPU. DESAULNIER R.03r04
The California Assembly has formally declared the Iasi Friday in April as a statewide annual
ob,wxva ce day. On tha Friday,the Children's Memorial Flab,will be lowered aaoss the state
in mems of all California children raying by violence in the previous year;The fist
statewide observance of Childre n"s Memorial Flag Day vn'll be April 24, 1998.
The fundaxnental garish of the Memorial Committee is that the Children's Memorial Flag be
made available to any community Haat loses a child through violence.The Memor al
Connuittee is eager to have!the Utaited Mates Congress adopt the Childre:n`s Memorial Fln
nationraeride,au Ld for communities across the country to join with the State of California in
declaring the last Friday in April as a national day of observance in honor of all children)who
die by violence.
ze Mvci 313315 "1Its 'drys SZYS-14Z-815 GMT OSSI/et/ce
JUL-13-1995 13:52 SUPU. DESAULNIER P.01/05
House Resolution ion No. 25
�rr...r.....wr.nr
InbvducW by A a+rmhly Members Peratj4 Aroner,Figueroa,
Leach,Swe envy,and Torlakson
April 23, 1997
House Resolution No.2&—Relative to"Children's Memorial
Day.
1 WHEREAS, Throughout America, tra Acts of
2 violence against children are occurring with increasing
3 frequency and , destroying innopent lives
4 and devastating families and communities; and
5 V JEREAS,The people of the State of California have
6 last too many children in violent, preventable deaths
7 through ;grams, fire, automobiles, physical violence, and
8 suicide; and
9 WHEREAS, The pule of Uifor ua believe in the
10 celebration of life, diversity, and hope for the future
11 through our children, and deplore and condemn acts of
12 violence committed upon the children of our
13 communities; and
14 WHEREAS, On November 1, 1996, Alameda County
15 and the East Bay Regional park District dedicated a
16 C b9dren's Memorial Grove with the planting of young
17 oak trees and the creation of a stone Circle of
18 Remembrance as a place of peace and honor to young
19 lives lost; and
1 WHEREAS.Alameda County has created a Children's
2 Memorial Flag to be flown whenever a child's life is lost
3 to Criminal violence; now therefore, be it
4 Rexlmd bV the ,A,cs° mhlry o,f the State of California,
S That in memory of California's children who have diedby
6 violeace,the fourth Friday in April is hereby proclaimed
7 as"Children's Memorial Day" throughout the state;and
8 be it farther
9 Resolxx-A 'Mat the Children's Memorial Flag be flown
In an this day each year by the state in remembrance of
11 those whose young lives were cut short by senseless
12 violence.
09 3wd 3'LMIS "tlVJ 'drS ' SttS-ttZ-0t5 5t:£t 9661/£t40
�iUL-13-1996 13:52 SUPU. DESPULNIER P.e2/05
�` = . 10
. .v
Proclaiming the Fourth Friday in April to
"Chilmn's memorw Lay"
Throughout Abintda County in Memory of Chy3clren
Who Hxvt Died by Violence
twl3F.#tW 09049bout America.orotic arta of viols= aPinu 404M art otcutrrittg with
IttancaaitrS ti equa wy talc sew elenness,desttoM isaaa st bvtS and dcyttsta 0Z&MANX atd
WHEN in 1994.t993 and I OK Aiame&County tea 90 children in vlol wk Prcvcat&Wc
"IbA dAtOu#k amu,#`►rc,SULOMblikS,Physics)vim Oral ridgy Ud
WHEA AS the peWe of AImcda Cxwrsty believe in aw caeicbearion of lift. diveroity,turd
bope fW Vw futtst tluw4&our childrM asul deplore and coth+lgtt n acts of viol cstcg ommy ittetl upon
the,dhUdrvs of MR oattutnuftitics;"
WRE;REAS on November 1. 19ir6„AI Meals County acct the East 1301+ltglionst PWk District
tttdit0tt+ad#ChiSdttn'a M�Gtnvt will►the��n11 of yoatthg oak utas aoel the taa+tti+�ts od a sttrx�c
cinle of Pj=Wft&bMwz as a plate of pcacae NW bow to young lives lost;and
WHIRE++AS Alttreeda Cotmty bas cresta a C hUmr~n`a Mt mrial flag to be!lawn whanever a
ddl4`s life is lost to aintioal violence.
NOW,3`tfEFtEFOM BE 1T RESOLVED that in memory of Alam da County childmo who
h*vc died by violaxrce. the Awa County Board of Sum does hemby Proclaim the founh
friday in April as"Children's Memorial Day`tbmShout Aimed&County.
BE 1T fURTUM J OOLViC;D that the Chiildxerr'a Material FUS be tlown on t?ri¢s day each
year by Alimada,County.each city in Alameda County,and each whool district is Alameda County.
in rcmembrmac of du)ar*how youth tivta waft cur abtm by scomiess violence.
Approved: Apri122, 1997
SCOU Hagpoy.Super1
A t
Gail Sweet:,Supavisor District 2
00,
Wilrrra C`.ltan,Swot I?i t 3
A
L?�gv 1-7—mr—
mart'V. $tt rCSJUict 4
IGntb C&WA.Presides.Dowd of Supervisors
coo
59 3wci 313315 "tivv 'd'l5 SIIS-14Z-919
JLL-13-1995 13:53 SUPV. DESPULN I ER
WY
Alameda County C'rb%ildren-s Memorial alar
Ruks and Procedures
The Children's Memorial FlAg will be flown every time an Alamo&Cotmtychild under the
age of eighteen dues by violent means. Public(Lags—Alameda County,and the cry and school
of the doceased child»will fly at half-staff under the American flag for one day,the Friday
following the death of the child.
1. The Children's Memorial FLag will be flown at W-staff on a Friday for any child who
was stilled during the previous week, Wtdno&y to Wednesday. The County will tat the
lead when a child is killed, and notify a designated contact person at the city and school
district of the child's home (e g., city marxager,superintendent of schools,etc.)by phone
and/or fax. Other public institutions(ag., Fast Bay ReoonaJ Park District) which have
notified tht County that they will participate in the flag,lowering, regardless of the Child*s
home city,will also be notified.
2. Public bodies such as the Board of Supervisors which adjourn their public me=etings is
memory of s&ceased child will send to the parents or family of the child a certificate copy of
board minutes,or other official record reflecting that observance.
3. On April 23, 1937,the California Assembly passed House Revoiution 25,declaring the
lass Friday in April emery year as `Childre a s Memorial Day.*On that clay through*=they
Stan of California the Childress*s Memorial Flag its to be flown to honor all murdered
child:exs. On the fourth Friday in April,therefore,every participating innitudon in Alameda
County will fly its Children's Memorial Flag.
4. Children's Memorial Flip will be lowered for a child's death after formal
deter*-*+--tion that the child died by a chagealble criarne.(Exarapks: weapons, izduaing gnu
and knives;ba rtery,including sha ki and beating: vehicles,including hit-wd-r=and
stents involving drinking drivers;fire,both negligent fire and wsm). Flags will not be
lowered for children who die by accident where no criminal charges are Paled,.Flaigs will not
be lowered for children who die while committing crimes.
'��
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JUL-13--1598 13:53 SUPU. DESPU.NIE F. a�05
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Alameda County Raises
Memorial Flog for Young
Awfims of Molence,
of ca"Wrim X"W" vmdat, w1w wn batft W
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tow* rrida at awry Art R10&bW w"ew U" Put
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brad'.Pon*vM re arts tg ism.
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TOTAL P.05
J'�iL-13-1998 13:47 SUPS;. DESAULNiEP P.04/04
SUPERVISORS
GAIL S .E
SurumsoR SECWD DIS-MICT
Date;: may 1, 1"6
From: Alameda County Supervisor Gail St.erle
To.. All Ala►sneds County Mayors
subject: Request ng the Alameda County Mayors`Confeomce to Partiripate:in the
Alameda County Memorial Grove and Flag Project,
2. Lowering City BW when a child from that city dies by a chargiuble:
crime;and
2. Appointing two representatives (or their designees)from the
Mayors'Conference to sit an the Memorial Grove mid Flag
Committee,one from north County, one from south County
Alameda Counter Children's Memorial Pra'ects
Alameda County is developing two projects in honor of children who dice violently by a
chacrable crime.
The fust its a Memorial Grove ou Urmont Ridge:at about 150th Avenue and MacArthur art
the she Of the tvaicagtions center.This is a joint ptojec t between East Bay RagicuW Park
District and the AIazna&County Baud of Supervisors. In October of each year an oak tree
wnill be planted for each child who died in the previous calendar year.The chilidreses names
will be on ptuNe s placed at the; Memorial Park and in the Alameda County Baud Chambers
at 1221 Oak Str,rxt in Oakland.
The second is the designing of a Memorial Flag which will be flown ovtry tim a ted dies by
violent means. The concept is to have all public flags-county, and the city and schools of the
deceased child-fly at half staff'for one stay,the Friday following the dearth of the chill.
There exists a committ"of parents,East Bay Regional Park District, and.Alameda County
represextaxives to guide the Memorial Project.It is requenz-4 thu one north-County city and
one south-Courtly city be represented on the committee, and than you Indorse the idea to
participate!
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WAYWAAts pc TACT oFFIrA»(sto)6784 5277
Peate4M0 BY UN"L A80A-LOCAL W,AFL-Oto-LOCAL SM SEtU
TOTAL P.04