CALIFORNIA COMPUTERS STOLEN Black Voice News Online - Phoenix Center Shuttered After Burglars Steal Computers:

Phoenix Center Shuttered After Burglars Steal Computers Print E-mail
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
By Chris Levister –

San Bernardino police Lt. D. Keil says that between July 16, 2009 and July 20, 2009, four separate burglaries were reported at the city’s central district

Operation Phoenix Center located in the 1600 block of Sierra Way. Keil said over the course of the five day period, several thousand dollars in computers and other electronic equipment was taken, forcing the center to close for several days.

An intensive search of the surrounding neighborhoods turned up 90 percent of the stolen property. Police say five juveniles were arrested and booked into Juvenile Hall.

“Sign of the times,” said Maggie Elliott whose son is a familiar face at the center’s bank of computers doing his homework and playing games.

“Hopefully this sends a message to other kids in the neighborhood. Crime not only does not pay, but it steals opportunity.” “It’s too bad crime happens but this is still a safe place, somewhere I like to come after school,” said Crystal Anderson, 12 reacting to the burglaries. “It’s better than hanging out on the streets.”

The network of centers is the brainchild of Mayor Patrick Morris’. In 2006 in conjunction with local charities, social services agencies, faith-based organizations and law enforcement he launched the multi-jurisdictional neighborhood based program as part of an ambitious suppression, intervention and prevention effort aimed at fighting crime in some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods.

Since its inception the program popular with parents and kids has been peppered with political infighting, funding threats and legal controversy.

In July of 2008 the Sierra Way Center’s director Michael Miller was accused of sexually molesting three young girls and possessing child pornography.

Miller is awaiting trial.

The Sierra Way center now reopened, buzzes with kids – on computers, playing pool.

“Crime, its part of life. It just happens, said Nyshia Cole, 12 reacting to the burglaries. “This is still a safe place to come after school. It’s better than hanging out on the streets.”

Since its June 2006 launch, Operation Phoenix has expanded to the city’s western and eastern corridors. The effort has driven down crime by roughly a third in the Sierra Way 20-block corridor in which it has concentrated increased police patrols and social services