by Timothy Rutt
Reversing its earlier decision, deputies from the Altadena Sheriff's Station will resume attending ACONA meetings and working with the organization.
"We're going to attend ACONA meetings, it's not a big deal," said Altadena Sheriff Lt. Roosevelt Johnson. "It's a forum for the community, and as a law enforcement organization we have an obligation to be there and listen to the concerns of the community."
The sheriff's station boycotted the last meeting of the Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations because Kendall Brown continued to attend as a volunteer. Brown, 19, who in on probation with a juvenile record for theft, was volunteering at ACONA meetings as part of his community service obligation. Capt. Steven McLean said that as long as someone with a criminal record was attending and taking names and addresses of Neighborhood Watch block captains, Altadena deputies would not attend meetings.
When asked about Brown's presence, Johnson said "I have no idea what's up with Kendall Brown, that's not even part of the discussion with Elliot."
Elliot Gold, one of the organizers of ACONA, said that "I believe they realized that the community of Altadena is more important than minor politics ... the sheriffs realized that they have an obligation to reduce and eliminate crime, but also to work with people who have problems and help them to become right."
Gold said that the sheriff's have a policy to work with youth and adults, from those who are about to get in trouble to those who are working through their probation. It's ACONA's policy to have open meetings where all can attend, Gold said, including "someone who made a mistake as a youth and is on the mend."
ACONA's next meeting will be at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., on Tues., March 27.
