Benicia Police Department to host meet and greet at Matthew Turner

(Originally published in the 4/1/16 edition)

   As part of Police Chief Erik Upson’s continuing efforts to strengthen community engagement, the Benicia Police Department will be hosting a meet and greet Tuesday, April 12, at Matthew Turner Elementary. 

   “This is Chief Upson’s strategy for community members to be introduced and get to know the officers that patrol their neighborhoods, especially newer officers recently hired,” Lt. Scott Przekurat said. “(It’s) a chance for officers and community members to come together in a social and friendly atmosphere.”

   The event will have presentation stations set up to cover topics like the neighborhood watch program, using online crime mapping and understanding the proper use of force. There will also be a Q&A session on the department’s Facebook page, which was established in December, and its Twitter account, which was launched on March 10. 

   “We will talk about the direction of the department, cover some general topics such as recent crime and crime trends, then respond to community concerns,” Przekurat said.  “Mostly it’s just an opportunity to have new officers meet community members, and community members get to know their department better.”

   Przekurat hopes that Benicia residents gain a better understanding of the hard work that police officers put in.

   “We want community members to get to know their police officers and understand what Benicia police officers do day in and day out for our community,” he said. “Community meet and greets such as this are a great way to enhance public trust between community members and the police.”

   The Benicia Police Department Community Meet and Greet will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 12, in the Multi Purpose Room at Matthew Turner Elementary, located on 540 Rose Drive. The event is free and open to the public. Benicia Police Department’s Facebook page can be found at facebook.com/Benicia-Police-Department and on Twitter under the handle @bpdsocialmedia. 

Soroptimist International of Benicia honors local women in awards luncheon

  (Originally published in the 3/25/16 edition)

 Soroptimist International of Benicia held its awards luncheon Thursday to honor local women who have made a difference in the community.

   Founded in 1921, Soroptimist International is a volunteer service organization for professional women that contributes time and provides financial support to community-based projects that benefit women and girls. 

   Soroptimist International of Benicia was founded in 1976 and meets every Thursday at The First Baptist Church or Sprankle’s Deli with the goal of improving the lives of local women and girls through programs that deliver social and economic empowerment. The organization also holds a domestic violence vigil in October and is accepting funds to establish a Safe House in Benicia.

   The luncheon, held at Venticellos Ristorante Italiano, was well-attended by club and community members including Mayor Elizabeth Patterson. Awards were given to several local women who had worked to improve lives within the community. The Live Your Dream Award, which assists women who financially support their families by giving them the necessary resources to improve their education and employment goals, was given to Raquelmarie Clark who was also the winner within the district. Clark helps lay out the newsletter for the Benicia Moms Group and is an assistant office manager with the Benicia-based Plan-It Interactive.

   The Violet Richardson Award, given to teenage girls who are active volunteers, was given to Benicia High School senior Eliza Partika. Partika has been a teen volunteer with Benicia Public Library and is a secretary with Benicia High’s Soroptimist Club. Partika has received a $500 grant which she has chosen to donate to the Soroptimist Club’s Safe House project.

   Taking second and third place, respectively, for the Violet Richardson Award were Partika’s twin sister Enid and Liberty High School senior Kylie Lee-Wright. 

   The Ruby Award, given to women who have worked to improve the lives of females through professional or volunteer work, was bestowed upon Councilwoman Christina Strawbridge for her service on the City Council and fashion shows benefiting Soroptimist International.

   A Service Award was given to Bonnie Silveria for her 25 years with Soroptimist International of Benicia, and Police Chief Erik Upson was sworn in as a new member.

   For more information on the organization, visit SoroptimistOfBenicia.org. 

Police Chief Erik Upson (Center) is sworn in as a Soroptimist International of Benicia member. Member Nancy Martinez (Left) presented him with a pin, and Bobbi Enderlin (Right) gave him an introduction. Upson is the father of two daughters and has worked to hire more women at the Benicia Police Department (Photo by Nick Sestanovich)

2015 in review: Benicia's year characterized by ordinance changes, other developments

(Originally published in the 1/1/16 edition)

   The city of Benicia saw some big changes in 2015.

   First, the city hired a new police chief. Erik Upson assumed the title vacated by Andrew Bidou who left to accept a new job as police chief of Vallejo. Upson had spent 17 years as a captain at the Berkeley Police Department and was officially sworn in at a May 19 ceremony. During his tenure, Upson has pushed for stronger community outreach, having ushered in the department’s first social media presence with a Facebook page in December. Upson says the department will continue to expand its social media outreach in 2016.

   The City Council made many changes to city ordinances, including lifting the ban on urban beekeeping in residential areas, limiting the amount of outdoor construction hours and expanding the Mills Act, where owners of historically significant homes get tax breaks by maintaining their homes in historically accurate ways.

   Benicia also received extensive coverage for a grisly crime story. Nolen Buchanan, a 16-year-old Benicia High School student, was arrested on suspicion of killing his father, father’s fiancee and half brother. Buchanan is accused of having shot his family in their cabin in Greenwood and burning the property to the ground. The case is currently being handled in El Dorado County.

   After taking part in the Marin Clean Energy program in 2014, Benicia residents were provided with the renewable energy  electricity provider, replacing Pacific Gas and Electric. However, those who wished to opt out and keep PG&E were able to do so.

   Finally, ground broke for a new bus hub in the Industrial Park. The hub was a collaborative effort among the city, Solano County Transit Authority and area transit providers, including SolTrans. The center will give Benicians a chance to travel to BART stations across the Bay Area and will have 46 parking spaces, a “kiss-and-ride” area and two bus shelters.