(March 1, 2008) -- A major community clean-up and block party, took place in the area of PCH/Pine Ave. on Feb. 23. LBReport.com provides extended photo coverage below.

The event's primary hosts were Wrigley's Neighborhood Advisory Group (NAG), Wrigley Association and the LBPD Community Relations/West Patrol Division.

Their efforts were amplified and catalyzed by co-sponsors including the City of Long Beach Neighborhood Services Bureau, Wrigley Community Police Center, LB Special Events & Filming, Sixth District Council Office, First & Seventh District Council Offices, LB Police Officers Assoc., LB Human Dignity Program, Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Task Force, Long Beach Rescue Mission, Peace Builders, West Long Beach Assoc., Central Neighborhood Advisory Comm. (CNAC), LB Redevelopment Agency, LB Development Services Dept., Segways of Long Beach, Buono's Pizza, Tacos Don Chente, Pho America, El Paisano Market, El Rey Bakery and Starbucks.

The event was sparked by a Jan. 1, 2008 quadruple shooting in the 1900 block of Pine (a block north of PCH) that left three adults (one man, two women) wounded and one young man dead (all adults). LBPD took three suspects (two teens, one adult) into custody.

Soon fliers began flying for the Feb. 23 Community Clean-Up, declaring: "Wrigley Taking Back Pine Ave...An Effort To Bring Peace To The Neighborhood."

Among participants distributing information: Dr. Lydia Hollie of LB's Youth & Gang Violence Prevention Task Force

LBPD Lt. Joe Levy (at right in photo) fields questions from Signal Tribune reporter Nick Diamantides.
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6th dist. Councilman Dee Andrews pitched in, along with LB School District candidate Rosa Diaz (center) and community advocate Jerlene Tatum (right in photo.

Wrigley Ass'n boardmember Andrew Scammon with long time Wrigely leader Alan Tolkoff.

Event coordinator P.G. Herman and Lt. Joe Levy (LBPD point person for the event) worked together for a month and a half. "The primary mission was to empower the residents to "take back" their steets, homes and property. This can only be done by building a strong relationship between residents and the police and by informing them of services available. We want the neighborhood to know that they are not alone...all 27 entities involved want to help improve the quality of life for the Pine Ave. inhabitants." Ms. Herman said.

Ms. Herman (center in photo) says former Deputy City Prosecutor James Young (left in photo) was "our true inspiration because of the extreme improvements he made on Henderson [Ave.]...We were all devastated when he left. He touched so many lives and did so much to help Wrigley, the Central District and the West Side..." At right in photo, LBPD Lt. Joe Levy.

Lillian Parker, a 6th district Council candidate in 2007, helped arrange for groceries that generously arrived...

...previously donated by Albertsons to the Central Neighborhood Advisory Committee.

Buono's Pizza, Tacos Don Chente, Pho America, El Paisano Market, El Rey Bakery and Starbucks were among the businesses donating food.

LBPD brought the grill and the grillers for a tsunami of hot dogs.

Wrigley Association treasurer/boardmember and Neighborhood Advisory Group member was a volunteer coordinator for the event. She's seen dispensing edible delights while 8th district Council office rep Linda Ivers supervises.

Adults and kids sampled Segway rides. Colleen McDonald, Wrigley Ass'n boardmember/secretary & NAG member takes a spin.

Event organizers say they had they at least 130 volunteers on sign-in sheets...with possibly more who pitched in but didn't sign in. Another indication of the crowd: all the food was consumed...including 400 hot dogs.

Ms. Herman says the event collected nine tons of garbage including couches and other large debris. She says she's begun scheduling another event in June "where we hope to do the block party on Locust and continue a clean-up of Pine and the surrounding area. We plan to continue these quarterly to sustain the effort."

As the clean-up ended and the block party began, people remarked to us that they hoped this banner's message -- Saving Lives -- would be one result of the day's efforts.