Canada Provides Public Education on the Need to Clean Reusable Bags.. So Should Long Beach. We Need to Practice Safe Sacks!

Canada provides public education on the need to clean reusable bags between uses to prevent the transmission of bacteria. A simple public education video explains why users need to practice "Safe Sacks."

Schipske to Ask Health Department to Provide Educational Program on Reusable Bags

Reusable shopping bags (Photo credit: Luca Penati)

Reusable Bag 3 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is asking for a report from the City Public Health Officer concerning educational efforts by the Health Department to inform grocers and their customers about the need to clean reusable bags that may be the source of bacteria. An agenda item asking for the report will be heard in early March.

“The City enacted an ordinance banning plastic bags at stores as a way of encouraging the use of reusable bags,” says Schipske who is a Registered Nurse Practitioner.  “Recent studies indicate that the reusable bags may be the source of E.Coli and other bacteria which cause serious illness and infection, if the bags are not washed and disinfected between uses. Additionally, after carrying meat, poultry and other items, customers apparently are often returning their bags to the trunks of their cars where increased temperatures can speed the growth of bacteria from these fluids. Some customers use their bags to also carry clothing and shoes which adds to the transmission of bacteria.”

Schipske feels that as with any public health matter, “it is critical that we inform, educate and empower residents about health issues in our community. It is important that our Public Health Department provide information through the stores about the need for proper cleaning and disinfecting of reusable bags in between uses.”

Schipske notes that the Loma Linda University School of Public Health (after finding 12% of the reusable bags they sampled at grocery stores positive for Escherichia coli) recommended that the “public needs to be educated about the proper care of reusable bags by printed instructions on the bags or through public service announcements.” (An example of a brief public information video can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsw-ErFM2lc

Although she opposed the banning of plastic bags and would have preferred an aggressive recycling program, Councilwoman Schipske believes that if the City wants to continue to make this environment effort successful, “it is important that, through our own Public Health Department, we add this educational component to keep our residents safe.”

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Schipske Calls for Rule Preventing Use of City Seal for Personal or Political Uses

Can political candidates use the official seal of the City of Long Beach on their printed materials, Facebook and campaign websites? In most cities use of the city seal for personal or political purposes is illegal. But apparently that’s not the case in Long Beach, which is why Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is asking for an ordinance to prohibit these uses of the City seal.

“The City seal and logo are the property of the City of Long Beach and are designated to identify official City business, facilities, events, and publications,” says Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske. 

“Long Beach does not currently have code specifying allowable and prohibited uses of the City seal and logo. Therefore, there is no mechanism to prevent unauthorized use that could lead to public misperception that an event, candidate, endorsement, or position is officially sanctioned by the City.”

The Fifth District Councilwoman also notes that with more and more elected officials setting up personal websites and Facebook pages that are not official city sites, use of a City seal and logo give an impression that they are official and their contents approved by the City.

“As we enter campaign season it is important to have clear rules so that we don’t again see the City of Long Beach official seal on a webpage soliciting contributions for a Congressional political candidate,” Schipske points out.

Schipske adds that many cities have enacted ordinances controlling the use of the official seal and logo because of concern that allowing it would constitute a “gift of public property,”  noting that if there is a determination that no public purpose was advanced by such use of City property, an illegal gift of public funds could result.  Although the courts have liberally interpreted the definition of a public purpose, it would be difficult for the City to justify the allowance of such use, especially if the City limited such use to particular parties or individuals.

“Without an ordinance detailing the allowed and prohibited uses of the City Seal, it is difficult for the City to enforce its rights.”

Note: The first city seal was designed in the early 1900s and consisted of a ship sailing along the coast of Long Beach. In 1930, a contest was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce with a prize of $150. The winning design selected was drawn by an employee in the City engineer’s office, Roland S. Gielow. Gielow’s design included what were then considered to be symbols which best represented Long Beach. Most of Gielow’s design was officially adopted on September 23, 1930. The 4 stars signifying Long Beach as the state’s 4th largest city and the Edison plant smoke stacks were removed. The rest remain: “Urbs Amicitiae” (Friendly City); airplane; port, oil derrick and Edison plant; a long beach; the municipal auditorium and rainbow lagoon; “Queen of the Beaches,” California bear, horn of plenty and a lamp and book (to symbolize the city’s cultural side). 

Updates from Long Beach Police

Shooting of Armed Suspect Who Fled Burglary in Redondo Beach and Ended in Eastside Long Beach  The following was released by the Long Beach Police Department: [Release text] On Thursday, February 21, 2013, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Long Beach Police patrol officers were in pursuit of a felony suspect in the 6400 block of E. Keynote Street when they were involved in an officer involved shooting. Below are details of the incident as they occurred: English: Photograph of a California Highway Patrol badge. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Long Beach Police Department (California) (Photo credit: Wikipedia) shortly before 1:00 a.m., the Long Beach Police Department was notified of a stolen vehicle pursuit involving the California Highway Patrol (CHP)  CHP lost sight of the vehicle shortly after it exited the 405 Freeway at Studebaker Road Long Beach police officers located the vehicle in the area and a pursuit was initiated the suspect vehicle crashed into a vacant residence in the 6400 block of E. Keynote Street the suspect driver armed himself with a handgun, began firing multiple rounds, and an officer involved shooting occurred the suspect was pronounced deceased at scene no officers were injured in this incident and the investigation is ongoing the suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Christopher Taylor from Maryland The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is conducting an independent investigation of the shooting, as they do with all officer involved shootings that occur in Los Angeles County that result in injury or death. Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Mark McGuire or Roger Zottneck at (562) 570-7244. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.

Residents Encouraged to Be Aware of Utility Worker Scam The Long Beach Police Department is alerting residents about recent reports of persons falsely representing themselves as utility workers as a ruse to commit burglary. In this scam, the bogus workers are apparently targeting homes to burglarize when no one is expected to be home, or working as a team to distract the occupant and burglarize the home. The following information is provided to allow residents to confirm that they are interacting with Long Beach City employees: Utility employees are identifiable by their uniform and are required, upon request, to show a City-issued identification card Customer contact is made either in person by a uniformed employee or through a form that is left in a prominent location on the property - The form provides a contact number to inquire about the work scheduled or to reschedule the work at a more convenient time If residents have any doubt, they are encouraged to call the appropriate department to verify the legitimacy of the employee Long Beach Gas and Oil - (562) 570-2140 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Long Beach Water Department - (562) 570-2300 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Residents are advised to keep gates to backyards locked and secure at all times and to immediately report suspicious activity, including loiterers, to the Long Beach Police Department by calling 9-1-1 with a suspect description.