The Weekly Newspaper of Torrance Herald Publications - Torrance, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Lawndale, & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 6, No. 20 - May 12, 2016 Inside This Issue Certified & Licensed Professionals.....................12 Classifieds............................4 Crossword/Sudoku.............4 Elections...............................9 Film Review..........................2 Legals............................ 10,11 Real Estate...................14-16 Sports....................................5 TerriAnn in Torrance..........8 Weekend Forecast El Camino Beach Volleyball Season Comes to an End The El Camino beach volleyball team finished the season 16-2 overall (15-1 in the regular season, 1-1 in the post season). Four pairs advanced to the state tournament. Photo by Jorge Villa. • Council Approves Use of Asset Forfeiture Funds To Purchase SWAT Protective Gear By Cristian Vasquez A recommendation by Torrance Chief of Police Mark A. Matsuda to use $92,260.48 in asset forfeiture funds was approved by the city council for the purchase of personal protective equipment for the department’s Special Weapons and Tactics [SWAT] and the Tactical Emergency Medical Support [TEMS] personnel. The approved purchase order will be with Aardvark Tactical Corporation and will include the purchase of ballistic entry vests as well as hard armor plates, which are standard equipment in the industry to help mitigate risks that accompany the performance of SWAT operations. “SWAT officers and TEMS medics operate in high-risks environments with an increased risk for armed confrontation,” states the staff report signed by Chief Matsuda. “Their operations and mission require specialized equipment.” Armored plates and ballistic entry vests used by the Police Department’s SWAT Team have a service life of five years and they are set to expire in June. In addition, manufacturers do not provide a warranty beyond the fiveyear period and “recommends that the vets/ plates not be worn” beyond the expiration date established. “Staff has identified the Aardvark Project 7 Tactical Armor Carrier System level IIIA vest and Level III+ armor plates to provide appropriate protection congruent with current industry standards,” states the staff report. “Aardvark staff recently provided an on-site demonstration during a SWAT training day, at which time team members were able to evaluate the product.” The vests were described in the staff report as providing superior protection while not restricting mobility and function in the officers. Also noted by the team was a reduction in the system’s weight, ideal fit and improved design. SWAT supervisors and team members were in contact with other SWAT teams that use the same system, such as the Long Beach, Beverly Hills and Redondo Beach Police Departments. “Also, at the request of the Fire Department, the SWAT team recently added three Fire Department paramedics to the current cadre of six (now a total of nine), as the Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) medics,” states the staff report. “TEMS personnel require the same ballistic protection equipment making the total need 25 ballistic vests and 50 armored plates.” Aardvark Tactical Corporation is the only provider that can deliver all Project 7 Armor products, as it is a brand owned by the company. “Aardvark is a reputable company among law enforcement agencies,” states the staff report. “Vendor reliability is crucial due to the nature of this life-saving device; the need to guarantee workmanship and quality; the need to custom fit each vest; and to ensure that no product substitutions are made.” Funding for the purchase order is available in the Department of Justice [DOJ] Unap- See City Council, page 11 Local Businesses Host Carnival, Food Drive To Fight Hunger By Cristian Vasquez Face painting, music, games, raffle prices and the opportunity to help feed children in need were all part of the past Saturday’s Hunger Hero Carnival & Food Drive. Hosted by KiDZ Resale Boutique and Community’s Child, the carnival was an opportunity for the community to donate nonperishable food items such as brown rice, canned pasta sauce, canned tuna or chicken, whole grain cereal, dry or canned beans, granola bars, raisins and nuts, peanut butter, whole wheat pasta, fruit cups and apple sauce, among other items. The food items collected will be used to create healthy food bags that will be delivered to local schools by Community’s Child. “It’s the first time that we have done a carnival for Community’s Child but we have done food drives,” Owner of KiDZ Resale Boutique Carol Fisher said. “Last month, for instance we did a peanut butter drive where customers could bring in jars of peanut butter; we just donated forty or fifty jars of peanut butter to Community’s Child last month. We are trying to do something every month for them because it is a great organization.” Fisher, who bought the Torrance-based boutique 11 years ago, recently rebranded her business and became independent which provided her a chance to pull away from the franchise. See Local Businesses, page 12 Friday Sunny 71˚/58˚ Saturday Partly Cloudy 68˚/59˚ Sunday AM Clouds/ PM Sun 70˚/59˚
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