Speeding, theft from cars and the homeless were among the subjects raised Tuesday morning, Feb. 12, when Seal Beach’s new Police Chief Joe Stilinovich and District One Councilwoman Ellery Deaton met with residents at Javatinis on Main Street.
“Enforcement is really a secondary tool,” Stilinovich said in response to comments about reducing speeding.
He said he prefers to educate people first.
“I want everyone to succeed,” he said.
As to the homeless, Stilinovich said Seal Beach Police could help one person at a time.
“It is not a crime to be homeless,” he said. Stilinovich repeated a story that he mentioned in a recent letter to the Sun about an officer who helped a homeless man who wanted a job.
Stilinovich said he also wanted to reduce theft from cars, which is the most frequent property crime in Seal Beach. He said all part one crimes—burglary, robbery, homicide, rape and larceny—are down 6 percent.
Deaton responded to questions about the departure of Ruby’s Diner from the Seal Beach Pier. Old Town resident Roger Gialliam said half the people he spoke with blamed the city for the restaurant’s departure.
Deaton said Ruby’s corporate decided not to extend the lease. She said the restaurant was supposed to install an outdoor dining area and indoor restrooms, neither of which was done.
Deaton said Art Haack, the Ruby’s general manager who wanted to become a franchisee, was unwilling to take responsibility for making the improvements that Ruby’s corporate had not made to the site.
As for the 150 percent rent increase that Ruby’s paid when the lease expired, the contract between the city and Ruby’s said that if they went month-to-month, then the rent would increase.
