Hispanic engineer, astronaut a product of rare ambition ---  

On July 21, the U.S.S. Hornet in Alameda commemorated the 43rd anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing. A highlight of the commemoration event aboard the historic aircraft carrier was an unveiling of a special exhibit featuring former astronaut Jose M. Hernandez, who addressed the attending crowd before joining a meet and greet session.

In early June, Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan announced a significant reduction in crime during the previous 30 days. Citywide, -Burglaries were down 20%, -Robberies were down 24%, -Property Crimes were down 18% and -Violent Crimes were down 14%.

Chief Jordan attributed the reduction to enhanced community involvement, implementing additional resources and crime strategies, and partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. An example of the Oakland Police Department’s partnerships is Project Gideon III, a law enforcement initiative involving federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents and their collaboration with OPD officers.