ASSEMBLY BACKS POLICE HOTLINE FOR GLENDALE'S ARMENIAN SPEAKERS.Byline: Yvette Cabrera Daily News Staff Writer As one of only two Armenian-speaking civilians within the Glendale Police Department, spokesman Chahe Keuroghelian's second title could very well be translator. ``Many times during the day I get calls transferred here from operations (dispatchers) or officers out in the field when they can't find an Armenian-speaking witness or officer,'' said Keuroghelian, a first-generation American of Armenian descent descent, in anthropology, method of classifying individuals in terms of their various kinship connections. Matrilineal and patrilineal descent refer to the mother's or father's sib (or other group), respectively. . But those calling police for oknutyun, or help, could find relief from the language barrier if the state Legislature A state legislature may refer to a legislative branch or body of a political subdivision in a federal system. The following legislatures exist in the following political subdivisions: 2. (messaging) Hotline - Hotline Connect. in Glendale with Armenian-speaking operators as part of a one-year pilot program. The bill, introduced by Assemblyman as·sem·bly·man n. A man who is a member of a legislative assembly. assemblyman Noun pl -men a member of a legislative assembly Noun 1. Scott Wildman Scott Wildman was a California State Assemblyman from 1996 until 2000. That year, he lost a State Senate primary to Dr. Jack Scott, an Assemblyman from a neighboring district. Wildman received 46.7% of the vote. , D-Glendale, was approved by the Assembly this week and now goes to the Senate. If approved and signed by the governor, the program could serve as model for other agencies statewide, Wildman said. ``I think this pilot program is very critical for the whole state of California,'' said Wildman, whose district encompasses the largest Armenian population outside of Armenia. In addition to the hotline, the one-year pilot program provides for a liaison to meet with Armenian residents and encourage crime victims to seek help. Glendale police and local Armenian community groups applauded the pilot program saying it has been long overdue OVERDUE. A bill, note, bond or other contract, for the payment of money at a particular day, when not paid upon the day, is overdue. 2. The indorsement of a note or bill overdue, is equivalent to drawing a new bill payable at sight. 2 Conn. 419; 18 Pick. . ``Anytime you have a situation where you have part of the community not being able to communicate with agencies . . . there is an urgency, a great need,'' said Vicken Papazian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee's local office. One of the contributing factors to the increase in crimes in Glendale's Armenian community is the lack of communication, said Papazian, whose public advocacy group promotes the rights of Armenians locally and abroad. ``They may be at times intimidated in·tim·i·date tr.v. in·tim·i·dat·ed, in·tim·i·dat·ing, in·tim·i·dates 1. To make timid; fill with fear. 2. To coerce or inhibit by or as if by threats. or afraid of approaching police and of apprising them of their concern. To break down those barriers is very important,'' he said. With 26 percent of Glendale's population Armenian and only four sworn officers fluent fluent /flu·ent/ (floo´int) flowing effortlessly; said of speech. in Armenian, the Glendale Police Department also welcomed the pilot program. ``Every time you see government assisting in promoting your plan to have safer streets and a safer community, it's exciting,'' said police spokesman Keuroghelian. It was the December 1996 extortion-related shooting deaths of two men in a Glendale store that prompted Keuroghelian to meet with Wildman to discuss the pilot program. If approved by the Senate, the $150,000 program will be evaluated after one year by the Department of Justice and if successful will then be expanded and replicated throughout the state, said Wildman. |
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