BURBANK'S CHIEF OF POLICE WILL RETIRE; ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE ABATING GANG ACTIVITY.Byline: Lee Condon Condon is a surname that originated in Ireland. The name is derived from a French surname de Caunteton, which came to Ireland with Norman settlers in the 12th century AD. In Irish the surname is Condún. Staff Writer Burbank Police Chief David P. Newsham announced Monday that he will retire at the end of the year. ``After much thought and consideration, I have decided that both from a personal and organizational point of view this is the right time,'' said Newsham, who has served as chief since 1991. Besides running the department, Newsham oversaw o·ver·saw v. Past tense of oversee. completion of its new headquarters building. Last year the police and fire departments moved into a new public safety building downtown. ``He's going to be sorely sore·ly adv. 1. Painfully; grievously. 2. Extremely; greatly: Their skills were sorely needed. missed in this city,'' said Burbank Mayor Stacey Murphy. ``He's just very down to earth and in control. He's everything a police chief should be.'' Murphy said Newsham's greatest contribution to Burbank has been ``keeping the gang problem under control.'' ``It's something he has stayed on top of. He made sure he was implementing every program he could,'' Murphy said. Newsham said that when he started as chief in 1991, the city's Elmwood area was experiencing gang problems. The department obtained gang abatement A reduction, a decrease, or a diminution. The suspension or cessation, in whole or in part, of a continuing charge, such as rent. With respect to estates, an abatement is a proportional diminution or reduction of the monetary legacies, a disposition of property by will, when orders that made it illegal for certain gang members to associate with one another. The department also worked with other city departments to correct substandard substandard, adj below an acceptable level of performance. housing and code enforcement Code Enforcement is the act of enforcing a set of s, principles, or laws (especially written ones) and insuring observance of a system of norms or customs. An authority usually enforces a civil code, a set of rules, or a body of laws and compel those subject to their authority to violations in the area. ``Now the problem down there is gone,'' Newsham said. His proudest accomplishments involve instituting training programs for officers, getting the best equipment available for officers, technological advancements for the department and the new headquarters. Newsham, 56, joined the department in 1991 as a volunteer reserve officer. At the time he was working at Lockheed as a technician See PC technician and software technician. , but he enjoyed working with the Police Department. ``I couldn't wait to come in on Friday nights so I could do this for free,'' Newsham said. Deciding to switch careers, Newsham joined the department as a full-time employee in 1972. Burbank City Manager Robert ``Bud'' Ovrom will be charged with hiring Newsham's replacement. ``He's been a great chief. It's going to be a real loss for us,'' Ovrom said. ``He's very highly regarded within the department and the community.'' Since it will be almost six months before Newsham retires, Ovrom said there will be plenty of time to find a new chief. He expects to come up with a selection strategy by the end of the month. Ovrom has to decide whether to embark on Verb 1. embark on - get off the ground; "Who started this company?"; "We embarked on an exciting enterprise"; "I start my day with a good breakfast"; "We began the new semester"; "The afternoon session begins at 4 PM"; "The blood shed started when the partisans a nationwide search or to recruit within the department or the region. Newsham was picked in a nationwide search. While he will have no role in selecting a replacement, Newsham said he hopes he is succeeded by someone on the force. ``I think we have some outstanding candidates within the department,'' Newsham said. ``I don't think any of the people outside can outshine out·shine v. out·shone , out·shin·ing, out·shines v.tr. 1. a. To shine brighter than. b. To be more beautiful, splendid, or flamboyant than. 2. the people we have here.'' |
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