Child Endangerment

Mark R. Madler Councilwoman Stacey Murphy visited a quiet residential neighborhood near Alameda and Olive avenues in January to meet with residents opposed to a mixed-use development proposed to be built nearby. Now that same neighborhood is abuzz with talk of Murphy's arrest last week on charges of cocaine possession and child endangerment. "They don't know what to think," resident Rolf Darbo said of his neighbors. "This all came out of the blue."

A 62-year-old Burbank woman was arrested this week after allegedly striking her 2-year-old grandson in the face with a sandal and causing the youngster's nose to bleed, police said. Almas Baronian was pushing the boy in a stroller through McCambridge Park, on Tuesday when she became irritated with the child and allegedly hit him, police said. A 51-year-old Thousand Oaks man who witnessed the incident reported it to police and made a citizen's arrest.

Karen S. Kim and Ryan Carter GLENDALE -- A North Hollywood woman was being held on $50,000 bail Friday after she allegedly led police on an hourlong pursuit that led authorities through Burbank, Glendale and La Verne, ending with her arrest in Monrovia Thursday night. Michelle Calderon, 34, was under the influence of PCP when Burbank Police responded to reports that she was allegedly driving with an infant leaning out the window and had been involved in two hit-and-run accidents, Burbank Police Lt. Kevin Krafft said.

ELECTION RESULTS The council unanimously approved the results of the Jan. 24 municipal elections. The results of the election left David Gordon, a local optometrist and member of the Planning Board, as the victor. The city council seat was made available following the resignation of former City Council member Stacey Murphy after she was charged with felony cocaine possession and misdemeanor child endangerment. WHAT IT MEANS David Gordon will assume Murphy's seat, serving the remainder of her term, which ends on April 30, 2009.

Police arrested a Burbank man on Tuesday who they say burglarized a parked car by smashing its window with a brick in broad daylight — all while pushing his 2-year-old son in a stroller. Frederic Strobel, 31, was pushing his son in a stroller at about 3:50 p.m. along the 2600 block of Wyoming Avenue when he allegedly smashed the window to steal a portable global satellite positioning device and CDs. Police say after he got what he wanted, Strobel continued to push the stroller and go on his way. Officers located Strobel near the intersection of North Naomi Street and Jeffries Avenue, Burbank police Sgt. Robert Quesada said.

DOWNTOWN — A 32-year-old Burbank man was arrested late Thursday on suspicion of child endangerment after authorities found his 2-year-old girl wandering the sidewalk at Orange Grove Avenue and Sixth Street. Ricardo Garcia was arrested after telling officers that he was unaware his 2-year-old daughter was roaming the streets unsupervised. Officers were called to the area about 12:30 p.m. Thursday after a letter carrier found the girl, Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn said. Patrol officers walked the child around the area hoping to find her parents before taking her to police headquarters and contacting the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.

LOS ANGELES — A guilty verdict Wednesday for nine members and accomplices of a San Fernando Valley street gang brought to 36 the total number of convictions in a massive police crackdown sparked by the shooting death of Burbank Police Officer Matthew Pavelka. In Wednesday's verdict, a U.S. District Court jury found nine men associated with the Vineland Boyz street gang guilty of a variety of federal narcotics, weapons and violent crime offenses, U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Thom Mrozek said.

Nicole Richie arrested for alleged DUI Reality TV star Nicole Richie was arrested in Burbank Monday on suspicion of driving under the influence, Glendale Police said. California Highway Patrol officers arrested the 25-year-old star of FOX's "The Simple Life" at about 1:45 a.m. She was booked at Glendale Jail and released at about 7 a.m. Monday, Glendale Police Officer John Balian said. Richie was allegedly driving the wrong way in the carpool lane on the westbound Ventura (134)

The following were taken from daily booking reports from the Glendale Police Department. AREA 1 North Central Avenue and West Lexington Drive Cynthia Alvarado, 31, was arrested April 11 on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and child endangerment. East Colorado Street and Langley Street Richard Hedberg, 44, was arrested April 11 on outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court or pay a fine and for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Cheers to City Councilman-elect David Gordon for his win in Burbank's Jan. 24 special election. And kudos to the unsuccessful candidates -- Amy Lawrence, Bill Wiggins, Michael Dontanville and Vahe Hovanessian -- for their efforts to make Burbank a better place. The election represented a chance for a fresh, positive start in the wake of a year of scandal that hobbled the city, and we hope Gordon -- a newcomer in elective politics -- can help make that prospect a reality, along with his colleagues on the council.