Domestic Violence

400 block of East Valencia Avenue A 42-year-old man was arrested April 11 on suspicion of domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon. Tulare Avenue and North Naomi Street A 23-year-old man was arrested April 10 on suspicion of possession of methamphetamines and for outstanding warrants for possession of methamphetamines. 1900 block of West Olive Avenue A 50-year-old man was arrested April 12 on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and possession of an opium pipe or other paraphernalia.

Jenna Bordelon BURBANK -- Arresting Mohammad Akhyari was not enough to keep him away from his wife. After his arrest Dec. 30 on suspicion of grabbing and shoving his wife of eight months, the 45-year-old Akhyari phoned her later that same day and threatened her life, police said. He allegedly told her that he would kill her if she didn't move out. Akhyari was arrested a second time on suspicion of making terrorist threats. Police said the couple had been arguing at the time about Akhyari's family living in their house.

Joseph L. Valento This is in response to the editorial, "Crime report reveals some arresting news" (April 5). In your editorial you indicate an alarming increase in the number of violent crimes committed in Burbank during 1999. The article correctly attributes the rise to the number of aggravated assaults reported during 1999 when compared to those committed in 1998. The crime category "aggravated assault" is defined as "the unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury ..."

Kudos to Joyce Rudolph for the informative article on the Family Service Agency of Burbank (“Agency is there for those who need it,” Oct. 3). Family Service Agency was founded 60 years ago at the behest of the Burbank School District's psychologist, Dr. Elta Pfister, and the then superintendent of schools, to provide counseling for students at no cost/low cost. Through the years, as the needs were recognized, the agency has expanded its services to not only provide counseling in all of the Burbank schools, but also many other community needs, i.e., domestic violence counseling, for victims and court ordered perpetrators, a shelter for families of domestic violence abuse, senior citizen counseling, and individual counseling.

Kudos to the Burbank Police Department for taking female-on-male domestic violence seriously and the Burbank Leader for printing this story ("Woman arrested for beating her boyfriend," May 19). I hope Burbank PD would have still arrested her, even if she hadn't admitted to making a false report, according to police. Many people are unaware that domestic violence is initiated equally by men and women, yet the funding of shelters is almost exclusively for women.

Todd Campbell urges patience after allegations that he is under investigation for domestic violence.BURBANK -- Burbank City Councilman Todd Campbell urged patience in the "process" Tuesday regarding accusations that he is under investigation for physically abusing his girlfriend. Campbell responded from the dais after three residents remarked during oral communications at the City Council meeting that Campbell was under investigation for an incident of domestic violence. "I have not seen these allegations," he said.

Lolita Harper NORTHWEST DISTRICT -- A Burbank Police officer, who allegedly shot a Burbank family's pet dog Friday night, was arrested Sunday in an unrelated incident on suspicion of disorderly conduct at a concert, police said. Burbank Police Officer Anthony Valento, 30, was described as belligerent and unable to care for his own safety due to alcohol consumption while attending a pop-punk concert by Offspring at the Universal Amphitheater, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Carl Deeley said.

Jenna Bordelon BURBANK -- A jump in aggravated assaults led to a marked increase in violent crimes committed in Burbank during the first half of the year, according to new crime statistics released by the police department. The statistics encompass reported crimes from January through July and are compiled on a monthly basis. When compared to the same time period in 1999, violent crimes rose 30%. Overall crime rose 11%. Police said a rise in reported domestic assaults was one of the reasons for the increase, a factor they attributed to greater awareness and enforcement.

organs Candles glowed and carolers sang at the recent Le Bal de Nöel dinner dance gala of the Burbank Chapter of National Charity League. A well-decorated Oakmont Country Club in Glendale was the setting for this year's fundraiser, going on its 47th year, where everyone attending enjoyed a lovely holiday party while they raised funds for local charities. Guests at the Bal were greeted by co-chairwomen, Valerie Nelson and Pam Stumbaugh, both of Glendale. President Nancy Korb introduced special guests, including Barbara Howell, executive director of Burbank Temporary Aid Center.

Ryan Carter BURBANK -- The Burbank Police Department's Community Class still has a few openings for students in its upcoming session. The academy will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays beginning March 14 through June 6 at the Police and Fire Headquarters, 200 N. Third Street. The goal is to help citizens develop a better understanding of police operations. In its last session, topics included officer recruitment, evidence collection and combating gang and domestic violence.

Kudos to Joyce Rudolph for the informative article on the Family Service Agency of Burbank (“Agency is there for those who need it,” Oct. 3). Family Service Agency was founded 60 years ago at the behest of the Burbank School District's psychologist, Dr. Elta Pfister, and the then superintendent of schools, to provide counseling for students at no cost/low cost. Through the years, as the needs were recognized, the agency has expanded its services to not only provide counseling in all of the Burbank schools, but also many other community needs, i.e., domestic violence counseling, for victims and court ordered perpetrators, a shelter for families of domestic violence abuse, senior citizen counseling, and individual counseling.

400 block of East Valencia Avenue A 42-year-old man was arrested April 11 on suspicion of domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon. Tulare Avenue and North Naomi Street A 23-year-old man was arrested April 10 on suspicion of possession of methamphetamines and for outstanding warrants for possession of methamphetamines. 1900 block of West Olive Avenue A 50-year-old man was arrested April 12 on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and possession of an opium pipe or other paraphernalia.

WEST BURBANK — A 50-year-old man was charged this week with growing marijuana and possession of methamphetamine after officers arrived at the family home to arrest his son on a domestic violence warrant, authorities said. Officers arrived at the home in the 1100 block of N. Reese Place about 9:40 p.m. Tuesday to arrest Shane Reynolds, 22, for an outstanding felony warrant for domestic violence. Authorities said that his on-again, off-again girlfriend contacted police this week to report that Reynolds allegedly punched her in the back of the head March 14. He pleaded not guilty Thursday to felony charges of corporal injury to a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant or parent, and cultivating marijuana.

WEST BURBANK — A 50-year-old man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of growing marijuana and possession of methamphetamine after officers arrived at the family home to arrest his son on a domestic violence warrant, authorities said. Officers arrived at the home in the 1100 block of N. Reese Place about 9:40 p.m. Tuesday to arrest Shane Reynolds, 22, for an outstanding felony warrant for domestic violence. Authorities said that his on-again, off-again girlfriend contacted police this week to report that Shane Reynolds allegedly punched her in the back of the head on March 14. As officers were arresting Shane Reynolds in front of his father, they discovered four marijuana plants, growing lights and other cultivation materials in the bedroom, Burbank Police Sgt. Robert Quesada said.

Burbank’s Theatre Banshee kicks off the new year in fine style with the U.S. premiere of “The Kings of the Kilburn High Road.” Playwright Jimmy Murphy’s internationally acclaimed script is a roller-coaster ride of emotions as five Irishmen gather in a seedy London pub for a friend’s wake. Overseeing this presentation, crackling with intensity as the relationships between these characters unfold, is Banshee co-founder Sean Branney. His attention to detail is most evident in the conversational tone found in Murphy’s script.

BURBANK ? The Board of Education on Thursday approved a proposal from an outreach organization that caters to teens to provide services to students at Burbank High School. Thanks to a $50,000 federal grant, We Care for Youth, a Burbank-based nonprofit organization that serves area teens, will provide outreach services to students dealing with issues related to drugs and alcohol, peer pressure and domestic violence. "I see this as becoming a forum for students to discuss their wants and dreams," said Burbank High Principal Bruce Osgood.

Todd Campbell urges patience after allegations that he is under investigation for domestic violence.BURBANK -- Burbank City Councilman Todd Campbell urged patience in the "process" Tuesday regarding accusations that he is under investigation for physically abusing his girlfriend. Campbell responded from the dais after three residents remarked during oral communications at the City Council meeting that Campbell was under investigation for an incident of domestic violence. "I have not seen these allegations," he said.

organs Candles glowed and carolers sang at the recent Le Bal de Nöel dinner dance gala of the Burbank Chapter of National Charity League. A well-decorated Oakmont Country Club in Glendale was the setting for this year's fundraiser, going on its 47th year, where everyone attending enjoyed a lovely holiday party while they raised funds for local charities. Guests at the Bal were greeted by co-chairwomen, Valerie Nelson and Pam Stumbaugh, both of Glendale. President Nancy Korb introduced special guests, including Barbara Howell, executive director of Burbank Temporary Aid Center.