Brea Police Department to wear badges commemorating city centennial
Brea Police Department Officers will be wearing a commemorative centennial badge in 2017, similar to the historic constable shield style shown. Collage photo courtesy of Brea Historical Society
"I don't know where the original historic badge is. I haven't seen it myself," said Brea's historian Officer Celmer. The image of the nostalgic badge has been used in various departmental printing such as their annual report (shown in the bottom photo.)
Everyone in town is getting geared up for our centennial year in 2017 including Brea Police Officers, who be sporting a full size constable shield badge. In the place of CAL will be the City of Brea seal. 1917 will be on the left side and 2017 on the right, marking 100 years, along with a rank and ID number on the bottom.
The Brea PD's centennial badge will surely be a special one as its style will be similar to the Deputy Constable Brea Township Badge back in the day.
Ode to the days of Brea Police Posse
Giddy up! Born in the Old West, let's take a trot down Brea Pd's memory lane!
Shown are Brea police posse badges, collectible and rare. Courtesy of Brea PD historian, Officer Celmer
Founded in 1956 with eight members, the City of Brea had a police posse comprised of academy volunteers. The members were deputized if necessary, 21 years or older, possessed a horse and a trailer, and were either residents of Brea or neighboring cities.
These men were dedicated to serve undergoing a rigid screening process by the governing board, after receiving approval from the police department.
They possessed the utmost horsemanship and marksmanship skills, purchasing their own uniforms and gear to get the job done. The members were skilled in first aid and required to respond 24/7 if needed.
Separately charted and self-governed, the group worked closely with the Brea PD in coordinating functions such as search and rescue and assisting with traffic problems. They partook in monthly meetings and three shoots a year. Among other activities, they participated in the City of Brea 4th of July parades. And held social ride get-togethers once a month.
But it wasn't always pleasant as these posse riders were ready for alarming situations such as in 1968, when Officer Nelson Sasscer, a Santa Ana police officer was killed while stopping a motorist. Posse members were summoned to assist in searching the canyons for the suspect's car, which went out of control when the driver abruptly exited while being chased by Brea Police Officer, Jim Smith.
According to Brea PD Officer Jason Celmer, police historian, the Posse ceased being an active element at the PD in the late 70's/early 80's.
Three photos of Police Posse member, Shannon Barnes, were sent to Officer Celmer from Shannon's daughter-in-law Cecelia along with the News Tribune article titled, "Police Posse Seeks Members." Courtesy of Brea PD historian, Officer Celmer
Celmer is reaching out and asking anyone who has any items related to the history of Brea PD in their possession, and would like to donate them, to please contact him via email at JasonC@ci.brea.ca.us. Celmer notes: of particular interest related to this article would be the Badge, and the Brea PD horse blanket that is just barely visible beneath Shannon's saddle in the close up photo.
Taylor, Dave "Police Posse Seeks Members" News Tribune September 1972
Brea PD Historian, Officer Celmer, to share historical collection with BBON
Who knew Brea has a police historian? Officer Jason Celmer, the historian for Brea PD, preceded Officer Dennis Gray when he retired.
Many of you longtime residents of Brea may know Jason Celmer, as his family has been residing in the city for many decades. Celmer attended Montessori of Brea, followed by Arovisita Elemenary School, Brea Junior High, and Brea Olinda High School, graduating in 1993. BOHS Class of 1993 was the first class to complete all four years at the new high school located on Wildcat Way, said Celmer.
Can you find Officer Jason Celmer? In the picture dating back to February 17, 1996, Celmer poses along with fellow Brea PD Tac Team. Courtesy of Jason Celmer.
While talking to Celmer at the police station in his office, he was taking down memory lane reminiscing about orange groves, old Brea Downtown with one lane in each direction, and the unique downtown Chinese themed Red Lantern Theater, which opened in 1922 and closed in the 1970's.
In his early teens, his longtime career with the city began 27 years ago working as a basketball coach in the community services division at the age of 15 1/2 years old. Current Assistant City Manager, Chris Emeterio, who is also a longtime Brean, hired him. Nineteen of those years, he has served as a Brea PD officer, hired in January of 1997.
"I've been self-described a history geek my entire life." chuckled Celmer. I especially enjoy touching history and going places and seeing things where I can lay my hands on it and be in the places,'' he said.
His predecessor, former Officer Gray, who lives nearby in Fullerton, often connect regarding police memorabilia. Way back then, Gray started writing history for the Brea PD, storing a lot of information. His history flyers are still given out, though not up-to-date, because his collection of history stopped in 2001-2002 when Gray retired, according to Celmer. "Everything that I have been trying to save for the last 10 or 15 years are things that he collected and essentially left to me, as being the local person who was interested in history," replied Celmer.
Celmer became the go-to person taking over Gray's presentations in the citizen's academy for the department of history. He receives emails containing historical information; people drop things off at the front desk such as a retiree's 1960's badge, from the family of Chief Atkins. He also works with organizations such as the Brea Historical Society when they contact him.
Bin of Brea PD police memorabilia. Courtesy Jason Celmer.
Something's are unidentifiable. On top of the memorabilia pile seen in his office, lays a wood frame of an unknown officer posed in front of a house. Celmer said, "Nobody on staff knows who is it." There is not a description on the photograph, but he and his fellow officers figure it can be traced back to the 1940's.
Celmer is very busy. He is the president of Brea PD Association and also the department's liaison for the Brea PD Alumni, which he refers to as the "Old Fogies," saying some of them don't mind the title.
Although he wears many hats, he still manages his time well and is trying his best to carry the torch in preserving Brea PD's rich history.
A fun spirited person, it will be an honor and joy working with Officer Celmer in sharing our police department's history--as we celebrate 100 years in 2017!
Mother's Market Brea to Celebrate 5-year Anniversary
We Love Brea Businesses anniversary milestone parties!
Put another candle on the birthday cake -- as Mother's Market & Kitchen's Brea store located at 413 S. Associated Rd. will be celebrating its 5th year anniversary this Saturday, September 17 from 10a.m.-1p.m.
There will be FREE samples from Mother's popular juice bar and deli will be served in addition to a celebration cake from their bakery! Several vendors will be on hand offering samples of the latest products as well.
There will also be a drawing for giveaways, including various gift baskets and Mother's gift cards.
Free admission—Lots of Fun!!
Brea Kiwanis Club's back-to-school shopping gets an A
I love shoes and remember going shoe shopping with my mom and begging to wear the new pair home.
I liked nothing better than seeing my old shoes placed in the box and looking down at the new pair on my feet. Pure joy for a 9-year-old.
But there are kids in our community who don't often have brand new pair of shoes, nor many clothes that are not hand-me-downs or thrift store bargains. No joy in that.
But joy comes to the kids who are chosen by their school principals to partake in the Brea Kiwanis' annual back-to-school shopping trip at JC Penney in the Brea Mall.
Since 1998, the Brea Kiwanis Club has partnered with JC Penney ll to offer a special Saturday morning back to school shopping trip. Last year, Soroptimist of Brea/La Habra, of which I am a member, also donated funds and volunteers to help shop, as did Placentia Kiwanians. We all shopped for 64 children.
This year, through funds raised by the Kiwanis, Soroptimist, Brea Citizens Bank and La Floresta/Chevron, about 70 children are receiving new clothes and shoes.
The parents are not allowed into the store, but there is seating for them in the lower level parking structure. JC Penney even provides coffee and doughnuts.
Prior to the big shopping day, the children are given a letter for their parents explaining the program, a list to be filled out regarding sizes and colors for the child. Clothing bought can only be exchanged in the child's size, not refunded.
Each child will have a shopper from the Kiwanis or Soroptimist or the Kiwanis' Brea Olinda High Key Club, who will shop the children's department with them and have $100 per child to spend.
I was a shopper last year and shopped with two different children. First was a 9-year old boy who headed first for the $75 famous name shoes. I guided him away from them and to the jeans, shirts and socks, where our $100 could go farther. He picked out some clothes he liked and Mom would approve of, and then we headed to the sale shoes where he found famous name shoes within our budget that fit and he loved. We had enough left over for new undies and pajamas too. Of course, if JC Penney had not put nearly everything in the children's departments on sale, that $100 would not have gone as far.
Not only will lots of cool clothes be on sale, but the JC Penney's staff work on their own time, and many of them prior to their regular Saturday shift. "Penney's staff raise money themselves and donate to us to help more children," said Dean Hall, Brea Kiwanis president, "this year they raised $500 for five children."
Next Sept. 10 will be another Kiwanis' back to school shopping morning at JC Penney. I can't wait.
Full STEAM ahead: Brea district's first magnet school nearly ready to open
By Principal Heather Bojorquez of Laurel Elementary Magnet School of Innovation and Career Exploration
Laurel Elementary gets a little TLC over the summer. Photo via Laurel Leopards Instagram account.
Big things continue to happen in Brea and I couldn't be happier to write about the opening of Brea Olinda Unified School District's very first magnet school this fall. For nearly 95 years, Laurel School has been providing elementary education to students in Brea and this summer it is currently undergoing a an exciting transformation! This August, Laurel will reopen its doors as The Laurel Elementary Magnet School of Innovation and Career Exploration (I.C.E.).
A magnet school is a public school with specialized courses or curricula. "Magnet" schools draw students from across the school boundaries, meaning the school is open to enrollment (pending space availability) to all families who reside in Brea and surrounding communities. Opening a magnet school has been an ongoing discussion amongst the school board and District for the past few years and we are thrilled to see the vision come to life!
Just as its new name implies, Laurel Elementary Magnet School will emphasize innovation and career exploration. Brea schools are one of the strongest community assets the city of Brea has to offer our businesses, and we invite our community to have a part in the education and programming we provide to Laurel students. That being said, a main focus of the Laurel Elementary Magnet school will be partnerships with local businesses. Brea business leaders will sponsor classrooms and provide students the opportunity to solve real world problems that affect their industries and employees. Equally exciting, additional areas of focus for the school will include 1:1 technology for all students and project-based S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) lessons. Curriculum will be centered around a "hands-on, minds-on" learning approach to help give students the tools they need to address real world issues affecting them in the 21st century and beyond.
Laurel teachers hard at work creating lessons for new magnet school. Photo via Laurel Leopards Instagram account.
So far this summer, our dedicated teaching staff have put in hours of professional development working together as a collaborative team to build and develop student centered lessons. Additionally, the process to improve the overall appearance of campus has begun. Students will return to a freshly painted building, new asphalt on the upper playground, and we are most excited about the new flexible furniture that will allow for easy grouping and changing of the traditional classroom to mirror a collaborative work environment.
I am elated to be part of the Laurel Elementary Magnet School of I.C.E. community and am humbled and honored to hold the position of principal. My vision is to see students leave our school with an understanding of who they are, what they bring, and the limitless potential they have to impact the world. At Laurel, or students will explore, innovate, and create!
We have an amazing school community, knowledgeable and invested teachers, hard-working and caring support staff, dedicated and supportive families. On behalf of the entire Laurel Elementary Magnet School of I.C.E. family, we look forward to making this a successful inaugural year!
To learn more about Laurel Elementary Magnet School, please visit BOUSD website.
Brea's centennial year will kickoff with a parade and picnic
Centennial Countdown Update:
To say the least, it's a process to plan a centennial celebration. Seven cities in Orange County have successfully executed their anniversary year. Twenty-six cities will follow us.
Our centennial kickoff will begin with a parade and picnic on Saturday, February 18, 2017.
The plan is to bring the community together for a family-oriented fun day involving the whole town including hometown celebrities!
Photo: From the Jones Family Collection
Source-Brea: Celebrating 75 Years
1969 BOHS grad and 1976 Cy Young Award Winning Padres pitcher, Randy Jones aka "Junkman," will be back in town to participate!
The parade will begin mid-morning at Birch Street and Associated Road, and end at Brea's Sports Park where Randy Jones' bronze plaque is hung on a wall among Brea's distinguished athletes. More to come!