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Protesters remembered man who drowned as Alameda rescuers watched

Protesters flocked to Crown Beach in Alameda Saturday to the spot where Raymond Zack drowned a year ago as police and firefighters stood by.

The incident brought Alameda international scorn. But, first responders maintained they didn't have the proper training or equipment to rescue Zack.

The beach was blustery Saturday, far from last year's calm Memorial Day when the despondent 53-year-old man waded out to his neck at about noon.

Officers had known Zack from picking him up at the beach other times.

Last year, rescuers watched Zack wade into the water, then go face down, until a bystander went in and grabbed his body.

"It's unspeakable to me, what happened," said protester Liz Williams. "It's unspeakable, the flaccidness of the city's response."

Protesters planned to wade into the water as a group to mark the anniversary, just as they did after last year's incident.

An independent review of the situation found rescuers had a lack of training and equipment, plus poor communication.

Alex Stevens, a 30-year police veteran said he was unimpressed that Alameda has now restored rescue boats and procedures lost to budget cuts.

"Do you have to be trained to go and help somebody? No," Stevens said.

Alameda is being sued for wrongful death by Zack's brother and sister in Ohio, who were aware their sibling was troubled.

"(Zack's family) did offer support," said Jack Bollier, of the Cartwright law firm. "They did what they could, from where they lived. I'm not sure they had the means to come out here and make decisions for Mr. Zack."

Carol Gottstein, a retired physician, knew Zack from church and said his death has haunted her.

"Something has to be done to address the culture in our public safety department," Gottstein said. "When I saw him, what happened to him, I thought, there but by the grace of god, go me."

Protesters never made it into the water because the water was too rough and cold.

Many said they will be back Sunday evening, to throw flowers into the waves in memory of Zack.

Calls placed to the Alameda Fire Department were not returned.

_{Sat, 26 May 2012 22:40:05 -0700}

Caltrans says Dumbarton Bridge construction running on schedule

Caltrans said construction is running on schedule at the Dumbarton Bridge, which is closed during the long weekend for a seismic upgrade.

The bridge can handle about 19 inches of movement in an earthquake, but the work will nearly double that to 37 inches.

Caltrans showed KTVU Saturday night the spot where crews have cut the Dumbarton Bridge in two, making room for a new steel joint that could make a huge difference in the next big earthquake.

"So on this side of the bridge, that joint locks into place in the network of rebar and concrete," said Caltrans spokeswoman Effie Verducci. "On the other side of the joint, it's meant to expand and contract."

Officials said the cold windy weather won't interrupt the work they're doing. The only thing that could get in the way is rain, which would make it tough to do any welding, but they're not anticipating any problems.

Two miles away, in a makeshift control room, engineers watched a live feed of the construction and traffic conditions.

The bridge that connects the East Bay and the peninsula will be closed all weekend, but many drivers told KTVU they were finding another route.

"I'm in construction. I've been commuting over the bridge and I see the signs, so I know not to go that way," said Newark resident Mike Wall.

Caltrans said the $60 million project isn't expected to cost drivers any time once the holiday weekend is over.

"Caltrans is on schedule," Verducci said. "They completed everything they wanted to do last night and today."

Crews said they expect to have the bridge open by 5 a.m. Tuesday.

_{Sat, 26 May 2012 22:13:01 -0700}

2 men suspected of repeat abalone poaching

Two Oakland men suspected of abalone poaching in Mendocino County were arrested Thursday, the California Department of Fish and Game announced Friday.

Paul Chak Po Mak, 61, and Samuel Xing Sin, 41, were arrested as part of the "Operation Scoop and Run" investigation by the Department of Fish and Game and are suspected of poaching 84 abalone for commercial purposes between April 23 and May 21.

During the investigation, members of the department's special operations unit allegedly observed the two men taking large overlimits of abalone.

Both men were booked into Mendocino County Jail on suspected charges that include possession of abalone and intention to sell on the black market.

Abalone typically sell for up to $100 each on the black market, with bigger abalone tending to fetch much more.

Mak, who is currently on probation in Sonoma county for abalone-related convictions, is suspected of taking 52 abalone. Sin, who has a currently pending case related to abalone poaching and sales in Mendocino County, is suspected of taking 32 abalone.

"It is clear -- and disappointing -- that penalties from prior convictions failed to deter either of these men," said Department of Fish and Game Capt. Bob Farrell, who oversees the special operations unit.

According to the department, wardens serving search and arrest warrants at the homes of Mak and Sin seized abalone report cards and dive gear

_{Sat, 26 May 2012 20:13:59 -0700}

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