INSIDE SCOOPS

Kindness ... at the DMV?

Dwayne McKinney, who spent 18 years in prison for a murder authorities

later said he didn’t commit, is slowly reassembling his life.

He’s applied for a Social Security number, got his hands on his birth

certificate and opened up a checking account.

But McKinney, who was released earlier this year when a judge overturned

his conviction, got a warm welcome at -- of all places -- the state

Department of Motor Vehicles.

McKinney was subjected to the usual long lines at the state agency, like

many other customers. But one kind clerk recognized McKinney and let him

bypass the line.

“You’ve been waiting long enough,” she said.

How many behind bars?

Nearly half of the city’s 85 active gang members are behind bars, Costa

Mesa Police Sgt. Clay Epperson told the City Council.

Councilwoman Libby Cowan requested the report after residents expressed

concern about gangs at prior City Council meetings.

Epperson said the Costa Mesa Police Department has identified 143

additional inactive gang members who are not involved in criminal

activities.

“We’ve done a good job of keeping them on the sidelines,” Epperson said,

adding, “You can’t arrest somebody for shaving their heads and wearing

baggy clothes.”

Former resident continues to fight

Former Newport Beach resident Barry Zanck, has moved to Irvine, but will

continue to fight issues in the fair city of Newport Beach.

Zanck, who ran for a position on the city council years ago, said that he

will join his conservative comrades in Newport-Mesa in fighting the

upcoming $110 million school bond, which residents will vote on in June.

It’s hard to get organized to fight a bond, he said, but since Irvine has

tried for a parcel tax three times now and trying for another go around

-- he has some experience in fighting taxes.

“I hope it loses and I’ll be helping,” Zanck said.

SI-- Daily Pilot staff