PUBLIC SAFETY AND COURTS Judge concerned by...

PUBLIC SAFETY AND COURTS

Judge concerned by officers’ presence in court

At least 50 uniformed Costa Mesa Police officers filled a

courtroom Wednesday morning to support a colleague who was hit and

injured by an alleged drunken driver, a show of support that earned

chiding from the judge.

Judge Geoffrey Glass, who continued the hearing to Aug. 18, told

the officers that their presence in court was having a “negative

impact” on the case.

“Your being here isn’t making things any easier,” he said, adding

that he was concerned uniformed officers were sitting in a courtroom

instead of patrolling the streets. “But hey, this is a free country.”

Costa Mesa Police Chief John Hensley was visibly upset by the

comments.

“I authorized them to wear their uniforms just as I do when they

go out to the schools or other community events,” the chief said.

“I’m proud our officers were there to support Dickens, and I don’t

feel the need to apologize to anyone for that.”

Officers said they’ll return despite a judge’s criticism of their

presence in the courtroom. The hearing was continued until Aug. 18,

so Officer Dennis Dickens, injured in the incident, could be in court

to speak.

* A 21-year-old woman died on July 25 after a fire scorched the

bedroom of her apartment unit at the Sundance West Apartments on the

1900 block of Maple Drive.

Rescuers found Maria Carreno in full cardiac arrest and began CPR

and advanced life support treatment, Costa Mesa fire officials said.

She was then taken to Hoag Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Before firefighters arrived, Carreno was removed from the

smoke-filled apartment by two neighbors, Isidro Labastida, 58, and

his son, Aimcindo Labastida, 26, who told police they saw smoke and

rushed over.

The incident is still under investigation, officials said.

-- Deepa Bharath