Crime

Keith Warren, Formerly Incarcerated but Molded for Greatness

Published

10 years ago

November 5, 2013

For many formerly incarcerated men and women, the obstacles to reentering society and piecing their life back together can be challenging.

For barber Keith Warren, the driving motivation was to take his life back, become a business owner and a productive citizen of society.

Part owner of the 730 Barber Lounge in downtown Oakland – across from the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse – Warren says he had to change his mindset as he tried to achieve the goals he set for himself.

Throughout his journey, from being a store manager at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), to serving time in prison and now a successful barber, he refuses to fail and feels he is molded for greatness.

“It’s so important for me to be successful in what I do. I’m not just talking [about it], I’m doing it,” he said.

“In a nutshell, at some point in life after doing things wrong, you have to wake up and do things the right way,” he said, “no shortcuts, because it’s going to last.”

Warren was given the opportunity to attend Barber College with help from the Oakland Private Industry Council (PIC) and now wants to extend that same opportunity to others.

He plans to open a barber college in the Bay Area where he “can help other young men and teach them how to cut hair and provide for their families.”

“It’s just about finding where your niche is,” Warren said. “Start thinking long-term; you have to go from a trade to a business owner, to owning corporations, to giving other people opportunities. We have to do things to instill family morals and ethics in the Black community.”

The barber says he advises many young men and women who are caught in the justice system to avoid the “red tape.”

“They know the people who are going to successfully finish parole and those who are not; it’s almost like the real from the fake,” he said. “You have to change your mindset into being a productive member of society instead of being a hooligan or street punk.”

Warren says his strong faith has helped keep him on track. “When God is trying to elevate you, it’s a feeling you never felt before,” he said. “I’m basking in His glory, that’s how I live my life.”

Although the 730 Barber Lounge will be closing its doors in December, Warren looks forward to continuing his business in another location and working towards opening his barber college.

For more info, contact Keith Warren at 510-472-4163 or keithwarren510@gmail.com.

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

3 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

Oakland Post

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California Black Media

Anti-Theft Bill with Jail-Time Requirement Gets Wide Ranging Support

Fed up with the alarming frequency of retail theft across California, including smash and grabs, a diverse group of business leaders, law enforcement officials, policymakers and public safety advocates joined their efforts in Sacramento on Jan. 24. Their purpose: to increase public support for Assembly Bill (AB) 1772, a bill that would make jail time mandatory for repeat theft offenders.

Published

5 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

San Bernardino Police Chief Darren Goodman speaks as Asm. James Ramos (D-San Bernardino), left, stands beside him at a news conference in Sacramento concerning retail theft across the state.

By California Black Media

Fed up with the alarming frequency of retail theft across California, including smash and grabs, a diverse group of business leaders, law enforcement officials, policymakers and public safety advocates joined their efforts in Sacramento on Jan. 24.

Their purpose: to increase public support for Assembly Bill (AB) 1772, a bill that would make jail time mandatory for repeat theft offenders.

Co-authored by Assemblymembers James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino), Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) and Devon Mathis (R-Tulare), AB 1772 would require jail time “of one to three years for theft crimes depending upon the circumstances.

“Offenses would include grand theft, theft from an elder or dependent adult, theft or unauthorized use of a vehicle, burglary, carjacking, robbery, receiving stolen property, shoplifting or mail theft,” the bill language reads.

Ramos said the need to act is urgent.

“It’s time for us to reverse the spikes in theft crimes since the pandemic. Our law enforcement members and district attorneys need additional tools such as AB 1772. We must reverse the trend before the problem grows worse. Last year I requested a state audit of the impact of Prop 47 on Riverside and San Bernardino counties,” said Ramos.

Prop 47 is the California initiative, approved by voters in 2014, that reclassified some felonies to misdemeanors and raised the minimum amount for most misdemeanor thefts from $400 to $950.

According to a Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) report, the rate of occurrence of petty crimes like shoplifting and commercial burglaries have increased by double digits over the last four years.

In Orange County alone, commercial burglaries have spiked by 54%.

“Our communities are experiencing an increase in retail crime and deserve appropriate action from their legislators,” Valencia said.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus thanked Ramos.

“This bill, designed to impose stricter penalties on serial retail theft suspects, responds urgently to the escalating consequences of shoplifting and related crimes on our communities,” he said.

AB 1772 supporters who spoke at the gathering included Sacramento Sheriff Jim Cooper and San Bernardino Chief of Police Darren Goodman. Listed as supporters are the California State Sheriff’s Association, City of Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez and Redlands Chamber of Commerce.