Sacramento Crime: Out Of Control?

[Ghost of Econgrad]

An Open Letter to Mayor Johnson
by Rhonda Erwin, published on July 8, 2010 at 11:02AM


Mayor Johnson

July, a month celebrated for Independence and Freedom has become tragic for many Sacramento residents. As you look to gain more power community residents wonder if you are taking some time to look at a crisis of youth violence existing in Sacramento? If so, other than providing more after-the-crime occurs officers on our street what if any plans do you have to prevent youth violence? Do you have any plans to assist in a community taking steps towards healing from the aftermath of death.

We do appreciate the presence of law enforcement officers. We are not making light of their efforts. However, many of us see law enforcement as a crime deterrent and not necessarily a solution to prevent crime.

Within four days six area youth were shot. Mayor Johnson, I know I don't have to provide you with a list of Sacramento daily crime since SPD does provide you and the council with a daily report. Since it appears you don't feel the need to address this issue with the community; I decided to write you this open letter.

The follow list does not include the car jackings, home invasions, robberies, sexual assaults which have occurred in the month of July in the city of Sacramento. However, those crimes are also important . Considering the crime, pain and suffering which exists in the city of Sacramento it would seem our mayor should focus on crime verses an immediate need to change the city charter.

On June 30, 2010 I was assaulted as I took an evening walk. The following day I was standing in my front yard and heard massive sirens and my street was surrounding with police. My street was closed off as officers searched for a suspect. Officers went to one home and kicked down the door (unfortunately it wasn't the home where a suspect had fled to.)

A helicopter circled overhead. Sirens and police chase caused me to run into my home. I realize your obsession to place more officers on our streets but for some of us tired of the fear associated with sirens, helicopters and car chases we would like to see and know you at least will begin to look for efforts to prevent crime verses simply supplying more officers due to the demand of more crime often caused by the lack of opportunities, resources in neglected communities.

On July 2nd, there was a shooting on Janrick Avenue. Fortunately no one was injured as bullets went through a vehicle and house.

On July 2nd a boyfriend and girlfriend enjoying an evening at a City park on the 2000 block of Garden Highway were walking back to their vehicle, after being robbed, when a male suspect shot the victim in the leg.

On July 3rd, three youth argued with 6 subjects at a 14th and I street intersection. The victim pulled over and began to physically fight. A victim was hit in the head with a baseball bat, others were hit with fist and kicked.

On July 3rd, 2010 victim hears 6-8 gunshots fired and finds his car windows shot out.

On July 3rd, an assault on 69th Avenue leave several with minor stab wounds.

On July 4th, 2010, Dawayne Edward Douglas, 21yrs of age, was shot and killed on Florinda Way. An 18yr old has been arrested and charged with the homicide. Over 200 youth witnessed the chaos associated with a youth taking his last breath. The tragic death of Dawayne Douglas affects many city residents.

On July 4th, 2010 near Collingwood and Matson, blocks from my home, a motorist shot into a crowd celebrating Independence Day shooting two youth. The youth survived the injuries but the aftermath of being a victim of a shooting surrounds the community. Mayor Johnson all too often in Sacramento yesterdays victim has become tomorrows suspect as it appears our mayor will leave the wounds in the community to eventually and perhaps ineffectively heal itself.

On July 5, 2010 a 12yr old girl was shot when occupants of two cars exchanged gunfire in South Sacramento on the 4500 block of 77th street. Innocent victims are caught in the crossfire as gunshots continue to echo throughout the city and County of Sacramento.

On July 7, 2010, two youth were shot on 68th and Power Inn Road. Both gunshot victims survived their physical injuries but as with the victims of the July 4th and July 5th shooting their emotional and mental scars are not significantly addressed by our mayor.

In 2006 when a wave of youth shootings occurred, former mayor Fargo held a special council session at city hall to address youth violence. I don't recall seeing you in attendance at the townhall meetings or council sessions addressing youth violence prior to running for the office of Sacramento mayor, even though, as I recall, you openly and continuously criticized former mayor Fargo for Sacramento crime.

Perhaps you don't feel addressing youth violence is in your job description so I thought perhaps I should inform you previous mayors were concerned with youth and felt the solutions went beyond saturating the streets with Law enforcement. But then again, perhaps previous mayors weren't concerned with an immediate need to change the city charter and gain an endorsement from SPOA to do so and therefore found the time to address youth violence.

I realize two of the shootings as well as the 19yr old arrested for a fatal stabbing of a 39yr old on Hazel Avenue occurred in the County of Sacramento. However city residents are holding car washes in the city to bury a homicide victim. Friends and family members of the homicide victim live in the city of Sacramento. The list also does not include the July 2nd tragic death of a 54yr old man found dead in his home in the county of Sacramento.

It appears since you have the time and interest in addressing the plight of Arizona residents you could also address the plight of Sacramento county residents which affect many city residents, city hospitals, city morgues, city funeral homes, city churches... Mayor Johnson city residents are dying in the county of Sacramento and city residents are arrested and housed in juvenile and adult county facilities. So it would appear you'd have an interest in city and county youth violence.

Mayor Johnson, can you find the time to abandon your drive for more power and see our tears, hear our cries which echo from one Sacramento neighborhood to another? City residents would appreciate a city and county wide task force or special council session to address the violence plaguing Sacramento.

It appears in Sacramento this Independence day freedom is blowin in the wind and away from the reach of many Sacramento area youth. We do expect the Mayor of the City to address this concern. If I'm not mistaken you ran your campaign on criticizing former mayor Fargo for the crime existing in Sacramento; so shouldn't you address crime? Or was your campaign just empty promises or propaganda to get into office? Is that the kind of change you want city residents to believe in?

Thank you
Rhonda Erwin, City resident
Youth Violence activist


LINK:
http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/32401/An_Open_Letter_to_Mayor_Johnson

[CAGeoNerd]

Well Sacramento is a big town, relatively speaking. Of course on any given day you'll have something going on, especially in the summer, and especially on a holiday weekend. When the economy tanks, crime goes up. But I understand this woman's outrage. The mayor should spend more time doing good than what he has been doing.

[Ghost of Econgrad]

KCRA.com
Q Street Bar Fight Turns Deadly
Police: 1 Killed, 1 Injured In Stabbing

POSTED: 6:07 am PDT June 19, 2010
UPDATED: 6:23 am PDT June 19, 2010
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Police in Sacramento said they are investigating an early-morning bar fight Saturday that left one man dead and another suffering from a stab wound.

The Sacramento Police Department said the incident occurred at about 1:37 a.m. in the 2000 block of Q Street.

Officers said they were dispatched to the area after a stabbing was reported and upon arriving at the scene, found an unconscious 23-year-old man on the sidewalk and began to perform CPR.

The Sacramento Fire Department responded and declared the victim dead at the scene.

A second victim -- a 32-year-old man -- was located and transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening stab wounds.

Police said based on the preliminary investigation, it is believed that the 23-year-old victim got into an argument with three men at a bar.

Detectives said the argument turned physical outside of the bar and the first victim was stabbed. Police said they believe the second victim was stabbed as he attempted to break up the fight.

The culprits fled the area. Police described them as Hispanic men, each about 20 to 30 years old, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds.

The Sacramento Police Department is urging anyone with information about the incident to call Crime Alert at 916-443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES).



KTXL
Downtown Bar Fight Leaves One Dead And Suspects On The Loose

FOX40 News

June 19, 2010

Ryan McPhee, 23, was stabbed to death early this morning after he got into an argument with three male suspects at a bar.

Investigators say the argument turned physical outside of Benny's bar on Q street at which Mcphee was stabbed 3 times and pronounced dead.

The bartender attempting to break up the fight was also stabbed and transported to the hospital with non-life threatening stab wounds.

The suspects are being described as male hispanics between the ages of 20 to 30 years of age, possibly 5'7" at 200lbs.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.



LINCOLN (CBS13) ―

Investigators remained at the crime scene throughout the morning after a deadly stabbing near 20th and Q Streets on Saturday, June 19, 2010.

Officers have made an arrest in an early Saturday morning stabbing that left one man dead and other man wounded after a bar fight.

The Sacramento Police Department said 31-year-old Andre Lamont Huerta was arrested late Saturday night at his Fulton Avenue home for allegedly murdering 23-year-old Ryan Mcphee.

Mcphee was reportedly arguing with Huerta and two other men inside a bar near the 2000 block of Q Street just after 1:30 a.m., and when Huerta and Mcphee began fighting, Mcphee was fatally stabbed.

Another man was stabbed trying to break up the fight, but is expected to recover.

The involvement of the other two men is still being investigated.


ox40.com /news/headlines/ktxl-news-stabbingarrest,0,1968858.story
KTXL
Arrest Made In Fatal Bar Stabbing

FOX40 News

June 20, 2010

SACRAMENTO

Police have in custody 31-year-old Andre Lamont Huerta as a suspect in the murder of Ryan McPhee. He was arrested yesterday evening at his home in the Sacramento area.

Ryan McPhee was stabbed to death early Saturday morning after an argument turned physical at Benny's bar on Q street.

Detectives believe that Huerta and two other males began to argue with McPhee inside the bar, then when Huerta and McPhee began to physically fight outside the bar, McPhee was stabbed to death.

A second victim was also stabbed while trying to break up the fight but expected to be okay.

Detectives are still investigating two other male subjects who were with Huerta to determine their involvement in the incident.

Copyright © 2010, KTXL-TV


Second man arrested in Sacramento stabbing death
The Associated Press
Posted: 06/21/2010 08:12:57 PM PDT
Updated: 06/21/2010 08:12:57 PM PDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Police say a second suspect has been arrested in the fatal stabbing of a man outside a Sacramento bar.

Sgt. Norm Leong said 26-year-old Jonathan Montejano turned himself in around 11:15 a.m. Monday. He was booked on suspicion of murder in the stabbing death of 26-year-old Ryan McPhee.

Leong said investigators believe Montejano and his brother-in-law, 31-year-old Andre Huerta, are responsible for the stabbing death of McPhee after a fight at the Q Street Bar and Grill.

Huerta was arrested on Saturday.

Authorities say a bar doorman also was stabbed while trying to break up the fight.

Leong says the men apparently got angry and began fighting after a woman in their group began talking to somebody with McPhee.

[Ghost of Econgrad]

KCRA.com
Downtown Partnership Touts Bar Safety
Bar Patron Recently Killed Outside Sacramento's Q Street Bar & Grill

POSTED: 4:15 pm PDT June 30, 2010
UPDATED: 1:32 pm PDT July 2, 2010
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- After a fatal stabbing outside a Sacramento bar, downtown business leaders are taking action to make the city's nightlife safer.

On Wednesday, the Downtown Business Partnership held the second in a unique series of security training seminars for bar owners.

The message from the training: there are bar owners who follow the rules and others who don't -- and those who don't need to understand that police are watching.

A bar patron was stabbed to death outside Q Street Bar & Grill on June 19, and a bouncer was injured in the incident.

One year ago, a security guard -- Leroy "Pops" Fisher was killed after someone he forced to leave the Badlands bar ran over him with his car, police said.

"It is a business where there is an element of safety and security, and it's very real," Ryan Loofbourow from the Downtown Business Partnership said.

Some of the three dozen bar owners who went to Wednesday's training said it's a necessary step to ensure the safety of Sacramento's growing nightlife.

"This is problem-preventing and that's half the battle. You don't want to wait to prevent them," said Bob Simpson, who owns several Sacramento nightclubs.

Organizers said the meeting is based on proactive training sessions that have worked in other cities such as Seattle and Austin, Texas.

Problems have decreased in those cities -- or have been prevented -- because everyone understands what is expected of them and because police and bar owners view each other more as partners rather than as adversaries, organizers said.

[Ghost of Econgrad]

The facts are clear

Friday, August 13, 2010

- Jerry Cassesi, chairman, Friends of Amador County

There is ample evidence that the jobs produced by a casino do not outweigh the social costs casinos create. A recent article published in the Woodland Daily Democrat newspaper outlined the problems created by the Cache Creek Casino.

Problems such as assaults and weapons charges increased by 2,900 percent and felony burglary increased by 900 percent. All this while there was a doubling of the sheriff's deputies in the area funded by Cache Creek casino. Apparently, Yolo County has discovered that increased law enforcement might increase the apprehension rate but does little to prevent an increase in crime.

That article reported a 1,050 percent increase in DUI arrests, but traffic fatalities due to drunk drivers were not listed. We do know the highway patrol statistics have shown there was a 900 percent increase in traffic fatalities after the Thunder Valley casino was built.

Additionally, Yolo County has discovered that even though Cache Creek gave the sheriff's office millions, the district attorney and public defenders office were under-funded by $600,000. Under-funding of casino costs is to be expected when counties are required to negotiate under very short time limits and under one-sided rules. There are no time limits imposed on the casino proponents during negotiations, or at any other point in the process. For example, EPA took over two years to study and issue a wastewater permit for the proposed Buena Vista casino, but the public had just thirty-three days to file an appeal. EPA failed to provide the appeal office address in their appeal notice, making a timely appeal even more difficult.

Even if the the Daily Democrat article is not entirely accurate, as is frequently the case with all media, not just newspapers, just half of those numbers would be staggering figures. Unfortunately those figures are all too accurate and are reflected in the study titled "U.S. International Gambling Report" which is available in our local library. It is an undeniable fact that casinos create jobs. It is also an undeniable fact that casinos attract the criminal element. The FBI reports that Las Vegas is the No. 1 city for apprehension of their ten most wanted criminals. It is also an undeniable fact that what is presented as "fact" is sometimes just spin or an outright lie. Past tobacco company ads claiming no health problems were associated with smoking are a perfect example. It's even worse today because the Internet allows anyone to publish false information as if it were the truth.

Casino supporters sometimes portray the Friends of Amador County as a small, disgruntled group who are opposed to all the allegedly good things a casino in Buena Vista would bring. A record-setting 85-percent no vote is simply ignored. The Friends of Amador County has always been about presenting factual information to the voters. We have been opposed to the Buena Vista casino from the beginning because we knew the land was not eligible and the so-called tribe was not legitimate.

The facts are clear: Yolo County got jobs when Cache Creek was built. The fact is that they also got a 3,800-percent increase in crime, not counting the accident victims caused by drunk drivers. Amador County voters apparently realize that for every crime there is at least one victim and that casinos attract the criminal element. What else would explain the record-setting no vote? We all owe the Board of Supervisors our thanks for their ability to see past the short term gains a casino would bring. Voting to continue the legal fight is not only a reflection of the 85 -percent no vote, but is a decision that protects the citizens of Amador County.

[Ghost of Econgrad]

Sept 12, 2010 9:21 am US/Pacific
One Killed, Three Hurt In Sacramento Shooting
SACRAMENTO (AP) ―

J Street was shut down following the shooting in a large group of people just after Second Saturday.
Police say one man is dead and three people are wounded in a shooting early Sunday in central Sacramento.
Police spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong says officers heard multiple gunshots shortly after midnight. When they reached the scene they found a Hispanic male in his 20s dead, another male in serious condition, and a female and another male with non-life threatening gunshot wounds.

The shooting occurred on J Street between 17th and 19th streets in heart of the city as hundreds of young people were still milling about following the Second Saturday art festival earlier in the evening.

He says details are still sketchy and police still don't have a suspect, a solid motive, or a clear idea what led up to the violence.

But he says they're investigating if the gunfire was linked to a fight a little bit earlier nearby between two large groups of people.

(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

[Ghost of Econgrad]

September 19, 2010
Sacramento police seek suspects in shooting cases

By Loretta Kalb
lkalb@sacbee.com

Sacramento police are looking for suspects in two unrelated cases in which suspects shot their victims, injuring one of them.

Police said today they found a 23-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds at 40th Street and 11th Avenue shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday.

Witnesses told police that the man was near the corner when he was approached by another person and the two argued before the shots were fired. The victim ran to a waiting dark blue sports utility vehicle, got in and was driven away, police said.

In the second case, police reported shots were fired shortly after 3 p.m. in the 500 block of Macarthur Street.

Responding officers found used shell casings and bullet holes in a vehicle.

Witnesses said that two men had fought with a third man. One of the suspects walked to his truck, got a gun, and fired shots into the air and fired more at the victim, who reportedly was not hit. The men then fled in the truck.

Call The Bee's Loretta Kalb, (916) 321-1073.


Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/archives/2010/09/sacramento-poli-95.html#ixzz100nDe1qu


I really hope this does not lead to the end of 2nd Saturdays..

[wburg]

Meanwhile, in safe, peaceful Folsom...

September 20, 2010
Four people stabbed at Folsom apartment party

http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/assets_c/2010/09/RickyMora-thumb-220x278-14287.jpg
By Bill Lindelof
blindelof@sacbee.com

Folsom police said a loud party led to early morning stabbings during a big fight when an ousted partygoer returned with friends for a fight with baseball bats and sticks.

At least four people suffered injuries, police said. The extent of the injuries has not been released.

The incident began about 2:45 a.m. in an apartment complex in the 200 block of Montrose Drive near Fargo Way and Natoma Street where police were called to a report of a fight at a large party.

When police arrived they found one person had been stabbed or cut on his back and chest. He was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Police believe that man had been asked to leave the party earlier in the evening. The man, who police did not identify, allegedly returned with a friends armed with baseball bats, sticks and possibly a knife, police said.

A fight began in which the four people sustained lacerations, stab wounds or other injuries.

When officers tried to investigate, an occupant of the apartment slammed the door and retreated inside, police said.

As officers waited outside they were taunted with profanities and gang signs, police said. Police counted 11 people inside the apartment.

A standoff began and after three hours people slowly began exiting the apartment after repeated requests by officers for them to come out.

One person, Ricky Mora, 26, of Folsom, was arrested for kicking out the window of a police car and a probation violation, police said.

Call The Bee's Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079.


Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/archives/2010/09/four-people-sta.html#ixzz108c9lzPd

[Ghost of Econgrad]

Meanwhile, in safe, peaceful Folsom...

This thread was not created to down the Sacramento City area about the immense crime problems. This thread was created to inform and discuss the growing and out of control crime problem in the Sacramento area. Folsom is included in the Sacramento area. Thanks for the post. If you really want to start a battle of where crime is worse, a non-lethal stabbing compared to 4 shooting deaths in the past 2 months is incomparable, and therefore Mid-Town would definitely lose. But that is not the point of this thread. Crime in this entire metro area is completely out of control and people need to know and understand this. You just got it really wrong with this quote of yours above. I only wished the police tear gassed that Folsom house and arrested everyone in it, checked for warrants and records, and put every offender in jail.

Further more, Sacramento is now in danger of losing 2nd Saturdays for good. This is a direct link to crimes. This should also be discussed, since 2nd Saturday is one of the most important events in the revival of Mid-Town.

[Ghost of Econgrad]

And if you did read this thread, or any of my posts (which I understand many of you are too closed minded to do so) you would have seen my post about how Thunder Valley Casino has created a DUI and Crime problems. More proof I am not slamming Sacramento City.

[Ghost of Econgrad]

One shot near Sacramento
Hmong community rally
Posted: 10/15/2010
SACRAMENTO, CA - Shots were fired near a large
Hmong community demonstration in downtown
Sacramento Friday morning.

According to Sacramento police on scene, around
11 a.m., suspected gang members got into an
altercation at the federal courthouse on I Street
where approximately 1,000 Hmong supporters had
gathered to urge the dismissal of charges against
12 defendants in a federal case.

Officer Laura Peck confirmed the dispute moved to K
Street between 4th and 5th streets where there was
gunfire.

One individual was shot in the arm, Peck said. He
and others he was with ended up at the Il Fornaio
restaurant on Capitol Mall.

Peck said five individuals have been detained for
questioning and officers have recovered a gun.

It was not immediately clear if those involved were
connected with the rally.

News10/KXTV

[wburg]

Don't mess with jazz musicians--or at least not with their giant cats!
October 16, 2010
Sacramento PD: Band member shoots attacker on K Street Mall

http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/RB%20Shooting%5B1%5D.JPG

Police direct pedestrian traffic away from a shooting near 12th Street and K Street in downtown Sacramento on Saturday. Bee Staff Photo by Randall Benton.

By Hudson Sangree

hsangree@sacbee.com

In a bizarre shooting in front of an upscale restaurant in downtown Sacramento tonight, police said a member of a jazz band pulled a handgun and shot one of two men who had picked fights with a waiter, a homeless man and a band member.

The band member, whom police did not identify, was detained but not arrested.

The wounded man was taken to an area hospital with multiple gunshots to his upper body, police said.

His condition was not known late Saturday.

The events began shortly before 7 p.m. when two men described as large white men in their 20s, possibly intoxicated, tried to pick a fight with a valet parking attendant and mooned patrons at Ella restaurant at 12th and K streets, witnesses told The Bee.

The men crossed the street to the Broiler restaurant, where they entered the building and again started trouble, police and witnesses said.

As they exited the building, the men touched one of several human-sized cat figurines belonging to a jazz band that was playing on the patio just outside the restaurant.

A band member told the men to stop it. At that point, a homeless man in his early 20s confronted the two men and they beat him, said Sgt. Norm Leong, police spokesman.

They punched a waiter who tried to intervene, knocking him to the ground.

The two men then punched the band member and backed off, Leong said.

But the two men again approached the band member, at which point he pulled a handgun and shot one of the assailants, Leong said.

Leong said the man suspected of firing the gun was not arrested. He said police will refer the case to the District Attorney's Office to determine whether charges are merited.

Patrons at the two restaurants continued to eat and sip drinks as the police outside cordoned off the K Street mall, questioned witnesses and searched for shell casings.

The diners watched the surreal scene through the restaurant's large windows.

Visitors to the Esquire Imax Theatre and nearby hotels moved around the crime scene.

The shooting disrupted light-rail service through downtown.

Light-rail travelers were bused around the crime scene.


Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/archives/2010/10/sacramento-pd-b-2.html#ixzz12agzXeNk

[Ghost of Econgrad]

February 20, 2011
Man, 27, shot to death outside Natomas restaurant early today

By Hudson Sangree
hsangree@sacbee.com

Sacramento police are investigating an early morning shooting that left a 27-year-old man dead at a restaurant near Del Paso Road and Interstate 5.

At about 2:40 a.m., officers responded to the 2900 block of Advantage Way. They found a 27-year-old man who had been shot outside the restaurant. He was declared dead at the scene.

Homicide detectives believe two groups got into an argument inside the restaurant. The groups went outside, where the argument escalated and the victim was shot, police said in a news release.

The suspects are described as two black men in their 20's, 5'8" to 5'10" tall.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information.

Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000

Call The Bee's Hudson Sangree, (916) 321-1191.

Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/archives/2011/02/man-27-shot-to.html#ixzz1EXjyhurZ

[Ghost of Econgrad]

Roseville Sees An Increase In Burglaries

POSTED: 10:44 pm PST February 16, 2011
UPDATED: 12:03 am PST February 17, 2011
ROSEVILLE; Calif. -- The man taking over as chief of police in Roseville is zeroing in on the city’s number one safety issue.

“Property crime is probably the biggest issue I can see in Roseville,” said Sacramento Police Captain Daniel Hahn.

Roseville police said burglaries are on the rise. According to the police department, burglars have hit 14 homes in East Roseville in since January of this year.

The latest burglary happened Wednesday afternoon on Miners Way.

“They caught the guy with medication and my rings,” said the victim, who asked not to be identified.

Hahn said he plans to reverse the growing number of burglaries.

“The quicker we can get a handle on that, not only will you reduce burglaries but you will reduce other crimes,” Hahn said.

As a captain in Sacramento, Hahn says he reduced burglaries in Natomas by 30 percent.

“The biggest thing we did was involve the community and share information with the community,” Hahn said.

Hahn said he also created specialty teams to focus solely on catching the culprits.

“And so, they had the time to immediately follow up,” said Hahn.

Hahn said he plans to use similar strategies at his new job. He will be sworn in on March 4th.

[Ghost of Econgrad]

Youth violence forum draws large crowd

In the view of Sacramento community activist Kathy Jenkins, stronger parenting of youth is key to reducing gang violence. At a forum in Oak Park on youth and gang-related violence, Jenkins told a crowd of about 150 Sacramento residents, city staffers and police officers that assertive parents should influence the lives of young people.

“This is called parenting, this is not policing,” Jenkins said.

“If we could parent, and if we can raise,” she added, “and if we can encourage, and if we can take guns and give books, if we can give dolls instead of pimping ... If we could do these things, we could put (the police) out of work. I would rather see them writing parking tickets.”

Jenkins was one of many speakers at the forum, organized by Mayor Kevin Johnson’s office. Johnson had planned to attend the Oak Park event, said his special assistant, R.E. Graswich. But he canceled in order to accept an invitation from the White House to spend time on Wednesday with President Barack Obama, according to Johnson’s press office.

Police Chief Rick Braziel, Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones and Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully were among others who made remarks at the forum. Residents also participated in the forum by brainstorming ways to halt youth violence in the Sacramento area.

Braziel explained the police department’s Operation Ceasefire program, in which officers meet with youth involved with violence, he said. “We bring them in and give them alternatives,” Braziel said.

The department and local support service programs provide services to the youth so they can stop a violent lifestyle, Braziel said. Other partners in the program include the U.S. Attorney’s office and the District Attorney’s office, he said.

Jones emphasized prevention of gang violence and said it was part of his gang strategy. “What’s been long overdue is the prevention side,” he said.

One of the attendees, Malcolm Stone, 63, told The Sacramento Press that he recently moved to south Sacramento from Riverside County. He said he had earlier thought that Sacramento was somewhat “sleepy.” He and his wife are “shocked about all the violent crime in the news” in Sacramento, he said.

Assistant City Manager Cassandra Jennings wrapped up the event, telling the attendees that city leaders plan to create an action plan to address youth violence. She said focus groups will be organized in March, and another community forum will be held in April. In June, the city hopes to have an outline of a strategy, she said.


http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/45797/Youth_violence_forum_draws_large_crowd

Please go to the link to see videos. Thank you - Econ