Coming back from a meeting Tuesday and hearing our reporters are
on the street at Sixth and Church covering a murder
– a murder by gunfire of a teenager in broad daylight in the
middle of town a block or so from where Veterans Day commemorative
ceremonies were held just hours before – has heightened my concern
about where our community is headed.
Coming back from a meeting Tuesday and hearing our reporters are on the street at Sixth and Church covering a murder – a murder by gunfire of a teenager in broad daylight in the middle of town a block or so from where Veterans Day commemorative ceremonies were held just hours before – has heightened my concern about where our community is headed. Then, another shooting incident – injury free thank God – on Thursday afternoon at Monterey and IOOF streets. For a few years, it’s felt like our city has been slowly but perceptibly heading in a Salinas-like direction where gang shootings, stabbings and violence are daily occurrences. It’s frightening because what happens next is that innocent people get caught in the web of mindless violence. Children’s lives are taken mistakenly in a hail of unmanageable gunfire and the hard-core gang stupidity becomes ingrained in the community, perpetuating itself in tit-for-tat absurdity and taking on a life of its own.
Gilroy has a chance to stem that tide, but concerted action is necessary now. The police department can’t do it all, of course, but it is our first line of defense. When gang violence is thriving in our community, it’s time to take a hard look at what we’re doing and how citywide resources are being directed. The point is that gang members have to know Gilroy is not where they want to be. Period. Gilroy has to be a city that’s absolutely inhospitable to hellbent criminals and we need to accomplish that before it’s too late.
Certainly, the City Council and Police Chief Denise Turner will have that serious conversation and also, on some level, involve the community. One of the hundreds who left exasperated comments on the bottom of our Web murder story suggested, “… it would be a good idea for the concerned citizens of Gilroy to come together to begin getting these ideas on the table, come up with a set of solutions and begin actively lobbying for these solutions to be implemented … I would be willing to participate in an effort to spearhead the brainstorming sessions, and engage in the public City Council discussions … Please be mindful that Ideas + Action = Solutions.”
On my list, above all other city priorities, is community safety. We certainly shouldn’t just throw money at a problem (like we’re awash in cash), but if a concrete plan that requires some funding and/or reassignment is put forward, it should receive the Council’s full attention. If we don’t do something bold now, what were left with is: “Surprised? No, not at all,” Ken Carman said, a 20-year resident who heard the shots from inside his home near the intersection of 10th and Rosanna streets. “Twenty years ago nothing like this would happen,” Carman said. “I’m scared to death. I won’t walk anymore. I just drive.” That’s not the community we want to live in. It’s not the downtown core that can thrive and it’s not the advertisement Gilroy needs to attract commerce and new residents.
Though it’s not the kind of segue I had intended a week ago, the violence only punctuates an important point as we enter the holiday season. Here’s the slogan: Shop at home, it’s good for Gilroy. The more you buy here, the more the city collects in sales tax revenue. There are finds in town, like the new Ambiance Boutique at Princevalle and First streets run by Norma Lara. My daughter suggested I stop by and, having three daughters and a wife, it turned out to be a good find. Lots of gifts and stocking stuffer items – from potions and lotions to home decor – tastefully displayed …
On another front, hopefully the Gilroy High football team will bounce back from its mental meltdown. Character is often revealed when the chips are down and this team collectively needs to find redemption if it’s going to go deep into the playoffs.
Received a note from a wise Gilroyan who chimes in fairly regulary. His take on the accused Gilroy High teacher: “The DA’s office got it right; at least they could see through it all.” If the students involved attempted to take down this teacher without true cause, then they should suffer serious consequences. I do wonder – even though it’s not the lone barometer – what grades the students had who did the accusing.
Moving ahead to the holiday spirit, mark your calendars for Saturday, Dec. 6 at 4:30 p.m. That’s the date for the downtown parade which Supervisor Don Gage has graciously agreed to oversee as the master of ceremonies. Hopefully, Donald F. will bring Baxter, his chocolate Labrador Retriever. Said Don in a recent feature headlined “Animal Attraction” in San Jose Magazine: “He retrieves game birds of all kinds and can track larger animals. He loves to fetch balls and gets very animated when jumping for them. He also loves water and swims with the grandchildren every chance he gets. He has taught me patience and how to love unconditionally. He always greets me happily, and that is a great feeling, so I do that with people.” Aw shucks, … if your organization wants to enter the parade, there’s still time. Call Albert Lambert, 781-3396, or e-mail him at al************@*te.net
