”
I just read with interest that a 17-year-old was arrested for
tagging. It appears that cops are indeed placing more focus on
capturing these
”
artists.
”
I am wondering, however, why we don’t read much about how these
arrests turned out. What penalties were handed down? I think if the
media made a bigger deal about the penalties it would help deter
others from committing these crimes. Withholding that information
makes it look like these kids are just getting a slap on the wrist
and nothing more. If the arrests don’t lead to deterrence then why
bother?
”
“I just read with interest that a 17-year-old was arrested for tagging. It appears that cops are indeed placing more focus on capturing these “artists.” I am wondering, however, why we don’t read much about how these arrests turned out. What penalties were handed down? I think if the media made a bigger deal about the penalties it would help deter others from committing these crimes. Withholding that information makes it look like these kids are just getting a slap on the wrist and nothing more. If the arrests don’t lead to deterrence then why bother?”
Dear Make it Public,
Red Phone could not agree more, and reporters and editors are constantly trying to gather as much information as legally possible. However, because these vandals are minors, what the district attorney’s office is allowed to disclose is limited.
Red Phone contacted Amy Cornell, spokeswoman for the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office. “While much of the court process is kept confidential in cases like these, the types of consequences juveniles might face such as probation and restitution are not,” she said.
“So, we could talk about possible punishments, but only in general terms. In cases that involve serious felonies such as murder and sexual assault, there are exceptions to this confidentiality. Also, juvenile court has a different focus than adult court. In juvenile court, the focus is on rehabilitation of minors who come through the court system. Part of that rehabilitation includes keeping court proceedings confidential.”
So, bottom line good caller is the goal seems to be to rehabilitate these youthful offenders. However, Red Phone believes releasing their names and what punishments they face would be more of a deterrent.
Why are sirens wailing for so long?
“Can we in the city of Gilroy control all the noise pollution done by the fire department and others with there sirens and horns? Some nearby cities don’t allow all that noise. I timed the sirens of a fire truck the other day and it was blowing for 20 minutes. I can’t go from one side of town to the other without a siren in 10 minutes. What’s going on?”
Dear Too Much Noise,
Red Phone contacted Fire Chief Dale Foster and Police Chief Denise Turner to get an answer. Foster said firefighters responded to several simultaneous calls the other day, which may have created the extended noise.
Turner said the Gilroy Police Department has policies regarding the use of sirens that was developed with officer and public safety in mind.
“We do not drive with sirens to irritate people but to make our fast passage safe from one location to a critical call for help,” she said.
Good caller, hope that helps, and if you again hear sirens blaring for longer than you believe necessary, give Red Phone a call.
What’s up with Westfield’s plans?
“What is going on with Westfield’s plan for a mall near the outlets? It’s been months since we’ve heard anything further about it. I know you said before they plan to scale the project back, but will it be beneficial in the end to scale it back or perhaps build the same project in various phases?”
Dear Wondering,
Red Phone contacted Planning Division Manager Bill Faus, who said things have changed. The company originally wanted to build a 1.5-million-square-foot mall on 108 acres just outside the city’s eastern border. You are right, good caller, that in February they scaled back the project to include about 66 acres inside the city limits.
The the company recently withdrew its application, Faus said.
“The project has been completely withdrawn and the file has been closed. It’s folded, put away and done with,” Faus said of the application.
So good caller, it appears developers have abandoned any ideas of building even a scaled-back model of their original application, not surprising given the economic times we find ourselves in.
