Over the last five years, crime rates in Santa Barbara County have soared, leaving law enforcement agencies and prosecutors scrambling to keep up with the onslaught.
The spike in crime is particularly intense with murders and attempted murders, which have risen 588 percent in the last decade, according to the number such cases filed by the district attorney’s office.
“I think the numbers do really speak for themselves,” said Ann Bramsen, the county’s acting district attorney. “Nobody has to be in a position to exaggerate anything. [The numbers] just sort of are what they are and we are working vigilantly to prosecute the cases and hold the offenders accountable for the violent crimes they’re committing.”
As of Tuesday, Fifty-eight defendants were locked in county jail awaiting trial for murder, the numbers show.
While Santa Barbara County prosecutors filed only nine murder or attempted murder cases in 2000, the number shot to 62 in 2009. In 2005, 28 such cases were filed.
Officials say the rising crime rates can be traced to a recent uptick in gang activity across the county, which increased by 213 percent over the last five years, and has most recently been centered in communities in North County.
In Superior Court in Santa Maria, Bramsen said two of the court’s three criminal courtrooms are occupied by gang murder cases. The third is a gang-related robbery and forcible rape case. If convicted, all of the defendants could face life in prison.
But other crimes are also on the rise. Between 2005 and 2009, the number of sex crimes cases filed by prosecutors rose 28 percent, while DUI cases and felony probation violations grew by 35 percent, statistics show.
The ballooning increases come at a precarious time for law enforcement agencies, which are facing steep budget cuts that could result in less police officers on the streets and fewer prosecutors in the courtrooms.
In fact, the crime statistics provided by the district attorney’s office were used on Tuesday to show the Board of Supervisors why now might not be the best time to shave millions of dollars from that department’s budget.
County leaders are wrestling with a nearly $40 million budget deficit, a sum that threatens to knock the wind out of pretty much every county department.
If $3.9 million, the deficit in the district attorney’s office, is cut, the number of prosecutors in Santa Barbara County would drop to 34, a number so staggeringly low that Bramsen said she couldn’t recall if or when it had reached that mark.
If this comes true, Bramsen said individual case loads would explode from current record levels of 477 per attorney, to 576, a number that would leave prosecutors no choice but to pick and choose where justice was needed most, while allowing many cases to slide.
“The effect of that is that at some point we’re not going to be able to do our job and represent the people in this community in an effective manner,” Bramsen said.
The budget scenario is equally perilous for the sheriff’s department, which is facing a $12 million shortfall.
While the district attorney’s office battles crime on the back end, the sheriff’s department and other law enforcement agencies supply the cases, and last year sheriff investigators saw an unusually large jump in narcotics-related crime.
Like Bramsen, Sheriff Bill Brown is quick to note the recent surge in violent crime. But apart from being housed in his jail, the spike in murders appears to be focused in the county’s cities, outside the sheriff department’s jurisdiction.
In the unincorporated county, the homicide numbers between 1999 and 2009 were relatively flat. Apart from a spike in the middle of last decade, with four homicides in 2004, five in 2005 and seven in 2006 (this number is high due in part to the postal shootings in Goleta), homicides didn’t rise above two during any other year, with one noted in 2009.
However, Brown said the magnitude of narcotics seizures in 2009 grew at a phenomenal rate, despite the fact that there were fewer narcotic-related arrests and search warrants.
Sheriff’s deputies seized 1,927.2 grams of heroin in 2009 compared to 345.7 grams in 2008, a 457 percent jump. Crystal methamphetamine seizures rose by 290 percent, while rock cocaine seizures jumped 307 percent.
It was also a bumper year for marijuana seizures and eradications, with 248,031 plants destroyed in 2009 compared to 105,025 in 2008, a 133 percent increase.
Brown said the estimated street value of the drugs seized last year totaled $612 million, a hefty jump over the 2008 value of $262 million.
The number of guns seized during narcotics-related busts jumped from eight in 2008 to 45 in 2009, a staggering 466 percent.
At the same time, authorities served 12 fewer drug-related search warrants in 2009 than the year prior, and made nine fewer narcotics arrests, Brown said.
“It’s pretty obvious that that spike is there,” Brown said. “They’re pretty sobering numbers, really.”
If $12 million is gouged from the sheriff department’s budget, more than 100 full-time employees could lose their jobs, including 40 sworn deputies. Additionally, the Santa Maria branch of the county jail could be shuttered, and the sheriff’s gang unit could fall by the wayside.
“I think these kind of statistics underscore the fact that now is not the time to be cutting public safety,” Brown said. “Specifically our specialized enforcement units and our patrol force that is really responsible for keeping a handle on this kind of activity and preventing it from getting any worse.”
Stop marijuana prohibition : 2/25/2010
Regulate it! Tax it! End of story, alcohol and cigarettes are worst than marijuana, we either go this way or LAY OFF those 100 full-time employees. I don't want my taxes to go a bunch of officers chasing little kids, little gangsters who think they're BAD A**ES and tend to continue a criminal career thanks to those officers who arrest them for having some pot. Get real criminals!
Local Resident
that's not going to work : 2/25/2010
It'll cost more to regulate and tax it than it does now. We spend $8 for every $1 we take in from taxing alcohol and cigarettes. That outgoing money goes to regulation, treatment, DUI costs, etc. It'll be worse for marijuana. The sheriff is doing a great job. I hate to see any cuts to enforcement because the bloom is off our little rose. Provincial Santa Barbara is now home to major narcotics trafficking and gangs. Welcome to your new tourist trade.
downtownres
Provincial Santa Barbara is now home to major narcotics trafficking and gangs : 2/25/2010
"Provincial Santa Barbara is now home to major narcotics trafficking and gangs"
Have you sent a report to the FBI and DEA about this information?
crime rising in SB county : 2/25/2010
It's time for the sheriff to start issuing concealed carry permits to any citizen that is trained in small arms handling (military, military veterans, NRA classes, etc.)
Ed LeGault
Timing : 2/25/2010
The repeatedly use the word 'recent', yet the trend goes back to 2005. Haven't really heard much about this until this most recent budget cycle. Hmm.
StevO
IT WILL WORK! : 2/25/2010
"major narcotics trafficking and gangs"? MAJOR? we are talking about little stupid kids who get to jail and learn from real criminals, then come out and then deal with cocaine and other stronger chemicals, [just take a good look at the mayor cities] STOPPING marijuana prohibition will cut down crime and will increase funds. Potheads are no threat to society. Lay off police officers, they don't know how to deal with immature kids, police officers spend time and money, that' all they do.
Local Residen
statistics : 2/25/2010
I'd like to see a breakdown of crime rates per city. What are the crime rates in Santa Barbara, for instance, compared with 5, 10, 15 years ago, with a few specific crimes itemized? Is the increase entirely gang and drug related?
city voter
Priorities, priorities : 2/25/2010
Legalizing marijuana is not the answer. The drug is already quasi-legal today thanks to a previous voter approved proposition in which voters were buffaloed into thinking that the drug was for “sick” people.
Go see any snake-oil, borderline anarchist drug dealing doctor and get a “script” for that sore toe, or hang nail and you will be hitting your bong “legal” while strolling down State St., or driving down Hwy. 101.
But you see, that is part of the problem. The legalization buffalo crew wants you to think that marijuana is safer than alcohol. The reality is that it’s addictive; a factor in thousands of automobile accidents a year and even if “legal” will be primarily grown by Mexican Nationals, in the United States, with the bulk of the proceeds going to local gangs the Mexican Drug cartels.
Oh, but if it’s legal there will be governmental oversight? Yes, just what the taxpayer needs: MORE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES to oversee more abused drugs. Those additional abused drugs will require MORE mental health treatment, addiction treatment, and physical recovery from related illnesses and guess what? Most of the people I know that are smoking marijuana are….you guessed it: UNEMPLOYED.
So adding to the problems of local law enforcement is not the answer. This County, State and Nation must return to the basics that made our communities great and self sustaining. The collapse began over 40 years ago with Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” in which people were rewarded with social entitlements in lieu of working to self sustain.
Our County has priorities of “Open Space,” Social entitlements and replicating clean air, water and earth studies which have already been performed by State and Federal officials. In the mean time the County is nearly 30 years overdue for a jail, our roads are falling apart, teachers are being laid off and their salaries being funneled to the administrators that fired them and illegal aliens overwhelm our classrooms, jails, roads and welfare rolls.
Legalizing marijuana will not solve these problems. Our citizens MUST make public safety, education and infrastructure their priorities again or face the consequences of a dumbed-down America finally collapsing under the weight of debt, legal and illegal immigration, criminal enterprise and our own inability to allow free trade/commerce/private sector to generate tax revenue.
Clay
Be Scared Now!!!! : 2/25/2010
It is interesting how for the past few years we have been hearing about how good of a job our law enforcement agencies do. We even have our own version of cops now, all so they can have support when their all mighty unions negotiate salaries and benefits.
However, now that their jobs are on the line, all of a sudden, they turn to typical fear tactics.
Why doesn’t each side look for other frivolous spending such as the need to shut down De La Vina Street so that they can put bricks on the walk way. Yes I am sure its city money versus county money and maybe it was budgeted 3 years ago with federal matching money, but come on, should any agency be wasting money like that?
Local
Rising Crime : 2/25/2010
Oh yeah it sure makes sense to pull more sheriffs and police off the street, shutter a north county jail, decrease the number of DA's, special units and probation department in light of these statistics. Isn't anyone awake on SB Board of Supervisors or SB City Council? Start cutting the bloated salary structures, ie a bulldozer driver costs the the County $147,000 per year-- I want that job! Time for the unions and their minions to face the music--there ain't no money
C. Santry
A Life-sized Game of Dominoes: EXPENSIVE : 2/25/2010
Hmmm, let's see, the US Borders are not secure; Mexico is spreading north like an aggressive cancer; illegal drugs and alien proliferate our communities; welfare, social services and social security provide for THEM (Yes, THEM!); DUI checkpoints nab THEM without licenses, insurance, documents and THEY are cited and released (oh we park their cars for them for 30 days!); an estimated minimum 30% of prison inmates are illegals (in more ways than one); "communities in North County" sure look like a SAFE HAVEN, walk like a SAFE HAVEN, live like a SAFE HAVEN...HELLOOO!
ALL parents need to be held accountable and be responsible in all ways for their children, period. If they are illegals and their children, or the parents for that matter, commit crimes and join gangs - jail the criminals and deport their families and put the anchor children in foster care/adoptive families or take them with them and surrender the children's US citizenship. Print them and photograph them prior to deportation.
But let's face it: WE AID AND ABET THEM. We are addicted and greedy: we use the drugs they deal in and want a piece of the action, and I include those upstanding members of the Chambers of Commerce and the Rotary, etc. We are the co-conspirators. We want their goods and services and give them a toe hold with public funds and services, at the local, state and federal levels!
Let's ALL start cleaning up, policing up our selves and our own. We cannot keep expecting the schools to social our children instead of their families, nor the legal system to raise them, it is not working! HELLOOO!
LET'S TALK REALITY
Illegal Aliens : 2/25/2010
I wonder what percentage of these criminals are in this country illegaly. I hear that as much as 30% of our state prisoners are illegal immigrants. Perhaps we could deport a large majority of these deviants and there gangster offspring thereby giving our police officers more time to help U.S. citizens.
Los Alamos
Crime and Society : 2/25/2010
The last time the State voted to deny welfare and benefits from illegals the streets cleared for months until the Democrats filed a suit in Federal Court and stopped it. Guess what else almost disappeared in the few short months until the injunction? Crime.
As the illegal population continues to find refuge from deportation, and anchor babies are the excuse for many broken families of these groups, so does the ongoing crime problem. Society has enough crime issues to contend with let alone the open door policy so quickly embraced by the left.
It is time to go back to a guest worker program, deport illegals found, and question status upon arrest.
About the seizures..... anyone want to guess the majority of people and their status working these locations?
Multi-generation family
The State, County, City, are BROKE : 2/25/2010
The county is Broke.
Law enforcement will end up loosing their jobs while the shops and growers stay in business.
It's all about money.
LET'S TALK REALITY???? lol : 2/25/2010
"oh we park their cars for them for 30 days"??? Get your facts straight neo-nazi, illegals with no licenses are cited, they pay a $500 ticket plus those 30 days which comes to a total of $2500, this is what poor immigrants pay, this is an abuse, we need an immigration reform asp. Nazis would lie in your face to keep up that hate against immigrants, call any towing company and ask how much money an illegal pays in penalties!!!
Smitty's
Tough Questions : 2/25/2010
The failed immigration policies of the Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations may have contributed to the gang violence problems covered in the article. What this really means is that we the voters, in both parties, are to blame as we are the government. It is all too easy to point fingers and place blame with some singular entity. The truth hurts and we are to blame - we let this happen. It may be becoming clear that this is not an issue which can be solved with money. Has the money spent on after school programs, money for police, money for other first responders, money for border patrol, money for welfare, money for healthcare or money for schools kept this problem from happening? Didn’t the state of California, just a few short years ago have all-time record amounts of tax revenue? Didn’t the entire Country of the US just a few short years ago enjoy all time record high levels of tax revenue? Consequently, even if money was the answer, we just don’t have it now. Not as a state and not as a country.
The conservatives didn't want to deal with the immigration issue and granted amnesty on a massive scale. Liberals wanted more voting democrats and everybody wants cheap labor. The underlying issues beneath this issue are complex and intertwined making them so polarizing that the very act of discussing them nearly is impossible without being labeled a racist, fascist, progressive or bleeding heart liberal depending on your position. What people don't realize is that a majority of the gang activity listed in this story, save a few of the big drug related arrests, is committed by US citizens. I would like to know how many of the first and second generation Latino US citizens were born to illegal immigrants as anchor babies. I don’t want to know this because I am a racist who hates Latinos. I want to know so that we may understand the true root problem of the issue and take the necessary steps to solve it.
Recently, I watched a news clip where President Obama was accepting the Mexican President’s argument that the drug and violence problem in Mexico is our fault because the guns used in the approximately 20,000 drug murders in Mexico are allegedly from the US and that the US is to blame as we created the demand for the drugs.
I have two main fears: 1. Could I be wrong in thinking that the Latino based immigration failures over the last 30 +/- years are to blame for our skyrocketing gang violence issues? 2. Will delving into this issue force us to take on many of the other problems that are intertwined with our immigration problem? This could start to be such an overwhelming proposition that even the best hearted centrists still left among us may not be able to lead us through the problems that need to be solved in order to solve the gang violence issues.
So, at the risk of offending many, here is a list of questions to which the people should seek answers to what really are the actual root causes of gang based violence in California and the entire US for that matter?:
• What % of gang violence is committed by illegal aliens?
• What % of gang violence is committed by the offspring of illegal immigrants?
• If it is determined that a large % of gang violence is the result of illegal immigrants and/or their offspring, is the economic value they provide in low cost labor and the taxes they pay worth the cost of the violence?
• If it is determined that a large % of gang violence is the result of illegal immigrants and/or their offspring is it morally justified to single them out and hold them responsible for their negative contributions to the US?
• What is the primary/direct cost of gang violence?
• What are the secondary costs of gang violence?
• What % of gang violence is perpetrated on “innocent bystanders”?
• How much worse would the gang problem be without spending all the money on programs designed to help the youth
• Should the birthright of citizenship be constitutionally barred to the offspring of illegal immigrants?
• Have Arizona’s tough illegal immigration laws that recently went into effect exacerbated the issue of gang violence in California?
• What % of illegal drugs enters the US from Mexico?
• What is the primary/direct cost of illegal drugs to the US?
• What are the secondary costs of illegal drugs to the US?
• Is something radical such as the US permanently annexing Mexico even worth discussing assuming it can be discussed in a rational manner?
• Is President Obama correct in his reasoning for apologizing to Mexico for the US forcing violence upon them because of our drug problem – i.e. is Mexico really the victim in all of this?
• If Canada was our Southern neighbor instead of Mexico would we still have the drug and gang problems we face today?
We should not allow paralyzing levels of political correctness keep us from asking and answering these questions. People forget that even what appear to be low rates of growth in crime and drugs (as with sustained growth rates in anything) eventually create situations that are a crisis. Please realize I am only asking questions surrounding gang violence and illegal drugs. I am not asking any questions about the other costs to the US such as the costs of education, medical costs and retirement costs of a sector of the country that are very low tax contributors and high-level net consumers of tax based services. That is a whole separate discussion that at some point does need to be addressed. The scary part is that if we don’t have enough money to provided resources just to address the violent crime and drug related issues how are we going to tackle the other issues surrounding illegal immigration and the offspring of illegal immigrants.
We need to both ask and answer these questions.
I suppose that the ultimate question that really needs to be addressed if there is a link between illegal immigration, their offspring and gang/drug related violence is:
Are we willing to have less even after being forced to give more?
Taxes will go up or the Sate of California and the US will be bankrupt as both are technically insolvent now. So, you need to ask yourself: Are you willing to give more and receive less? Put another way: Are we that generous a nation that we are willing to give what we have so that others can come here and take without giving back at the same rate it took to create that which is being given – is that morally justifiable to the citizens who contributed to that which is being given
Scared but Hopeful
Immigration Reform is the solution. : 2/25/2010
I Agree!
Andre Garcia
Latinos are the future of this nation : 2/25/2010
As a tax payer I agree that a immigration reform is needed, and if that NUT-NAZI doesn't like this then he should get the hell out of our country!!! This is a country of immigrats and immigrats must always be welcome!!!
No room for racists!
Concealed Carry Permits : 2/25/2010
I agree with Ed LeGault's comments. I have been a liberal person my whole life. I have not been particularly against guns but I have never owned a gun until after 9/11. I've watched AB 357 which would change the state law for concealed carry from "may issue" to "shall issue" not even be able to get out of the public safety committee. In all 37 states that have changed their laws to "shall issue" crime has gone down - something is working. It seems to me that a perfect, perfect storm is upon us. By this I mean, that at the same time crime is way up, our borders our porous, the Federal government is forcing California to release 50,000 plus or minus criminals...we are forced to lay off law enforcement. I sure hate to sound like one of those right leaning gun nuts, clutching to religion and guns, but what am I missing here? Why can't responsible, law abiding gun owners be allowed to carry their guns in such a time as this?
Liberal Gun Owner
New Ammunition Law : 2/25/2010
Hey Liberal Gun Owner, did you know that next year you won't be able to purchase ammunition via mail order? Yup, that's right. All of those things you listed are a fact and you will actually have to be finger printed to obtain ammunition for your gun that you can't carry with you starting in February of 2011. You won't even be able to purchase reloading supplies via the mail. Enjoy your freedom!!!
Gun nut clining to my religion and guns
I told you so : 2/25/2010
I told you that someone would say racist for me even bringing up the questions. Why don't people stay in their own country, fix the problems and/or immigrate legally to the US. This is a country of immigrants - until recently, legal immigrants. I am all for and FULLY support all legal immigrants to the United States of America. Saying that Latinos are the future of the US is more of a racist statement than the questions I posed.
Scared but Hopeful
Scared but hopeful : 2/25/2010
Well said, I agree completely!
Legal Citizen
Move to "Shall Issue" position on concealed carry : 2/25/2010
It's time for lawmakers in Santa Barbara County and the rest of the State to follow their counterparts in other communities and States across the nation, and move to a more common sense policy of issuing permits for law abiding citizens to carry a firearm for self defense. The States and communities that make it easier for their citizens to legally carry a firearm for self defense enjoy falling crime rates. This is not rocket science. Criminals are criminals because they do not obey laws. Their actions are always based in selfishness and doing whatever they want at the expense of the rest of us. The one thing that will make them think twice about committing a criminal action against an innocent person, like us or one of our kids, is the risk of immediate harm to themselves. The threat of possible legal ramifications does not stop them. Many of them have already "been there , done that".
It's time that we as citizens along with the lawmakers we put in office, acknowledge that the law enforcement officers
who patrol our communities, are not the only people capable of deterring crime. They do a great job, but they can't be everywhere all the time. The most horrific crimes occur in the places where the perpetrators know they will encounter the least resistance. It's time we take responsibility for ourselves and our loved ones and turn the tide.
Mike J
Poor Clay... : 2/25/2010
"The reality is that it’s addictive; a factor in thousands of automobile accidents a year and even if “legal” will be primarily grown by Mexican Nationals, in the United States, with the bulk of the proceeds going to local gangs the Mexican Drug cartels."
My my, where to begin... Marijuana is NOT ADDICTIVE. There is no chemical dependency, at all, associated with Marijuana use. I know - I'm addicted to many things. (nicotine, caffeine), but certainly not marijuana. If you disagree I encourage you to post any study indicating that marijuana is addictive. The "psychological addiction" argument is nonsense. You know what else is psychologically addictive? Big Macs. Jersey Shore. Hugs.
RE the traffic accidents... again, I'd like to see evidence. I also don't think that any legalization advocate would support driving while under the influence. That'd just stupid, and the same influence / open container rules should apply as alcohol or prescription medicine.
RE Mexican Nationals as growers.. WTF? Why would that be? It's probably true that there is a high concentration of Mexicans in the agricultural industry. Though I don't know that as a fact. But I don't understand why you think their income would go to drug cartels. That really makes no sense. Care to explain?
"Most of the people I know that are smoking marijuana are….you guessed it: UNEMPLOYED."
Not too surprising that most of the people you know are losers.
baers
"Why don't people stay in their own country, fix the problems" WTF? : 2/25/2010
Why did the Europeans or Jews stated in Europe facing Hitler and other plagues? You are a racist my friend, you just hate illegals because most of them are mexicans? Illegals are here to work hard to be part of our great nation, we need to legalize them and we need to do it now!
Latino Activist
: 2/25/2010
Why didn't your people stayed back in Germany? Why they came here? Be a man and accept that YOUR FAMILY made it and you just dont't give a crap about any other immigrants who are escaping hunger and violence. I remember back in the days when white nazis like yourself used to assosiate drugs to blacks all the time right? Thank God we have TODAY a BLACK PRESIDENT! Illegals need an opportunity like the one this country and GOD gave us US legal residents.
No room for racists!
The job cuts will come because the County is BROKE : 2/25/2010
The job cuts in law enforcement will come because the County is BROKE, and there is no more money to pay for their services. No one works for free.
Crime in S.B. - The Real Gangsters : 2/25/2010
I wish to comment on the funds being spent to arrest gangsters and the local gangsters dressed in SBPD uniforms. Cam Sanchez protects individuals like Matt Sanchez, who is jumping in and out of rehab while he allegedly is running the "All for one" program to rehabilitate gang youth. The city attorney is out soliciting donations for this program while Matt is checking in for help with his addictions, is this the person that our chief of police should be working with to stop gang activity in our beautiful city? Matt has been in prison for many charges of attempted murder and runs the Montecito Barber Shop on Coast Village Road, are the residents in Montecito aware that there is a criminal in their neighborhood scamming donations from his wealthy clients? A more interesting tidbit . . . Chief Cam Sanchez recently got monies appropriated to Matt's "reform program for youth" and city officials are concerned that he has been unable to account for those funds. Is he working alone? Not hardly, his partners in crime are Antoinette Munoz (Matt's Sister) and her gangster husband Richard Munoz, when will we see them arrested? Hopefully when Cam Sanchez gets busted by the federal agents looking into his crimes, what goes around comes around . . . it's karma folks!
Rey Onan
yes Smitty let's yalk reality! : 2/25/2010
Those poor immigrants you talk about are not LEGAL IMMIGRANTS they are ILLEGAL! You know law breakers!! What a slap in the face to all of us who worked hard learned the language and earned our right to become AMERICANS!!!
How dare you! These folks have no interest in assimulating,learning the language or becoming contributing members of our communities they are takers and think it's funny that we complain as one woman stated "So what You all rich", huh???.
Fact only %5 of illegals are here doing jobs that are so called jobs Americans won't do. Fact that Apple you buy in the store for 50cents really cost those of us with jobs and paying taxes $3.00 when you add up the cost of crime, medical, high insurance rates (because of the illegals driving without), welfare, free housing they recieve using their anchore babies as their ticket, education & free lunches, they don't pay to register their cars (so money from that for public uses they don't contribute) but use and disrespect our parks, the woman get welfare for their American born children claiming the father is not around getting food, medical, housing, etc all free while the men work under the table pay no taxes taking home more money then most of us because we have to pay for medical and taxe. People think they must be poor and hungry and or suffering because they living in junky homes bad areas which if you look into it were working class until the influx of illegals they turned them into slums and they have the money to live well with raping our social system and the men working under the table but choose to send most of their money back home where they have family and have purchesed homes their to go back to when they made enough money here. I wan't to be an illegal but no I have pride and am now a proud American!!!
Less cops? No problem! : 2/25/2010
Soon enough Obama will declare martial law and we will have the national guard patroling the streets.
My mom and I came here illegally, I was 4 years old... : 2/25/2010
I went to San Marcos High School, graduated with honors, then I went to SBCC, finished a short career, now I'm a NA and I work at SBCH. It took us 18 years to get our documentation straight. My mom and I came to this country NOT TO HARM anybody, we came here so my father won't beat my mother anymore. Can you just picture two girls living here illegally for 18 years? Many people have similar stories, but racists don't care about us, they just put us in the same boat with those criminals who happen to be here illegals. My mom died two weeks ago, thank you very much RACISTS for making my mom's life a miserable hell this past 18 years.
Please protect the kids.
Shall Issue Concealed Carry- ABOUT TIME! : 2/25/2010
Nice to see some others who see the light. Law abiding, trained citizens should be able to defend themselves.
Sheriff Brown only gives CCW's to cronies and elite while the common man gets the a form letter. Strong work on saving your own hide Brown!
S.B.Native
Follow the dinero : 2/25/2010
"Illegals are here to work hard to be part of our great nation" -- No, they are here to make money and take advantage of free services. Being "part of" our country is incidental at best. If their primary goal were contributing to and building up the USA they would be taking the LEGAL path instead of breaking our laws to sneak in the back door.
Baghdad Bob
Concealed Carry - Issue the Permits - NOW : 2/25/2010
Six people are keeping the lawful, responsible citizens of California from being issued CCW permits. When AB-357 went before the "Public Safety" committee the only voting to move it out of committee and into the legislature, six of the seven rejected it. The only affirmative vote was Representative Hagman - the one who wrote it. This is a topic that should bypass committee and be presented to the citizens of California. The ruling democrat anti-gunners can't let that happen because they know the overwhelming majority of Californians are in favor of concealed carry.
The facts are the facts. When concealed carry passes as SHALL ISSUE, serious, violent crime goes down. Imediately and sustained. No. There will not be blood running in the streets from lawful citizens suddenly turning into blood-thirsty, rage-induced running gun battles. It just does not happen. Again, check the facts, not the hype.
The lawful citizens in most northern California counties are able to obtain CCW permits. They are governed by the same "May Issue" as those of us in the central or southern counties. The only difference is the sheriffs and chiefs of police there approve the CCW permits. The sheriff and the chiefs of police in our area hide behind a cloak of "if I approve a CCW I'll be sued by all of the criminals survivors." As a result, if you're not intimately connected here, you are not worthy of exercising your Second Amendment rights.
Again, check the FACTS. In the states where CCW issuance is "Shall Issue" it's not the CCW holders who are committing crimes. They are preventing or ending the crimes because they can be right there to intervene, not waiting 15 minutes to hours for a law enforcement response. As well-trained and dedicated as most of our law enforcement officers are - and yes, the vast majority ARE well-trained, honest and dedicated - their numbers are small and decreasing, and they can't be everywhere at once.
Citizens who are issued CCWs must go through a local, state and federal background investigation, they have to receive training, - in both the mechanics of firearm proficiency, but also in the laws regarding the use of deadly weapons - and only after that are issued their CCW.
Not everyone will rush down to get a CCW, even if the process was changed to "Shall Issue" over night. In states where "Shall Issue" CCWs are the law, there are usually very small percentages of the public who get their CCW. The percentages of CCW holders who commit felony crimes is usually numbered in the tenths or hundredths of percentages. Most CCW holders are conscientious. (There are exceptions to any segment of society, so please don't cry and moan that "even one is unacceptable" The crimes that are prevented or stopped far outweigh any committed by the CCW holders.)
Regardless of any laws, criminals WILL illegally acquire and employ firearms. That's what they do. That's why they're called criminals! However, when they crawl out of their holes to prey on you and me and our families and our communities, they have to think to themselves, "How many of these "targets" have the will and the means to successfully resist? How many of them can hurt or kill me because they are armed? Are their firearms bigger and better than mine? Are they more proficient in using their firearms?" That is why crime rates go down after "Shall Issue" laws are enacted.
Things are bad now for crime in our state and in our area. They are going to get worse. More criminals will be released early from prisons, or not even incarcerated at all because of cost-cutting, budget overruns, ans court-mandated purges. We certainly are not going to be able to screen, hire, train, and badge more law enforcement officers in the near future. We'll be extremely lucky if we don't lose a large portion of the officers and deputies currently employed.
Forget the rhetoric. Forget the crying and moaning. Forget the gun-banning lies. We need our sheriff and police chiefs to issue CCWs to all lawful, properly trained citizens. We need to tell our legislators to pass "Shall Issue" legislation immediately.
More guns DOES NOT equate to more crime. Check the facts. More guns (and more CCWs) equal far less crime.
Jim from Lompoc
Latino people!!! WE SHOULD also get iweapons! : 2/25/2010
It looks like the nazis are getting ready to kill more immigrants, Latinos is time to stand up, WE under the constitution have the right to bear arms, the nazis are ao desperate to kill poor illegal immigrants, WE as HUMANS must protect the poor from these beasts!!! They did it to the natives then the blacks and now they want to kill illegal immigrants, just pay attention the level of HATE these nazis have, WE Latinks want to work together for an immigration reform BUT nazis are tryin to obtain weapons, WE LATINOS should do the same!!! You wonder now why so many illegals become criminals? Nazis spread hate all over, they need to go back to Germany and star a nazi army over there NOT here!
Immigration Reform is needed befor nazis start killing more illegals
Nice Try But Not So Fast : 2/26/2010
It is completely disingenuous and perhaps even part of a conspiracy to both hide behind and use names such as Nazi as a smokescreen for fleecing America and introducing mayhem to our country. In case you haven’t noticed, Nazis are not killing illegal immigrants. The offspring of illegal immigrant Latinos and some illegal aliens are killing each other with guns and knives and killing all colors of Americans with drugs. To try and obscure the true facts by making outrageous claims of Nazism will only cause a severe backlash against the things you are trying to accomplish – some of which I agree with and am sympathetic to. You used the word “Humans” as opposed to Americans. We, as Americans have what many other places, including Mexico, do not. That is, a large population that fully respects the rule of law and the benefits from a civilized, coexistence with others because of our respect for the rule of law. When tens of millions of illegal immigrants abuse our rule of law and do not contribute to the tax base at level commensurate with what they take from it (Mexico’s single largest source of revenue is money sent back from the US – surpassing oil revenue 3 years ago) our society will break down. We are starting to see this now and it will only get worse. The birthright of citizenship for illegal immigrants must be repealed. Just watch this series of videos on youtube to see what happens when growth goes unchecked…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-QA2rkpBSY
Legal Immigration For All
Shocker : 2/26/2010
The "need reform now" illegal alien racists hit this page hard. An estimated 4,000 Americans a year are killed by the actions of illegal aliens. The amnesty crowds which include the Brown berets; LA RAZA, PUEBLO and hundreds of others (Including many Republicans and the majority of Democrats) call for comprehensive immigration reform. That is a nice sentence for “Amnesty.” The laws to enforce immigration are there, however, they are not being enforced. All of know of someone that is illegal, whether our neighbor employs them, or your favorite vineyard, hotel or restaurant.
The reality is that when you call ICE/Immigration, you get the runaround. The call does not result in a review or screening of the business/employer and yet the employee is taking work away from Americans and not even paying a pittance toward their social cost upon our society, but that is a whole issue of itself.
There is no doubt that illegal aliens also fall prey to victimization, however, the vast majority of the criminal conduct is performed by 1st generation "Americans" whose parents are illegal aliens.
I am impressed by the one; I'm sure, of many examples of an illegal alien doing the right thing to become a productive citizen. But what about the millions that have not, and are being paid welfare benefits to gang-bang, sell drugs and perform various nefarious activities upon our society? YES; we the people are paying them social entitlements while they perform criminal conduct. Literally speaking, America is funding its own gangster crime wave that threatens to bankrupt our nation and is already harming millions of Americans. (Kudos to the once 4 year old that seized the American Dream.)
And the illegals that have their cars “parked.” Pursuant to the vehicle code, driver’s without licenses, or driving upon suspended licenses have their cars “impounded” for up to 30-days. This can be appealed is often reduced by local law enforcement administrators. However the fact of the matter is that the cars the illegal aliens drive are often vehicles they purchased for minimal amounts. When the illegal operator of the vehicle is stopped, too often they are given a ticket (Without being properly identified) and their car is towed. Do they recover that towed vehicle? Rarely. Typically they go on to buy another smog producing, stolen registration tab vehicle which they will also abandon in cases of an accident, hit-and-run, or a subsequent driving while unlicensed complaint, this time using a different name. If only Americans could avoid criminal penalties so easily, but being an illegal alien has its benefits.
Finally, the pro-drug left wing didn’t respond as I expected they would. Just about the only response came from "Buffalo-Baers." Of course he wants YOU to believe that NO ONE becomes addicted to the THC content in marijuana, but like any drug some people DO BECOME addicted. Whether that addiction is psychological (Kind of like Tiger Woods and his sex issues) or all those cigarette smokers out there and the nicotine. But Buffalo-Baers does not care about that, he just wants to get high and for it to be "all legal."
Clay
easy revenue : 2/26/2010
An easy revenue source for the state of California, that other states currently have, is to allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. By obtaining a vaild CDL it will not give them a free ride for other benefits or programs, it will simply give them the ability to drive legally. Increase the penalty for unlicensed drivers, this will also affect US born citizens that have not gotten around to getting their license or those driving on a suspended license. Not only will you have drivers on the road that actually have a better understanding of traffic laws, since they will have to test to get their license, you will also have an increase in revenue. The state will then have more money coming in for the fees for the CDL, the driver's will be able to legally register their cars giving more revenue, and they will be buying car insurance pumping money into the economy and also reducing premiums since there will be less uninsured people driving around. It will also give the government a better update of how many people are really living here in the state, as well as giving a photo and fingerprint to go along with a name. This was a proposal that was presented when we had Gray Davis, but when Arnie came in he vetoed it.
Also, most illegal immigrants pay taxes for things like medicare, social security, etc. even though they will never be able to claim those benefits. Though a portion of workers are paid under the table and therefore don't have taxes reported, those that do have deductions from their paychecks are a large contribution to the general fund for those programs.
catchow
BROKE : 2/26/2010
A lot of City and County workers will loose their jobs (that includes Police, Sherriff dept., Fire, Teachers, etc. etc.).
The City, County, State, and Country are BROKE and BROKEN.
There is no more money, and the people that do have jobs do not want tax increases.
Generate more revenue, but NOT through taxes.
To the NA at cottage : 2/26/2010
"My mom died two weeks ago, thank you very much RACISTS for making my mom's life a miserable hell this past 18 years."
-If life was so bad here, then why did she risk everything and CHOOSE to come here??????
common sense
: 2/26/2010
catchow, here's an even better idea: slap an ICE on anyone found driving without a license. It's an easy way to reduce state expenses via increased deportations.
Timing is Everything : 2/26/2010
Just in time for the budget, how convenient.
Dumb&Dumber
: 2/26/2010
""Buffalo-Baers." Of course he wants YOU to believe that NO ONE becomes addicted to the THC content in marijuana, but like any drug some people DO BECOME addicted. Whether that addiction is psychological (Kind of like Tiger Woods and his sex issues) or all those cigarette smokers out there and the nicotine. But Buffalo-Baers does not care about that, he just wants to get high and for it to be "all legal."
First, please try to use complete sentences when berating me. And I'll say it again, it's been proven numerous times that THC is not physically addictive. Of course there are habitual users, but it's not a chemical dependency like Nicotine. The entire notion of psychological addiction is ridiculous. So Tiger Woods decided to sample a cavalcade or world class tail. If I were him I'd have done the same.
And yes, I want to get high and for it to be legal. Again, I beg, what is wrong with that?
buffalo baers
The True Reason : 3/1/2010
The Cops are letting the Crime Rate go Up SO THEY DONT LOSE there jobs. This way they can make the case that they need so many officers on duty or on the payroll. I scratch your back you scratch mine type of deal they got between each other. If not, the cops we got are not doing there job so fire them.
Just a Thought
: 3/1/2010
Free at Last FREE at LAST. The reason gangs are on the uptick is there are no jobs. Revolutions are started when there is a large population of unemployed 16-30 year old males. There is no way to make money or feel apart of something then you turn to the black market, theft, and Violence. But it is finale nice to be free since the 1880 as far as law over enforcement. did you know Hitler had one officer per 3000 people and that was a military state. We have more people in jail then any country in the world. I am for the 2nd amendment so less police is ok with me the response time of a desert eagle 45 is a lot faster then any cop. What we need is a Mental Facility to deal with all the crazies out there. Fix the problem at the start instead of cleaning it up.
for a better future
Hey common sense: : 3/1/2010
you obviously didnt understand what she meant. Im guessing she meant that for the time her mom was here she was put in the same boat as the other illegal immigrants that are criminals and THAT made it hell for her. Plus her mom just died so show some respect for gods sake. You make me sick.
Robert
LATINO ACTIVIST : 3/1/2010
LATINO ACTIVIST, JUST LIKE JESSE JACKSON YOU ARE ALWAYS PART OF THE PROBLEM AND NEVER PART OF THE SOLUTION. NICE WORK!
S.B.Native
411 E. Canon Perdido, Ste 2
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone (805) 564-6001
Fax (866) 716-8350
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