Gang Members Receive Jail Time, Probation for Assault

They're nice boys, they don't hurt nobody! Tell it to the judge already!
Personally, I don't have to hope, I just simply KNOW these 2 will certainly violate their parole.
The sooner they do, the sooner the 17 years in state prison begins. Who wants to bet on this?
What I'm confused about is Arroyo, he gets felony probation when he gets out of the Graybar Hotel & has to register as a gang member, but what's all this about deportation? Just ship the guy off already! :) henry

"Luis Perez, 18, pleaded to assault with a deadly weapon, but will receive a similar sentence. He was the most culpable in the attack, it was alleged, having used a souvenir mini baseball bat to attack the victim, causing serious injuries to his eyes."

What do the gun control advocates have to say about this?

Let me connect the dots, lest anyone be confused by my last post: http://sbcoalition.org/

And: http://sbcoalition.org/partner-organi...

You don't suppose these parter organizations would be hesistant to go after gang members do you?

Are you urging, billclausen, that these punks should have used a gun instead of the "minibat"?

Nah, I'm just saying that there are people who really believe that if we take away the right to own guns that we'll live in a peaceful world and simply pointing out the inconsistency of that argument in light of the fact that gangbangers are fond of using knives and baseball bats to hurt and kill people.

Did you guys know that in sporting goods stores in England the #1 selling hot ticket item is, drumroll please: BASEBALL BATS! The thing is there ain't many sales of balls or mitts. What gives? :) henry

What gives is that people keep baseball bats just inside their front door to ward off a bad door-bell experience, i.e. intruder or home invasion. It is very common. But people don't usually carry baseball bats around with them for protection or to rob a bank. They use guns, usually. But I do recall that here in Santa Barbara in the late 1980s (?) a man bludgeoned his wife to death while their kids were in the next room. I recall that he used a baseball bat. Santa Barbara has always had strange violent scenes. Very sad.

In a gunless society such as England Friday & Saturday nites see huge increases in the ER w/ blunt force trauma, some fatal, some critical, some lucky.
I really DON'T or CAN'T believe any of those ER cases on the receiving end of the blunt force were "bad door bell experiences" in any way.
Eliminate 1 system, another becomes the norm, it is human nature & Darwin @ it's best.
I have my "systems" in place should an intruder try to make their way in, let's just leave it @ that.
W/ that said, there has NEVER existed a need in my life experiences that have led me to thinking "GEE! What a nice day to rob a bank w/ my available systems!"
Comes down to people Don. Hardened repeat offending criminals have it hard-wired in their brains to be criminals. Rehabilitation doesn't, never did & unlike the hard working, law abiding John/Jane Q Public, they use illegally acquired systems to commit crimes of opportunity & for special gain.
That's just the way it is, sadly enough :) henry

"That's just the way it is, sadly enough :) henry"

Well put. I would add that what is even sadder is that with the exploding gang population people don't want to strike at the root of what causes this. I read an article by a former gang member who said that by the time these kids are eight years old they have--to quote the author--"the look", in other words, that thousand-yard stare.

If poverty and racism alone caused gang behavior than every child of color during the Great Depression would have been a gang member. (And by the way, guns were practically unrestricted then--just as a side note)

From the look of things, these stories are going to become so common that people won't even take note of them until they themselves are victimized by gang culture.

o.k. billclausen define gang culture. I've asked you to broaden your point of view about that before and to stop the easy pickens at the bottom of the social strata and start picken at the top.

So we have this gang member and council member Randy Rowse. Rowse has been involved with the "business community" and been on the extreme and narrowly focused downtown parking committee for decades. Not so bad, right? But when you look at the city and its' inhabitants desires or goals for more balance, fairness, good neighborhoods and safe streets, I think Rowse is actually the most dangerous of all the council members. Because of Rowses' narrow but prominent involvement, his acceptance, supposed congeniality and outward appearance Rowse comes off as reasonable and acceptable. Even council member House fell for Rowse, thinking he'd be a "reasonable guy." But Rowse is an extremist and looks out for himself and his people. Anyone who wouldn't vote for Steve Cushman should also have a red flag up for Randy Rowse.

Now before you think that I am out of line take a look his own neighborhood and Cliff Drive hearing two weeks ago http://santabarbara.granicus.com/Medi...
Skip to item 31. 5 hours and 16 minutes. Listen carefully to what Rowse says. The totality of Rowses' community involvement results in an autocratic demeanor. Rowse states that the "general plan" doesn't matter, "staff driven projects" (developed by difficult but just community consensus) doesn't matter, no other neighborhoods matter, and so apparently only the Mesa neighborhood, where Rowse lives, or the Downtown district where he does business deserves his consideration and support.

I think Rowse makes very caste like system decisions as evidenced by his statements; because of Rowses' ongoing exclusionary statements at this hearing and elsewhere. Rowse convinced me at this hearing that he would not even consider giving the same attention and consideration elsewhere in the city. Rowse made it clear that he is only interested in this Cliff Drive re-stripping project for his neighbors, "for a great group of people" who I suspect were primarily of anglo extraction. I don't get that Rowse will be very attentive of others in less fortunate or less homogeneous neighborhoods.

Lastly don't forget to see the very end of Randy Rowses' comments where he gives a 3-fingers down Mesa gang flash. Very incredulous and inappropriate. We have deep embedded representation, social and racial problems here in Santa Barbara. But even with the Mesa gang flash is in your face, on the LCD, people just don't recognize it.

Deport. Them. All.

"o.k. billclausen define gang culture. I've asked you to broaden your point of view about that before and to stop the easy pickens at the bottom of the social strata and start picken at the top."

An immigration policy run by politicians who speak about "coming in the right way", yet who pander to those who are for illegal immigration.

The justification for illegal immigration is that it provides the U.S. with an endless supply of cheap labor. Right-wingers/business interests who believe in unlimited free market practices see that they can save money by hiring these people. Left-wingers see any attempt to slow down immigration from Mexico as racist. Either way, the effect is that the people who come here are told not to bother with assimilating and becoming Americans (as past generations of immigrants were) Many of these people do not acquire even basic language skills (thanks to the strident insistence that everything be provided in Spanish) so that ensures minimal assimilation and low self esteem as they see the other immigrant groups assimilating culturally and linguistically. Their kids see this and grow up feeling culturally alienated and since their parents are busy working all day and schools are no longer allowed to discipline kids the combination of low self esteem, and lack of accountability, as well as overcrowding are a sure fire cause of antisocial behavior.

As long as people keep voting for politicians who think that cramming semi-literate people into already impoverished, overcrowded areas is somehow good for our economy, the gang problem is sure to continue growing.

By the way, why are the "progressives" silent on the devastating effects of overpopulation these days? A few decades back, it was very en vogue to tell American couples to limit their childbirth rates to two children. Why have these voices gone silent?...oh yes, it's because the the higher birthrates are among immigrants and they don't want to look like racists, yet they still complain about the traffic and overcrowding.

By the way, none of this is helping the impoverished in Mexico. Why should the Mexican government have any incentive to help its poor when they know they can use the U.S. as a safety valve?

So you see Don, contrary to your unsupported accusation about my need to "stop the easy pickens at the bottom of the social strata" (can you provide proof of that?) I've always gone after the U.S.'s political policies. Sadly, trying to help the overall situation draws the opprobrium of hypersensitive people who seem to have an obsession with given local political figures.

If we actually got to the bottom of this problem, what would the people who live for activism do?

So why does this ALWAYS have to turn into something about Randy Rowse, Michael Self, Frank Hotchkiss or Dale Francisco?
Oh, yeah, that's right, because DonMcD is posting. Sorry gang (no pun intended, actually, it was), my bad :) henry

Oh, DonMcDermott. There you go again, redefining gangs. It's funny, because if you talk to a gangster, they'll say the same idiotic things to justify their existence; "The police are just another gang." Also, I don't believe these two little idiots were elected to any office that I know of. Let's stop talking about city council members, because the only thing they have to do with gangs is their complete inaction and ineffectiveness in dealing with gangs, and that goes for all of the worthless piles of cellulite that currently sit, and have sat on the city council. ALL OF THEM!

And, are you kidding me?! 8 months?! That's all these little peckerheads got for nearly beating a kid to death? Probation? What a joke! Probation officers are about as hard on local criminals as the city council is. I know. My father-in-law was a probation officer for 30 years, and he did everything is his power to keep from violating any of these little thugs, even if that meant ignoring blatant violations of their probation. Like I said before, these punks just laugh at guys like DonMcDermott and my father-in-law. But, at the same time, they're happy that people like DonMcD and my suegro exist, because it would be that much harder for them to operate without them. Guaranteed, these two jerks will violate their probation many time before it is up. Sometimes their P.O.'s will know about the violations, and just ignore it as being too minor to bother with, sometimes the violations will go undetected. As hank said, "Personally, I don't have to hope, I just simply KNOW these 2 will certainly violate their parole. The sooner they do, the sooner the 17 years in state prison begins." The only problem is, as they get away with more and more, they become more emboldened to commit more serious crimes that not even probation officers like my father-in-law can ignore (DonMcDermott will probably ignore it though). By then, it's too late.

Don, you just got owned again. Give it up.

I thought these punkids from the Safest Beach In The World were called Crapas. My bad.

Oh, they're crap-ass alright :) henry

Someone takes this : "To help promote strategies which limit easy access to guns in our community." to mean this: "take away the right to own guns." Paranoid, delusional maybe? What is real is people buying guns at gun shows for people who shouldn't own any and/or taking the guns across the border, ending up in the hands of drug and thug corporations: Gangs. If you think our gun rights are threatened in this country, you should really educate yourself on how easy it is to acquire one and how they proliferate in the hands of the tin foil wearing. Why was the gun issue brought up in the 1st place? Paranoid, delusional maybe?

Wow!! Illegal Hispanic Gang member committing a violent crime.

I get the LA Times, OC Register and SB newspress on line.

The Crime sections all seem to have a lot in common.

LA Times crime section will scare the heck out of you. I lived there 35 yrs. ago. Now vast portions are off limits to all sane folks. Even the cops go in pairs and wear bullit proof vests.

I know...I don't understand. I don't want to understand. I want them to STOP coming here ILLEGALY, Stop having children here at TAX payers cost (emergency rooms are not free by the way just because YOU don't have to pay) STOP ruining neighborhoods, stop tagging private and public property and STOP committing crimes.
(this goes for everyone by the way)

Too ALL Immigrants and Citizens alike that came here legally and work hard and contribute and obey laws and just want to live a decent life.............Welcome aboard!! And I do mean that.

Wait! the ER is free? Why do I keep getting my bill?!!??

spacey.............ER is not Free! but anyone coming in with an "emergency" which includes, stab wounds, fight wounds, gunshot wounds, flu symptoms, cut hand, stomach ach, GIVING BIRTH etc. etc. and have no means to pay are taken care of for FREE TO THEM. The bill is then passed to the State (which is broke of course) and that cost is passed on to US.

Got it??

I think you do.

" If you think our gun rights are threatened in this country, you should really educate yourself on how easy it is to acquire one and how they proliferate in the hands of the tin foil wearing. Why was the gun issue brought up in the 1st place? Paranoid, delusional maybe? " -Spacey-

Spacey, I suggest you read Senator Barbara Boxer’s autobiography “Strangers in The Senate.”

On page 179, Boxer writes: “Senator John Chafee of Rhode Island has introduced a bill to prohibit the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, purchase, transfer, receipt, possession, or transportation of handguns or handgun ammunition; the only exception would be for law enforcement, military guards, or antique collectors and regulated handgun clubs. Senator Chafee calls his bill the ‘Public Health and Safety Act,’ and that’s an appropriate name.”

For the next four pages she quotes Chafee after which Boxer writes: “Waiting periods may well help, and I support them, but I do believe that Senator Chafee’s approach will lead to a better America.” (Funny how she doesn’t mention this on her website.)

Question: Is it true that the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital E.R. has a bullet-proof window? (Which would also be effective against knives, baseball bats, and people having a bad day.)

Barbara Boxer's "Strangers in the Senate: Politics and the New Revolution of Women in America," was published September 1994.

It is now July, 2011.

Just a suggestion billclausen, but you may need to update your talking points.

Other notable events from 1994:

- Tonya Harding wins the national Figure Skating championship title but is stripped of her title following an attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan.

- Northridge Earthquake, magnitude 6.7, hits the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles

- OJ Simpson flees police in his white Ford Bronco

- The Whitewater investigation begins

- Netscape Navigator released quickly becoming market leader for browsing the web

- Lisa Marie Presley marries Michael Jackson

- Kurt Cobain commits suicide

- Popular Films: "Forrest Gump," "The Lion King," "Dumb & Dumber," "Pulp Fiction."

* * * How Much things cost in 1994 * * *

- Yearly Inflation Rate . . . USA 2.61%
- Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average . . . 3834
- Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve . . . 8.50%
- Average Cost of new house . . . $119,050.00
- Average Income per year . . . $37,070.00
- Average Monthly Rent . . . $533.00
- Cost of a gallon of Gas . . . $1.09
- Movie Ticket . . . $4.08
- Average cost of new car . . . $12,350.00
- Loaf of Bread . . . $1.59
- Dozen Eggs . . . 86 cents

It is amazing that the State treats a violent assault with months rather than years of incarceration. The conventional wisdom is they are young so there is hope... there is no hope, they are men, eligible to vote, die, get a job, have a mortgage so until the DA goes for the max on all cases of intent to inflict bodily harm and them and their like are warehoused, nothing will change. As far as the LA Times they have a list of all the murders since 2007 and it is (approx) 1300 Mexican, 1200 Black and under 450 white, it is in the cultures. Is that racist?

Binky, you miss one major point: Boxer is still in the senate, even though this is 2011, and how many more think like her.

Just a suggestion Binky, but you may need to update your politicians.

Binky, since you went into such detail about the year 1994: You forgot to mention that was the year I started working at the News-Press.

How could you be so careless?

When baseball bats are outlawed, only outlaws will have baseball bats.

And billclausen needs some 'ludes.

John Adams, another outdated politician, back from the dead to haunt me.

You'll have to pry my baseball bat from my dead, cold fingers! :) henry