Slashing on San Andres Street

The LAPD in 1979 established a very short-sighted and dangerous policy called Special Order 40. It prohibits Police Officers from “initiat(ing) police action with the objective of discovering the alien status of a person.” This prevents officers from inquiring about the immigration status of an individual and from contacting federal immigration officials about an individual’s immigration status. We don't hear anything about what the policy is here, but with Chief Sanchez in charge, and his LAPD roots, we can be pretty much assured it is the same. It is basically an undeclared sanctuary policy. The theory behind (excuse for) the order is that illegal immigrant witnesses will be more likely to provide information to police if the fear of deportation is removed. Not considered is the fact that they won't provide information anyway , for fear of gang retaliation.

The flaw in this theory is that illegals are more intimidated by gangs than they are of the fear of being deported by Police. This incident on San Andreas, where the owner of the property is uncooperative, along with the recent witness intimidation incidents in the Juarez case, should illustrate that point quite well.

One can't help but wonder if the Police were not providing sanctuary for illegals for the last two decades, if we would have a gang problem at all, can one? What do you think Sanchez? How long before gangs are running this City by intimidation Mr. top cop? It's happening already in Mexico, and by now we all know that unlike Vegas, what happens in Mexico doesn't stay in Mexico - if we keep letting Mexico through the porous border and then protecting and harbor it's criminal citizens. Oh, that is not to say that there were any illegals or spawn of illegals involved in this incident, why the article doesn't say that (of course) - the media or Police would never investigate, report or provide that information. It might give us the truth behind all of this, or it might put such theories to rest, most likely the former.

I feel like a lone wolf here. How about a show of support? Is there anyone else out there concerned about the dramatic escalation in gang violence in the last two years? If so, I would like you to follow this simple line of reasoning: Mayor Blum has been in charge during this period and the period leading up to it. Mayor Blum thinks the problem can be solved by more love and compassion and "reaching out" to the misunderstood and underprivileged hispanic youths, and in the period of two years can't think of anything else to do about it, as weekly events continue to prove her wrong. She in denial about what else might be causing this escalation. Grant House, Helene Schneider, Das Williams, Iya Falcone, Roger Horton are all of the same mind. Mayor Blum employs Chief Sanchez, also of the same mind. You all voted Das and Helene back in during the last election. Does anyone think perhaps it is time for a change? Let's just try it and see if things improve, ok Santa Barbarans? Let's not be foolish and promote another of these councilmembers to Mayor ok? Or is more killing and stabbing in the streets and alleys and hotels "ok" with you? What is wrong with you people?

AShaw! Very well put. I am starting to think that you and I are amongst a very small population of realists in this town.

Mayor Blum wants to cuddle with gangbangers while the city council blows smoke up everyone's ass.

As I have said so many times prior, untie the cops' hands Chief Sanchez, and MAYOR BLUM PLEASE RETIRE!!

Perhaps it should be me, livingsb for Mayor, and AShaw for police chief. What do you think?

The Mayor Blum focus is misguided, to say the least.
Have you been hanging with TA a lot lately?

How 'bout the toughest enforcement legally possible, and consideration of the deportation connection among other things... And then, how 'bout some participation by dads of the offenders, victims, etc.?

Sooo, all hispanics are illegal???
I smell a bigot or two here.

Chief Sanchez and the Lords of SB have consistently turned down the very tools which would slow this tide of gang banger violence.

From the US Customs and Enforcement website:

ICE ACCESS (Agreements of Cooperation in Communities to Enhance Safety and Security) provides local law enforcement agencies an opportunity to team with ICE to combat specific challenges in their communities.

The 287(g) program is only one component under the ICE ACCESS umbrella of services and programs offered for assistance to local law enforcement officers.

ICE developed the ACCESS program in response to the widespread interest from local law enforcement agencies who have requested ICE assistance through the 287(g) program, which trains local officers to enforce immigration law as authorized through section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Chief Sanchez, why are you tying the hands of your officers when these tools are available?

for once, the comments in this article are in line with reality. can we finally say "gang injunction"?

Local "leadership" is only the tip of the iceberg. From local politicians to Washington D.C. most politicians support the open border policy.

To quote President Bush--who is the icon of the flag waving patriotic Right--"They do the work Americans simply won't do". (I actually heard him say that on the news!) Yeah George, who did the work before cheap exploitable labor the norm?

Simply jumping on Blum and Sanchez won't solve the problem, they ALL need to be thrown out of office, but it's abundantly clear that for all the complaining people do they will still vote for pro-open borders people as demonstrated by the support for Obama and McCain.

A man who happens to be Hispanic was stabbed. There is no reference in the story to the status of his citizenship, or to gangs.

Yes exactly my point Moonrunner - why do you think there is never any reference to the legal status of the perpetrator's or victim's citizenship ? BECAUSE POLITICAL CORRECTNESS DICTATES THAT WE DON'T OFFEEEEND ANYONE even if it is true. Intersting how it seems ok to point out their race but not their nationality. So what does this even have to do with racism or bigotry as some like to imply? There is a difference between a racist and a nationalist. The article does not say there were NOT illegals involved either, so we have just as much right to assume they are as to assume they are not, until the journalists are brave enough to do some thorough investigating to prove they are not.

The point however, is that gangs are intimidating everyone, and not to notice that they are nearly 100 percent hispanic would be dishonest. Nobody said all hispanics are gang members and troublemakers and nobody said all hispanics are illegal TEGRAT.

Everyone has been intimidated into not noticing or asking, including politicians the media and the police. Because there is always someone like tegrat who can't wait to pull out the "bigot" or "racist" labeling and twist it to fit every situation where someone notices the truth. Nobody said all hispanics are illegal, you are trying to plant the bigot and racist label by suggestion tegrat, you are attempting to intimidate free speech and open opinion and it doesn't work anymore, as you can see by most of the comments here. People are getting tired of the PC BS, the intimidation by name calling. I don't care what you want to label me, because I know in my heart that believing in orderly immigration and noticing the truth that all gang members are hispanic does not make me racist or a bigot. The tired "bigot" and "racist" stuff has lost its power, especially when it is clear that lives are at stake. Get a new act.

In defense of Tegrat: This person raises the valid point that we should not look at someone who is Hispanic/Mexican/Latino whatever term one wants to use and label them as gang members. For what it's worth, if you're Mexican (That the term I use since it's the most accurate) and you are NOT into the Cholo scene, you get labeled by other Mexicans as being a sell out. I know what I'm talking about because I've seen it first hand. Being labeled a sell out by Mexicans or being labled a gang banger or illegal by non-Mexicans must be a REAL drag.

On the other hand, also agree with AShaw that political correctness is B.S. and has lost it's power.

Either way, we can thank the continued support of status quo politicians in both parties for the mess we are in with this gang problem which from the look of things will get worse.

Bill in response to your defense of Tegrat I repeat from my previous post:

"Nobody said all hispanics are gang members and troublemakers and nobody said all hispanics are illegal TEGRAT."

As for this getting worse yes we haven't seen anything yet. Soon there will be no point in arresting people because there is no more room in jail. Gang members will soon roam the streets with impunity, laughing at the law and the politicians who want them to stop it and be nice to each other. Today's Sound bears the sad news that the construction of the badly needed new North County Jail is in doubt.

According to Sheriff Brown:
"22 inmates slept on the floor last Monday night, and last week a court order mandated the early release of 55 inmates who had served a fraction of their sentences"

As for rehabilitation and the question of where are these criminals coming from " 70 percent of those state inmates dropped off at bus stops throughout the county each year, end up back in jail in three years"

Get out early, keep on bangin until you get caught - back to jail - get out early, bang some more....it's a lifestyle. A lifestyle that the community "leaders" strategies are not likely to change....I'm not sure how many early released criminals are going to take a bus from those bus stops to one of those youth programs, but my guess is - probably not a whole lot.

Alright! Let's throw the Police Cheif and the Mayor out and start brand new.
I get it, the Police Cheif is Latin American and the Mayor is an Idot but really, where is the "caller" who reported the incident?
He calls and then 'SHUTS-UP'?!
"Hey! Look P.I.G.'s, I just called you, your the the ones to find-out the answers; not me".
He clams up and won't say no more, WHY?
I would question his motives or fears for keeping a tight lip.
Guess, it adds up to another GANG attack.