Candidates Talk Gang Violence - DAILY SOUND - November 1, 2007

What could be more timely and unfortunate than two separate stabbing incidents Sunday night to support what we have been saying? The offering of City programs to youth that the City feels satisfied with is doing little to stop what should be the most urgent and primary target – currently active gang members, as opposed to at-risk youth. Word on the street has it that this time the victims are not gang affiliates but innocents, and that at least one of the perpetrators was recently released from jail. Remember our previous column on prison overcrowding as a contributor to this problem?

Last week we promised a look at the City Council challenger’s feelings about what we feel is another contributor - the “hot potato” issue of illegal immigration and how it might contribute to public safety as well as many of the city’s other problems. We noted the avoidance of the issue by some of the current politicians, and how really, nothing is being done about it. We mentioned a little about what Das Williams previously had to say about it, and we noted the silence of the other incumbents up for re-election. An update from the recent candidate forum suggests that Das feels it is “morally unacceptable” to eliminate gangs by telling them to “get out of the gang or get out of Santa Barbara”, sending the alternate message that it is not their fault, but rather the fault of the community for not “reaching out” enough to them. Apparently it has become immoral to enforce the law or hold criminals accountable. We reported the results of an email challenge to the current council that a citizen had submitted to us, regarding the priorities of Global Warming and impeaching Bush vs. Gang Violence and Illegal immigration and their effect on the City.

Much to his credit, Brian Barnwell after reading our article, emailed us with his take on the issue, having missed the previous challenge about it. The email is posted on our website – conservativeturtle.blogspot.com – along with some of the key points summarized here:

• Global warming is an important issue because of what it portends – reduced resources. Things are going to cost a lot more and there will be less of it. We need to act accordingly.
• Bush is a jerk (sic). Do I want to impeach him. NO. Too divisive; too expensive, too diverting of the attention of the nation and congress.
• Illegal immigration. I don't like it. I want it stopped. You tell me how to do it and I'm probably right with you.
• Gang violence. Huge. Of the four questions, for us locally, it is the biggest.

Still not a word from Helene Schneider, though to be fair, she may have missed the original email challenge as well as our columns. This can be interpreted in many ways – you decide.

We emailed a questionnaire to the challengers this week, specifically about the hot potato issue of illegal immigration – probably the best test of whether the candidates will avoid or address a politically unpopular issue head on, and respond to challenges by the public.

The full text of the questionnaire and responses are posted at:

conservativeturtle.blogspot.com

The following are notable excerpts:

Michelle Giddens

Illegal immigration is the biggest problem to hit the US since World War II. The issue, despite its complexity, demands immediate and top priority. I don't care whether a person is white or brown or any other color; if they live or pass through Santa Barbara I want them to obey the laws and respect the safety and beauty and special qualities of our City. Frankly, we appreciate it when they spend money as they are passing through. If they work here, we appreciate the work they do. And if they can afford to live here, we welcome them as neighbors.

I don't want us to give them all the benefits of citizenship, but I do want them to be treated humanely.

Frank Hotchkiss

Illegal immigration is the elephant in the corner of the room that no one wants to talk about. Police Chief Cam Sanchez has said that illegals are worried about deportation. They therefore do their best to avoid contact with the authorities, including the police. In other words, they avoid criminal activity. He doesn't see illegals as a problem in Santa Barbara, therefore. However, a significant number of prisoners in our state system are illegals, which contradicts the chief's view, although he is presumably correct at the local level. Insofar as gangs are concerned, the police (officers on the street) told me recently that there is a new gang starting up in Santa Barbara that doesn't speak English, and therefore is clearly comprised of illegals, perhaps from South America.

Dan Litten

I agree that public safety and law enforcement are the most important functions of government. However, I think that's so obvious as to be a fairly uninteresting statement. Regarding local health care, our county's healthcare facilities and systems are straining at the seams, and I've seen illegal immigrants receive medical care while uninsured or poor U.S. citizens have certainly at times gone without. Outside our area, a UCLA nephrologist noted that one-third of his dialysis patients had just arrived from outside the country after being told they needed help available in the United States. Illegal immigration obviously contributes to crime. I myself was a victim of a hit-and-run by a probable illegal immigrant drunk driver last week, later taken into custody by our police department. Less anecdotally, the Civil Grand Jury estimated that illegal immigrants make up 10-20% of County Jail inmates. Regarding development, housing and the environment, illegal immigration makes up a significant part of our county population. Excluding all immigration - legal and otherwise - California's population is actually declining. Any topic of such wide-ranging impact deserves City attention.

Dale Francisco

Public safety is my first priority. Illegal immigration imposes costs on society. Though most of the responsibility for enforcing immigration law lies with the federal government, the city certainly should cooperate with federal immigration authorities in an effort to reduce those costs. The city has an obligation to cooperate with any federal law enforcement agency. My understanding is that the police are legally prohibited from enquiring about immigration status unless someone is being booked for a crime. There are legitimate concerns about civil liberties that must be weighed in the balance. We need more police.

We were most impressed when Michelle Giddens took the time to respond at length to our last week’s column “Playing Political Hot Potato” about her feelings regarding illegal immigration. This was completely unsolicited, prior to her receipt of our questionnaire. We have to say we are impressed with her lack of fear to address this issue head on, (before we even asked) and her overall enthusiasm and energy. Frank Hotchkiss responded very promptly, which of course is a good indication of his responsiveness and lack of fear to address politically “hot” issues. We admire his fearlessness against political correctness as demonstrated by his strong position against gangs and his English only stance for City Hall. This demonstrates strong leadership qualities. Judging by his comments at the recent candidates forum, we appreciate that he understands that the inspiration for graffiti is not “artistic expression” but rather, tagging and claiming of gang turf. Das Williams thinks the grafitti problem can be solved by providing a “graffiti wall” so “youths” can “expreeesss” themselves (as if lack of artistic outlet was the reason they are inclined to claim turf and stab people that cross the line). This indicates a dangerous fundamental misunderstanding and downplaying of gang culture. Dan Litten also responded quickly. We are very satisfied with his knowledge and concern about gang violence, especially his understanding that it is a cultural issue, rather than a general matter of young people without enough to do. In NP Voices The Gang Problem October 14, 2007 he calls it a “culture that cherishes disrespect”. That is the best understanding of the problem we have heard. But we worry that public safety might not be his primary concern or motivation for running. He also clarified the comments in our last article, that may have unintentionally implied leaf blowers were his sole environmental concern. Other concerns include pesticide use, bicycle/pedestrian traffic and energy use. We did hear that as well, and thanks for reminding us, Dan. We apologize if we gave anyone the impression that his environmental concerns were that narrow.

Unfortunately, we could not locate an email address for Bob Hansen. We are not sure if he has one. That tells us he is probably the smartest candidate right there. Bob, if you are reading this, we can still post your response on our website.

We have our opinions about the responses, and we know who we would endorse, but we promised no partiality. Who would listen to a turtle anyway? As many of you know – public safety and the elimination of gangs is what inspired our column. If this is the most important issue to you as well, there should be enough here to go on. The questionnaire and offered responses may be viewed on our site, along with all of the communication we received on the subject. We inform, you vote. Ok, we may offer a few of our opinions as well, but not here. Don’t be surprised if we have a little analysis on our blog. Depends on if it’s a good week for rock sliding in the pond or not….

May the best leaders - those that put local public safety far above saving the planet for the survivors of the gangs, released prisoners, and criminals and terrorists that walk across the border … WIN!

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