Don't go to Santa Barbara not a safe city (Long Beach: renting, crime rates)

[JerZ]

Originally Posted by Roma

I would ask you cre8, then who are these gang bangers? What do they all have in common? Hmmmmmm I wonder. They are Latino! Good, Ok, then what do the gangs in Oxnard have in common? Your right, They're Latino again. It is in their culture to be in gangs. It is what they do here in the good old USA. Any place that has a high number of latinos has a major problem with gangs. Tell me a city that has a high number of latinos and does not have a gang problem? It is "cool" for them to belong in a gang.
No more Politically Correct. No more heads in the sand. Lets call it what it is so we can solve the problem.

Thanks, Adolph, so what "solution" did you have in mind? I mean since you're saying that any place that has a lot of Latinos has a major problem with gangs (quote verbatim).

Can you let us know which ones we should erradicate first? I mean in your opinion.

Holy cr*p.

[Roma]

Originally Posted by JerZ

Thanks, Adolph, so what "solution" did you have in mind? I mean since you're saying that any place that has a lot of Latinos has a major problem with gangs (quote verbatim).

Can you let us know which ones we should erradicate first? I mean in your opinion.

Holy cr*p.

Jerz, can you tell me a place with a high number of Latino population and does not have a gang problem?

And again if the head of the gang unit in Santa Barbara called them Latinos then why can't I?

[JerZ]

Originally Posted by Roma

Jerz, can you tell me a place with a high number of Latino population and does not have a gang problem?

And again if the head of the gang unit in Santa Barbara called them Latinos then why can't I?

I'm not going to answer that one. I'm afraid you'll come along one day when I have a tan and am into my black-haircoloring phase and gun me down as part of your final solution. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...I said nothing...nah-thiiiiing.....

[SandyCo]

Keep it nice and civil, everyone! I'm not in the mood to use my "delete" finger tonight.

Yes, there is a gang problem, and not just in Santa Barbara, of course. Yes, most gangs are comprised of minorities. How to combat the problem has been puzzling law enforcment for years. I don't think we're going to solve the complex cultural and social issues on this forum. I'd appreciate this topic getting away from the racial aspects, please.

[Winston Smith]

Can anyone elaborate on what Santa Barbara is doing to steer kids away from gangs? There's been a lot of press about a new teen center (of sorts) downtown where kids can go to play computer games, record music and other things. What else is SB doing?

I've heard that SB has some programs available for kids in gangs to give them a chance to get out. Those programs, however, are only available to kids who are already in deep. Apparently there is little focus in Santa Barbara to keep kids out of gangs in the first place. Are there any preventative programs to keep kids from falling to gang life? If so, what are they?

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Cre8- Santa Barbara just opened up a $500,000 youth center aimed at "troubled kids." Unfortunately, there is only so much the city can do. It's a city of 85,000 people and far from vibrant gangland of metropolitian Los Angeles)- Santa Barbara is definitly not a "great place" to be a gangster regardless of what there happened last week. The pattern seems to be that these "middle school gangsters" eventually drop-out, grow up, and move out of "boring," "white" S.B. Honestly, this is another problem linked to our porous border, and I believe that the city needs to focus on the parents and changing the roles/influence that they play in their children's lives. (Just a thought)

[CrystalSpirit]

No offense taken cre8. I enjoy the sharing of opinions. I certainly wasn't recommending to ignore the problem ~ I just wanted people to know it's a safe place to live and visit with a few areas to be cautious in. It is sad that we even have to consider where to be and when for our own safety ~ but ignoring some of the patterns will not help.

Roma makes a good point that there are many poor who choose not to be in gangs ~ she's just noticing a pattern that is socially taboo to identify. I believe the acceptance of gang life begins in the environment someone is raised ~ the activities of older family members, friends, and neighbors.

An excellent point that cre8 makes is the changing of society ~ not only in this area but across the US. A barbell society where the middle class is being slowly eliminated creates a lot of friction and complex problems to solve. Without an education or specialized set of skills you will likely be living a lean lifestyle anywhere you choose to live ~ especially if you are trying to support a family. If your English language skills are limited you can expect to be near minimum wage which would likely require two jobs instead of one to make ends meet. I think many children of the working poor have little supervision due to this and the higher divorce rates in general.

The fancy new kids center was a nice addition for the community as long as it stays a safe haven for those who choose peaceful living over gangs. I have my doubts that most of the current gang members will be able to use it successfully since any gathering of friends from one gang would attract the opposing gang creating safety issues for anyone using the center ~ defeating it's purpose.

I don't have children and do not work in the field of education ~ so I believe my only role in this issue is to live my life being kind and respectful of others as a good example. I feel the parents and educators have the main role in creating enthusiasm and hope in these kids for the future. Maybe getting them involved earlier in goal setting and lifestyle choices may give them something to work towards and be proud of. The other key to this I believe is requiring full accountability for their actions by the police department. I disagree with children being tried as adults ~ however ~ the sentence must create an extensive opportunity to teach proper social skills and anger management with role models they can relate to. Sadly, due to many families time restraints, the burden falls upon the educators to create the proper learning environment. Specialists in that field would be money well spent. Perhaps the police department, school districts, and tourism bureau could pool funding for programs that gives these kids the opportunity to meet other gang's members in a positive sports or project environment as part of sentencing. Maybe with new friendships and goals the activities will take a positive direction. In the meantime, neighborhoods can keep the police informed of activity as it happens so an many events as possible are addressed quickly.

Santa Barbara is a wonderful place to live for those to choose to afford it. Hopefully the extra attention this latest crime has generated will create some positive new avenues for improvement.

[Californiaguy2007]

Santa Barbara is a City for The Wealthy.....Gangs and Homeless People do not belong there.

It's also a Beautiful City and I don't want it going downhill like what happened to so many once Nice Areas in L.A County :-(

[Roma]

Originally Posted by CrystalSpirit

Roma makes a good point that there are many poor who choose not to be in gangs ~ she's just noticing a pattern that is socially taboo to identify. I believe the acceptance of gang life begins in the environment someone is raised ~ the activities of older family members, friends, and neighbors.

Thank You for that CrystalSpirit!

I guess I found out my comment was "socially taboo". (Being called Adolf and saying I might gun someone down).


I also want to add that families need to put a lot of emphasis on "Education". THE TICKET OUT OF POVERTY IS EDUCATION. I am personally speaking from experience on this.

[JerZ]

Originally Posted by Roma

I guess I found out my comment was "socially taboo". (Being called Adolf and saying I might gun someone down).

WHAT??? It's socially taboo to state that an entire culture shouldn't exist? No...way.

Sorry. I guess I'm still not used to massive racial hatred yet. Give me time. I've only been here two years. In time I, too, will learn to smile phonily at people on the street and then turn around and vent my true intolerance where I can be anonymous (like the internet...or the freeway). Dare I say that's cowardly or would saying so be against TOS?

Consider me spanked! I'll learn, I'll learn..........

(ETA: I've just gotta add...has it not occured to you that with the amount of Latino cultures in California, someone on here might be Latino/Latina? A lot of people, even? Did it never cross your mind that you might be hurting someone's feelings by stating that his/her culture is by itself a problem? Now you're saying that "education" is the solution. Way to backpeddle. Before you were saying that the existance of these people, period, causes gangs because it's in their nature to gang up. And yeah. I object to that. And no. I'm not Mexican. Just someone who wasn't raised to hate entire cultures.)