Richmond Murder Rate Exploding (San Francisco, Long Beach: crime, neighborhoods, tax)

[Puddy4LyF]

I've never made a post like this before but it's just unbelievable to me what's going on in Richmond. In fact, when I saw this on the news this evening, I just wanted to cry.

Boy, 15, Fatally Shot Near Richmond's Iron Triangle - News Story - KTVU San Francisco

"RICHMOND, Calif. -- A 15-year-old boy found fatally shot near the railroad tracks in Richmond Saturday morning is the city's 33rd homicide victim this year and the fourth person to be found murdered in that area since February, a police sergeant said."

In a week, you go from the guy who shoots up the toll-plaza, the Sureno-retaliation murder, and now this.

I recently applied to work for the Richmond Police Department (something I hope I get so badly) and since then, have been driving around Richmond, focusing on maps/crime maps and paying attention to their local news. A friend of mine also witnessed a break-in, had to identify them in a line-up, and then quickly moved out of the city. Probably a good choice.

A city of 103,000 residents shouldn't have 33 murders in August (last year was 21). I see Richmond ascending from 9th most dangerous city per capita this year to nearing the top 5 next.

I hope people come along who truly cares and tries to do something positive in the Iron Triangle.

[gizmo980]

I worked for the City of Richmond for a year, and just got laid off in April... while I'm not happy I lost my job, it's almost a blessing in disguise. Really sad how things are over there, and I hope it gets better rather than worse. There are some great things about that town, and tons of great people - unfortunately they are overshadowed by the "bad apples," who seem to be getting more & more violent. I'm not sure what the solution might be, but first they need to get some of those guns off the streets.

As a librarian, of course I also think education and recreation are extremely important. If you give kids healthy outlets for their energy, maybe they won't wander the streets looking for trouble. Many family situations are also quite troubling, so I guess social services need more help as well... next time you see a library/rec or educational bond on the ballots, do your part by voting yes. One thing I can't stand? People who whine about the crime and social issues, and then vote down anything that might help if - god forbid - it costs them a few pennies.

[E14]

some of this was inevitable (norteno/sureno)
the deborah ross shooting hit close though, as I first heard about it from a close friend of mine who knew her
people get murdered everyday and no one cares, but this was a rare case of innocent victims
more cops are not the answer. neither is locking more people up.
there is no answer

[City Boy]

Their Police Chief needs to go. He cant handle this. Why would they bring in a guy from some small town NOTHING like Richmond. Oakland got it right bringing in a chief from Long Beach a city with similar crime problems, and Richmond does this?

[gogetta]

Yeah I agree, Fargo is worlds apart from Richmond. Crime in Long Beach is nothing similar to Oakland though.

[City Boy]

Originally Posted by gogetta

Yeah I agree, Fargo is worlds apart from Richmond. Crime in Long Beach is nothing similar to Oakland though.

Why don't you think LB is similar to Oakland? They are about the same size and Long Beach has a pretty large amount of crime in certain parts of the city. (East). LB used to be much worse than it is today.

[gogetta]

Crime in Oakland is and always has been considerably longer that's all.

[City Boy]

I was speaking on similarities not the exactly same. Long Beach is a tough city with a gang problem. Oakland is a tough city with a drug problem.

[DjRey]

Originally Posted by City Boy

Their Police Chief needs to go. He cant handle this. Why would they bring in a guy from some small town NOTHING like Richmond. Oakland got it right bringing in a chief from Long Beach a city with similar crime problems, and Richmond does this?

Good point on that. Im gonna keep it 100 here. One of the main problems is the community is just immune to this, and its brushed off like "just another shooting". Us as Blacks and Hispanics that live in these areas need to stand up and take control of our neighborhoods..The community has to finally say "enough is enough"..Real talk.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

It doesn't help when the Contra Costa County DA's office puts out a presso saying they will no longer prosecute most crimes, in an attempt to "do their part" to scare people into accepting a tax increase during a recession / depression. Talk about a Darwin Award. DOH!!!