Local impressions after law-enforcement cuts? (Grants Pass) (Florence: rental, violent crime)

[roadturn]

From here (Idaho Falls), the vision I get is of gangs and drug addicts taking over the cities and folks holing up out in the hills, polishing rifles on the front porch. It's either a sad situation, or Oregon's new version of the "Welcome to Oregon, Now Go Home" bumper sticker I had on my truck when I was a young man growing up on the Coast.

[Sherwoody]

Originally Posted by roadturn

From here (Idaho Falls), the vision I get is of gangs and drug addicts taking over the cities and folks holing up out in the hills, polishing rifles on the front porch. It's either a sad situation, or Oregon's new version of the "Welcome to Oregon, Now Go Home" bumper sticker I had on my truck when I was a young man growing up on the Coast.

I have visited the downtown GP area numerous times through the years I've been in Oregon and have never seen even one gang looking person ever. Here is a live cam you can visit day or night to look for yourself. Happy hunting.

http://web.thedailycourier.com/web_cam_2/

[roadturn]

Thank you, Sherwoody.

[backdrifter]

Originally Posted by roadturn

From here (Idaho Falls), the vision I get is of gangs and drug addicts taking over the cities and folks holing up out in the hills, polishing rifles on the front porch. It's either a sad situation, or Oregon's new version of the "Welcome to Oregon, Now Go Home" bumper sticker I had on my truck when I was a young man growing up on the Coast.

Gangs and drug addicts? No. The petty thieves and vandals (some of them on meth) can get away with a lot more.

True, the City of Grants Pass has a functioning police department, but many criminals (including low level violent offenders) have to be cited and released because there is no room at the jail for them or the DA's office doesn't have the resources to pursue it. So criminals don't get justice.

There was an armed burglar that was on the loose near Redwood Elementary School a few weeks back or so and they locked down the school while in pursuit of him. He was found in a shed on the school property, but he was cited and released. This is NOT an unusual occurrence. I have many more anecdotes like these from friends/family who live in Josephine County still.

So is that really the sort of place you want to live? Where many criminals are let go to roam free without any consequences arising from their actions? It emboldens them, if anything, and they go on to commit more crime because they know they can get away with it. It's not the new "Now Go Home" bumper sticker--it's a legitimate problem.

[roadturn]

Thank you, backdrifter. If armed robbers are cut loose due to jail overcrowding, who in the world are they filling up the jail with? Jaywalkers?

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by Sherwoody

I have visited the downtown GP area numerous times through the years I've been in Oregon and have never seen even one gang looking person ever. Here is a live cam you can visit day or night to look for yourself. Happy hunting.

Grants Pass Daily Courier -- Downtown Web Cam

You are not looking close enough. Gangs are a major issue in Portland, Salem, and Grants Pass. Even Independence has a wannabe gang problem.

[roadturn]

Even Idaho Falls, as remote as it is, now harbors a growing community of thugs. Over Christmas a gang attacked and killed a young man not far from us (Ammon suburb). Seems his friend had dated the gang-leader's ex-girlfriend (or something equally ridiculous). Others fake car troubles, then beat and rob the friendly folk who stop to help.

Sad, but true, stories ... no longer limited to Los Angeles or Oakland. And when the peace officers can't control it, savvy citizens will ... our children's futures are at stake.

[Steve Pickering]

Are you really prepared to get into a gunfight with some punk who is ready and willing to take your life? Most people think they are, but the reality is not pretty.

[roadturn]

It's not pretty either way, Steve. It's not a pretty world when evil steps in. I'm not advocating anything other than the power, even the responsibility, of the people to stand up for what's right -- in whatever form that takes or needs to take. Peace officers are the people's representatives on the front line, but they aren't and can't always be there when needed. It takes us all, coming together, to really make a difference. Evil counts on fear and silence. Without those, it can't operate with impunity.

[Steve Pickering]

I have been my own security for 50 years, I was just asking.