The City Council is closer to putting a $40-a-year parcel tax on the ballot, which is designed to raise about $30 million a year for gang prevention and intervention programs. Would you support this tax increase to combat gangs?
Comments
Are we suppouse to belive 30 million will go far in the fight on gangs, or that they money will go to cars and overtime and other areas claiming it is for gangs?
LAPD, LASD, School Police FBI,CHP, Homeland Security, Parole Officers Probation officers.
These are just some of the law enforcement oficers charged with our safety, whose salary we ALREADY PAY! If they want to scare us into an illegal tax to work around prop 13 there going to have to land a 747 into city hall courtesy of a street gang, because the average angelino is not an idiot.
Take the 28% of Desk Duty officers have them dust off there uniform and enforce the law's already on the books. Do your job Now with the money you have now, LAPD already sucks the life out of the city budget. They are never satisfied. The propaganda is enough do your job you have a list two miles long of gangmembers, check there records violate there parole and probation. Learn to work kid, for 30 million we could pay the gangmembers to leave before wasting it on law enforcement. LAPD needs to call in the feds and the LA County Sheriff Once the sheriff rolled through canoga park and figueroa along with Metor Division there won't be a gangmember in sight. Stop with the propaganda aimed at fear and misinformation spend more time on the street, and ask for the help from the LA County sheriff and other agency's.
Mis-Managment is no excuse to drain homeowners.
Let's get real $$$ is not going to stop gangs--Start killing the vermin and it will stop--There are put in prison and run the prisons and still cause problems outside--Its crap
Nothing is going to help stop gang activity until the US builds a 2,000 mile wall along the entire border with godforsaken Mexico. Gotta stop the flow of scum at the source. Then bring on the National Guard, declare war, go neighborhood to neighborhood, and shoot gang scum on sight.
Let's start with deporting the illegals who are in gangs. That should get rid of a lot of the problem. Let's also stop LA's status as a sanctuary city. We don't want illegal criminals to have sanctuary here while they commit crime after crime. This mass deportation would have the dual effect of relieving the pressure on our infrastructure; roads, water, power, schools, and so forth. Before you stick your hands in my pockets again, let's really fix the problem. BTW, where are all the cops that the trash fee was supposed to fund?
Just say "no!" to more city taxes. Email your councilperson, the mayor's office and Controller Chick today and let them know.
The Advancement project report on gangs already reported that the city wastes monies on personal cars and bad programs and they've done nothing to improve the situation. Write, write and write to them some more until the-not-too-bright city leadership takes notice.
The $30million can come from a tax, a tax on the gangs. Any house, car, and etc. used for gang activities would be taken and sold to fund the program. This is similar to what Israel does in the occupied Palestinian land.
Rather than tax homeowners for these "anti-gang" programs, how about a proposal to repeal the tax breaks given to business interests in enterprise zones who also sit on the boards of the very organizations that run the failing "anti-gang" programs. Residents pay while business interests get tax breaks. Nice deal if you can get it.
Taxes, Taxes and more Taxes,!!! We've already approved how many new taxes for police....so where are they....There will always be gangs, what's needed is to enforce the DETERRENTS already on the books, so kids won't be so eager to join. We have the laws, lets enforce them to the letter...It's not all about being poor and deprived...they're are many struggling families who raise decent children. There are enough "programs" out their already.
Here we go again...soaking the property owners with another tax to fund a lame-brained idea that won't work. The money from these special taxes never go to their intended purpose for long. Let's round up all the gang bangers and deport those here illegally and revoke the green cards of those who are here legally but not citizens. Levy harsh sentences on those who are citizens and let them rot in jail.
For about 1 million dollars you could buy enough ammo to mow down every gang member in this state. Problem solved AND I just saved tax payers 29 million dollars.
Let's not burden the homeowners with yet another tax increase. And for a program that's not likely to work (it starts with the parents). Those who bought homes recently already shell out roughly $500 each month in property taxes. Why not use some of the property tax windfall from the recent run-up in home prices to improve our quality of lives? Where is that money going anyway? One thing's certain, I won't vote for any tax increases unless I'm absolutely convinced it will work. That means the city will have to show results before it asks for more handouts.
Didn't this same consul want to bail out mortgage holders just two weeks ago? Why not take those millions and spend them on yet another politically correct yet futile program? Does the City Consul check their brains at the door when they come to work or is a lobotomy performed whenever someone is elected? Here's a clue; until the average citizen has the right to defend themselves, until "we the people" feel we can trust law enforcement, all the money in the world won't amount to a hill of beans. Actually, you'll probably re-enforce the LAPD's apparent campaign to alienate the very people who could help them. When a cop can interview a witness without looking for the opportunity to arrest them, when the victims of an assault aren't handcuffed, then you might gain the use of the communities eyes and ears. Then you'll have what you need to send these gang punks packing, but first folks are going to have to trust the police more than the gang-bangers.
These programs will not work, because gang members will not change. Send them back to where they came from, and that will solve the problem.
Spending money on deportation would help better.
What we need are right minded people to run for seats on the City Council to stand up for the rights of those paying the freight rather than those paying the campaign contributions.
Hell no. get the feds to pay what they don't pay. the city council wants to tax and tax, but keep on pissing away all the tax money on porkbarrel and blame DWP when they steal our money from them.
HELL NO, WE WON'T VOTE FOR IT! Janice Hahn never saw a tax increase she didn't like.
Laura Chick correctly opposes this, and pointed out to Hahn and her left-liberal faction at the Council that the City/ her Controller's dept. included, should first do an audit of where the money we've supposedly raised for gang prevention and policing is going so far.
Besides the recent trash tax, other monies have been promised for gang problems over the years.
What is the Mayor's new "Gang Czar" doing? He's been pretty invisible, after the hoopla of announcing him. Pandering to the gangsters with some touchy-feely programs won't do any good unless they're combined with repealing SP40, so that the cops can ask for criminals' legal status and deport those illegal criminals.
The U-visas already exist on the books, to encourage and reward victims of crime who come forward to cooperate with the cops -- reward the victims and the innocent, deport criminals, and you've got a good start.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? This City Government can't even make due with the money we give them! The idiot Mayor and this buffoon Police Chief are letting our children get butchered! Empower our Police Officers and let them deal with the gang members like they should instead of pulling back on the choke chain! Give the LAPD more power and more police, instead of this idiot gang czar that we just got shoved down our throats! More Police, equals a safer environmant for our kids! You have enough money, use it wisely.
Its ironic that when Chief Gates was Chief Of Police he was appraised of the gang problem in 1980 he felt they were a joke and refuse to budget an anti gang task force. Later we all found out it was because of his DARE program he wanted to start an leave as his legacy. So now here we sit, finally figuring out that we can't arrest our way out of the gang problem. There really is only one solution to the gang problem and that is to bring back the draft. Thats right, draft them and let the armed forces teach them honor, respect and what it means to be a real man.
Twenty five million for an asphalt in Sylmar. The city sounds like the drug addict who approaches asking for food money.When you tell him he will just spend it on drugs, he replies, he has money for drugs, he needs money for food.
Is this supposed to be "protection" money, that the ploticians are extorting form property owners on the gangs behalf. It's absolutely disgusting that the billions we pay in taxes don't do anything to protect us from gangs.
Is this supposed to be "protection" money, that the ploticians are extorting form property owners on the gangs behalf. It's absolutely disgusting that the billions we pay in taxes don't do anything to protect us from gangs.
Call to Action ! When the City Clowncil, uh I mean City Council meets to vote on this turkey, you can be sure the L.A Bridges crowd will be there in mass to support it. We who oppose it need to show up earlier than they do, take up all the seats and leave the Bridges knuckle-heads out on the sidewalk to squeal and moan. Let's defeat this turkey !!
Every time the city wants more money they find a program that they can use to scare everyone in to giving in and letting them have it. I remember reading in this paper about how one person charged with gang prevention was in fact running a criminal enterprise right under the noses of those geniuses on Spring Street.
When does it stop? LA burocrats think they have a goldmine with homeowners. LAPD/sheriff/metro/ice/and all other law inforcement agency "start enforcing existing laws on the books" instead of creating more bureacracy on the shoulders of homeowners. People of LA unite and shut them down on any new taxes with a strong "NO" .
another home owner tax,huh... guess the city council has shown us the way..the real gang problem is the homeowners in Los Angeles..
if we all don't pay....keep your hands out of my wallet.
How about a city council tax... for failure to do anything right....
How is it we have the money to fight a "war on terror" in a sandbox, but not in the streets of America? From the pix in the media, I don't see much of a difference anymore. Can't we use some of the borrowed money to fight local terror?
Citizens, look where the current anti-gang budgets the city pays out are going-- free golf lessons at LA City Recreation and Parks department, free swim programs at LA City Recreation and Parks department and LA City Police Impact program (what do they do?) and the mayor's office are four out of the top 5 expenditures in current anti-gang budgeting. City of LA government is feathering its own nest with this issue financially within its own departments, at your expense.
Wake up, call and write your councilperson and the mayor's office and demand accountability from them.
Why in the world should taxpayers give the city more money to fight gangs when the studies have shown that the existing programs don't work? The City Council needs to first prove that it can spend this money effectively and not divy it up among their districts.
Besides, if City Hall wants more tax money from me, there are about 12 things that I'd rather have it spent on.
This new tax is not going to solve the gang problems in L.A. The criminals know that because of severe overcrowding in the prisons and jails that they will only serve a small fraction of their sentences and be back on the streets in no time. Why not use the money to build more jails to house these criminals--therefore we don't have to release them sooner and can make them serve their entire sentence. Not too mention LAPD needs to relearn the term "to protect and serve" instead of "to harass and arrest". Maybe then the public will be more willing to help authorities in catching and procecuting the criminals. Deport the illegal gang members and let them know if they come back they spend life in a federal prison (and actually enforce it). And if the city council did the budget right--there would be plenty of money to do just that without hitting the homeowners up for more cash.
LAPD is a joke. $30 million will go 100% to waste. They already don't respond to calls unless one of there's hurt or in danger. Worst police department I have ever seen. Try doing the job you were hired for and stop gangs now! You where to look, so look!
Not even 100 millions will help fight the gang problems, unfortunately will never go away as long they still leaving in the USA soil. All this people are criminals since young age, as far as I'm concern they should deport all the illegals and put the rest in prison for the rest of their lives. Why we have to pay for their mistakes and there families? what about NO More Taxes for gang use, not going to Vote . Why not all the Idiots, like Antonio and La Raza and the rest of his "compadres" come up with the money .
Let's not forget that this money wouldn't be for the LAPD or any other law enforcement agency. It would be for gang intervention and prevention programs. The very ones that the City Controller is auditing.
When I first saw the blog yesterday I was sure someone would be touchy feely and scared into handing over more money just like when a bully tries to take a kids lunch money, to see so many people share the same core beliefs that the LAPD wastes money, that the gangs will be around much as they have been for the last hundred years no matter what we do, and the fact that illegals should be deported is pretty cool.
Now if we all feel the same way, how do these Idiots get elected?
Really come on now.
Who voted for these morons?
Oh I remember now, the busloads of illegal aliens who vote illegally.
Cant we make it a felony with min. 10 year mandatory federal prison time for fradulently voting so we can elect people who stand for OUR interests, not the illegal aliens or the felons!
What happened to the tax fee increase to hire new cops. It was not supposed to happen until next year and was spead up. Now they want more money to hire more cops. Wake up people of LA. Hell will freeze over before any of this money is ever used to hire any police. Los Angeles is running its self into sever financial problems bu paying top dollar to hire the best of the best, the elite of the elite, the magnicico of the magnifico. Then giving them free medical and more money in retierment than them make when they work. Couple that with massive buliding projects and more pork projects or each council district. Top that off with declining property value that will leave the city coffers as dry as the water shortage we will be having.
Sounds like some of these people need to get into a black/white and see how officers are being assaulted by gang bangers and shot at. New York has 40,000 cops and patrol about 100 fewer miles. The gang problem is NOT an LAPD problem but a COMMUNITY problem. What about the damn parents of these idiots? Council wastes millions on special event waivers, $40 mil on an elephant exhibit, millions on studies and haven't done anything proactive to solve gang problem. Connie Rice's report was given almost a year ago and council hasn't done ONE thing to move it forward. Another tax is NOT the answer. The answer is getting communities to unite against the gangs in their neighborhoods and start reporting their crimes.
The city council gave LA Bridges hundred of thousands of dollars. The guy running the gang program abused that money and gave salaries to his family then was arrested on parole and other criminal acts like selling guns. 6 city council members political campaigns received DONATIONS FROM LA BRIDGES. JANICE HAHN, PERRY, BERNIE, REYES and others. So tax dollars are being spent not on gang programs but for political campaigns
Once again the politicos of Spring St. have found a creative way to waste our money. Get off the pork wagon and budget what you have. The taxpayer is not a bottomless well for every politician to dip into for whatever project will garner a little ink. If you want the press on Spring St. all you need to do is expose the truth. Politicians in handcuffs will always draw a crowd.
If you oppose this tax hike, you REALLY need to support my campaign to become L.A.'s next Mayor. Visit WalterMooreForMayor.com to get a Mayor who will oppose all tax increases, and who will hire more police rather than squandering millions on "gang programs," which we already know don't work.
Let the police do their job without the fear of being sued. The police spend more time investigating themselfs instead of putting all their have on the street to fight this problem. No more taxes for dumb programs!
Stop illegal immigration. Control the borders. As long as people keep coming here without proper documentations and educational background, having to work two, three jobs while no one watches their kids and nurture them about the opporunities they're wasting away, you will breed gang bangers. Use common sense, not more taxes.
Close the border with godforsaken Mexico. Round up the Mexican gang scum and deport them. Better yet, gun them down and let their bodies rot in the street. I am sick of Mexican gang scum. When are we going to take back our city, our state, and our country from these lowlife Mexican gangbangers?
1.Repeal Special Order 40 and deport every illegal immigrant who belongs to a gang.
2.Kick gang loving mayor tony out office and elect someone
who hates games.
3. Move the hell out of California like I did. The police here in this small town in Montana cracked open the heads of gang members long ago so we don't have problem anymore.
Let's understand this. The City Council declared this a "sanctuary city" which welcomes illegal immigrants and makes certain their status will not be questioned by the police. We use our taxpayer monies to fund social services, etc. for those here illegally.
Then we are informed that over 75% of these gangbangers are here illegally. Now we are being asked to fund programs to counter the gangs' activities and atrocities, 3/4 of whom are here due to the city's policy of creating a welcoming climate for them.
Am I missing something here?
How about building the big wall,moats w/aligators,lots more border patrol and deport every man,woman and child in are great country now!!! thats here illegally.
As resident of the City of LA, I am already paying too much for LAPD and DWP and PW for garbage.
Why an additional $30M for gangs. Have LAPD take care of it. They get the majority of the "okay" for budget and we have officers just sitting on desk jobs.
I'll say no!!!!!!!no matter
how much money they have handy, gangs always be here, unfortunately,until all this criminals are put to death or be out of OUR Country forever .I'm very sick and tired to see innocent people get killed, our Cities destroyed and so on, what Antonio has to say or do about this big dilema?.... nothing !!!!!!!!!!!
Another fiasco in progress by the local demagogues. The real panacea starts with the family! Taking more money from Peter to pay Paul is not the gang bang solution.
Property owners are usually victims of the taggers, soon to be , gang members. Clearly money is needed to address this problem, but it should not come at the expense of the property owner. We need to stop illegal immigration. Families who are here legally should not be given citizenship if their children are proven gang members. Parents need to be held fiscally responsible for damages caused by their children.
LA is the most corrupt city in CA why would anyone with brains want to give then anymore. LA has the worst streets in the world pot holes everywhere. so many bonds get passed and nothing happens. LA is a big money pit. its time to recall everyone on the city council
joseph
north hollywood
LA is the most corrupt city in CA why would anyone with brains want to give then anymore. LA has the worst streets in the world pot holes everywhere. so many bonds get passed and nothing happens. LA is a big money pit. its time to recall everyone on the city council
joseph
north hollywood
LA is the most corrupt city in CA why would anyone with brains want to give then anymore. LA has the worst streets in the world pot holes everywhere. so many bonds get passed and nothing happens. LA is a big money pit. its time to recall everyone on the city council
joseph
north hollywood
City council is giving money to ex gang members who are abusing our tax dollar. "Big Weasel's No Guns organization received a cool $1.5 million from the city's LA Bridges program. Marroquin received the funds despite being arrested for ex-felon in possession of a gun last year by police searching his house looking to arrest his son for a home invasion robbery and despite ample evidence he remained a very active, dangerous criminal who was a tax collector for the Mexican Mafia. The Marroquins are connected to powerful politicians like Villaraigosa whose LA Bridges director accused police of harassing the family and continued to funnel money to the No Guns rehabilitation non-profit.""""
I am sure glad I left the Peoples Republic of California. The taxes were way to high for me so I left to another stste. The majority of the voters voted for these scum bags on the city council and now you get what you deserve, high taxes, gun control that never seems to work except for the criminal element and more taxes. If you don't like the city council why do you keep voting the same corrupt idiots in office?
Very disappointing vote, but not surprising: There's no upside to a councilperson voting against the majority on this, the rest would make him/her look unconcerned about gangs. Whereas it's a matter of fiscal irresponsibility. Millions are already being wasted or unaccounted for, Chick is right. But where were the opponents, the Howard Jarvis no more tax types, on Friday? Nowhere seen or heard. It will come down to the ballot box, where we have to hope 2/3 vote no.
Problem is, everyone can vote, but only homeowners would pay the penalty, so all the renters don't care. There should be an amended law that only homeowners can vote on taxes that only affect THEM. This is like socialism.
Plus, the "average" parcel tax of $40.00 is actually a lot higher for most people, anyone in a nicer home, the ones always footing the bills. With property values down, this is a lousy time to keep piling on the taxes. (Meanwhile, Hahn is one of the lefties who wants us to bail out the ones who just bought and can't pay THEIR loans.) Homeowners/ taxpayers need to organize.
While many of the comments posted seem reasonable in wondering why a special tax is needed to pay for what should ALREADY be a (paid for) law enforcement priority, the opportunity for racists and bigots to sound off sure has made me wonder if I care about the opposition to this tax.
Last I checked there are all kinds of gangs: white (racist skins, Irish, Italian, Armenian, even Israeli) Asian (Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Laotian, Thai, and Khmer), African American (but also Jamaican and Nigerian), Latino (Mexican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Colombian, etc.) Gangs are equal opportunity outfits. So if you want to make this issue a "let's all hate Mexicans" issue, you will lose.
I am extremely fatigued at the bold racism of So Cal readers. As an American who lived in Mexico for two decades, I have to tell you your hate is disgusting and shameful. No country has contributed more to the wealth of the United States (willingly and unwillingly) than Mexico, starting with 1/3 of its national territory, its natural resources, labor power, tourism resorts, markets, and more recently, investments. We enjoy free trade with Mexico and Americans can buy property there and live like kings. Hatred toward Mexico is not only shameful; it will cost this country greatly.
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Comments
Are we suppouse to belive 30 million will go far in the fight on gangs, or that they money will go to cars and overtime and other areas claiming it is for gangs?
LAPD, LASD, School Police FBI,CHP, Homeland Security, Parole Officers Probation officers.
These are just some of the law enforcement oficers charged with our safety, whose salary we ALREADY PAY! If they want to scare us into an illegal tax to work around prop 13 there going to have to land a 747 into city hall courtesy of a street gang, because the average angelino is not an idiot.
Take the 28% of Desk Duty officers have them dust off there uniform and enforce the law's already on the books. Do your job Now with the money you have now, LAPD already sucks the life out of the city budget. They are never satisfied. The propaganda is enough do your job you have a list two miles long of gangmembers, check there records violate there parole and probation. Learn to work kid, for 30 million we could pay the gangmembers to leave before wasting it on law enforcement. LAPD needs to call in the feds and the LA County Sheriff Once the sheriff rolled through canoga park and figueroa along with Metor Division there won't be a gangmember in sight. Stop with the propaganda aimed at fear and misinformation spend more time on the street, and ask for the help from the LA County sheriff and other agency's.
Mis-Managment is no excuse to drain homeowners.
Posted by: Webcams | September 13, 2007 01:22 AM
Let's get real $$$ is not going to stop gangs--Start killing the vermin and it will stop--There are put in prison and run the prisons and still cause problems outside--Its crap
Posted by: sunny reinhart | September 13, 2007 06:09 AM
Nothing is going to help stop gang activity until the US builds a 2,000 mile wall along the entire border with godforsaken Mexico. Gotta stop the flow of scum at the source. Then bring on the National Guard, declare war, go neighborhood to neighborhood, and shoot gang scum on sight.
Posted by: S. Nash | September 13, 2007 06:49 AM
Let's start with deporting the illegals who are in gangs. That should get rid of a lot of the problem. Let's also stop LA's status as a sanctuary city. We don't want illegal criminals to have sanctuary here while they commit crime after crime. This mass deportation would have the dual effect of relieving the pressure on our infrastructure; roads, water, power, schools, and so forth. Before you stick your hands in my pockets again, let's really fix the problem. BTW, where are all the cops that the trash fee was supposed to fund?
Posted by: wee jimmy | September 13, 2007 06:53 AM
Just say "no!" to more city taxes. Email your councilperson, the mayor's office and Controller Chick today and let them know.
The Advancement project report on gangs already reported that the city wastes monies on personal cars and bad programs and they've done nothing to improve the situation. Write, write and write to them some more until the-not-too-bright city leadership takes notice.
Posted by: teddy | September 13, 2007 07:08 AM
The $30million can come from a tax, a tax on the gangs. Any house, car, and etc. used for gang activities would be taken and sold to fund the program. This is similar to what Israel does in the occupied Palestinian land.
Posted by: Dr. Fleischer | September 13, 2007 07:24 AM
Rather than tax homeowners for these "anti-gang" programs, how about a proposal to repeal the tax breaks given to business interests in enterprise zones who also sit on the boards of the very organizations that run the failing "anti-gang" programs. Residents pay while business interests get tax breaks. Nice deal if you can get it.
Posted by: Jerry | September 13, 2007 07:35 AM
Taxes, Taxes and more Taxes,!!! We've already approved how many new taxes for police....so where are they....There will always be gangs, what's needed is to enforce the DETERRENTS already on the books, so kids won't be so eager to join. We have the laws, lets enforce them to the letter...It's not all about being poor and deprived...they're are many struggling families who raise decent children. There are enough "programs" out their already.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 13, 2007 07:50 AM
Here we go again...soaking the property owners with another tax to fund a lame-brained idea that won't work. The money from these special taxes never go to their intended purpose for long. Let's round up all the gang bangers and deport those here illegally and revoke the green cards of those who are here legally but not citizens. Levy harsh sentences on those who are citizens and let them rot in jail.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 13, 2007 08:35 AM
For about 1 million dollars you could buy enough ammo to mow down every gang member in this state. Problem solved AND I just saved tax payers 29 million dollars.
Posted by: Mark | September 13, 2007 08:36 AM
Let's not burden the homeowners with yet another tax increase. And for a program that's not likely to work (it starts with the parents). Those who bought homes recently already shell out roughly $500 each month in property taxes. Why not use some of the property tax windfall from the recent run-up in home prices to improve our quality of lives? Where is that money going anyway? One thing's certain, I won't vote for any tax increases unless I'm absolutely convinced it will work. That means the city will have to show results before it asks for more handouts.
Posted by: David | September 13, 2007 08:42 AM
Didn't this same consul want to bail out mortgage holders just two weeks ago? Why not take those millions and spend them on yet another politically correct yet futile program? Does the City Consul check their brains at the door when they come to work or is a lobotomy performed whenever someone is elected? Here's a clue; until the average citizen has the right to defend themselves, until "we the people" feel we can trust law enforcement, all the money in the world won't amount to a hill of beans. Actually, you'll probably re-enforce the LAPD's apparent campaign to alienate the very people who could help them. When a cop can interview a witness without looking for the opportunity to arrest them, when the victims of an assault aren't handcuffed, then you might gain the use of the communities eyes and ears. Then you'll have what you need to send these gang punks packing, but first folks are going to have to trust the police more than the gang-bangers.
Posted by: Michael | September 13, 2007 08:52 AM
If you oppose this tax hike and want a better Mayor, I'm your man. Please take a minute to visit my website: WalterMooreForMayor.com.
We have to end City Hall's endless war against taxpaying American citizens.
Walter Moore
Posted by: Walter Moore | September 13, 2007 08:56 AM
These programs will not work, because gang members will not change. Send them back to where they came from, and that will solve the problem.
Spending money on deportation would help better.
Posted by: sc | September 13, 2007 08:59 AM
What we need are right minded people to run for seats on the City Council to stand up for the rights of those paying the freight rather than those paying the campaign contributions.
Posted by: Jerry | September 13, 2007 09:00 AM
Absolutely not!
Deport those here illegally and revoke the green cards of those who are here legally, but not citizens.
Posted by: Bob Clark | September 13, 2007 09:31 AM
Hell no. get the feds to pay what they don't pay. the city council wants to tax and tax, but keep on pissing away all the tax money on porkbarrel and blame DWP when they steal our money from them.
Posted by: Dave Peterson | September 13, 2007 10:16 AM
HELL NO, WE WON'T VOTE FOR IT! Janice Hahn never saw a tax increase she didn't like.
Laura Chick correctly opposes this, and pointed out to Hahn and her left-liberal faction at the Council that the City/ her Controller's dept. included, should first do an audit of where the money we've supposedly raised for gang prevention and policing is going so far.
Besides the recent trash tax, other monies have been promised for gang problems over the years.
What is the Mayor's new "Gang Czar" doing? He's been pretty invisible, after the hoopla of announcing him. Pandering to the gangsters with some touchy-feely programs won't do any good unless they're combined with repealing SP40, so that the cops can ask for criminals' legal status and deport those illegal criminals.
The U-visas already exist on the books, to encourage and reward victims of crime who come forward to cooperate with the cops -- reward the victims and the innocent, deport criminals, and you've got a good start.
Posted by: jill | September 13, 2007 10:33 AM
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? This City Government can't even make due with the money we give them! The idiot Mayor and this buffoon Police Chief are letting our children get butchered! Empower our Police Officers and let them deal with the gang members like they should instead of pulling back on the choke chain! Give the LAPD more power and more police, instead of this idiot gang czar that we just got shoved down our throats! More Police, equals a safer environmant for our kids! You have enough money, use it wisely.
Posted by: Estephen | September 13, 2007 10:58 AM
Its ironic that when Chief Gates was Chief Of Police he was appraised of the gang problem in 1980 he felt they were a joke and refuse to budget an anti gang task force. Later we all found out it was because of his DARE program he wanted to start an leave as his legacy. So now here we sit, finally figuring out that we can't arrest our way out of the gang problem. There really is only one solution to the gang problem and that is to bring back the draft. Thats right, draft them and let the armed forces teach them honor, respect and what it means to be a real man.
Posted by: Bill Vaughan | September 13, 2007 11:01 AM
Twenty five million for an asphalt in Sylmar. The city sounds like the drug addict who approaches asking for food money.When you tell him he will just spend it on drugs, he replies, he has money for drugs, he needs money for food.
Posted by: David Hernandez | September 13, 2007 12:00 PM
Is this supposed to be "protection" money, that the ploticians are extorting form property owners on the gangs behalf. It's absolutely disgusting that the billions we pay in taxes don't do anything to protect us from gangs.
Posted by: Mark | September 13, 2007 12:04 PM
Is this supposed to be "protection" money, that the ploticians are extorting form property owners on the gangs behalf. It's absolutely disgusting that the billions we pay in taxes don't do anything to protect us from gangs.
Posted by: Mark | September 13, 2007 12:04 PM
Call to Action ! When the City Clowncil, uh I mean City Council meets to vote on this turkey, you can be sure the L.A Bridges crowd will be there in mass to support it. We who oppose it need to show up earlier than they do, take up all the seats and leave the Bridges knuckle-heads out on the sidewalk to squeal and moan. Let's defeat this turkey !!
Posted by: Jerry | September 13, 2007 12:06 PM
Sorry, that is an asphalt "bike path" for 25 million. While we are at it, how about the 40-60 million for the elephant pen at the Zoo.
We can not spend our way into safety, we must act and eliminate the policies and practices which encourage gang violence.
Posted by: David Hernandez | September 13, 2007 12:06 PM
Every time the city wants more money they find a program that they can use to scare everyone in to giving in and letting them have it. I remember reading in this paper about how one person charged with gang prevention was in fact running a criminal enterprise right under the noses of those geniuses on Spring Street.
Posted by: Norman | September 13, 2007 01:00 PM
Some of us would regard Spring Street as the headquarters for that criminal enterprise.
Posted by: Jerry | September 13, 2007 01:15 PM
When does it stop? LA burocrats think they have a goldmine with homeowners. LAPD/sheriff/metro/ice/and all other law inforcement agency "start enforcing existing laws on the books" instead of creating more bureacracy on the shoulders of homeowners. People of LA unite and shut them down on any new taxes with a strong "NO" .
Posted by: taxmenomore | September 13, 2007 01:53 PM
Those lame city council members spend millions on crap all year long so they should figure it out. No more taxes for gangs to abuse.
Posted by: Janet | September 13, 2007 02:21 PM
another home owner tax,huh... guess the city council has shown us the way..the real gang problem is the homeowners in Los Angeles..
if we all don't pay....keep your hands out of my wallet.
How about a city council tax... for failure to do anything right....
Posted by: mike | September 13, 2007 02:33 PM
How is it we have the money to fight a "war on terror" in a sandbox, but not in the streets of America? From the pix in the media, I don't see much of a difference anymore. Can't we use some of the borrowed money to fight local terror?
Posted by: nicole | September 13, 2007 02:53 PM
Citizens, look where the current anti-gang budgets the city pays out are going-- free golf lessons at LA City Recreation and Parks department, free swim programs at LA City Recreation and Parks department and LA City Police Impact program (what do they do?) and the mayor's office are four out of the top 5 expenditures in current anti-gang budgeting. City of LA government is feathering its own nest with this issue financially within its own departments, at your expense.
Wake up, call and write your councilperson and the mayor's office and demand accountability from them.
Posted by: steve h | September 13, 2007 02:55 PM
Why in the world should taxpayers give the city more money to fight gangs when the studies have shown that the existing programs don't work? The City Council needs to first prove that it can spend this money effectively and not divy it up among their districts.
Besides, if City Hall wants more tax money from me, there are about 12 things that I'd rather have it spent on.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 13, 2007 03:49 PM
This new tax is not going to solve the gang problems in L.A. The criminals know that because of severe overcrowding in the prisons and jails that they will only serve a small fraction of their sentences and be back on the streets in no time. Why not use the money to build more jails to house these criminals--therefore we don't have to release them sooner and can make them serve their entire sentence. Not too mention LAPD needs to relearn the term "to protect and serve" instead of "to harass and arrest". Maybe then the public will be more willing to help authorities in catching and procecuting the criminals. Deport the illegal gang members and let them know if they come back they spend life in a federal prison (and actually enforce it). And if the city council did the budget right--there would be plenty of money to do just that without hitting the homeowners up for more cash.
Posted by: kira | September 13, 2007 04:29 PM
LAPD is a joke. $30 million will go 100% to waste. They already don't respond to calls unless one of there's hurt or in danger. Worst police department I have ever seen. Try doing the job you were hired for and stop gangs now! You where to look, so look!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 13, 2007 04:47 PM
Not even 100 millions will help fight the gang problems, unfortunately will never go away as long they still leaving in the USA soil. All this people are criminals since young age, as far as I'm concern they should deport all the illegals and put the rest in prison for the rest of their lives. Why we have to pay for their mistakes and there families? what about NO More Taxes for gang use, not going to Vote . Why not all the Idiots, like Antonio and La Raza and the rest of his "compadres" come up with the money .
Posted by: Lucy | September 13, 2007 06:19 PM
Let's not forget that this money wouldn't be for the LAPD or any other law enforcement agency. It would be for gang intervention and prevention programs. The very ones that the City Controller is auditing.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 13, 2007 09:07 PM
Rescinding Special Order 40 would cost nothing and do more.
Posted by: /////ANDRE | September 13, 2007 11:45 PM
When I first saw the blog yesterday I was sure someone would be touchy feely and scared into handing over more money just like when a bully tries to take a kids lunch money, to see so many people share the same core beliefs that the LAPD wastes money, that the gangs will be around much as they have been for the last hundred years no matter what we do, and the fact that illegals should be deported is pretty cool.
Now if we all feel the same way, how do these Idiots get elected?
Really come on now.
Who voted for these morons?
Oh I remember now, the busloads of illegal aliens who vote illegally.
Cant we make it a felony with min. 10 year mandatory federal prison time for fradulently voting so we can elect people who stand for OUR interests, not the illegal aliens or the felons!
Posted by: Wow | September 14, 2007 12:15 AM
What happened to the tax fee increase to hire new cops. It was not supposed to happen until next year and was spead up. Now they want more money to hire more cops. Wake up people of LA. Hell will freeze over before any of this money is ever used to hire any police. Los Angeles is running its self into sever financial problems bu paying top dollar to hire the best of the best, the elite of the elite, the magnicico of the magnifico. Then giving them free medical and more money in retierment than them make when they work. Couple that with massive buliding projects and more pork projects or each council district. Top that off with declining property value that will leave the city coffers as dry as the water shortage we will be having.
Posted by: Mike | September 19, 2007 09:50 PM
In two words:
Absolutely NOT!
Posted by: valleygirl | September 21, 2007 05:25 AM
Kill the little bastards and control our borders
Posted by: sunny reinhart | September 21, 2007 06:03 AM
The city council spent over a million dollars several years ago to put pretty blue lights on the Vincent Thomas bridge in San Pedro.
Now they want to raise my taxes for gangs. It's priorities are screwed up!
Posted by: David Ross | September 21, 2007 06:12 AM
Sounds like some of these people need to get into a black/white and see how officers are being assaulted by gang bangers and shot at. New York has 40,000 cops and patrol about 100 fewer miles. The gang problem is NOT an LAPD problem but a COMMUNITY problem. What about the damn parents of these idiots? Council wastes millions on special event waivers, $40 mil on an elephant exhibit, millions on studies and haven't done anything proactive to solve gang problem. Connie Rice's report was given almost a year ago and council hasn't done ONE thing to move it forward. Another tax is NOT the answer. The answer is getting communities to unite against the gangs in their neighborhoods and start reporting their crimes.
Posted by: Janet | September 21, 2007 06:32 AM
The city council gave LA Bridges hundred of thousands of dollars. The guy running the gang program abused that money and gave salaries to his family then was arrested on parole and other criminal acts like selling guns. 6 city council members political campaigns received DONATIONS FROM LA BRIDGES. JANICE HAHN, PERRY, BERNIE, REYES and others. So tax dollars are being spent not on gang programs but for political campaigns
Posted by: Robert | September 21, 2007 06:50 AM
Once again the politicos of Spring St. have found a creative way to waste our money. Get off the pork wagon and budget what you have. The taxpayer is not a bottomless well for every politician to dip into for whatever project will garner a little ink. If you want the press on Spring St. all you need to do is expose the truth. Politicians in handcuffs will always draw a crowd.
Posted by: Michael Snyder | September 21, 2007 07:32 AM
If you oppose this tax hike, you REALLY need to support my campaign to become L.A.'s next Mayor. Visit WalterMooreForMayor.com to get a Mayor who will oppose all tax increases, and who will hire more police rather than squandering millions on "gang programs," which we already know don't work.
Posted by: Walter Moore | September 21, 2007 08:22 AM
Let the police do their job without the fear of being sued. The police spend more time investigating themselfs instead of putting all their have on the street to fight this problem. No more taxes for dumb programs!
Posted by: Barbara Kelly | September 21, 2007 08:26 AM
Stop illegal immigration. Control the borders. As long as people keep coming here without proper documentations and educational background, having to work two, three jobs while no one watches their kids and nurture them about the opporunities they're wasting away, you will breed gang bangers. Use common sense, not more taxes.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 21, 2007 08:37 AM
Close the border with godforsaken Mexico. Round up the Mexican gang scum and deport them. Better yet, gun them down and let their bodies rot in the street. I am sick of Mexican gang scum. When are we going to take back our city, our state, and our country from these lowlife Mexican gangbangers?
Posted by: S. Nash | September 21, 2007 09:10 AM
1.Repeal Special Order 40 and deport every illegal immigrant who belongs to a gang.
2.Kick gang loving mayor tony out office and elect someone
who hates games.
3. Move the hell out of California like I did. The police here in this small town in Montana cracked open the heads of gang members long ago so we don't have problem anymore.
Posted by: mike | September 21, 2007 09:35 AM
Let's understand this. The City Council declared this a "sanctuary city" which welcomes illegal immigrants and makes certain their status will not be questioned by the police. We use our taxpayer monies to fund social services, etc. for those here illegally.
Then we are informed that over 75% of these gangbangers are here illegally. Now we are being asked to fund programs to counter the gangs' activities and atrocities, 3/4 of whom are here due to the city's policy of creating a welcoming climate for them.
Am I missing something here?
Posted by: Stan | September 21, 2007 10:45 AM
How building the Big wall,moats w/aligators,lots more border patrol and deport every man,woman and child in are great country now!!!
Posted by: Marty | September 21, 2007 11:17 AM
How about building the big wall,moats w/aligators,lots more border patrol and deport every man,woman and child in are great country now!!! thats here illegally.
Posted by: Marty | September 21, 2007 11:19 AM
As resident of the City of LA, I am already paying too much for LAPD and DWP and PW for garbage.
Why an additional $30M for gangs. Have LAPD take care of it. They get the majority of the "okay" for budget and we have officers just sitting on desk jobs.
Posted by: Millie | September 21, 2007 02:35 PM
I'll say no!!!!!!!no matter
how much money they have handy, gangs always be here, unfortunately,until all this criminals are put to death or be out of OUR Country forever .I'm very sick and tired to see innocent people get killed, our Cities destroyed and so on, what Antonio has to say or do about this big dilema?.... nothing !!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Lucy and Steve Urban | September 21, 2007 04:59 PM
Another fiasco in progress by the local demagogues. The real panacea starts with the family! Taking more money from Peter to pay Paul is not the gang bang solution.
Posted by: Candor Guy | September 21, 2007 05:48 PM
Property owners are usually victims of the taggers, soon to be , gang members. Clearly money is needed to address this problem, but it should not come at the expense of the property owner. We need to stop illegal immigration. Families who are here legally should not be given citizenship if their children are proven gang members. Parents need to be held fiscally responsible for damages caused by their children.
Posted by: Pamela Nelson | September 21, 2007 05:52 PM
This crap is why I left California seven years ago. Try it, you'll like it.
Posted by: Got the hell out | September 21, 2007 07:24 PM
LA is the most corrupt city in CA why would anyone with brains want to give then anymore. LA has the worst streets in the world pot holes everywhere. so many bonds get passed and nothing happens. LA is a big money pit. its time to recall everyone on the city council
joseph
north hollywood
Posted by: joe | September 21, 2007 08:24 PM
LA is the most corrupt city in CA why would anyone with brains want to give then anymore. LA has the worst streets in the world pot holes everywhere. so many bonds get passed and nothing happens. LA is a big money pit. its time to recall everyone on the city council
joseph
north hollywood
Posted by: joe | September 21, 2007 08:24 PM
LA is the most corrupt city in CA why would anyone with brains want to give then anymore. LA has the worst streets in the world pot holes everywhere. so many bonds get passed and nothing happens. LA is a big money pit. its time to recall everyone on the city council
joseph
north hollywood
Posted by: joe | September 21, 2007 08:25 PM
stuppid city council needs to br recalled there are lame brain idiots with no brains.
alan
323-474-4777
Posted by: tony | September 21, 2007 08:30 PM
It will be better to give the gangs the money directly. Then they can buy more guns and kill each other faster.
Posted by: Bill Knight | September 21, 2007 09:24 PM
City council is giving money to ex gang members who are abusing our tax dollar. "Big Weasel's No Guns organization received a cool $1.5 million from the city's LA Bridges program. Marroquin received the funds despite being arrested for ex-felon in possession of a gun last year by police searching his house looking to arrest his son for a home invasion robbery and despite ample evidence he remained a very active, dangerous criminal who was a tax collector for the Mexican Mafia. The Marroquins are connected to powerful politicians like Villaraigosa whose LA Bridges director accused police of harassing the family and continued to funnel money to the No Guns rehabilitation non-profit.""""
EVERYONE SHOULD RALLY AGAINST THIS GANG TAX
Posted by: Janet | September 22, 2007 06:52 AM
I am sure glad I left the Peoples Republic of California. The taxes were way to high for me so I left to another stste. The majority of the voters voted for these scum bags on the city council and now you get what you deserve, high taxes, gun control that never seems to work except for the criminal element and more taxes. If you don't like the city council why do you keep voting the same corrupt idiots in office?
Posted by: Annoymous | September 22, 2007 10:07 AM
Very disappointing vote, but not surprising: There's no upside to a councilperson voting against the majority on this, the rest would make him/her look unconcerned about gangs. Whereas it's a matter of fiscal irresponsibility. Millions are already being wasted or unaccounted for, Chick is right. But where were the opponents, the Howard Jarvis no more tax types, on Friday? Nowhere seen or heard. It will come down to the ballot box, where we have to hope 2/3 vote no.
Problem is, everyone can vote, but only homeowners would pay the penalty, so all the renters don't care. There should be an amended law that only homeowners can vote on taxes that only affect THEM. This is like socialism.
Plus, the "average" parcel tax of $40.00 is actually a lot higher for most people, anyone in a nicer home, the ones always footing the bills. With property values down, this is a lousy time to keep piling on the taxes. (Meanwhile, Hahn is one of the lefties who wants us to bail out the ones who just bought and can't pay THEIR loans.) Homeowners/ taxpayers need to organize.
Posted by: Jeff | September 22, 2007 12:12 PM
While many of the comments posted seem reasonable in wondering why a special tax is needed to pay for what should ALREADY be a (paid for) law enforcement priority, the opportunity for racists and bigots to sound off sure has made me wonder if I care about the opposition to this tax.
Last I checked there are all kinds of gangs: white (racist skins, Irish, Italian, Armenian, even Israeli) Asian (Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Laotian, Thai, and Khmer), African American (but also Jamaican and Nigerian), Latino (Mexican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Colombian, etc.) Gangs are equal opportunity outfits. So if you want to make this issue a "let's all hate Mexicans" issue, you will lose.
I am extremely fatigued at the bold racism of So Cal readers. As an American who lived in Mexico for two decades, I have to tell you your hate is disgusting and shameful. No country has contributed more to the wealth of the United States (willingly and unwillingly) than Mexico, starting with 1/3 of its national territory, its natural resources, labor power, tourism resorts, markets, and more recently, investments. We enjoy free trade with Mexico and Americans can buy property there and live like kings. Hatred toward Mexico is not only shameful; it will cost this country greatly.
Posted by: Anonymouse | September 24, 2007 12:26 PM