Thursday's column

It’s been more than two months since 16-year-old Sammantha Salas was gunned down in front of a shabby apartment building in an unincorporated portion of Monrovia — known to many as ‘No Man’s Land.”

Her family and friends wait for some closure in the case.

No suspects have been caught, and as the days drag on, Salas’ mother Jeanette Chavez, of Alhambra, continues to wonder why the county Board of Supervisors hasn’t offered a reward in the case.

Well, for one thing, they’ve been very busy worrying about taco trucks.

On Tuesday the Board approved a law, authored by Gloria Molina, that will make it a misdemeanor for the trucks to park in any one spot for more than an hour. The ordinance takes effect in 30 days.

Now I’ll be the first to admit there are good arguments for and against taco trucks.
First the good:
[BULLET]Tacos are delicious.
[BULLET]This is a true form of free enterprise, which — when unfettered — could stimulate local economies.
[BULLET]There’s nothing better than a hot snack after a night of imbibing adult beverages.

On the down side:
[BULLET]There’s a reason catering trucks are called “roach coaches.” I think it has something to do with health inspections, or the obvious lack thereof.
[BULLET]The trucks are hard to see around, especially on narrow streets.
[BULLET]They leave trash and debris in their wake.

Regardless of the arguments, it’s downright arrogant of the supes to think that just because they make a law it’s going to be enforced.

After all, there are county ordinances and state laws that prohibit all sorts of behaviors.

Guess what?

People still run red lights, they still play Texas Hold ‘Em at home and some still ride their skateboards on roads with grades greater than 3 percent. Oh the horror.

By the way, there’s a law against murder, but scofflaws still kill and they don’t always get caught.

That’s exactly why there should be a reward offered in the Salas case. Yet it hasn’t happened.

The supes (actually their paid flacks, the supes rarely take phone calls and are seldom quoted directly) lay the blame at the foot of the Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff’s officials say offering a reward is up to the homicide detectives investigating Sammantha Salas’ murder.

As for those homicide detectives, they have said they are not ready to offer a reward because it might hinder their investigation — or taint leads they get from confidential informants.

It’s confusing, annoying and frustrating — especially for Salas’ mom, her family and friends.

But don’t worry. The Supes have got that taco truck problem solved.