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Letter: My letter to the City Council

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September 07, 2008 12:12:00 AM

If I were a gang member or drug dealer, what kind of a letter would I write to the City Council?

"Members of the City Council, I can't tell you how much we appreciate your supporting our crime and violence activities throughout Yuba City. We can only carry out our shootings and drug deals as long as you continue to prevent the police from having the required staff to get us under control.

We thank you for all your support. Remember this city does not need under any circumstances to hire more police officers to fight our growing crimes and gang problems, as you promised the voters in 2006. Your intentional failures to support the voters who put you in office and gave us sanctuary, thank you, thank you.

We don't have the words to express to you for supporting us rather than supporting the Police Department's urgent request.

As you know, it doesn't bother us to shoot or kill or sell drugs to the students.

We hope this City Council remains in office forever. Again thank you for supporting us."

That's my opinion.

Ray Janssen

Yuba City

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6 comments

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msreason

5:26 AM on September 7, 2008

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Where does Mr. Janssen propose we get extra money? Where does he propose to cut $500,000+ from the current lean budget? It is one theing to complain, but its another thing to have some idea of solutions! Chief Doscher and members of the city council are supporting adding more gang officers and Doscher has gone on record that he is searching for the dollars needed. In a related story, congratulations to the YC Police for making arrests quickly in the most recent gang crimes. Now we hope they will get maximum "gang enhancement" prosecution!

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9:26 AM on September 7, 2008

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live2ride

7:20 AM on September 8, 2008

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In Live Oak our privately ran prison has a group of inmates mow the parks, pick up trash, etc. The prison (Leo Chesney Center ran by Cornell Corrections) does an excellent job. When they wanted to expand the city of course said yes because of this and their prior record. Why cant Sutter County bring back chain gangs?
"What we have here is a failure to communicate".
I would donate an hour or two a week to ride shotgun.

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jdelozier

1:21 PM on September 10, 2008

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First of all, I completely support Mr. Janssen and his views on this situation. Maybe some people are unable to read in between the cynicism and sarcasm but - I GET IT! This is a small community that behind the scenes is being overrun with drug trafficking, gang activity and crimes that should not exist in a community of this size. The bottom line is that our tax dollars are being spent on other areas such as levy enhancements instead of consideration of our children, their future and the safety of what once was an excellent community to raise children and grow a family. It is a shame that only one man will stand up for his convictions and make his voice heard and others such as msreason dare to complain and suggest that Janssen is not proposing a solution. Duh! Prioritize. Not levy's, not city enhancements, SAFETY......How tough is it. Why are similar communities able to mitigate these activities and Yuba City isn't? The answer ..........we have the wrong people running our city. It's that simple. Time for a change..... I have kids and would be willing to do something to make a difference....As for Mr. Jannsen - I personally know him and he has invested more money and effort in this endeavor than you can imagine. Thank God someone cares enough about our children's future's. My best to Mr Jannsen....

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carrieo

7:58 PM on September 10, 2008

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msreason, in fact Mr. Janssen has spent countless hours trying to connect our city to resources from other cities in Southern California who have dealt with similar problems. You are correct that money is an issue; so is apathy. I know that Mr. Jannsen has attended several City Council meetings in the past 2 years in an effort to educate and assist our city. We all need to decide if we're willing to pay an additional cost... say an increased sales tax, or some other funds... and then express that willingness to our City Council. We can't get something for nothing, but time just makes the risk, number of persons injured, and expense increase. There is a saying: "you can pay me now (invest in the future), or pay me later (pay the price in injuries, damage to property, etc)". Are we willing to get good advice as to how to proceed, and pay now?

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bwalbers

12:02 AM on September 14, 2008

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Well said Mr. Janssen!!! I want to sincerely thank you for your tireless efforts in trying to make the Yuba City City Council understand that the safety and security of our city and it's citizens must become their highest priority. I understand your frustration with the city council and the absurd amount of gang related crime in our community. Your tongue in cheek letter to the editor was a very creative way to illustrate that our civic leaders have chosen to ignore the safety of our community. The fact is, they have blatantly lied to the citizens of Yuba City. ALL of them campaigned on platforms in which they PROMISED to protect our community by addressing gang activities that go hand in hand with the growing drug trade in Yuba City. MsReason, apparently, you did not follow the city council's consideration of Mr. Janssen's proposal; yes, he brought a proposal to provide money AND an improved police department building! I do agree with you on one point, Chief Doscher and his team of dedicated officers are doing an exemplary job with the resources that they have. But, since the mayor and the city council have chosen to ignore public safety and turn a blind eye to the rapid growth of drug sales and gang related crimes, the Yuba City Police Department is left to deal with the problem with no means to grow the department to meet neither the needs of our growing city or it's growing crime problems. I know Mr. Janssen personally; he is a dedicated citizen who cares deeply about our city and the children who are growing up here. I echo jdelozier's and carrieo's comments and wish Mr. Janssen all the best...