Double Stabbing in West Downtown

Two people were stabbed during a fight in Santa Barbara Monday night. It happened just before 9:00 p.m. on the 100 block of W. Ortega.

Responsible Landlords

This Seattle model should become an example for City of Santa Barbara. Their concept is outstanding, as they are many steps ahead of us. 

There are several sections within this org that fits and matches our "unique"' situation in the West Downtown Neighborhood and throughout the city. More importantly, they offer solutions and crime prevention strategies to improve conditions.  

Responsible "landlording" is essential, as the tenants they choose significantly influences the neighborhood. Too often, landlords, like employers do not properly screen tenants--this overlooked action can, and more often that not, creates challenging situations for the neighborhood. Careful and proper screening prospective tenants protects landlords, tenants, and the ultimately the neighborhood!

 http://www.sngi.org/landlord.html

http://www.sngi.org/pdfs/109TAbrochure.pdf

http://www.sngi.org/cpted/index.html

Local "Landlord" Dario Pini Denied a Restraining Order

Read Independent Article Here.

FYI: Dario Pini also owns the Parker Way Plaza Building, where the alleged extortion at knife point incident occurred last Monday. Current tenant, Sacred Mountain Cannabis Dispensary located in Lower West Downtown Neighborhood, has been a topic of concern for many residents in the area since there has been an alarming increase of criminal activity taking place in or around the dispensary. Loitering, public drug sales, public inebriation, and now extortion at knife point further weakens the West Downtown Neighborhood. 

Read at extortion at knife point Article Here.

Oh yes: Last weekend's drunken brawl and car crash disturbance took place at 204 Cottage Grove--Another infamous Dario Pini property. 

Spilled Milk at Brownie's Market

Three SBPD Vehicles responded to an early morning call placed from a Local Liquor Store known as Brownies Market (located on the corner of Haley and De La Vina) after a customer spilled some milk on the premises. The SBPD arrived immediately, since the attendant claimed that the customer had brandished a knife. Upon careful review of various surveillance cameras, no weapon was ever brandished at that location. Calling 911 for spilled milk is a waste of city resources; falsifying and/or amplifying statements, is a crime. 

Extortion Scam Revolving Around Marijuana Dispensary

Extortion Scam Revolving Around Marijuana Dispensary

April 28, 2009 08:44 PM

April 28, 2009 09:56 PM

Tharon Weighill

Scott Weighill

04/28/09

SANTA MARIA - Officers in Santa Barbara have arrested two men accused of extortion.

Police say 45 year old Tharon Weighill and 43 year old Scott Weighill held a 34 year old man captive in a back room of the Sacred Mountain Medical Marijuana Dispensary on Parker way.

The victim is a part owner of the business and his partner, Tharon Weighill, was trying to force him to sign over his share of the business at knife point.

Scott Weighill kept watch as the victim was being threatened.

Both men were booked into jail on charges of conspiracy, extortion and robbery.

Greening West Downtown Parkways

Perhaps we can adopt this method throughout the green challenged areas in West Downtown and Santa Barbara. i.e. 403 De La Vina, Haley corridor, etc. 

Greening the parkways will contribute to more community interaction, cooperation, and decreased litter production.

Are there city programs/grants to green parkways? Or...,Is private money the way to go? 

Rogue Shopping Carts

Oh those Abandoned Shopping Carts that line our sidewalks, smash beautiful parkways, side walls, and occasionally skate up and down traffic is our topic today. 

Yes, you know what I'm referring to: urban blight.

We  all see them. But, do we all call the Abandoned Shopping Cart Hotline? 1-800-252-4613 and wait for the 1.5 minute message to play all the way through? (No, there is no way to by-pass this message). Once you describe the location and the cart's owner (Ralphs, Vons, Longs etc.) you can sit back and enjoy the view from your front porch for at least two days, before they are picked up, or another metal or plastic beauty makes its debut. 

Now wait here. SB Municipal Code (SBMMC 10.56) states that removing shopping carts from stores is illegal (without owner's permission), and therefore a misdemeanor. 

CA State Law States: The unauthorized removal of a shopping cart from a store parking lot is a violation of State law. (California Business and Professions Code, Section 22435). 

Officers rarely cite those who are in possession, and one even went as far as interpreting the municipal ordinance by stating that was "not illegal" or a "big deal". In fact, it was "okay", "as long as they pushed it up onto the sidewalk for pickup". What!? 

Well, here's the problem: Shopping carts end up abandoned around our homes, sidewalks, and  streets further contributing to urban blight. 

Now, isn't up to city council to pass laws/city ordinances and the city police force to enforce the rules/laws? (not to interpret them like the  officer--let's leave that up to the courts).

Well, let's really get this good old fashioned system rolling. If the laws were enforced more frequently, people would be reluctant to remove private property for the fear of being cited. 

Now SB, let's get tough and re-enforce the law like  Oceanside, San Francisco, Fresno, and Madison Heights etc. Let's keep Santa Barbara beautiful! 

Oh, one more thing: It's not very green either. Abandoned Shopping carts get filled with refuse, needles, and other debris that end up in our streets, and ultimately flows to the ocean. Oh yes, I have seen some in our creeks! Good Grief!

Here's an alternative (see below): Longs, Home Improvement carries them for $20. Let's encourage our stores to post signs with strict rules clearly stating the consequences of shopping cart removal from store premises. Any other suggestions/solutions?