In the past week two moratoriums were proposed in Santa Ana. One of them banned new massage parlors. It passed. The other proposed to limit liquor licenses in the city’s poorest neighborhoods. It did not make it out of the City’s Public Safety Committee.
I ask you – which contributes to more crime and violence in Santa Ana – massages with questionable endings, or an overabundance of liquor?
Let me put this another way – a gangbanger has a loaded gun. Is he more dangerous after drinking 4 beers or after getting a massage from a woman of ill repute? If anything the latter ought to leave him tired and perhaps a bit spent. Whereas the former just might trigger his temper – and leave a bloody wake.
We have 382 liquor licenses in Santa Ana. You could open a new massage parlor every day for the rest of the year and still not come close to that number. We have more liquor licenses than we do acres of park land. We have 381 more liquor licenses than we do libraries. There is something damn wrong about that.
Is alcohol linked to violence? A new study by the Prevention Research Center in Berkeley, CA, found that “the presence of stores that sell alcohol magnify violence problems in all neighborhoods where they’re concentrated.”
What has the Santa Ana City Council and its Mayor, Miguel Pulido, done about this problem in recent times? Research shows that there has been a sharp increase in liquor store permits granted within Santa Ana over the past few years. From 2001 to 2005 we allowed an average of 136 new liquor licenses per year, versus 90 per year during 1973 to 1990. Indeed, the number of licenses permitted has done nothing but climb since Pulido became our Mayor.
As one might expect, alcohol-related arrests are concentrated in areas where there are an overabundance of liquor stores.
Latino Health Access, a non-profit organization, is recommending that the City of Santa Ana not grant any further permits for liquor licenses in the low-income, highly Latino areas of the city. They also feel that the City should work with the State of California to put a moratorium on the siting of “off-site sales” liquor stores in the city, following suit with our neighbors of Costa Mesa, Fullerton and Stanton.
So what do the Council Members have to say? As we reported earlier this week, Councilman David Benavides, who is on the Public Safety Committee, told the Times that he “questioned whether a moratorium was nesessary.” He later was interviewed by a Telemundo news reporter and he said he was now leaning towards supporting the moratorium. Well, at least he got it right the second time around.
Councilmember Sal Tinajero also serves on the Public Safety Committee. Unlike Benavides, Tinajero warmed to the moratorium idea right away. As did Councilwoman Michele Martinez, who does not serve on that committee.
But Councilwoman Claudia Alvarez had a different reaction. She too serves on the Public Safety Committee, where she purportedly said that she did not like the idea because it made it seem like the police aren’t doing their job. She could not be more wrong. Most of the new liquor licenses issued over the last few years have been opposed by our police. But approved by our Planning Commission and our City Council. What is up with that?
The irony is that less liquor licenses would mean that the local police would have more time to focus on other matters – like community policing. Alvarez is simply wrong – but I don’t know that she will be able to swallow her pride and admit it.
So what other impacts do these liquor stores have on our people? For one thing, most incidents of violence are increased by the use of alcohol, including child and sexual abuse. Most cases of spousal abuse also involve liquor. And there are of course DUI’s – which kill thousands of people in our country every year.
I would venture to guess that questionable massage parlors do not impact nearly as many people as the current Tsunami of cerveza in our city does. But our City Council acted quickly to stop the massage parlors – and they have yet to even consider the liquor license moratorium.
Fortunately, my sources indicate that the City Council just might pass the liquor license moratorium, but Alvarez may continue to be an impediment to progress. Hopefully our newer council members will be able to either change her mind or simply leave her in the minority and pass the measure anyway.
I encourage my readers to contact their council member and our Mayor and ask them to please support the proposed liquor license moratorium. This will make a far bigger difference than the ban on massage parlors – guaranteed.
Hmmm art – one is legal to sell and one is not.
In one post you complain that you were at the park with your kid and the cops came over and questioned a man sitting at the park, who by your own admission looked suspicious…then say it must be hard to be a young latino male in SA. Then in your next post here you complain that the cops are not doing enough to stop gang violence.
I suggest that from now on before perhaps you and some of your other co-bloggers who post emotional and paranoid rants here, go get a massage with a happy ending – then post.
Flowerszzz,
Once again you got it wrong. I never said that young man looked suspicious. In fact he didn’t at all. Let me put this another way, I am pretty sure that if he had been blond and white he would not have been hassled. Take that whatever way you want to.
As for the issue of gang violence, yes you need more enforcement, but that doesn’t mean harassing guys who are not even hanging out with their homies. We know where the gangs are. Somehow we allowed our gang enforcement officers to dwindle and only this week did our city finally announce that ten more are on the way.
The fact however is that dealing with gangs has to be a multi-faceted approach. We need more libraries, more activities for the youth (particularly in the summer), better and more affordable housing, etc. And more jobs for our young people.
Our trade unions could make a real difference by recruiting young people from our community as apprentices. Lord knows a few of them know their way around a paint spray can.
You are trying to make me the bad guy when the culprits are the Mayor and your buddies on the City Council – and the ultimate bad guy, Dave Ream, our incompetent city manager. Don’t point your fingers at me – instead hold your amigos accountable for the mess we’re in.
As soon as the massage parlors get a clue and give big bucks to politicians like the Sarmiento owned drinking, drug, prostitution and crime hot spot Festival Hall does, then they will be A-OK in Santa Ana.Check Bustamantes and Benevides campaign donor list
When will you stop with the
FYI Pedroza, Mill and Gordon.
Every time you do not post my response tels me, and my supporters, that I am cutting close to the bone.
The OJ publication it self is irrelevant here because I do say my truth in much larger and much powerful forum.
Oh Art – the blonde hair blue eyed kids are the minority in Santa Ana and you know it and in fact if there was a blue eyed blond haired kid sitting in the park that Would most definitly be suspicious in SA.
I am not trying to make you the bad guy as you said…I am just saying that there is no pleasing you when it comes to those you don’t like – no matter what they do.
What is ms. Martinez doing about the gang shootings? Having health & fitness fairs?!?!?
Come one – it seems that it is not just Pulido who is not focussed solely on this…however he is the only one you point out.
I am not necessarily a fan of Pulido (he’s kinda stuck on himself) BUT he is not the sole deciding factor or vote on that council.
I for one, am happy about the moratorium on massage parlors, as many are not legit…I guess you can’t please all the people all the time!
RE: #6
That has to be one of the lamest posts I have read from you.
It is so idiotic.
Perhaps someone hijacked your monniker.
Flowerszzz,
You need to get our more. Latinos come in many colors. I have four kids – the oldest is whiter than I am, with light brown hair. My daughter is brown like her mother, as is my ten year old son. My three year old is fair but not as light as his older brother. And we are pretty typical of what you find in Latino families.
As for the Council, I have said it before and it bears repeating – it is Pulido’s council – he has the majority of the votes. So yes he is the deciding factor, whether you want to admit it or not.
“I have four kids – the oldest is whiter than I am, with light brown hair. My daughter is brown like her mother, as is my ten year old son. My three year old is fair but not as light as his older brother.”
Art, I have seen your family.
Obviously, your four kids have different fathers.
“it is Pulido’s council”
So why is Martinez voting mostly with Pulido?
Poster 9,
That is an awful thing to say. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
My wife and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary in a few weeks. She is a fantastic lady and I am very lucky she chose to marry me.
As for my kids, they are definitely mine – they are all quite stubborn and independent!
Poster 10,
Maybe because they are voting on mundane matters for the most part?
Pulido and Ream waste their time for the most part on nonsense. It is not unlike Nero fiddling while Rome is burning.
“As for my kids, they are definitely mine”
20th wedding anniversary?… surprise here with the DNA kit instead of pregnancy one.
Poster 13,
Wow. You Pulido hacks are getting nasty. I should not be surprised. You are wrong on every count and cannot debate worth a lick. So of course now you are resorting to attacking my family. Very classy.
#9 & #13 are probably the same IDIOT.
Why don’t our clowncil members call our neighbors to the north, L.A., and ask them how they were successful in putting a moratorium on liquor licenses?
“CLOWNCIL”?
Heh!
Art _ get out plenty and work in santa Ana…..You know the point I was trying to make. Cops hassle teenagers, sitting in parks, by themselves or with their friends in every city – as they should because usually teenagers hanging out at a park, just sitting there are up to no good. Playing basket ball, soccer, baseball – that’s one thing.
CQT96 – not sure what you thought was lame about my post?!?! but I stand by what I said…perhaps it could have been said more eloquently but I was tired last night. Art continues to chastize the other council members for doing “nothing” about gang violence and Martinez has a “health & Fitness” fair…What eactly does that do for gang violence?
The gang violence can be taken on by ANY member of the council….why not chastize them all?
Flowerszzz,
Because Pulido is the MAYOR. He won’t allow term limits on his office. He will not yield to anyone else. Every election year he recruits puppets so he can continue to control our council. If you want to be the man, then act like it. Be a leader. Show some initiative. Stop hiding under your desk…
Cops hassle teenagers, sitting in parks, by themselves or with their friends in every city – as they should because usually teenagers hanging out at a park……
—————-
I have to agree with flowerszzz. You need to let the cops do what they do, unless there is are unusual amounts of complaints. Go to Irvine if you want to see teens hassled routinely. Teens tend to make all kinds of mistakes when left to their own devices, so the cops showing up and asking them what they are doing and why is a public service.
In SA it might be that a kid is hanging around in a dangerous area and the cops want to keep any troubles from happening. The spoiled teens in Irvine are routinely stopped in their cars – cops looking for dui, possession and other mischief.
Police do great service and should be expected to be treated as professionals when doing their jobs.
I am not defending Pulido = as I said before I do not necessarily even like him. BUT if you want term limits for the Mayor’s office…and he won’t impose them…and why would he – he’s not stupid…then start an intiative for the next ballot, gather signatures and get the voters to vote for it….that is democracy.
When the voters do not agree with something their electeds do, they have the right to get it on the ballot and vote for it.
Ohh and just because he will not take the lead on the gang issue does not prohibit other members of the council from making it their issue….he can not stop them. SO you know already you are barking up the wrong tree with him on this…bark up a diffeent one…get Martinez to do it!
There will be Mayoral term limits and Pulido will support them. That’s a done deal.
As for the gang issues, ALL of the Council members are concerned. They have been meeting with the Police Chief to figure out some alternative deployments and trying to find ways to hire more cops. Claudia has been working hard with the D.A.’s office to get more help for Santa Ana. Just because some Council members don’t publicize what they’re doing doesn’t mean they don’t care, or aren’t looking for answers.
Morning Coffee
#5(Stanley Fiala),
You have no supporters!!!!
How many police officers does Santa Ana have? How many patrol officers are on duty per shift?
Claudia Alvarez not self-promote? Are you high? She will lay claim to fictional fantasies if it will promote her to potential supporters. She has never been bond by the constrictions of reality, or truth, in attempts to promote her career.
#17. Do you prefer Bozo’s over Clowncil members?
A moratorium on liquor stores does no good when the vender and taco trucks that park in the neighborhoods sell alcohol.
The moratorium only applies to the brick and mortar stores, who are already for the most part paying for the proper licenses and complying with the law.
As long as the venders continue to make alcohol and cigarretes easy to get right in the neighborhood, the moratorium is just more pointless feel good legislation.