Unacceptable!

We are accustomed to homeless hanging out at the parks.  However, this is totally unacceptable!  To set up camp, or a shelter?

Even more frustrating

So I personally saw two teenage punks marking up one of these picnic benches at Enslen Park.  I saw them with the markers.  I called "authorities" as I followed these clowns in my car as they crossed the canal at the Dog Park, and then down Enslen to Fairmont until they eventually wandered to McHenry.  Because of "miscommunications" between dispatch the authorities never came.  I was assured that there were "errors" made, and it will be a learning experience.  Nonetheless, it was very frustrating as I had them!  I have asked "Uncle Tom" to paint over all the picnic tables with our paint, but he informed me that it should be just washed off as these tables have that seal on it.  So, not sure if the city will take care of this, or we should just paint them? Any ideas on this?

When the city shuts down

We all know there is very little work done during the holidays when the city is shut down for what seems like an eternity.  Here is an example of the packages that Enslen park gets during these times.  There was an event on Christmas Eve afternoon where packages or meals were handed out to the unfortunate at the Boy Scout Club.  Whatever organization put this on felt it was warranted to leave boxes upon boxes of clothes out on a picnic bench for the homeless and vagrants to sift through.  These clothes were strewn out all over the park.  Fortunately, someone in the evening had the foresight to put it in the trash after it was all sifted through.  The garbage cans have been like this throughout the week.  

Beautify Modesto

Is there anything the city can do about blight?  This is just one of many graffiti covered buildings.  I ask city leaders what the plan is, if any? The old Longs building on McHenry is also a piece of work.  Side note here, I was told that the market behind this building on Alice and McHenry was robbed this same evening.  That little store is shady, so it was probably and inside deal or drug deal gone wrong.

Shocker

Just saw this posted by a facebook friend of mine:


Just saw a vehicle on Virginia and Morris drivers rear window broken out, smash and grab! Be careful with stuff in your vehicles!


No surprise. This area, along with many areas I guess is just crawling with thieves, thugs, and vagrants.  Not sure entirely what happened but I will find out.  It is a daily ritual to see vagrants just walking with no agenda just checking out houses and cars.  It is so obvious it is maddening.  

Homeless Stealing food

So my son was just at the "Green Store" at Morris and Sycamore when a homeless guy stole some canned food.  The owner, Mona, caught him, but nothing she could do as he left.  My son said it was so obvious, and he did not deny it.  My son came home, and the dude was sitting at the park bench and he explained to me what happened.  I called "Sonny" the owner, and he was not there but was aware.  He said, there "is nothing we can do other than ban him from the store.  The police will not respond".  That is the gist of the conversation as Sonny's english is not the best, bless his heart.  I think what I inferred from the conversation is that instead of pressing charges, it is just easier to ban the guy from the store because there could be retribution. Sad.  All the meals in the city offered to him and all the bag lunches available he had to resort to blatant theft.  Maybe it was just dog food for his dog, who knows.  The beat goes on.................

Lights Out....Again

All the street lights that surround Enslen Park are out.  As I mentioned last week, all the wiring was stripped out.  The city repaired the light at Poplar and Stoddard, and it is out again! Other than the one security light, the park is completely dark.  Oh for some park patrol! Unfortunately, the police patrol and the neighborhood patrol is still not enough.

I thought a Save Mart store opened at the park on Sunday with all the "shoppers" at the park.  There were so many shopping carts at the park with their handlers.  Tickets should be written with those who have shopping carts more than a 1/2 mile from the store.  Shopping carts are just like graffiti to a neighborhood, a complete eyesore mess.  On a brighter note, I did see a stroller yesterday that actually had a child in it!

Water Wells in the Parks?

So the city is entering a contract for water wells to be installed in 5 city parks at the cost of $500k.  In chatting with Todd Aaronson, who is running for city council, District 3, he let me in on this nugget of information.

We both agree that what is the use of having greener parks if nobody wants to go to them? Could the city instead use that money towards commercial paint that is washable to remove graffiti? It is expensive, but you paint it on, and the graffiti comes off easier.  Taggers hate it. Or to pay for new lighting since all the wiring is getting stolen; repairing the restrooms; or paying for security patrols (community service officers) of the parks.

I do not entirely understand why the water wells are needed.  I am just going off what others are telling me.  I have not researched it.  I was emailed (not from a candidate) that water wells are important for the park.  "They are wells that will use water that is not up to State of Calif standards for drinking water which will free up the better water for drinking.  In the long run it will save the city on not having to drill deeper more expensive wells for drinking to meet the standards."  I don't understand the first part, to use the water that is not up to state of Calif standards for drinking water......I am thinking that what was meant, to get RID of the water that is not drinkable, for USABLE drinking water, maybe?

Todd Aaronson says it will only save $11,000 a year.  Taking care of the park maintenance with this $500k would save the city more in the long run from vandalism.  That is what Mr. Aaronson is saying, I am agreeing to.

If my or others' facts are wrong, then it is my fault for not researching it.  I just started this blog because my concerns are the safety and well being of the parks.  I did not want to branch out to water wells, but it all does go together.  Fix the park issues first, then keep them green or make the drinking water better.

Lights Out!

So I emailed the city that our street light at Enslen Park has been out.  Just chatted with city worker just now and ALL the lights surrounding the park are out.  All were broken into and the wiring stripped! This includes the horseshoe pit. Shocker.  The beat goes on.

We paint the graffiti at the parks, we have volunteered to open the restrooms.  I have offered suggestions.  Still waiting to hear from the city that about more paint that we need and getting the keys to the Enslen and Graceada parks restrooms.

Modesto - "Graffiti Town, USA"

Obviously I am not talking about George Lucas and Wolfman Jack and our heritage of the throwback "American Graffiti" era that we relive here in Modesto.  Is it me, or is every utility box, light pole, fence post, wall, business, street sign, canal bank and whatever else standing have graffiti on it? Pictured is the women's bathroom at Enslen Park.  My brother in law has paint and often paints over any graffiti at the park.  He just painted over some in the women's bathroom last week which was tagged shortly after.  Looks like the city tried washing the black graffiti off only to be re-tagged with white paint as seen in the photos.  They are not gang taggings, just some board punks.  The other photo is a tagging at the tennis courts at Graceada.  As I type, Uncle Tom is painting over them.

My question is, is that there are city employees in the park every morning.  They can't paint over this graffiti?  Do they not have paint in their trucks?  I know the graffiti abatement the city had is no longer budgeted for, but is it NOT in the job description of these city employees to simply paint over it?  If they are driving around, can they take 2 minutes to remove a tag?

I am trying to keep it together fellow Modesto residents, but this town is becoming a s**t hole! As we get closer to election time, I stress to the new power to be's that somehow we take care of the graffiti (amongst other issues).  My brother-in-law paints over it at Enslen and Graceada as the city provides us with the paint.  I am sure if he were paid for his efforts, he and other "vagrants" would provide the service for half the pay.  It would be half volunteer, and half "give the dog a bone"!  Uncle Tom is a recycler and if it were not for myself and my wife, he would be one of the vagrants in the park.  He has some pull, and could get the use of a few other park locals to do this.  These "graffiti angels" would be scouring the city similar to their efforts in all the recycling (legal of course) that they do in getting paid per tag removal.

Good job MPD!

http://www.modestogov.com/newsroom/releases/prdetail.asp?id=1035

Looks as though at least one of the vandals destroying our parks was caught! Take that Yosemite recycling, you piece of poo poo! Good thing Uncle Tom did not get a hold of this guy! He is a legitimate recycler and has no patience for those who break the laws.

Park Issues? Really?

It comes as no shock to me about the recent news of a rash of thefts, graffiti, and vandalism in our parks as reported in the Bee.  As we attempt to be a bit more vigilant here in the College area it still does not prevent some vagrants from stealing 7 crepe myrtle trees from the Virginia corridor? What are they going to do with those trees, smoke them?

We were recently asked by CANA if we could help out with closures of the Graceada and Enslen bathrooms at night (I believe because some maintenance is going to take place), so I did email Julie Hannon at the Parks department.  We can help. I have guys, but still awaiting Julie's response.  Knock, knock.

These incidents scream for a "Park Patrol/Ranger" program to be enforced at these troubled parks.  This works in Santa Maria as reported by Modesto's Blue Ribbon committee.  What initially would have been needed at only a few parks (to save money) is becoming a wider spread need.  It needs to be started soon, as to not spread.  Hopefully it is not too late.  So whomever becomes Mayor, this is an area that needs to be addressed.  Of course, one of many issues.

Final Question, and thanks

Thanks for the response from some you folks with my last posting.  I am still a bit confused, however, those of you who emailed me back said that you would get the appropriate phone numbers to clear things up.  I think what we need is one "hotline" sort of number maybe? A number where residents can call for complaints about blight, barking dogs, bad neighbors, etc. This one "hotline" number then needs to funnel these calls to ONE agency so that the numbers can pile up so to say.  It is easier to give neighbors and neighborhood alliances ONE number for easy reference.  Thanks and look forward to hearing back from all of you.

A Question for the Safety & Communities Committee

Does an obnoxious barking dog fall under the "Problematic Property Owner Enforcement Policy"? Myself with some neighbors would like to get the "four complaints within a year" policy enforced which we could do within about 5 minutes on two constantly barking dogs. Who do we call? If we complain to the police, do those complaints get counted?

Ugh, Really?

So Monique and her beau are back.  After a little "hibernation" in jail, (I was told, not too sure), Monique is back at Enslen Park.  And as accustomed to her routine, she gets a "look out" as she goes in the bathroom to do her drugs.  She has some lackey to watch out, and this "lackey" is a dude that told police where she probably was the day she beat up on a 14 year old, and then he goes and warns her! She is done, and "lackey" get a pat on the back. Her stay at the park is minimal as she is too wired to stick around, and there is nobody at the park to start drama with. On to Graceada Park most likely.

Park Clean up

Thanks to Sandy Clark from CANA to get some folks out to do some work at Enslen Park this past Saturday.  I could not make the cleanup/work but I got my brother-in-law and a couple of his buddies to pitch in.  They did some hard work! One of the workers is a homeless gentleman who keeps things in "store" at Enslen.  He was grateful to help out he said.  Hopefully with the work that was done, we can save the redwoods at the park with the incoming irrigation system.

And in some other news, Monique and he beau are back today.  Drama is sure to ensue this afternoon. S**T.

Blue Ribbon keeping it simple

I think the results/findings/suggestions by Modesto's Blue Ribbon Committee on Homelessness is on par.  I agree that sweeping changes or new laws need not be a main focus. How would laws be enforced anyway? For obvious reasons, "efforts to improve park safety and security" is my main concern along with immediate residents.

At this time, the confusion or consternation, lies with the fact that the "city should establish park patrols by working with neighborhood alliances that are looking to hire private security."  Well, that is what CANA has introduced for us residents near Graceada and Enslen Parks.  As noted in the Bee article, Santa Maria, California has a successful program with their park patrol. So, we have a "park patrol", sort of as Rank Investigations patrol the neighborhood and the parks, but they cannot go INTO the park.  My hope is, and I have been told, that the city/Parks/MPD are working on allowing this to happen.  If this is the case, then the "city" has done it's part.  MPD does not need to finance it.  Us neighbors are financing it. If it does NOT happen, then the city with the MPD needs to go back to square one.  It would have to be financed somehow, some way.  It saves money because a park patrol would discourage the vandalism.  It saved Santa Maria $500,000. Right?

Recently, the Parks department has done away with it's graffiti removal.  Instead, us volunteers have to do the painting.  That is fine for us who take care of the immediate parks, but what does it do for all other parks and buildings in Modesto?  Maybe saving the $500,000 that is a service that we can get back.

Dear Mr. Marsh, if you get a park patrol, then the police load lessens. The vandalism starts in the parks (loitering, drinking, methheads) and spreads outward to back ally ways (spelling?) and homes with petty theft and other crimes.  Police that, and the crimes drop.  Is this adding up? Not every park in this city needs a park patrol.  What would it cost to patrol the few parks that need them?

Security Patrol starts

So Rank Investigations has started the area security patrol here in the college area.  Behind the work of CANA (College Area Neighborhood Alliance), the patrol has begun.  I have seen the patrol drive around.  I am wondering if we will get reports as to what has been seen or done? The neighbors are curious what Rank will be able to do in the parks.  A few, like myself, have bought in hoping they can keep a vigilant eye on those who lounge in the park. I am hoping the Parks Dept, MPD, and Rank can come to some agreement.  There were two break-ins or thefts this week alone on Poplar.  Some stuff taken off the front porch is what are the main issues.  

Meanwhile, a "vagrant" was chased out of the park today by an undercover officer in his car (MPD).  As the undercover officer slowly pursued the dude on his bike, the dude started playing "chicken" and taunting the officer in the middle of Stoddard Ave.  The officer "mini-Pit'ed" him, and bam, dude was laid out in the street. 4 MPD came racing down Stoddard to assist I guess (maybe a little over the top).  It was apparent that dude was not going anywhere.  Not sure why he was "escorted" out of the park, but I appreciate MPD checking the park.  Usually they are just asked to leave the park if they are drinking, but maybe he had more than alcohol on him or he committed a crime. I did not see the actual "event", but the two DISH guys working on my satellite saw the event.  I saw the aftermath.  

Not surprised

So I chatted with a regular at Enslen Park, not a vagrant dude.  "Dude" asks me, "who is that Monique chick?  She is whacked!".  "She comes up to me, and asks 'who are you!? Are you some sort of narc?'" Dude replies, "uh, no." Monique tells him, "I'm going to go slam some crank in the bathroom, so if you see a cop just whistle, ok?"....Dude was like, "um, yeah, ok."

Things maybe coming together

Slowly, and hopefully surely, things are starting to look brighter.  This could change in an instant, but lets hold our breaths.  Looks as though Rank Investigations will start their area patrol of the college area soon.  This means that the College Area Neighborhood Association (CANA) has produced some results.

The Modesto Dog Park folks are getting closer to making Elk Park Modesto's first official dog park.  This is great news as it certainly is better than the alternative.  What our parks need is activities.

With a stern word given to Monique and her Beau, I have not seen the two in couple of weeks.  Like I mentioned before, the tension is down, considerably.  I knew if someone at MPD just made a concentrated effort in removing those two, that MOST of the issues would go away.  Amazing how those dynamics worked.  An officer chatted with them, and they are no longer around.

Less tension......but

Have not seen Monique and her beau all week.  Whatever the MPD officer said to them has stuck.  Like I have preached before, eliminate the true troublemakers and things ease down.  There just seems to be less tension at Enslen Park.  Ironically or consequently, I have seen some new "residents" lately to Enslen Park.  All this coincides with the vacancy of Monique and Beau.  Maybe now other "residents" feel it is safe to lounge at Enslen Park with the drama absent now. I saw four dudes tonight at the horseshoe pit I swear were passing something (drugs?) and then two of the dudes go into the men's bathroom.  Unless you are at a major event, dudes do not follow each other into bathrooms.

Ode to Monique....hopefully

As you have seen from my recent posts there has been a constant theme that being of altercations and "Monique" being the culprit. Well on Saturday morning we witnessed an appalling event that took place where Monique just started whooping up on some 14 year old girl! Monique was fighting with her boyfriend, again, and this young girl and her sister happened to be walking by. Monique said something to them and they just started to defend themselves verbally. It was on. Monique just started whooping up on the one girl! You can hear the girl scream "I'm only 14! I'm only 14!" we called the police and monique and her beau took off. The police arrived and could not find them. Long story short, the girls did not press charges (which I questioned) and Monique showed back up 45 minutes later. The girls ended up taking Moniques two dogs because the officer said they are abandoned property, probably meaning well but that did not turn out so well. Another dude in the park told Monique where the girls lived and there ended up being another confretation over the dogs and this time the mother was swinging. Police were called for a third time. Monique was nit arrested but I hope was given a stern warning about not coming back to the park again by the officer. He had promised me that Monique would be dealt with. Half
Of the vagrancy problems at Enslen Park anyways has to do with Monique and her boyfriend. Eliminate that issue and things could get better.

Ode to Monique....hopefully

Trying to enjoy a quiet morning on the porch

And then you have Monique and her dude friend fighting. Literally slapping each other, "f*****g b****, leave me alone you f*****g who**, get the f**k out of my way!!!!" All as loud as can be. So nice to just be able to enjoy a little cup of Jo while reading the paper (No SCAP in today's Bee) while we listen to the slapping of faces, F-Bombs, whore-Bombs at the park. Lets see what we got going on in the sports section today. Life in Modesto.

Yipppeee!

Nice to see a patrol car at Enslen Park this afternoon. I think a dude was actually handcuffed. I would like to see the MPD do more drive by's of the park. I am talking about when they actually drive onto the park and patrol the area. Maybe they do and I miss them, but an every few hours or so would be nice.

Vagrant issues vs. Activities

So now that my Happy Hour adult kickball league is over, there were issues that still need to be addressed. So we were out there for 5 consecutive weeks on Sunday nights. Modesto Parks director Julie Hannon has talked about the city needing activities to keep the park "vibrant". Activities shoo the vagrancy. Well, sort of. In our 5 week long play we had the following issues:

- Cops were called to quell a potential fight among groups of vagrants

- One week, the restrooms were locked up due to vandalism. Sort of tough when I promote "clean restrooms for the ladies"

- We all noticed as we kicked wayward kickballs into the adjacent trees, that the vagrants like to store their "stuff, or crap" within the trees as sort of their own storage lockers. We could have our own episode of "Storage Wars" just within the trees, nooks and crannies of Enslen Park. (As we progressed into the season, the stuff started to disappear)

- Just yesterday as a kickball player went to use the men's room he noticed before him a woman follow a man inside the mens restroom and as he entered, the women came out of the restroom with a wad of cash in her hand. He then left the restroom, and she went right back in to "finish the business".

Again, we did our part by painting the women's restroom and the stands adjacent to the ball field that was covered in graffiti with paint provided by the city. Before we have another event, I just hope that all of you reading this work on these issues plaguing our parks! You do so, you get my vote.

Park Feedings Get Messy

So the other day someone dropped off a box of whole roasted chickens from a local supermarket. You can see by the photos, that those who dropped them off, never bothered to wait and clean up after the messes. Shortly after taking these photos, another group came by and handed out more meals. Eventually, somebody did clean up all the wayward chickens later in the evening. However it just was not chickens, as you can see by the cigarette butts, as the whole area was just trashed!

How about some good news!

So, my Happy Hour Kickball has been a success as we transform Enslen Park into "Beach Night", and "Retro Night" every Sunday evening. As my players dodge the vagrancy at Enslen Park, they find time to enjoy their youth in this adult kickball league! Julie Hannon asked for "Events" at the park as to keep vibrant activities at our parks, and I am doing my part. Thanks to her, we have received paint to paint the restrooms and the stands (which is next) to help "beautify" this park as best as possible. I have even seen some police presence as they drive up on the park to ensure things are in store. (There were issues the first week as a fight nearly developed by the regular vagrants). So come out and enjoy some kickball. It is hilarious! Not the fights, the kickball.

When Vagrants attack!

As emailed to me:

"I was sweeping up around the dumpster this morning. The vagrants had removed trash from the dumpster and tossed it on the ground. Another vagrant came up the alley following a divining rod and talking out loud. He walked around me, maintaining a safe distance. He stopped, turned to face me and announced that he was going to f**** me up if I did not give him some money. I dropped the dustpan and told him to bring it on. That surprised him and he turned and scurried away. I think the whole divining walk and talk thing was an act.

Sure wish the vagrants' protectors could experience them the way I do."

m alexander

Just Disgusting!

So I started my adult kickball league tonight (Sunday) at Enslen Park. I have recently written how things have somewhat quieted down at Enslen Park, but not tonight! EVERY homeless person and vagrant seemed to be at Enslen Park tonight. It was frinkin' embarrassing! The cops were called (by someone) because a group (Monique and her band of idiots) almost got into a fight. None of this was too close to where we were playing, but it was appalling. By the end of the night one dude was so sh**faced he was falling over and cussing up a storm on his way to Graceada. The city gave us some paint (Thank you Julie) so we could paint the womens restroom and clean it up a bit as we had flowers, candles, and shower curtains to hide the stalls and give privacy, and my female customers appreciated it. I also had my brother-in-law stand "guard" with a Happy Hour Kickball t-shirt as security for the ladies. It is a shame all this has to be done in one of our "crown jewels" of a park in Modesto. It is a damn shame I cannot have an event such as this activity or even Concert In the Park without some incident happening from the vagrancy.

"Thug" Strikes Girl!

So I chronicled the incident where this young thug(s) were going to go after a "Jerry" the other day. Well he just got into an altercation with a guy right at the Boy Scouts building as he started to just throw haymakers at this guy as the dude was sitting on the ground. Well, "chick" tries to break it up (the "chick" that is involved in this beach blanket bingo in my previous post) and the thug starts swinging at her striking her before taking off on his BMX bike! Security!?

A Few Notes

First, got word last night that a downtown restaurant owner got one of their stainless steel tables ripped off from behind their place of business. They took it out back to wash it off, and when they went inside, it was stolen. It is all on video. It was the same dude that comes by every night to collect recyclables. The kicker here is, is that the restaurant owners always separate the recyclables for a convenience that "dude" does not need to go into the trash bin. It was the same "dude" that stole his table all so he can get .40 cents per pound for it. Give certain "vagrants" an inch, and they will take....you know.

I think if you are sleeping UNDER a blanket, that should get outlawed at a park. A regular Enslen "resident" and her beau "sleep" under the blanket everyday, but some fornication or a similar act seems to be prevalent on occasion. This is during the day time!

I have not seen a motorcycle patrol at the parks in forever. I used to be able to rely on emailing Officer Hamilton and these type of habits, such as the "fornication" would end. Is he still around? Chief Harden?

Of course outlawing blanket bingo at the parks would have to fall in line right behind the "mulling" over of city council members for a rental property registry. Great idea, but how in the world would it be enforced?

Idle time creates incident

Just witnessed a near fight at Enslen Park. It has been relatively quiet over there recently. The drinkers go to Graceada now as Enslen has turned into the "chill" park. An 18-hour chill, but a chill nonetheless. Just a few moments ago however, a dude, "Jerry" was telling this young thug that he stole his "old ladies bike", and the young thug said "Well its mine now, and now I am going to kick your ass" as he and his band of young thugs chased Jerry off. If I was not witnessing it then it would have been down.

Idle time on a hot day breeds issues. Only Jerry was probably the homeless dude of the bunch, the others are just young, punk thugs that hang out and intimidate, period.

Again, I recommend a "Park Patrol", with an unarmed officer there to just patrol the parks. Other cities do this. CANA has it's security patrol that it is working on, and an update should be coming, so that could do as long as the security officer patrols the park.

Stabbing at Graceada

Hi Sandy,

It was recommended that I make you aware of an incident that occurred on Thursday night at Graceada Park around 8:30 p.m. I was returning home from Dry Creek on my mountain bike following along the cement path by the tennis courts. I approached a man walking towards me on the path so I planned to go around him in the grass to give him space. As I got closer I realized he had a knife in his hand and was unable to pedal fast enough to get out of his reach. He lunged at me as I passed and sliced my leg open just above the back of my knee. I had to have stitches and the emergency room contacted the MPD so a police report was filed. The man appeared to be a transient wearing an oversized green army jacket with bushy hair and a beard.

I understand you are with the College Neighborhood Alliance so this may be of interest to you. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Dennis Griffie

This email was sent to me by a member of CANA (College Area Neighborhood Alliance). I would like to know if the perp was caught, but I do not know how to find out! Chief Harden, maybe you can help as I know you receive this email. Maybe some of the regular "residents" know who did this, maybe he was caught? I am sure we could find out who did this cowardly act just by asking around. What I do know was that there were 7 or 8 squad cars around my home this morning at 4:30am with guns drawn looking for someone. Not sure if these incidents are related or not.

I have been saying that it is getting dangerous at the parks! Summer is coming and they are all coming out. I can't blame this incident on a homeless person, we do not know. However, I am not surprised by this!

Busted

Well we had a little excitement at Enslen park yesterday. Unfortunately I was not home this time, but my wife who was at an Enslen baseball game, and my son who was at home witnessed the event. The police came into the park and a dude started running and tried to jump a fence that went nowhere and was apprehended. Baggies were taken out of his pockets, so he had drugs on him. Apparently dude was hanging around the homeless "residents". Police came, and he ran. My point is, it was not a homeless dude, but because of the vagrancy that hangs around, he may have felt it was an easy stay.

CANA newsletter

Got home today after chatting with David from the Blue Ribbon committee, and at my doorstep was a very nice CANA (College Area Neighborhood Alliance) newsletter! Very well done. I had no idea it was coming out. So to whomever, thanks, and job well done.

Neighborhood Associations not so bad, right?

Nice to read about the cohesiveness with the LaLoma neighborhood association being able to work together with the Modesto Gospel mission in dealing with homeless issues. I believe it should be a model for future park issues. Model, maybe not yet, but it is getting there. What I have learned about neighborhood associations, is that you have to have a passion, a need, a desire to WANT to get things done.

I think that at times folks want to do their philanthropic duty, but their "issues" are few. Maybe it is politically inclined. Duh. I mean, for some who live in nice homes in nice areas, if a homeless person, or vagrant comes by and goes through their trash, the homeowner feels "violated". Now the world is coming to and end. "OMG, did you see that "thing" going in my trash"? "Lets get a neighborhood watch NOW because that isn't right!"

Well my home is falling apart, has no equity and my porch is sinking. Oh, and I live across the street from Enslen Park, and at times it has REAL vagrant issues. That is why I am passionate about getting things done, and not just "talk".

I have tried for many years to get neighborhood watches, or some community involvement, or attend neighborhood alliances, associations, etc. but people just complain and eventually do nothing and we go back to square one. A watch, association, or alliance or whatever needs ONE leader, not assumptions of who is "leading". Have a great day!

Graceada Park residents need to step up!

So recently the homeless activities have been toned down a bit at Enslen Park. It has come to my attention that home owners bordering Enslen Park have been fed up and the message has been delivered to the "residents". So because of this, when a "resident" decides to drink, they have taken their binge to Graceada Park because it is "easier to get away with" apparently. So when the homeless want to get their drink on, they move across the street. The phrase uttered is "nobody hassles us over here. So we respect that of the Enslen folks." Really? That is only a second hand comment, but nonetheless it explains why there have not been any issues at Enslen Park.

Common folk are just scared

As the cities "Blue Ribbon" committee gets going with homeless issues here in the city there are a couple of things to know. We all know there is much vandalism, drunkenness, drugs etc., but much of this is created by vandals, and not necessarily from the homeless.

The mainstay homeless folks at Enslen Park are not trouble makers although they do have their issues mainly just the arguing, fighting, and cussing that goes on. People that hate the "homeless haters" and those who are trying to help out just don't understand. Yes, these homeless "residents" are mostly harmless but that is because I see it everyday. Yes, they have every right to visit the park (all day? Maybe not, but..) because they lounge around all day, the families that come out just don't because they are afraid of these folks. If they knew that it is ok to do your family thing then maybe more family activities would happen. How are they to know? They just don't so the parks are over run by the homeless.

Having a central location for all the homeless to inhabit is not going to work, because most seclude themselves with like folk where they feel comfortable. Because of this they cannot all be hoarded to one central location. You can give these regulars the "Taj Mahal"but they are not going to go.

What was discussed at the committee meeting was the fact that so many "groups" often have feedings at area local parks. These homeless folks get fed. So maybe taking away all the feedings will eliminate the homeless. Maybe so, maybe not. If outside feedings are outlawed it will be difficult to police. There are so many of them. Maybe coordinating all of the groups is the best option, but it would be a difficult task to find all of these groups whether they are government funded groups, or the church groups (which there are so many of).

Homeless Blue Ribbon committee meeting

I attended the Blue Ribbon committee last night on homelessness in Modesto. I just wanted to see what is going on. At least there is some discussion and some passion, but a lot still needs to be done in coming to some solutions.

It was insightful to listen to that of Julie Hannon and Steve Lumpkin of the city Parks department. Seems as they have a good pulse on what is going on with the issues, particularly the vandalism issues.

Would have been nice to see Mike Moridian there and for Muratore to be able to stay a bit longer. Good luck to the group.

Blue Ribbon Committee starts

Modesto's Blue Ribbon Committee on homelessness issues begins tonight. I just want to wish the committee good luck and give hope that this issue can be tackled effectively with care and good thought. This blog chronicled the issues at Enslen Park with the homeless but has sort of transitioned to that of vagrancy. The problems started with the homeless and their issues and again as time has passed I have learned that most of the "residents" take care of issues in-house but are left to deal with the more dangerous vagrants that feel these city parks are theirs to mess up. I am only knowledgable on what happens at Enslen park, and not the others like Tower and Ralston Parks from what I read. Maybe it is more of a homeless issue at those and other city parks. Whatever the case, I hope fair solutions can be accomplished.

Woops

So one of three things happened here to this light pole at Elk Park.

1) A big storm came and knocked it over

2) The pole just fell due to old age and being weathered

3) A Meth attic needed the copper wiring.

I those #3.

Carmen, a little "off base"

Thanks Carmen for your blog show and discussing this blog. I believe it was from January 22nd show. I was not put into good graces by you and your guest, Emerson? I was one of "those homeless hater guys" to paraphrase. That's fine, label me as you choose. It is your forum. Just wanted to let you know the real truth, is that I am not a "hater", just disgusted by what I see everyday across the street at Enslen Park. Of course you and your cohort would not know because you live in your little enclave somewhere away from the parks. You have not bothered to discuss the other issues, arrests, stabbings, fights, drugs, and drunkenness that goes on in these parks that I blog about. I have come along way since 2008 in the homeless plight realizing that most of the issues are that of vagrants and not really of the homeless. My issue with the "Do-Gooders" is that they should organize their efforts in feeding the homeless (and also stick around to clean up the messes) and I think that is what is behind Muratore's committee. I am not wanting to be on this committee, and this Blog has nothing to do with Murratore or Moridian, it just mine. I am not into politics, but you have now in doctored me into them I guess. My little effort is being a part of the College Area Neighborhood Alliance on the Homeless/Transient committee and reporting the issues at the parks. Anybody who does not believe that there are issues, come spend a summer at my house.

Hotel Enslen: College Area Neighborhood Association

Hotel Enslen: College Area Neighborhood Association

College Area Neighborhood Association

So there has been the development of the College Area Neighborhood Alliance (or Association) which among the different committees has the Transient/homeless committee. What to do with the abundance of homeless people in the college area parks and streets is the focus. It is a huge issue and there is no "fix it" answer for now. At least there is an awareness of the situation. Hopefully as CANA progresses I can chronicle what is happening. The first thing I want to point out, is that half of the problems in the parks with the homeless are not the homeless folks causing them. Homeless breeds vagrancy. So there are two components here: Homeless and Vagrancy. The majority of the problems are the vagrants who cause the drama and issues. What I mean by vagrants are the wanderers or folks looking to cause trouble and mischief who have no gumption to abide by the laws. These vagrants just try to enclave themselves into the homeless population and then point at the homeless when it comes to crimes. So my initial thought as I move forward in the Homeless committee is to stress that it is the vagrancy that is the main problem and that is what needs to be rid of first.