Some Background
I was born and raised in San Jose, California. I have a modest job as does my wife. Our income says that we fall within the so-called "MIDDLE" CLASS, but after taxes feels more like the other class...you know, the poor? January of 2004 we decided it was time to buy a home, but low-and-behold, the housing costs were RIDICULOUS anywhere within the bay area to say the least. A decision was made to look to the city of Modesto for refuge. Why not? It seemed everyone else within the middle class was migrating to what we call the Central Valley of which Modesto is part.
After moving into which is currently our first home April 2004, we began to discover that our neighborhood is not as nice as originally thought. You know? Things like a little bit of gang activity, not a whole lot, but 2 houses on the next block over are 2 too many. Like stray dogs running the streets daily. Which I discovered actually belong to some of the people here, but for what ever reason they confuse these K-9's for cats and let them run the neighborhood as a cat would. I mean actually opening their front door and allowing the beast to just go and conquer.
Other things like an extra wide through-way street with a posted speed of 25mph which I estimate the average speed to be in excess of 45mph and of those speeding roughly half belonging to the "2 Fast 2 Furious" movie cast. Did I mention that I live on a large corner lot so the side of my lot is this wonderful speedway? I have the privilege of seeing and experiencing more than my fair share of neighborhood nuisances most of which are breaking the law or city ordinances, but usually nothing too serious. Some of these nuisances do however, have the potential to be very hazardous to one's health if not deadly. For instance, summer 2004: #1-Shooting 1 block south of my home (southeast corner home) resulting in fleeing vehicle crashing into fence (southwest corner home). #2-Hit and run of parked vehicle across street (southwest corner home). #3-exhibition of speed resulting in crash into fence (Northeast corner home). #4-Stray dogs continuously crapping on my lawn. #5-Speeders continuously running the gauntlet.
I know what your thinking. "Where are the police in all of this"? Or, "Didn't you call the police"? With the exception of The shooting I mentioned, which they were all over it, they have an uncanny ability of not showing up. The best case scenario was the #3 incident above. The police showed up an hour later. The driver had time to go home and get here husband who pushed the car off neighbors lawn, began trying to fix the car, couldn't, went down street to neighbors, got truck and pulled his car home.
The excuses the police use are so brazen and matter-o-fact, it leaves one wondering how he/she could have been so stupid as to even consider calling the police for such unimportant BULLSHI*. Example: Item #2 above the police were called via 911. It was explained to them what had happened. 3hours later I called back wondering why the police had not responded and was told that the police will not respond because the owner was not home and that the owner of the vehicle would have to be the one to call and complain. When I explained that the owner was out of town, I was told that it doesn't matter.
These are just some of my frustrations with the City of Modesto and their Police Department. I have long pondered whether or not it is appropriate to make public my frustrations and have come to the conclusion that the City of Modesto, the Mayor's office, the City Supervisors and the Modesto Police Department do NOT care or hear a word unless it affects their public image...so BE IT!
After moving into which is currently our first home April 2004, we began to discover that our neighborhood is not as nice as originally thought. You know? Things like a little bit of gang activity, not a whole lot, but 2 houses on the next block over are 2 too many. Like stray dogs running the streets daily. Which I discovered actually belong to some of the people here, but for what ever reason they confuse these K-9's for cats and let them run the neighborhood as a cat would. I mean actually opening their front door and allowing the beast to just go and conquer.
Other things like an extra wide through-way street with a posted speed of 25mph which I estimate the average speed to be in excess of 45mph and of those speeding roughly half belonging to the "2 Fast 2 Furious" movie cast. Did I mention that I live on a large corner lot so the side of my lot is this wonderful speedway? I have the privilege of seeing and experiencing more than my fair share of neighborhood nuisances most of which are breaking the law or city ordinances, but usually nothing too serious. Some of these nuisances do however, have the potential to be very hazardous to one's health if not deadly. For instance, summer 2004: #1-Shooting 1 block south of my home (southeast corner home) resulting in fleeing vehicle crashing into fence (southwest corner home). #2-Hit and run of parked vehicle across street (southwest corner home). #3-exhibition of speed resulting in crash into fence (Northeast corner home). #4-Stray dogs continuously crapping on my lawn. #5-Speeders continuously running the gauntlet.
I know what your thinking. "Where are the police in all of this"? Or, "Didn't you call the police"? With the exception of The shooting I mentioned, which they were all over it, they have an uncanny ability of not showing up. The best case scenario was the #3 incident above. The police showed up an hour later. The driver had time to go home and get here husband who pushed the car off neighbors lawn, began trying to fix the car, couldn't, went down street to neighbors, got truck and pulled his car home.
The excuses the police use are so brazen and matter-o-fact, it leaves one wondering how he/she could have been so stupid as to even consider calling the police for such unimportant BULLSHI*. Example: Item #2 above the police were called via 911. It was explained to them what had happened. 3hours later I called back wondering why the police had not responded and was told that the police will not respond because the owner was not home and that the owner of the vehicle would have to be the one to call and complain. When I explained that the owner was out of town, I was told that it doesn't matter.
These are just some of my frustrations with the City of Modesto and their Police Department. I have long pondered whether or not it is appropriate to make public my frustrations and have come to the conclusion that the City of Modesto, the Mayor's office, the City Supervisors and the Modesto Police Department do NOT care or hear a word unless it affects their public image...so BE IT!
posted by Blast at 9:34 AM
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