The Tazer Works!

And we prove it everyday! Healthy debate and a place to vent DOES inspire great conversation. Take for instance this post from yesterday. We've moved it to main page action along with the responses:
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While most of the issues discussed on this blog are important and the dialog is frequently constructive, I have a couple of questions and concerns. For all the anger, outrage, and frustration over the ongoing violence in Richmond, do the "regular" contributors have anything constructive to offer in terms of a solution beyond generalities such as "more leadership", "replace the mayor," or "boycott the City?"

The fact is that violence of the sort Richmond is dealing with is the same sort of violence MANY other urban areas have, including cities with totally different political leadership.

In addition, Richmond's rate of violent crime has been high (even higher than it is now) under several differeny mayors and councils.This isn't to defend the current administration . . . By all means, elect whoever you think will do the best job, but don't be surprised if REGARDLESS of who is mayor, the challenges of dealing with this sort of violence continue.

Almost anyone who reads, looks at what's going on in other places, and who is willing to be rational, understands that there is no one simple solution to violent crime--and that while leadership in terms of being willing to try new, different, and creative things IS important, so is allowing best practices the time to work, bringing in good people, and not just approaching the problem in a reactionary way.

In other words, simply asking for the "National Guard" or being more open to criticism at Council meetings ARE NOT real solutions to the problem.Name calling, profanity, and other expressions of anger only compound an already difficult situation.

This blog is great when people engage and expand their minds, as opposed to just venting in an ugly and thoughtless way. My two cents for what it's worth! Thanks!

--Posted by Anonymous to The City of Richmond Truth Tazer at 6/29/2006 05:54:42 PM
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Well stated, although the reference to "best practices" might give you away Anonymous! And doesn't this just scream of being the campaign speech of someone special: "

Name calling, profanity, and other expressions of anger only compound an already difficult situation. This blog is great when people engage and expand their minds, as opposed to just venting in an ugly and thoughtless way"I guess us Tazers must mind our manners.

--Posted by Anonymous to The City of Richmond Truth Tazer at 6/29/2006 10:07:02 PM
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I believe that the two previous postings to be totally correct. However I believe as well we are hearing a large spectrum of individuals who previously have no outlet or forum to express their feelings and emotions in regards to the killing or violence in this town!

We may not agree with how things are stated here all the time, but people are really frustrated with how nothing is really being done or accomplished by the city government.Look at that gentlemen Charles Evans at the city council meeting the other night, the man was simply tired of how things were being done.

He just wanted results and to get things done. All of us here in Richmond are tired of the killing and violence, some folks are just more intense about their feelings on the matter as opposed to others.

But I am really greatful that at least we have the Richmond Truth Tazer to express our concerns. Some communities really have nothing to voice their opinions with.

--Posted by Micheal Ali to The City of Richmond Truth Tazer at 6/29/2006 10:37:40 PM
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You people just do not understand this urban culture we live in. These young people have serious firepower, they are killing people!Hellllooooo! The mayor is powerless because she has no vision. She has failed to do her duty and does not what to be responisible for her own lousy karma at doing a bad job.

--Posted by wonder warthog to The City of Richmond Truth Tazer at 6/29/2006 11:26:08 PM
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No one has to mind their manners. That wasn't my point.

I'm not interested in promoting anyone's campaign. I understand the anger and intensity, but I also think we should all be a little leary of people who call for simple, quick solutions to tough, complicated problems.

I don't care for politicians that do this; but I also think we get what we deserve as a city when we do this as individual citizens. Being the loudest, most passionate, and most angry doesn't necessarily mean you make sense or that your point is all that great. (I don't think anyone will be using that as a campaign speech in Richmond! :-))

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Well well well, the "Anonymous" formerly known as "Socko" has returned. Long time, no see...

Not that it's some kind of requirement, but I'd like to get this out of the way and point out that you didn't address my comment regarding Irma Anderson. You say that "'regular' contributors" have nothing constructive to offer -- which I do NOT concede! -- but then what do you call the stifling of debate by cutting off microphones and fancy gavel tricks?

>> The fact is that violence of the sort Richmond is dealing with is the same sort of violence MANY other urban areas have..."

Other urban areas" = IRRELEVANT! Stick to Richmond, if you would. Thanks.

>> In addition, Richmond's rate of violent crime has been high (even higher than it is now) under several differeny [sic] mayors and councils.

"Several differeny [sic] mayors and councils" = IRRELEVANT! Stick to the Present, if you would. Thanks.

>>This isn't to defend the current administration...

If what you're doing -- PASSING THE BUCK! -- isn't defending the current administration, I don't know what is! What you call generalities -- "more leadership," "replace the mayor," "boycott the city" -- are very direct and simple calls for change.

In short, if the mayor and city council will not provide "more leadership" by directly addressing issues like violence and fiscal shenanigans, then the violence prevention movement might find it has to "boycott the city" council until it listens, or come November the voters will "replace the mayor." It's all very SPECIFIC once assembled.

>> By all means, elect whoever you think will do the best job, but don't be surprised if REGARDLESS of who is mayor, the challenges of dealing with this sort of violence continue.

Y'know what, despite your pessimism I'm willing to roll those dice, thank you very much! At the very least, a new administration couldn't hurt Richmond more than it's already been wounded. At best, it could really help, and wouldn't that be better for everyone?

>> Almost anyone...understands that there is no one simple solution to violent crime...

You're absolutely right, and anyone that doesn't get that needs to study up. Now, let's further agree that shutting off microphones, ending debate by command, and not discussing "it" is NOT a productive way to approach the problem, either.

>> In other words...being more open to criticism at Council meetings [IS NOT a] real (solution) to the problem.

Read from the bottom of Page 2 of any city agenda and you'll find: "The City Council’s adopted Rules of Procedure recognize that debate on policy is healthy..." But "being more open to criticism" is bad in your eyes, right? So, which one is it: "debate on policy is healthy" or SHUT UP, YOU'RE BEING CRITICAL?

It's too bad if you think that expressions of anger are out of bounds, but frustration can't help but mount when the city council and mayor -- elected, NOT dictators (supposedly) -- stand against so simple and vital a right in democratic society as FREE SPEECH!

--Posted by dread captain shiroiwashi to The City of Richmond Truth Tazer at 6/30/2006 09:11:51 AM
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As you can see, everyone's comments are welcome!

The Wheels Are Starting To Fall Off...

We at the Tazer aren't trying to "sell more papers" with this headline, it is simply the truth about our city and the swell of violence.

Sadly, it looks as if our predictions for a violent summer may in fact become real. Here's the story from the shootings overnight: (credit Karl Fischer)

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1 dead, 3 hurt in Richmond shootings

Contra Costa Times By Karl Fischer

June 29, 2006

"It looks as though (the attackers) chased him back there, and caught up with him where we found him..."

Shootings in and near a south Richmond neighborhood killed a 30-year-old man and wounded three others overnight.

Police identified no suspects this morning, and asked for help from the public to find some. 'We want to hear from anybody who many have seen anything or heard anything last night in the neighborhood,' police Lt. Shawn Pickett said.

The shootings in the Santa Fe neighborhood ended with a killing near the corner of South 4th Street and Florida Avenue. Neighbors called police about gunfire beginning at 3:18 a.m.
Officers saw nothing when they arrived, but got out of their cars and walked down South 4th to see if they could find shell casings or other evidence, Pickett said.

In front of a house on the 200 block they found a white T-shirt on the sidewalk, and saw a dark T-shirt on the lawn of a nearby house.

When officers approached a side gate of the house, which was uninhabited, they found a dead man face down on a walkway leading to the back yard. Police did not immediately identify him because his family had not been notified.

'It looks as though (the attackers) chased him back there, and caught up with him where we found him,' Pickett said.

Shooting in the neighborhood started around 11 p.m. Wednesday, when several residents near the corner of South 6th Street and Maine Avenue called police to report hearing shots.

Officers could not find victims in the area but, while they searched, the emergency room at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in central Richmond reported a 16-year-old gunshot victim just arrived. He was wounded several times, Pickett said, but police say he will likely survive.
Soon after, a 52-year-old man called from a house on the 300 block of South 6th Street with a gunshot wound in his right thigh. Both victims were taken to local trauma centers for treatment, police said.

Both were shot at the same time and place, Pickett said. 'There may be a relationship' between that incident and a 1 a.m. attack on the 100 block of 13th Street, during which a 26-year-old man was shot in the face with a rifle round.

His injury is not life-threatening, police said. He too went to a local trauma center.
The killing was Richmond's 17th of the year, and the first of the year in the Santa Fe neighborhood.

HOW TO HELP: Police ask anyone with information about the killing to call Detective Steve Harris at 510-620-6628.

Anyone with information about any Richmond shootings can call the department's anonymous tip line at 510-232-TIPS.

Copyright © 2006 Contra Costa Times, All Rights Reserved.

A Diddy For The Day...

This piece arrived at The Tazer today, in light of the events at last night's City Council meeting. Happy reading!
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FROM THE FRONTLINES OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION:
"AN ANGRY CITIZEN GIVES THE MAYOR HELL! SHUTS DOWN COUNCIL MEETING "

This past Tuesday (June 27) at a special meeting of the Richmond City Council, all hell broke loose between a private citizen and Mayor Irma Anderson. One Mr. Evans, a very highly frustrated citizen came before Mayor Anderson and the City Council demanding that there be more accountablity on what the Mayor, City Council and Police are doing about the violence and killing on the streets of Richmond.

Evans approached the Council in a very intense fashion and addressed his concerns about police procedures regarding homicides in Richmond. He cited two homicide incidents that had occurred, one in 2002 and the another one that had happened more recently some days back. He was attempting to address the Council, that he was totally dissatisifed of how the whole bigger of the violence and killings were being handling by the Mayor's Office and Police department.

However Mr. Evans did not know that this was a special meeting of the Richmond City Council and that at special meetings, 'open forum' is not mandatory nor is required to be done under the law. So in essence, Mr. Evans did not know there would be no 'open forum' for him to address his concerns.

Anderson did give him two-minutes to express his concerns about issues that surrounded the killings and violence in Richmond. Mr. Evans respectfully requested more time to complete his statement. During the two minute period, Mr. Evans became more direct and firm when addressing the Council. It was quite clear he was highly frustrated and did not care about the two-minute time restiction. Then the Mayor advised him he must sit down and go back to his seat. Mr. Evans refused to do as such. Anderson then repeated the warning one final time!

Evans then told Anderson that she needed to back off and back down so he could continue speaking! Evans stood his ground firmly. Then a yelling match occurred between Evans, Anderson and certain City Council members.

Now all HELL was breaking loose! Tens of thousands of people were watching this meeting being broadcast in real time at KCRT, we in the Violence Prevention Movement were amazed by Mr. Evans courage, bravery and convinctions about his concerns about the bigger picture of why the City Government and the Mayor's Office was faling and had lost the "War On Violence". The yelling continued to a standstill. With Mr. Evans and the Council at deadlock, the Mayor then called for a 'recess'. Mr. Evans knowing at any time could be arrested for disturbing a public meeting by the police, held his ground. The Mayor knowing she was clearly losing control walked out. The KCRT screen stated the Council was in 'recess'.

According to City insiders, Council members Griffin and Thurman attempted to walk up to Evans and calm him down, but to no avail. There was still more yelling, and according to some insiders that everything in the Council chambers was out of control. The Mayor then gave the order that the enitre Council chamber was to be cleared of all people! That included the audience, Council members, City staff, everybody had to leave the chamber!

Anderson had deemed that the confrontation had now grown to issues of public safety and security. The police came in and ordered everyone to leave. The crowd now moved to the City Hall parking lot. The police then came spoke privately with Mr. Evans. With the crowd milling around in the parking lot, Mr. Evans left without being arrested.

Mr. Evans represents thousands upon thousands of people in Richmond, WHO ARE FED UP WITH MAYOR ANDERSON'S NOT WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE KILLING AND VIOLENCE IS OUT OF CONTROL IN THIS CITY!! The residents of Richmond are just FED UP with the promises and lies about the 'War On Violence' that Mayor's Office has FAILED AT AND LOST YEARS AGO!

Mr. Evans represents a new breed of citizens who will no longer accept how things are in regards to the killing and violence in this town. He wants accountability and reponsibility now by the City Government. He will no longer accept this is how it is going to be, nor will he go along to get along! Mr. Evans is man both of courage and convinction. He is truly the heartbeat and pulse of this community feelings about the killing and violence. Mr. Evans is truly a new leader from among the people of Richmond! He is man who truly walks tall in our community eyes.

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The Tazer extends an open invite to Mr. Evans to speak his mind openily on this forum.

Wheels Within Wheels

Tazer Tuesday greetings to all!

Another city council meeting, another laundry list of the interesting. See the agenda HERE.

* In closed session, it looks like there's going to be a conference with firefighter union reps, followed by a public employee performance evaluation of City Manager Bill Lindsay.

The Tazer is curious to know if there will be any restructuring of benefits to financially help out the city. Public safety officers deserve excellent compensation, but politicians did the job for the short-term gains in offering up over-generous packages. Fatcat pols and union leadership curry no quarter from the Tazer when it comes at the expense of rank-and-file firefighters getting laid off and citizens going without the service when stations have to be shut down.

Lots of luck to CM Lindsay, by the way. He strikes the Tazer as a decent fellow, taking a paycut and the helm of a semi-submerged Richmond. Get those bilges pumped and we'll talk some more...

* Two resolutions of note: FY 2006-2007 budget, and adoption of the 2006/2007 Title XIIIB Appropriation Limit. Historically, Gary Bell pointed out the city's propensity for spending money NOT in hand, so in light of tax increases (and "expected" tax increases) the Tazer wonders about handicapping the amount by which Richmond plans to indulge this bad habit. Around $16 million-ish smells like a good each-way bet...

* Two items from the Richmond Community Redevelopment Agency: its FY 2006-2007 budget, and authorization for the Executive Director to contract with Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) and Eden Housing for the toxic cleanup at Miraflores Housing Development (in the Florida/Wall & 47th area).

The Tazer has found financial questions with Miraflores dating back to 2004, but then the California Dept. of Toxic Substances Control only issued a plan for review regarding toxic cleanup in May of this year...

Keep in mind that these were both preceded in early 2003 by charges from Tom Butt that the city was engaging in real estate speculation with a borrowed $35 million plus $1.4 million in Richmond Housing Authority reserve money...

* Two items from the aforementioned Richmond Housing Authority: its FY 2006-2007 budget, and authorization of the Housing Authority Executive Director to execute the amended Affordable Housing Agency Joint Powers Agreement.

The Tazer wonders: Is anyone "living" in Miraflores?

* The schedule then takes us to 7 PM and the actual city council meeting...whew!

Some scholarships to hand out. Pedestrian safety. Spinnakergate at Marina Bay subdivision. Library budget adjustments. Hilltop landscaping levy assessment. City council compensation for cell and fax allowances. Homeless camping citation. Franchise Tax Board agreement for city business tax data. Knox Freeway/Cutting Blvd. buffer zoning. Endorsement of State Senate bill regarding local government authority in liquor stores and zoning updates. And a directive for the city fire chief to talk to local and county fire chiefs about efficient services.

Still conspicuous by its absence: violence prevention. The only item that might come close has to be the possible endorsement of that Senate bill, which could give Richmond a tool to target liquor stores that are a nuisance or otherwise conduicive to criminal activity. Anything that makes things easier for RPD and the people is fine by us!

But the Tazer wants to know: Not talking about it makes it go away, eh?

Another Unfortunate Incident...

This comes from the Times: (Credit Eric Kurhi CONTRA COSTA TIMES)

Man robbed and shot in Richmond

By Eric Kurhi
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

RICHMOND - A man is in critical condition after being shot tonight (6/24) near the Richmond BART station.

Richmond police said the victim was walking on the 500 block of 17th Street around 7:45 p.m. when he was approached by one or two men who demanded his valuables, and then shot him twice.

The victim was transported by helicopter to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, where he remained with injuries that police said are life threatening.

Police said they have a witness with a vague description of the gunman, but no solid leads.