Anti-BVBL

Chairman Stewart is on the press circuit again ‘touting the benefits’ of the ‘Immigration Resolution’. And, this time instead of his usual anecdotal stories about shorter lines at emergency rooms, or drops in ESOL students, he suggests there is a connection between a lower crime rate and the Immigration Resolution. Frankly, it’s laughable.

According to the DC Examiner, Stewart’s theory is that crime rates drop when ‘illegals’ leave. The converse of this statement being that the crime rate increases when ‘illegals’ arrive. It’s a pretty simple hypothesis and easily verifiable. If this hypothesis is true, as we have this supposed influx of ‘illegals’ that purportedly necessitated some action on our part, we should see clear statistical evidence witnessed by higher crime rates in the years preceding the resolution.

So, let’s review, according to the article, in 2004 the crime rate per thousand is 24.5, then in 2005, as more ‘illegals’ are ‘flooding into the area bringing their lawlessness and economic hardship with them’, using Stewart’s logic a higher crime rate is excepted but that’s not what happens! Prince William County experiences a drop in crime equal to that of the drop between 2006 and 2007. Additionally, it’s not just a drop from 2004 to 2005 but AGAIN from 2005 to 2006, then the same from 2006 to 2007! Very simply, Stewart’s theory is proven incorrect. The resolution can not reasonably be referenced as the reason why the crime rate has once again decreased for the 4th year in a row.

Haven’t we all heard this before, we are not “real Americans” for daring to say we will not join the mob scene in its fevered hate for Hispanics? How many times have we been called “illegal alien apolotists” ? Does this sound familiar, being called “parasite” who should be “tried for treason”. For those of you believe that violent language will not eventually lead to action, pay close attention. There is an extremist side that is being fueled by ignorance, and at some point, I firmly believe, violence will erupt.

The three telephone calls May 18, however, were more explicitly threatening, CASA officials said.

One was left in a voice mail to Bautista on a Washington number he uses for his work as the Latino missioner of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. “Don’t be surprised when there’s a [expletive] bullet in the back of your [expletive] brain,” the caller said, according to a recording made available by CASA staffers.

Another call that day was left as a message on CASA’s 800 number. Six of the 19 words were curse words, with the caller saying CASA should not be surprised if somebody blows up one of the group’s facilities.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/02/AR2008060202754.html

Thanks to Cindy B. for attending the County’s foreclosure meeting and reporting back to us! Here is what her report:

There were only about 13 people there, most had only heard about it from the newspaper article. It was supposed to have been a meeting in their series of Neighborhood Leader Training sessions and the subject was supposed to be vehicles and parking, but because of the tall grass crisis, they changed the topic and got the word out as best they could. This information is also the same as what Michelle Casciato presented to the BOCS meeting last week (you can listen to the audio on the county website). She also showed a map of the county as part of her presentation that showed dots where the worst clusters of vacant houses are. There are almost 7000 “distressed properties” – or vacant houses in the county (doesn’t include occupied houses that are for sale). The county has, to date this year, received 400 tall grass complaints and 400 graffiti complaints. Because of the problem the county has suspended the popsicle sign program to put all inspectors’ time on the vacant house/tall grass issue. In fact, the TOP 5 priority code enforcement issues (putting health, safety and welfare first) are:

1. Unsafe/unfit properties (open to criminal activity)
2. Unsecured pools
3. Unsecured buildings (hazardous conditions)
4. Tall grass/weeds
5. Building maintenance (serious/extremely run down)

The county is looking into training volunteers to pull up popsicle signs

Legal action the county is pursuing:
1. Write ordinance to allow county agents to enter private property to abate graffiti
2. Amend Chapter 22 to allow public works to issue emergency notices for trash/debris at vacant properties and recover costs through tax lien
3. Pursue major property owners/lenders in court for noncompliance with county ordinance

Technically it is trespassing to remove trash on a property or mow the lawn. Call the agent/owner and ask permission.

County can’t afford to paint over all graffiti on private property. City of San Jose spends $2 million a year to clean up graffiti. PWC Clean Community Council uses a special formula to get rid of graffiti, but even they can’t go on private property without permission. County would like to get rid of graffiti within 3 days, but still dealing with obstacles.

County is working to streamline the process of an inspector going out to confirm tall grass, getting a contractor to do an estimate to mow, then mowing, then inspector following up.

If you see a lawn is mowed, call and let Neighborhood Services know.

County is disseminating this information to Neighborhood Watches, HOAs, etc.:

Neighborhood Network Activation

Vacant house check list for health, safety and welfare issues

Disseminate to groups such as established neighborhood groups, neighborhood watches, and other concerned citizen groups upon request

Solicit neighborhood volunteers to monitor vacant houses in neighborhoods to report unsafe conditions

Neighborhood Services to address reported unsafe conditions from volunteers

Go ahead and ask the realtor if you can mow the grass. Someone in audience (about 13 people attended) admitted to just mowing a vacant property. She said when she did, the neighbors came up and asked if she was moving in, and then once they saw It was okay for her to do it, they helped out.

County calls realtors to explain to them how much it costs the county to mow a lawn and how that will go on a lien against the property and that may drive a buyer away.

If you get together as a group to take care of a vacant house (and get permission from the owner/real estate agent/bank), remember to greet the new neighbor when they move in and make sure they feel welcome, but also explain what the standards are for living in the neighborhood, such as regularly mowed lawns, etc.

County wants you to do this:
Citizen Action

• Call police if you observe any illegal activity at a vacant property
• Consider starting or joining a Neighborhood Watch
• Volunteer to watch a home for a realtor. Establish a relationship, notify them when the grass is tall and notify them when the house has a structural problem (siding down, broken shutter or window, open doors, etc.)
• Volunteer to mow (avoid trespassing – obtain permission from the owner or call the realtor on the For Sale sign. Use the county “Mapper” on the county website to ID who the owner is.
• Report property code violations to Neighborhood Services (and call if the grass gets mowed)
• Complete the “Eyes and Ears” Checklist (this is on the county website)

Anyone familiar with Manassas knows an airlift between Stonewall Jackson Highschool and Prince William Hospital is ludicrous.  What, they’re going to call a helicopter to transport someone the 1/8th mile between these two locations?  So in addition to having an 18 year old ninth grader, I would question the necessity of an airlift.

Here’s the quote from bvbl.net -

By Greg L | 29 March 2008 | Crime, Prince William County | No Comments

Meanwhile, a different sort of thug culture was on display at Stonewall Jackson High School where an eighteen year old ninth-grader (huh?) by the name of Keith Diego Cano Anaya was arrested for inflicting head injuries on an unidentified fifteen year old ninth grader in an after-school altercation so severe that the victim required an airlift to Prince William Hospital.

And so it begins… are the prostitutes victims or are they criminals?  Yesterday’s Post article, Immigration-Linked Prostitution Cases Pose Challenge; Pr. William Crackdown Highlights Complex Legal Issues states -

…these immigration-related cases raise complex questions about the interplay of local and federal law and are likely to pose special challenges for Prince William County police in the push against illegal immigration that began this week.

The police department has said it will treat illegal immigrants who are criminals differently from those who are crime victims. But in prostitution cases, the women involved might be both.

These types of cases are going to cause a nightmare for our local police who will have to add extra time to investigating in order to ascertain which of these two categories suspects fall into - are they victims or criminals. As word gets out about the differences between the two groups one could expect to see a lot less ‘criminals’ and a lot more ‘victims’ being caught.

Chief Dean is in a no-win situation.  If there’s any hint of impropriety by any of the departments 500+ personnel then it’s going to be ‘his fault’.  At the same time he needs to convince everyone that the police force should be a trusted source for reporting crimes.  Otherwise, criminal activity and vigilantism will abound.  It will not be an easy task on any front.  We are already seeing instances where witnesses and surely eventually victims will not be willing to come forward to report crime.  As this trend becomes better known, the immigrant community(regardless of status) will  appear an ‘easier target’ for criminals wanting to commit a crime without incurring any repercussions.  In my opinion, he is acting prudently in attempting to prevent a lawsuit by requesting installation of cameras in patrol cars.  A successful lawsuit against the county could cost the county millions to defend so it’s probably not a bad investment.

Just surprised that this one is even reported on the bvbl.net website.  Typically, the only stories that are deemed newsworthy appear to be those that involve a suspect who is Hispanic.  Otherwise, we usually don’t here diddly squat.  For some reason though, Osbourn High School seems to be of special interest to this blogger.