The Observation Deck

Jim, Observers:

A quick post (then I won't be able to check/respond again today):

I'm very sorry to hear about the incident. I saw the crime scene at the end of my street coming home last night, with police tape, emergency vehicles, lights going, and the bike on the ground--very eerie. A fireman would only say that "an accident" had occurred.

We need to address neighborhood safety head-on so we are safe and so we feel confident about Lakewood.

On Oct. 10, we're holding a follow up block captain's meeting to organize Block Watches. Organizing neighbors to be vigilant and take control of our neighborhoods is only a first step--but at least it's one we can take now.

Also, we talked at the Sept. 5 forum about increasing police strength so we can deter and prevent crime, as many have said, thereby building on our strong response time. Here is more detailed write up.

http://tombullockforlakewood.com/files/ ... 20Plan.pdf

There's much more to do. We'll keep at it,
Tom

I had to read it twice but I finally figured out what Jim was talking about.

You freaked me out for a minute. My son is 8 years old. When I said OUR SCHOOL I meant MY high school when I WAS IN high school. Not now. Let's be clear about that.

Jim O'Bryan wrote: We need to bring the city together, this is not done with hype, bogus numbers, fear tactics or going on the radio.

It is done, walking the streets, living in the city we chose for home, and fighting the tough fight each and every day.

Block watches are a good answer and start.

.

Jim,
Since you are 'calling out all candidates' on this issue, let me say that I'm quoting you above because that's what I've been talking about. WE need to come together as a community - ALL OF US - and work together to make Lakewood a safe, vibrate community.

That's the value of block watches. They are a part of creating a different sense in this town. When neighbors know each other and are looking out for each other, the message goes out that there's a new awareness in Lakewood - trouble beware. It let's people know that we're not going to turn a blind eye to what happens in our neighborhood. We're on the case. Now they'll know that it's not just the police - it's everyone.

I hear all the time that 'back in the day' no one would even dream of coming into Lakewood with a broken tail light. That's how feared the police force was. And do you know why? Because that's what the expectation was of the citizenry.

Have you ever heard the saying 'people rise to the level of expectation you have of them?' Back in my management days I used it a lot - because it's true. When you have high expectations of people they'll rise to the occasion. For me this includes the kids, the police, the city administration and workers, the citizens.

For whatever reason, these young people are left to their own devices; with too much time on their hands and little to no direction. Well we can talk all we want about the trouble that causes - or we can DO SOMETHING about it.

That's the impetus of one of my ideas of creating youth centers throughout the city in the empty storefronts - funded by private and public grants. Give these kids ownership in something, see value in them and let them know it, work with them, expect things from them, . . . most of all - give them a reason to be contributing members of society.

When my children were little, I would give them choices regarding behavior. I'd let them know the consequences of each path - and then make sure I followed through with the consequence - good or bad. I use the same practice today and it works beautifully. The same rules apply to teenagers, young adults, and adults. There have to be consequences to actions. Giving people a pass for expediency doesn't solve a problem, it enlarges it.

The way I see it, the mayor and council have the responsibility of holding each other, the city staff and administration, and the citizens accountable for their roles in resolving Lakewood's issues. And time is of the essence. Enough of the bickering and finger pointing. Let's get on with it already. Work together toward a common goal. And if there is anyone around who does not share our goal (especially anyone in a leadership role), they need to be replaced with people who do.

I don't think you should have to live in Lakewood to care about Lakewood. If your job is here in our administration and city departments then you have a vested interest in the success of our city. It's how you achieve job security.

I keep coming back to accountability in my mind. That's what it's about. Each of us being accountable for our actions.

At the beginning of my campaign, I coined a phrase I'd like to share here. In simple terms it sums up for me what we need.

Civility
Accountability
Respect
Enthusiasm
4
Lakewood

In closing, I think these events are tragic and unacceptable. I believe that those involved must be dealt with completely. The time is now to turn the tide of what sometimes feels like malaise. When those involved in these events are dealt with properly - that will send a message to everyone around that behavior like this is unacceptable in Lakewood. Take it somewhere else cuz that just doesn't play here.

Colleen Wing wrote:I had to read it twice but I finally figured out what Jim was talking about.

You freaked me out for a minute. My son is 8 years old. When I said OUR SCHOOL I meant MY high school when I WAS IN high school. Not now. Let's be clear about that.

Colleen

Ken Warren slapped me around about this over lunch.

It went something like' "Jim you dumkoff, she was talking about when she was in school."

Colleen, sorry for the misread.


peace

Diane

Thanks for the response.

You have lead the way in community involvement and being pro-active against crime.

This was much more of a preemptive call out from the Bill Call post.

Bill can take it, we used to do this over beers, but he doesn't drink anymore now. Well not any less either.

Matt Markling

Thanks for the post. You are right and I respect you for saying that nothing could be done, but here is what we can do.

Right answer.

.

Take away the weapons and rescind our "brainless" concealed carry law. When are we going to learn? We do not need handguns! How many more people need to be shot before we learn some lessons??


Mary

Mary Breiner wrote:Take away the weapons and rescind our "brainless" concealed carry law. When are we going to learn? We do not need handguns! How many more people need to be shot before we learn some lessons??


Mary

Bless you, bless you

No jobs, massive unemployment, credit problems, domestic problems, health problems, finance problems, cheap guns, and class a narcotics at record lows, if this is not a receipe for disaster I don't know what is.



.

Mary Breiner wrote:Take away the weapons and rescind our "brainless" concealed carry law. When are we going to learn? We do not need handguns! How many more people need to be shot before we learn some lessons??


Mary

I am law abiding citizen. Why should my rights be infringed upon because of the actions of a criminal? Did he have a permit to carry a concealed weapon? How many crimes are being committed by people who have a concealed weapon permit?

Why does ANYONE need to carry a hand gun? If no one was allowed except police officers we wouldn't be in this mess. Don't go telling me that your Second Ammendment rights are being violated. The second ammendment was put in place at a time before we had police officers and an organized army. Please. No guns...nobody gets shot. Just look at the stats from countries like Canada, England and France. They don't have this problem. WHEN WILL WE WAKE UP AND LEARN FROM THESE TRAGEDIES? If we didn't have easy access to guns, these two idiots the other night may have had a fist fight.

Stephen Eisel wrote:I am law abiding citizen. Why should my rights be infringed upon because of the actions of a criminal?

This is exactly the sentiment that my children have over the curfew laws.

If my children walk back home from a LHS football game, they are breaking the law.

BUT....if curfew is OK, maybe, just maybe, Candidate Demro would look at banning firearms in the city between 9:30p.m. and 6:00a.m.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Mary Breiner wrote:Take away the weapons and rescind our "brainless" concealed carry law. When are we going to learn? We do not need handguns! How many more people need to be shot before we learn some lessons??


Mary

Bless you, bless you

No jobs, massive unemployment, credit problems, domestic problems, health problems, finance problems, cheap guns, and class a narcotics at record lows, if this is not a receipe for disaster I don't know what is.



.

The US unemployment rate is at 4.6%. The current foreclosure rate in the US is 0.6%. The 10 year U.S. treasury remains in the 4.75% range. The stock market is trading normally. I am not sure where you buy your guns at but we will definitely have to talk. And I never liked opium.

Mary Breiner wrote:Why does ANYONE need to carry a hand gun? If no one was allowed except police officers we wouldn't be in this mess. Don't go telling me that your Second Ammendment rights are being violated. The second ammendment was put in place at a time before we had police officers and an organized army. Please. No guns...nobody gets shot. Just look at the stats from countries like Canada, England and France. They don't have this problem. WHEN WILL WE WAKE UP AND LEARN FROM THESE TRAGEDIES? If we didn't have easy access to guns, these two idiots the other night may have had a fist fight.

News Flash! There were crimes committed with handguns long before the concealed weapon law was enacted.. Please show me the stats on crimes committed by citizens who have chosen to get their carrying permit. This mess was caused by a criminal. His tool of choice was a gun. If a gun had not been availbale then he probably would have found another type of weapon to use. The problems is not the gun but the individual. Canada ranks 3rd among western coutries in civilian gun ownership. And Englans is also having problems with handgun crimes.

hand gun ban in England 2001 article (clicky)

A new study suggests the use of handguns in crime rose by 40% in the two years after the weapons were banned.
The research, commissioned by the Countryside Alliance's Campaign for Shooting, has concluded that existing laws are targeting legitimate users of firearms rather than criminals.

It also said there was no link between high levels of gun crime and areas where there were still high levels of lawful gun possession.

Do you think if they didn't make them, no one would have them?

What a concept!

sharon kinsella wrote:Do you think if they didn't make them, no one would have them?

What a concept!

They tried that with alcohol and it did not work.

Mary Breiner wrote:Why does ANYONE need to carry a hand gun? If no one was allowed except police officers we wouldn't be in this mess. Don't go telling me that your Second Ammendment rights are being violated. The second ammendment was put in place at a time before we had police officers and an organized army. Please. No guns...nobody gets shot. Just look at the stats from countries like Canada, England and France. They don't have this problem. WHEN WILL WE WAKE UP AND LEARN FROM THESE TRAGEDIES? If we didn't have easy access to guns, these two idiots the other night may have had a fist fight.

I'm not a fan of guns. I will never own one, nor do I see any reason for anyone else to have them either. I agree with you on that.

However, do you honestly believe that if you outlawed handguns that criminals still wouldn't have them? As much as I wished it would be, I don't think that's the solution.