Posted by Damon, a resident of San Ramon, on Mar 5, 2010 at 8:35 am

This log serves as evidence that the police presence in the Windemere area is much too light. As a result of the inclusion of "below market rate" and section 8 apartments i our neighborhood, there has been a huge increase in criminal presence. I'm aware that San Ramon Police are trying to improve the situation, but there is still drug dealing, prostitution, and gang activity going on at those apartments. Even sadder is the fact that you can't go to the library down the street after 3pm anymore either. The hoodlum kids converge there and hoot and holler their rude, vulgar language inside and out of the library. The library staff are so afraid of saying anything to them that they tell the respectful folks that are there with their kids that maybe they should avoid the library at those hours. Seriously???? I understand that the section 8 requirements are imposed by the state, the whole concept of it's enforcement is ludicrous. I'm sorry, but when a new neighborhood is built, those who can afford to live there should be allowed to enjoy their investment. If you can't afford to live in an area, you should just have to find somewhere you CAN afford to live without the government intervening. I can't afford a new home in Ruby Hill, so maybe the government should force them to sell me a home for pennies on the dollar?? Government intervention like this creates a sense of entitlement that is bad for everyone!

Read more: Web Link

Posted by Rose, a resident of San Ramon, on Mar 5, 2010 at 1:57 pm

Why this this "week's" police log only three days?

I agree about the library situation. It's out of control but my take is that the library staff love the kids there because it hikes up their numbers, makes they appear needed. The fact that those kids make it unusable for others doesn't seem to be taken into account. The kids yell, swear freely, fart, wipe their noses, talk loudly and frequently on cell phones and break the keyboards with no retribution.

The library staff seem to be weak-willed and are sometimes mean to patrons (but not to the kids). I don't go there so much anymore and other people I know have stopped going. If they ever get good staff in, we'll never know it because we stopped going.

Posted by Calvin, a resident of San Ramon, on Mar 9, 2010 at 12:08 am

If the Windemere library staff are not able to maintain the environment necessary to run the library, then there should be efforts to curb the kid's behavior without the staff feeling intimidated--which includes calling over the police who should be next door in the substation. And, I consider that statement on "section 8" as an attack bordering on racial and social profiling. There are a lot of good hardworking people in that "class"--if you can point to statistics to people on section 8 who are actually committing the crimes, post them.

If there is a "huge increase" of drug dealing, prostitution, and gang activity, where are the statistics? I don't see them in the paper or anywhere else... I see graffiti around the parks, but I don't see hoods out there with their Malt Liquor... I see stoner kids around the parks, but don't smell anything funny... The fact is there is crime everywhere and no neighborhood is exempt. If there are real systemic problems, bring them up to the council and the police.

Posted by Ms. Bunny, a resident of San Ramon, on Mar 9, 2010 at 8:53 am

Wow. Where have I been? Haven't heard word one in newspaper or even in local news, about any "gang" or illegal activities or harassment by low income sector at the new library in Doughterty valley...Hm.

Posted by Amory Gutierrez, San Ramon Express, a resident of San Ramon, on Mar 9, 2010 at 10:13 am

The police log is only three days due to a problem that happened at the County when they generated the report. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Posted by Anne, a resident of San Ramon, on Mar 10, 2010 at 10:56 am

San Ramon Police must be REALLY busy because they are not returning phone calls (going on day 4) to victims of crimes! Incredible...

Posted by Angie, a resident of San Ramon, on Apr 9, 2010 at 7:27 am

I've been a substitute teacher for two years in the district, and never had a problem at any school until I worked at Dougherty Valley High. It was an academic intervention class which had many of the kids from the apartments nearby, and they were the most disrespectful kids I have ever dealt with. The negative comments about the "rich" (expletive) people in this area, and how they didn't want to take the star test because it would put more money in the rich school was upsetting, especially when they are getting so much help, including a class where all we are trying to do is make sure they graduate by giving them a small class size with more individualized attention. When they left I found my purse riffled through and my money and cell phone gone. I reported it to the principal and police and they found my phone at a students apartment who was on parol. To the poster who didn't think there were statistics, who needs statistics when you have personal experience?

Posted by Chris, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 17, 2010 at 1:50 pm

I can agree the the problem of crime in that area has gone up due to some people who could give a f less about anything or anyone but themselves. I personally was one of them and I'm sure I added to quite a few of those statistics. I'm now a statistic of one who changed his way of living so I sympathize with the issue. My suggestion would be to post a type of counsler/security guard person who the kids will listen to or at least respect. This is the most Important point in their lives and can truely almost make or break them. A lot of them have come from the worst areas in the bay area and I promise you the climate change is not comfortable for them. They already feel like less because of their family situation, and then to be placed amongst some of the more priviliged makes them feel all the lower. I not saying this to provide an excuse because I've learned there is none if your wrong your wrong. I'm trying to give perspective. There is always a solution that can both help the kids and teach them respect and appreciation for the oportunity to live in a community where you arn't worried about getting shot on the way to school.

Posted by Julie, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 21, 2010 at 4:00 pm

Our son's bicycle was stolen when he was visiting a friend of his who lived in one of these Section 8 apartments. To be sure, his friend is a perfectly decent and polite young man. Our son and his friend both attend Dougherty Valley High School. When the police officer contacted our home shortly after the theft was noted, the management of the apartment complex, combined with help from the San Ramon Police Department, could not have been more helpful. The apartment management was profusely apologetic re: the theft and helped remedy the situation by offering a certificate towards the purchase of a new bike. I do realize that petty theft and other 'crimes' occur in any and all neighborhoods. I've lived in and/or near Beverly Hills, CA at one time and there certainly were crimes committed in those neighborhoods as well. It is, indeed, very sad to see some of the kids who live in these apartments, behave in the manner they do. But we've also noted that not all Dougherty Valley High students of whom exhibit poor behavior, live in these apartments. Some of them do, indeed, live in the surrounding areas. It is rather unfortunate, however, that when you do have lower income housing, there does tend to be an overall increase in crime rates and we all pay for, in the end.

Posted by Julie, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 21, 2010 at 4:07 pm

Chris,

You are to be commended for changing your ways! And while I do agree with most everything you've stated, I feel teaching kids respect for others and appreciation should start in the home. It would seem to me that not having to worry about serious crime in simply walking to school would be something some of these students of whom live in these apartments WOULD appreciate! Perhaps, Chris, YOU can help to reach out to some of these kids and help them learn what you've obviously learned.