Safety First

One of the most common things I hear people say about Sierra Madre is that, as soon as they enter the community, they feel a sense of peace and security. I feel the same way. It’s another world here. It isn’t? Well that’s not an accident. The people who live and work here have created the unique character of Sierra Madre through a lot of hard work and dedication. And foremost among those special people are Officers of the Sierra Madre Police Force.

When you read the Police Blotter, you get the feeling that nothings happening here. But the feeling of security in this town is an illusion, an illusion that has been created by a police force that’s doing an outstanding job. A job they perform with quiet dedication.

The truth is Sierra Madre is located in on the edge of a jungle. A jungle that grows more dangerous and violent with each passing day. The stabbing that occurred in Memorial Park last month sent chills down my spine. It told me the gangs know we’re here. And we are a very fat target. They’ll be back, with reinforcements.

The police need our support now. They are grossly under paid. All they are asking for is to be compensated at the same level as the lowest paid police department in the San Gabriel Valley. And no new revenues will be needed to do this. All that is required is for Public Safety it be made a priority in this community.

Our City Council has refuses to do this. I think the reason is obvious. They want to out-source police services. They’ll say it’s cheaper to do it that way. Well, you get what you pay for, and Public Safety isn’t a place to scrimp, not in this valley. Besides, if you start out-sourcing our public services, why now just let Pasadena annex us. Watch what happens to home values if that happens, when the developers finally get total control.

They’re our cops, and we need to keep it that way. They know us. We know them. They know this town like the palm of their hand. They can smell trouble before it gets into our community and into our homes. You’re not going to get that with a bunch of hired mercenary’s from other places.

So, a lot of volunteers and I are going to be out knocking on doors and asking you to sign a petition to put their very modest requests on the ballot as an initiative. Please open your doors and hearts and help us out. The community you save will be your own.