HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - Item #21
Flores, Dora
From:sunwoodcentral@aol.com
Sent:Monday, February 15, 2021 4:12 PM
To:eComment
Cc:connieh2002@gmail.com; sunwoodcentral@aol.com; philbacerra@gmail.com
Subject:Councilman Bacerra Ordinance to Create Min Security Staffing
Mayor Sarmiento and Council Members
Over the last two years, even before the pandemic, multiple neighborhoods worked with the city to curb criminal activity in
the South Coast Metro area. The city took action against one particular establishment the California Lodge where much of
the criminal activity had occurred.
But with the current explosion of homeless in the area it's difficult to target any specific location where criminal activity
takes place today.
Individuals in my neighborhood refuse to shop at our local shopping centers where big box stores Target, Vons, CVS,
Staples and Big Lots are located. Instead they drive a few miles away to the cities of Tustin/Irvine to shop where they feel
safe and the shopping environment is clean.
In my neighborhood I have watched individuals take down their pants and poop on the grass in front of the Target on
Bristol. I have seen individuals urinate on the walls next to Walgreen Pharmacy, Burlington Coat,behind Staples by 31
Flavors and Kinkos. My daughter is afraid to ride her bike along the trail bordering MacArthur Fundamental School
because the homeless approached her and it's dirty with human feces.
While walking I saw CVS and Trader Joe employees chasing thieves out of their store. I contacted Target management to
discuss criminal activity and they told me their employees are of the utmost concern and should not confront anyone
stealing from their store. It was best to let it go.
Individuals on foot, bikes and cars are stealing from electrical outlets at the shopping center to charge their devices and
tapping into pipes for water. On one particular day I counted 8 homeless men hanging around the Bristol Shopping
Center. Why would anyone want to shop in Santa Ana when just down the road in Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Tustin
and Irvine you get a better shopping experience. My neighbors are uncomfortable shopping in their neighborhood.
As our elected officials you have a responsibility to help provide a safe and clean environment for everyone to shop and
live in Santa Ana. If it takes an ordinance to create minimum security staffing standards for larger commercial shopping
centers it should seriously be considered. It's one small step the city can make to help us take back the community we live
in.
Kathleen Kuilanoff
South Coast Neighborhood Association
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