The City Council responds

Councilman Tom Campbell:

I've copied this and will give it to the city manager today. I alsohave seen graffiti increase around town lately and will be asking thecouncil to consider increasing the penalties and enforcement.

Councilman Alan Schwartzman:

Ross,I will follow up with the Chief of Police and the City Manager aboutthis issue. Alan Schwartzman


Councilman Mike Ioakimedes:

Dear Mr. Sagun,
I apologize for not responding sooner to your email. I should have letyou know that I needed to do some investigation on my own to get a clearpicture of what the solutions might be.I wanted to walk the area myself, and did so last Monday (6/2). Notonly the tunnel area, but the surrounding neighborhoods, both north andsouth of 780. I also had an opportunity to speak with Police officialson 5/29 concerning the tunnel and related problems.I can honestly say that it has been years, if not decades since I walkedthrough the tunnel. The first thing my wife and I noticed was that wedidn't smell the tunnel before we saw it. I know it may be hard tobelieve but the tunnel and the surrounding area is in much better shape,even including the graffiti, then it was years ago. That doesn't meanthat it is acceptable now, just that the efforts of City staff hasresulted in some improvement.I found your most recent email to our Police Chief a great help becauseyou have proposed some of the same solutions that I've reached. Clearlysince you deal with these issues every day that gives you a much betterinsight then someone like me who never uses the tunnel. With that inmind please give some thought to some of the following:If we increase the lighting and trim the trees how will that effect thesurrounding houses? Will this increased and more visible lighting nowshine into someone's bedroom all night long? I believe motion detectorsare not an option because small animals might set them off.I like the idea of the camera. But even that is not proactive. Itwould still take sometime before change could be effected.We want to encourage our kids to get out and walk. I not sure closingthe tunnel helps us promote a more healthy life style for the youth ofBenicia. I don't like the idea of kids walking along East SecondStreet, it's too busy. I want kids to use the tunnel properly, so maybelocking gates to the tunnel after dark might be one way to go.I noticed that the redwood fence leading to the tunnel had beenrepeativly vandalized. I also noticed that where there were vinesgrowing over the fence that the vines seem to prevent graffiti. Tryingto be always mindful of water use maybe some simple planning could helpin this area.Our City has its work cut out for it. Studies have shown that a zerotolerance toward graffiti is the only way to combat it. There is alarge amount of ego involved in "tagging". If the graffiti is coveredup as soon as it's done the tagger will move on. The City needs to do abetter job in establishing the zero tolerance message. I think to someextent the tunnel has been out of sight out of mind. Thank you forbringing this issue up because our City will only be successful incombating graffiti if we respond quickly every where in Benicia.I'll have another discussion with our City Manager to get a better ideaof what the planned next steps are. I think that the solution to theproblem will require several different approaches. I look forward toworking with you to improve not only your neighborhood, but establishingguidelines that will result in a better Benicia.Thanks againMike Ioakimedes