letter to the chief initiates the cleanup

----- Original Message -----
From: rsagun
To: sandra spagnoli
Cc: sandra spagnoli ; mike daley ; mike alvarez ; jim erickson ; fred ayala ; John and Maria Furtado ; John Brisbin ; Elizabeth Patterson ; Tom and Lynn Busfield ; tom campbell ; mike hughes ; mike oakimedes ; alan schwartzman
Sent: Saturday, June 07, 2008 11:42 AM
Subject: Re: East 3rd St. tunnel
Dear Chief Spagnoli:

Thank you for looking into the matter of the 3rd St. tunnel and pathway, and the associated vandalism. We appreciate your efforts.

While keeping the graffiti covered is a desirable outcome, it is important to understand that the graffiti is a symptom of a much bigger problem of increased vandalism in our area. I am aware of several incidents of graffiti, egging, broken fences, bottles being thrown into residents backyards, public urination, public drinking, and even homes being pelleted by bb guns.

We believe that much of this activity is stems from the 3rd Street tunnel and pathway for the following reasons:

the tunnel provides an easy escape route for vandals evading law enforcement
the tunnel and pathway cannot be adequately surveiled from the street (St. Augustine Ct.) by law enforcement due to overgrown trees and bushes blocking the view
infrequent patrol of the area, especially the south side of the tunnel, due to difficult patrol vehicle access
the tunnel is dark because tunnel lighting is obscured and rendered useless by spray painting. tunnel entrance lighting is partially blocked by overgrown trees
the pathway is lit by only 2 lights; one of which is obscured by overgrown trees.
overgrown trees and bushes create a haven for juveniles, who use the area near the tunnel entrance to drink, smoke, use drugs, and harass passersby, especially during warm summer nights. The tunnel is frequently strewn with broken beer and liquor bottle glass.
surrounding drainage abutments and starting to be covered with graffiti as well as the problem spreads from the center of origin...the tunnel.
We believe that much of the problem could be mitigated by simply clearing the trees and bushes along the pathway to allow visual surveillance of the tunnel entrance from the street, eliminating the need for an officer to drive down the pathway to check the area. If you look at the slide I provided showing an overhead view of the pathway, you will see that trees and bushes are the only barrier to a clear view of the tunnel entrance. Also, lighting should be improved along thte pathway and in the tunnel.

You mentioned that the Benicia Police Department has increased patrol of the area. Does this include foot or vehicular patrol of the tunnel and pathway? I have yet to observe either. Can you elaborate?

We are also concerned that young children frequently access this area and could be victimized. Has the idea of a surveillance camera been examined? I noticed that the City has a surveillance camera surveilling the recycling dumpster at the Corp Yard. Why can't a similar camera be installed at the tunnel or along the pathway?

The residents of this neighborhood pay a special tax assessment for maintenance of the pathway. This maintenance is not only for esthetics. It is also necessary for crime prevention, and the growing trend of area vandalism is indicative of inadequate attention in this area. We request that the City take steps to prevent future problems, which could easily become much more serious than petty vandalism and present a serious liability for the City and a danger to its residents.

Also, we would like to know the number of crimes, vandalism and other, that have occurred in our neighborhood and how the rate compares with other parts of the City. I believe that the Police Department's computer-aided dispatch system could provide the necessary information. Can you refer me to who the department I should contact for this data?

We will soon be meeting with Mayor Patterson and the City Council to discuss these concerns. We hope that you will join us in our efforts to make our neighborhood and Benicia a safer and more desirable place to live.

Also please note that you have an incorrect email address for me. My correct email address is rsagun@sbcglobal.net

Sincerely,
Ross Sagun