The problems continue

This new vandalism was recently found along the pathway. The break in the fence was probably caused by juveniles fleeing the Benicia Police on the night of Saturday June 21st. According to Officer Ayala, who responded to my call to report the above, BPD was making a routine check of the tunnel and discovered some juveniles. The juveniles fled from the police, ending up in our neighborhood where one was arrested from beneath a vehicle on St. Francise Ct. Other juveniles evaded the police, reportedly jumping fences. The fence damage to a St. Francis Ct. residence looks like it was possibly caused by juveniles "breaking out" of the resident's back yard. Officer Ayala thought the graffiti was "old". However, it was the first time I had seen it, and the homeowner that owns the fence stated the same.

My question is this.. was this vandalism reported; that is, is there a Benicia Police Department case number attached to these items? Are the statistics regarding vandalism being skewed by reporting biases. Sure, its "minor", unless its your fence.

I do commend the Benicia Police Department for making good on their committment to increased patrol in our area. The cleanup of the pathway has definitely made a difference...how much is difficult to measure. However, the pepper tree still blocks the view of the pathway to the tunnel entrance. Its removal would go a long way to improve our situation.

We will see if our City Officials will be responsive to our request for the tree's prompt removal. So far, I am not getting very far with them. As you probably know, the Tree Ordinance issue has been big lately, and some think that pepper tree is important to maintain the beauty of our city.  This is certainly a justifiable concern.  However, improving crime prevention in an area with a continuing problem must take precedence over beautification.  

Those of us that have had to deal with the consequences shown in the photos know exactly to what I am referring.

..Ross Sagun