The Ghost Ship Warehouse Fire in Oakland was a Ticking Bomb

 



                                  


Chor Nar Siu Ng bought the warehouse known as the Ghost Ship in 1988. She owns several other properties in the Bay Area. Credit Jim Wilson/The New York Times

                                    


                                   Photo: David Butow/Special To The Chronicle

Back in the 70’s in San Jose, I use to go to this converted warehouse to dance and party. It was called studio 47. I’ve never been to a place like the Ghost Ship Warehouse in Oakland. I don’t think, I would have gone to a place that was so cluttered with junk. All that stuff would have gotten on my nerves. Yuck!

Photos before the fire show a one-of-a-kind an elaborate, eclectic exhibit of carvings, mannequins, paintings, second-hand furniture and tapestries. (www.oaklandghostship.com)


On December 2, 2016, the Ghost Ship Warehouse in Oakland caught on fire with about 50 people inside, killing 36 and injuring others. From the pictures of the place before it caught fire, it was filled with stuff everywhere. It had illegal artist studios and dwellings. It was a ticking time bomb. It was a place that looked like if a fire broke out it would go up in flames, like a piece of paper. Regrettably it did. Most of the people who died were on the second floor. To get to the second floor you had to climb these make shift stairs, made from wood pallets. I’m not being insensitive but common sense would tell you that is not safe and to stay on the first floor. People probably have been going to places like this for years and nothing like this has happened until now. The owner should be a shame of himself and anyone who worked for him. I hope he gets prosecuted to the fullest magnitude of the law. They knew this place was not safe. There were numerous complaints to management about the conditions. This was a case of pure greed. The City of Oakland should be a shamed as well. There were a number complaints going back for years about the Ghost Ship Warehouse being unsafe. Yes, the City of Oakland dropped the ball on this one and it cost 36 lives. If you know someone or you plan on going to these unsafe warehouses, make sure you know your exit plan when you step through the door.
LM
http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/12/11/oakland-fire-ghost-ship-last-hours/

Denver Bronco Rookie Ryan Murphy Bucks Is Way Back To Denver

                                             

Most men would give just about anything to have the opportunity, to play in a Super Bowl game. Then you have some men who have that opportunity but they do something they think is so innocent. Denver Bronco Rookie Ryan Murphy got caught up in a prostitution and human trafficking sting. This happened at the Motel 6 at Brokaw and North First Street in San Jose on February 2, 2016. Police held an alleged female for prostitution. The woman said to the task force members, “I have to go to that parked car in the gas station to retrieve some property”. In the car she was going to was Ryan Murphy and his brother. Ryan was questioned and released. His brother and the alleged prostitute were sited. Denver Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak released a statement Tuesday night that read: “Although practice squad safety Ryan Murphy was not cited by police, we decided it was best for the team if we continued our preparations for Super Bowl 50 without him”. Murphy wasn't arrested or cited. The cop just told him to have a nice day. This is a case of guilty by association. I think the NFL has double standards. Like you can get caught deflating footballs before a game and not be banned from the NFL. It really pays to be white. What a joke. Ryan Murphy bucked his way back to Denver for his thoughtless action.

LM

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2016/02/02/sources-denver-broncos-safety-murphy-involved-in-prostitution-sting/

San Francisco So Called Hot Cop Chris Kohrs’ Faces Felony Hit And Run Charges

Sitting here in San Jose California on a Sunny 45 degree morning listening to the news of this crazy world. One story that caught my ear, was the hot cop of the Castro in San Francisco arrested for a hit and run of two men. I thought what the heck, was this moron thinking. On November 30, 2015, 38 year old off duty police officer Christopher Kohrs was driving a Dodge Charger according police he struck two pedestrians, both were men in their 40s. This happened around 2 a.m. as the men crossed Broadway Street near Montgomery Street. What really got me was he had the never to flee the scene on foot. I know he didn’t think he was going to get away with it. Did all this fame go to his head and turn him into a complete idiot for him to forget all his police training. This moron is supposed to be a veteran. Authorities are investigating if he was in intoxicated. Da! Why else would police officer leave the scene, when he knows better? Hey, everyone wants their police to represent their communities. I guess you reap what you sow?
LM
http://www.mercurynews.com/san-francisco/ci_29187344/san-francisco-police-investigating-whether-hot-cop-accused?source=infinite-up
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_29180499/san-francisco-castros-hot-cop-arrested-hit-and?source=pkg
 

Turner Construction Fired from The Santa Clara Valley Medical Hospital Expansion Project

I live around the corner from Valley Medical Santa Clara Hospital in San Jose California. The company I work for Streetwise Special Delivery Courier Service in Gilroy, California has done business with some doctors there. One of the services we provide is medical courier, so we picked up blood and tissue samples and delivered for them. I remember when they broke ground on this expansion project in 2009. It has been almost 7 years now and it’s still not finished, it was supposed to be finished in September 2015. Santa Clara County officials were fighting Turner Construction Company in San Jose California, who was working on the expansion project. Turner Construction is the biggest construction company in the Santa Clara County they are accused of delays and costing Santa Clara County and its taxpayers $100,000 a day or some $36 million a year. I personally don’t care who’s at fault, they just need to get it done. Well, Santa Clara County fired Turner Construction. Santa Clara County officials have brought in the Bolt Company out of Wisconsin for $440,000. They are a general contractor reported by Santa Clara County staff to, “conduct a comprehensive assessment of the status of the project prior to engaging a replacement contractor, which will include an estimated cost to finish the job.” Santa Clara County officials haven’t hired the Bolt Company, but they have a good chance to get the project. They finished a project in 2009 which was the Sutter Health project in Sacramento. After Turner and Sutter parted ways. What I don’t understand is why Santa Clara County officials did not due their due diligence and find the right contractor in the first place. They were probably thinking Turner Construction because they are from San Jose and from Santa Clara County. Well that came back to bite them. This project has increased steadily since construction started in 2009. The original $290 million bid Turner was charging, jumped to $350 million. There were about $31 million in change orders incurred over the years and brought the budget to $380 million according to the county. It is unfortunate for us the tax payers but Santa Clara County officials were trying to do this project on the cheap. Like my mother used to say you get what you pay for. Just maybe sometime in 2016 this expansion project will get done. I guess we have to wait and see.

LM
 http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2015/10/06/new-general-contractor-to-examine-troubled-valley.html
http://abc7news.com/health/county-considers-firing-contractor-after-delays-in-sj-hospital-expansion/964446/

The Beginning of El Niño Is In Northern California

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Well it’s about time the rain is here! As I sit here looking out at the rain. It reminded me of the Dramatics song “I Wanna Go Outside In The Rain”. This is some good sleeping weather. San Jose is getting thunder and lightning with a steady down pour of rain, we so desperately need. Yes, the start of El Niño is here in Northern California. I have heard of El Niño over the years but I did not really know how came about. Well forensic meteorologist Jan Null is the founder of the Saratoga-based Golden Gate Weather Services consulting firm. He first encountered El Niño in 1982 and again in 1997. Null says, "El Niño, very simply, is a periodic warming of the tropical waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean," he explained. "That warming water influences some global weather patterns, and with the exception of the seasons. El Niño is probably the single most influential weather factor that happens on the planet." He also goes on to say, "The bottom line is it's a very strong El Niño. The stronger it is, the more it tilts to a wet winter in California in general," Null said. "The signal is less confident in Northern California, but as El Niño gets stronger the odds increase because a stronger El Niño pushes the boundary between at normal and above normal rainfall farther north." What does this mean for Northern and Southern California it could defiantly help with the drought situation? It is going to be mudslides and flooding in some areas in California because of all of the wild fires. Everyone get ready for a wet winter. For all you commuters slow down and take your time the streets and highways are slick.
LM
 http://www.mercurynews.com/los-gatos/ci_29072774/saratoga-los-gatos-meet-csi-weather-forecaster?source=infinite-up


 

Homeless Encampment Was Run Over By San Jose Sleepy Driver

After “The Jungle” largest homeless encampment was closed down by the City of San Jose on December 4, 2014, San Jose’s homeless population had to find anywhere they could to live. I have seen people living on sidewalks, in parks and highway off ramps. Early Monday morning October 12, 2015, a sleepy driver runs into a homeless encampment off ramp near Highway 87 and Capitol Expressway. Three people were hurt with minor injuries. It is a shame that the City of San Jose or the State of California allows the homeless to live in such a dangerous place. I was wondering when something like this was going to happen. Thank God no was killed. Next time it could be fatal consequences if the City of San Jose or State of California keeps allowing the homeless to live like this.
LM
http://www.contracostatimes.com/crime-courts/ci_27066590/jungle-san-jose-shuts-down-notorious-homeless-encampment
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_28957574/san-jose-sleepy-driver-crashes-into-homeless-encampment?source=infinite-up#disqus_thread

Shooting At San Francisco’s Famous Tourist Destinations Pier 14

I was born in San Francisco and lived there until I was two years old. I asked my mother when I was older, why she moved us to San Jose. Her answer was “San Francisco was not a place, she wanted to raise her children.” She told me that when she was growing up there it was hard and that the people there were very strange. Even though I did not grow up in San Francisco, I always enjoyed going back when I was older. Especially going to the famous Fisherman’s Wharf, China Town, Golden Gate Bridge and walking the piers. San Francisco is one of the world’s famous tourist destination. Millions of people visit San Francisco in a year. Is this going to hurt San Francisco’s tourist trade? I say no, because people are becoming so emotionless about events like this.

On July 1, 2015 Kathryn Steinle was walking along one of San Francisco tourist destinations, Pier 14 with her father. When she was shot to death by Francisco Sanchez, an illegal alien from Mexico. He had been deported five times. I know San Francisco is supposed to be a sanctuary city, but come on. Five times deported, that should have told somebody that this man should not be in this country. All of the city officials from the Mayor to law enforcement are blaming each other. I think their all of them are to blame. Especially I.C.E. for not coming to pick up Francisco Sanchez. This should not have happened. My prayers go out to Kathryn Steinle family and friends.

LM

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3150736/Kathryn-Steinle-s-SF-pier-suspect-Francisco-Sanchez-claims-gun-went-accidentally.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3150736/Kathryn-Steinle-s-SF-pier-suspect-Francisco-Sanchez-claims-gun-went-accidentally.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/04/francisco-sanchez-deported-shooting_n_7728326.html

San Jose California Residents. Are You Conserving Water?

I have lived in San Jose, California all my life and every year there has been less and less rainfall. People start to panic and talk about being in a drought. Then it rains, floods, water levels rise everyone stops panicking. Yea! We have a drought going on now and maybe it will be the longest one ever. I’m not tripping on conserving water? The reason why, I rent a duplex and there is shared water which is included in the rent. I don’t know how much the other unit is using and I can’t do anything about it. The rent continues to go up every year to compensate for the rising cost of water. I have been water conscious all my life. Growing up in a household of seven, my parents had a large water bill to pay. We all  learned how to conserve. I don’t let the water run while brushing my teeth, washing dishes, taking a shower.I wash clothes once a week to conserve water.

For all San Jose residents, it’s illegal for you to wash your car with potable water. For you that don’t know what potable water is, it is drinking water. It is illegal to top off a residential swimming pool or hot tub more than 1 foot. San Jose’s Water Conservation Board has the nerve to say you can drain a hot tub or pool to fix the leak that’s legal. This is one of the stupidest thing I have ever heard, you can buy a pool or hot tub, but it is illegal to fill them. This one is real dumb, don’t put in a new lawn between May 1 and Oct. 31 if it has a sprinkler system. You can however install new grass only if you water it by hand or a with drip irrigation or with recycled water. What about the office buildings and schools that have been around for years with the old system of using drinking water to keep their grass green? Are they paying the fines? It seems to me no matter how you conserve or don’t conserve living in San Jose, California there will always be a drought.

LM

http://www.mercurynews.com/drought/ci_27994069/san-joses-new-drought-rules-how-they-will?source=infinite

http://www.mercurynews.com/spotlight/ci_28144890/california-drought-new-poll-finds-residents-think-its?source=top_stories_bar

Chris Brown and the Wild West at The Fiesta!!

Chris Brown and the Wild West at The Fiesta!!
By. Amero
The Fiesta was very un-festive on January 11th. Controversial singer/
rapper Chris Brown was on stage performing one of his singles “Loyal” on
stage as bullets tore through the crowd injuring five people. The KMEL
hosted ‘Capricorn Bash’ was held in San Jose, Ca at the Fiesta nightclub
on Monterey Rd. The Fiesta is long known for its inadequate security
measures in the past with several incidences that have occurred at other
venues. Why do people not value other peoples lives is a mystery to me.
First off security should at least search everybody including artists &
entourage. Second who goes out to have fun and brings a gun? I don't get
it. I was surprised that Chris Brown would do such a small venue as you
can see the stage is jam packed with security. Brown was on stage and in
videos online he is seen smiling as a fight breaks out he shouts on the mic”
them ni**as gettin it in”. What later ensued was bullets and blood and in the
end five people were shot. Four were taken to the hospital on site while
one person showed up to a hospital with injuries. Police have not made
any arrests but several party goers were detained for questioning. What's
so surprising is if you watch the video it seems as if everyone had their
camera out and recording but nobody has a picture of the shooter or
shooters. Fiesta has since been put on probation and also SJPD has
revoked Fiestas entertainment permit. The shooting is one of the latest
bumps in the road for Chris Brown. A judge recently revoked his probation
and the artist faces jail time for leaving Los Angeles County to do this show.
Browns attorney told the judge that his office had incorrectly advised Brown
that he could leave. Looks like its time for new representation Chris!! This
is tough for me to grasp because I love music its just that people need to
learn to separate reality and fiction. Music is an art form not a lifestyle to be
replicated. Just think what the world would be like if you went to an action
movie and people started shooting.All because the actor portrays a
gangster role in the movie and people wanna connect with the character.
Sounds dumb don't it? At least everyone left with their life and can go
home.

Thieves Breaking In Homes in San Jose Neighborhood Were Teens

I first heard on the news weeks ago, that thieves were breaking in homes in an Evergreen neighborhood of San Jose. On Wednesday September 24, 2014 around 10 a.m., a woman who lives off Croft Drive near Millbrook Elementary School was a concerned neighbor. She called the San Jose Police Department 911 number, she had witness two teenagers breaking in a neighbor’s house carrying out items. The police officers caught the thieves two blocks away on Yancy Drive, with the stolen items in their possession. The 15 year old teens that were two males and one female. With the help of a neighbor, the teenage thieves’ reign of thievery in this San Jose neighborhood has come to an end. Their lives will be forever changed and they deserve what they get. I have no compassion for thieves. What gets me is where were the school official’s. Is there still truancy laws in this state? What about their parents or guardians were they not notified that they were missing school? Someone missed the ball this could have been avoided. This is a lesson to all keep your eyes open and look out for your neighbors.

LM

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_26606461/san-jose-alert-neighbor-helps-police-catch-teen?source=rss#disqus_thread

The homeless people in San Jose don’t stand a chance

The homeless people in San Jose don’t stand a chance. If they're lucky enough to avoid the people who are disgusted by them, they still have to deal with those so called advocates who say they want to help. Are they really helping? I don’t think so. San Jose has been dealing with the homeless for many years and it gets bigger by the day. I grew up in San Jose and I can see how it has changed for the good and bad. More than half of the population in San Jose is one paycheck away from being homeless. A lot of the homeless people out there choose to be homeless. I say this because I have an uncle who is homeless. He explained that he does not have to worry about rent, electricity or water.He say's he can just get up and go when he feels like it. I respect his choice. What about the people and families who don’t choose to be homeless but are homeless due to their circumstances. Who is helping them? San Jose and Santa Clara County sure is not helping much. I see fathers, mothers and children on the corners with signs saying, homeless please help. It breaks my heart. I give what I have, be it food or money. Some people think it is a scam. All I say is if it is then they will have to deal with their own deceit. Santa Clara County is one of the wealthiest counties in the country. There are apartment high rises going up and football stadiums being built. But there is nothing the City of San Jose and the County of Santa Clara can do about its homeless situation. I don’t believe that, the homeless are not a priority. The majority of the homeless community in San Jose live in a place called "The Jungle" encampment. It is 65 acres bordering Coyote Creek in San Jose and it can be home to up to 1,750 people that's what the city says. It's more like 2,800 in an area covering several miles out to Berryessa Road near the flea market. It is the largest homeless encampment in the United States. San Jose’s “The Jungle” community has a mixture of kids, moms, dads, convicts and the mentally ill. The Jungle is a desperate mix of people out of whatever options they might have once had. “The Jungle” is mixed in with high priced and low priced communities in San Jose. All you people who have blinders on and don’t think that the homeless crisis is not a problem. Open your eyes!

LM

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-jungle-largest-homeless-camp-in-us-2013-8?op=1

http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_25547651/mercury-news-editorial-homelessness-isnt-just-city-responsibility?source=pkg

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_24752740/deaths-three-homeless-men-san-jose-cold?source=pkg

San Jose’s 19th Homicide started with a Huge Street Brawl

San Jose is really getting out of hand. You have people taking the law into their own hands and brawling in the streets. On June 12, 2014 around 10:20 p.m. someone reported a shooting of a young male in his mid- to late teens at an apartment complex near Spartan Stadium and Happy Hollow zoo. A witness told authorities that several men with baseball bats and shovels were walking in the area looking for someone. Witnesses also told the police that it was at least a dozen people brandishing baseball bats, shovels and fighting in the streets. Someone in the crowd had a gun. shots rang out.Unfortunately a young man lost his life. Nobody knows what motivated this brawl. I can only imagine. Was it motivated by revenge? Or was this brawl gang related? I think it was motivated by revenge because if you’re walking around with baseball bats and shovels you’re not playing baseball or digging a ditch. I guess we will find out what motivated this deadly brawl in San Jose in the weeks to come or maybe not. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to contact homicide detectives at 408-277-5283 or leave a tip with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP (7867) or with svcrimestoppers.org.

LM

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_25955238/san-jose-person-fatally-shot-south-12th-street?source=rss

“Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop” Bandits Reign of Terror Ends in San Jose

I remember listening to the news about two men robbing a couple of liquor stores and mini-marts, just after Christmas of last year in San Jose. What I didn’t know, is that these two menace to society went on to terrorize 20 stores all over San Jose. Well their reign of terror has come to an end. On February 28, 2014 Jesus Beltran Escobar, 25 and Angel Rodriguez-Leon, 22, were arrested. After they robbed the Berryessa Mart and 2 ½ hours later another store in Willow Glen San Jose. These two got greedy and more dangerous. For the first time they fired a gun. Previously they would enter stores and point a gun at the cashiers, demand the cash and tell their victims to get on the floor or move to a different part of the store.Authorities are asking anyone with information about the robberies is to contact San Jose robbery detectives at 408-227-4116. Anonymous tips may be made at 408-947-7867 and may be eligible for a reward.

The majority of society work hard for the money they make. To have someone take something from you really makes me outraged. On March 7, 2014 about 12 a.m., my son was riding his bike home from work. He stopped by 7-11 on the corner of Bascom and Fruitvale in San Jose. He was around the corner from my home. He heard the store clerk yell stop, my son turned around, by the time he got to the door some panhandler jumped on his bike and took off h. My son chased him, but he couldn’t catch him. That really upset me. How dare people like that! In my opinion anybody who takes, from others need to be put in jail or a beat down.

LM

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_25291642/san-jose-police-catch-suspects-two-month-mini?source=rss

San Jose Resident Esteban Sanchez Arrested for Hit and Run of Pregnant Woman in Morgan Hill

New Year’s Day 2014 was supposed to be a new beginning for all. That was not the case for two people in Morgan Hill California. About 2:30 p.m. according to authorities, Esteban Sanchez was driving on East Dunne Avenue in Morgan Hill under the influence. He crashed his Mazda 3 into a pregnant woman’s car and drove off. Then he proceeded crash into a fire hydrant at Butterfield Boulevard at Barrett Avenue. He fled his car and ran into an industrial area of Caputo Drive where the police arrested him. Why in the world was he still driving? He had four previous arrests for suspicion of driving under the influence. What are the authorities waiting for someone to die? They should have taken this menace off the street after his second D.U.I. He is in custody without bail and is due in court on Monday January 6^th. As for the pregnant woman there is no information on how she is doing. I pray that her baby and she are doing well. 23 year old Esteban Sanchez of San Jose should never be permitted to drive a vehicle again. He is a danger to everyone on the road drivers and pedestrians alike. Authorities are asking anyone who saw anything to contact Morgan Hill police Detective Jeff Tacazon at 408-779-2101 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at 408-947-7867.

LM

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_24836587/morgan-hill-police-arrest-san-jose-man-after?source=rss

 

A San Jose Women Who Was Allegedly Drunk Kills Neighbor

At around 2:33 a.m. on October 28, 2013 near Hamilton and Leigh avenues in the 1200 block of Wiebel Way in San Jose, a 27-year-old woman hit a killed a neighbor. She backed up pinning the 26 year old woman up against the garage smashing her to death. Authorities believe the two women were together, there were beer cans at the crash. The 27 year old woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter. What a horrible way to die. These two women were old enough to no better.  Now one is going to jail and has to live with the fact that she killed a friend. The other one is just dead. I just hope they did not have any children. If they did, then their lives are ruined. This was a selfish act on both of their part. San Jose Police Department’s traffic unit is investigating this crash. Their asking anyone with information about this fatal crash to contact the San Jose Police Department's traffic investigations unit at 408-277-4654. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP (7867) or may visit: tipsubmit.com, and may be eligible for a reward.

LM

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_24401754/san-jose-female-pedestrian-struck-killed-by-suspected?source=rss

Is the United States Goverment Shut Down Holding The People Hostage?

Yes! People are being held hostage because of the government shut down, they don't know when they are going to get back to work so they can get paid. I think this is utterly ridiculous. I'm a disabled person from San Jose California, who receives Social Security Disability. If congress does not reach a agreement my benefits could be in jeopardy. I think the GOP's whole agenda is to send the United States into another recession. One that we will not recover from. Just to discredit the President and blame it on Obamacare.What I want to know why is the GOP and the Tea Party is so against Obamacare? Don't these idiots realize that this will save money and help people in the long run. They are so selfish. People are getting fed up with the government. We voted and put theses people into office and their acting like they forgot how they got there. If only we could impeach them maybe this would not be happening If congress does not get its act together, then it's going to be a serious problem. My neighbor just got out of the military after seven years of service as a sniper. He was talking to my husband the other day and was seriously mad about about the government suspending military death benefits. He was going on and on about how he gave seven years of his life and the government has the nerve to do this. I just pray he does not snap. What needs to happen is, congress should not get paid until they come to a reasonable comprise. Lets see how fast congress comes to an agreement, when their money is messed with. Just like  President Obama said on Tuesday in his speech on television, that we need to pay are bills and congress needs to sit down and come to a comprise. If not all the Untied States creditability as the the greatest nation will be gone. Congress needs to stop all this nonsense.

LM

Javier Gonzales-Guerrero Settlement $4.95 Million For Getting Shot 20 Times By The San Jose Police

After almost 2 years Javier Gonzales-Guerrero is getting paid a measly $4.95 million dollars. For being shot 20 times by 4 police officers of the San Jose Police Department, for having a toy gun. Are you kidding this won't even be enough to cover his medical bills and all the work he missed out on as a construction worker. On October 23, 2011 after attending a Halloween party some one reported Javier Gonzales-Guerrero  passed out drunk in the stairwell of the Extended Stay Deluxe Hotel at E. Brokaw Road in San Jose and that he had a gun. 

When police arrived they saw Javier Gonzales-Guerrero dressed in hospital scrubs with a gun in his waistband. When the police shouted for him a wake up he woke and saw four police officers pointing guns at him. He claimed he said don't shoot. The four officers ignored his pleas and lit him up, Shooting Javier 20 times. If you're drunk don't sleep in public and do not have any kind of object that could possibly be mistaken for a weapon. It is amazing he survived.  

LM

http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/4-95-million-settlement-in-San-Jose-police-4807185.php

San Jose California Is Becoming Like the Wild-Wild West in Murders

Just when I finished writing about San Jose’s 31^st and 32^nd murders less than a week later 22 year old Ramon Garcia a father of five was shot and killed on Saturday afternoon August 24, 2013. Ramon had gotten into an argument with some guy at St. James Park in downtown San Jose. They chased him to Julian St. and 3^rd street and shot him at the Tico’s Taco restaurant parking lot. He died later at the hospital. Ramon’s Aunt Patricia Lechuga said, "I asked him if he was going to stay out of trouble, stay out of jail," she said. "And he said 'yeah Tia, I'm gonna do good, I'm gonna try and do good this time and I'm gonna do it for me and my kids.” San Jose California is turning into the Wild-Wild West in murders. It’s getting like the 1700s and 1800s all over again. You get into an altercation and someone shoots you. Now days it’s hard to walk away from certain situations but you have to. You never know what will set a person off. This was San Jose’s 33nd murder so far this year. In 2012 there were 46 murders at the rate of murder going on San Jose will pass that number this year? A lot of people are talking about we need more police on the streets that is not going to help. People that have murder in their heart will continue to kill.

LM

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=9218731

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Man-Shot-Killed-in-Downtown-San-Jose-220958571.html

San Jose California Homicides Are on Its Way to Passing 2012

 

 

On Sunday May 26, 2013 San Jose California had three shootings. Christian Comilang, 15 and Johnson Cunlar, 17 were shot to death behind the Kohl’s store near Mckee Plaza around 6:30 p.m. Justin Watkins was also shot to death on the same day near Oak Grove High School in South San Jose. What the heck is going on? My husband’s band mate happens to be the Uncle of Justin Watkins. He told my husband the Justin was coming home from work at the mall and cut through a field where he was shot. I have lived in San Jose all my life and have always felt safe but I’m starting to rethink that. On Thursday May 30, 2013 marked the 20^th homicide in San Jose. A man was found shot to death in East San Jose at the corner of Audubon and Santee drive near Santee Elementary School. Authorities said it appeared he was on his way to work. San Jose is well on its way to passing the 46 homicides of 2012. Are these shootings gang related? If they are, San Jose Police department needs to around up these cowardly menaces to society and throw them in jail. I know the jails are crowded but there criminals and I think they should not have rights. At least people going to and from work won’t have to worry about these gutless individuals.

LM

http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_23352510/san-jose-police-investigating-shooting-death-male-victim?source=rss

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/05/28/police-seek-security-camera-evidence-in-murder-of-san-jose-teens/

http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_23342302/san-jose-police-identify-teens-slain-sunday-shooting

A Limo Ride Turns Tragic For Bride and her Eight Friends

This is the time of year that limousine services are busy. They are picking up teenagers for the prom and brides for bridal showers. This is supposed to be a night to remember and too look back fondly. That was not the case for Neriza Fojas' and her eight friends. On April 5, 2013 they were in a 1999 Lincoln Town stretch limousine. They were heading west bound across the San Mateo Bridge when just after 10 p.m. the back of the limousine burst into flames. The driver Orville Brown of San Jose was alerted by one of the women sitting by the partition that they smelled smoke. The driver pulled over and saw that the limousine was on fire. He helped four women up front out, but by the time they were out the back of the limousine was engulfed in flames. There was nothing he could do. Emergency workers later found Neriza Fojas and four of her friends clustered under the 3-by-1 1/2-foot window. What is so sad, every one of the passenger were in their 30s and 40s and nurses all over California. Neriza Fojas’ the bride was a registered nurse at the Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno California and from Monterey. The San Mateo County Coroner's Office identified the other four women that perished as Michelle Estrera, of Fresno, Anna Alcantara, Felomina Geronga and Jennifer Balon, of Alameda. The four women that survived this horrible ordeal are Mary Grace Guardiano of Alameda, Nelia Arrellano of Alameda, Jasmine Desguia of San Jose and Amalia Loyola of San Leandro. They are recovering at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto and Valley Medical Center in San Jose. The Limo Stop’s owner Kultar Singh of San Jose said, I'm very, very saddened" by the accident but did not commit further on what happened. The owner said he has owned Limo Stop for seven years and his license are up to date and valid. I want to know if Limo Stop had previous knowledge that this model and year had issues with fires. Sadly, we'll hear the facts about this tragedy in the days to come. I hope the survivors recover quickly and my prayers go out to the families who lost a love one.

LM

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Five-killed-in-limousine-fire-4489847.php

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57583318/coroner-releases-names-of-5-women-killed-in-calif-limo-fire/