NBC 4: “Heroin Big in Santa Clarita Valley”

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

A three and a half minute scare clip, mixed with dark music, shots of Awesometown, the City logo, and West Ranch High school:

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

This is junk journalism. NBC cites no statistics, interviews no City officials, LASD Santa Clarita Deputies (COBRA or VICE in particular), school officials or any other community stakeholders. They also don’t mention that Councilman Bob Kellar asked the Sheriff’s station to report on this matter at the Council meeting two weeks ago.

They do talk to the mother of Trae Daniel Allen, the young man who died of an overdose here in the SCV in March and who has spoken before the City council. Her testimony, if you will, helped push the City to pressure the Hart District to take a second look at its Zero Tolerance policy. But NBC didn’t report that. Because it doesn’t fit into their thesis that black tar heroin is “big” here.

They did, however, go out of their way to find two other unidentified SCV youths who smoke black tar heroin and who are currently recovering.

To take the sad case of Trae Daniel Allen and extrapolate that heroin is “Big” in the SCV is absurd.

Unfortunately we as a community lack the journalistic resources to really investigate this issue and learn whether this is a big problem or not. Until we get them, you can expect this story will get traction and the SCV will become synonymous with black tar heroin just like the Antelope Valley is synonymous with crystal meth.

PS: This also chafes me for another reason: just as we in the SCV have stereotypical views of the “big city,” so do Angelenos have stereotypical views of the suburbs. And one of those views is that all our youths do drugs. It’s a stereotype NBC is only too happy to exploit so as to construct a narrative about suburbs in general…imagine a movie trailer announcer voice and you’ve got the idea….”They thought they were safe in the suburbs. But they were wrong. DEAD WRONG!”

Comments (79)

Jackie/SCV MomsMay 13, 2010 at 6:00 pm

It’s called “sweeps.” It’s the same time that suddenly there are “killers in our home,” what’s happening “behind closed doors” in our neighborhood and other blown-up stories with no facts to back it up. Another reason I don’t work in TV anymore.

DavidMay 13, 2010 at 6:06 pm

You folks live under a rock. I am here to tell you it is true, Heroin is here in the SCV. My friend of 15 years has been in rehab for it already and he says its everywhere out here. I asked the same question and was shocked just like you are. Its all over the place! Time to get out from under that rock. Its too bad The Signal will not write about anything that may make “Awesometown” not look so awesome.

BrianMay 13, 2010 at 6:55 pm

Some people do stupid things and die. Society does not need to do a third grade style of punishment on everyone because of a few examples of Darwinian evolution. Heroin is already illegal. What more would you like done? It’s a pity that Trutanich and Cooley are so fixated on the benign marijuana dispensaries that serious problems like heroin supplied by the gangs goes virtually unchecked. Gangs shoot back while older pot smokers and in the open dispensaries are easy marks. Priorities are skewed to be sure.

lvogelMay 13, 2010 at 7:09 pm

Would you think this was junk if, lets say, the city they were talking about was Moorpark, Simi or Thousand Oaks? I ask that, because I have heard the same stories from those cities; kids wanting a cheap high. It is true that drug dealers will find those youths that may be more apt to buy and use drugs; it’s a sad fact. It just takes one ‘buddy’ to turn you on. As the story indicated, Trae’s childhood friend was his dealer. Unfortunately there are going to be kids that find, purchase and use drugs. Our job as a community and especially parents, is to keep talking to our youth and keep on top of whats going on. I have known parents that do know (what’s going on) and turn away. I don’t know if they are in denial or they just don’t want to ‘deal’ with, or face it; either way our kids are at risk, everyday of becoming hooked on something. I have a particular disturbing story about our own sheriffs and how they ‘handled’ a situation several years ago, in my own neighborhood. I don’t feel comfortable sharing it on an open forum such as this, but if you want to email me Jeff, I’d tell you like it is. Is this journalism particularly good for ‘Awsometown’, no; however he must face the fact that our kids could fall victim to this and ask what are WE going to do about it? We have to face it and deal with it.

lvogelMay 13, 2010 at 7:11 pm

BTW, perhaps Trea’s mother approached nbc? Someone brought it to their attention. They didn’t just pull ‘Awsometown’ out of thin air.

BrianMay 13, 2010 at 7:19 pm

Talking to your kids about drugs is useless when the parent is spewing the same misinformed lies and hyperbole we were given growing up. You will be talking to yourself unless you are educated on the subject and stop the fearmongering. Dragnet and Blue Boy come to mind.

lvogelMay 13, 2010 at 7:35 pm

You’re right Brian. However ‘education’ is the key word! You’d be surprised how many parents are not educated on the ‘subject’ mainly because they feel their kids walk on water and would “NEVER DO SUCH A THING”. Seriously, many truly believe their children are never going to touch anything, so talking about it is not necessary. Same thing could be said about sex. I believe in education with a bit of fear mixed in. Let em know what could happen; where they could end up.

JackieMay 13, 2010 at 7:38 pm

I know it’s here. I’ve talked to reliable sources who’ve shared stories. But to splash it across the news with no real facts, sources or ways to help is all for ratings and not meant to shed light on a real problem. If it bleeds, it leads. And drugs in the suburbs is just a juicy topic for those who want viewers.

lvogelMay 13, 2010 at 8:05 pm

What if… the city would not provide statistics, facts or sources? As you said, it’s here. The journalist relies on people to come to them, then they go to officials for that ‘needed’ information. I have spoken to my own and know it’s out there. They have heard about it first hand. They have been offered. We have talked; I have educated and now it’s in their hands. I will not however think that our city or law enforcement will do it for me; I know better.

WalkerMay 13, 2010 at 9:01 pm

Love the Awesometown plug *snort* LOL What I don’t get…..if they had LaCresenta stats wouldn’t it have made more sense for the story to be about LaCresenta????? I don’t mind a tarnished Awesometown, but at least give us some facts.

lvogelMay 13, 2010 at 9:21 pm

Again, if they were made aware of this mothers plight, then that’s the story. The two boys that were interviewed were from SCV, giving their accounts/stories. Don McNeal seems to provide quite a bit of information, and he should know better then anyone, afterall the company he works for does the drug testing for our school district. I believe this is a case where some want Awesometown to remain that way, and not be percieve as anything other than, hence, no statistics.

mikeMay 13, 2010 at 9:49 pm

I have enough first hand experience dealing with heroin addicts than I ever expected to. It’s awful. Nothing’s worse. Nothing is more dangerous. It’s about as addictive as it comes, and because of that it’s just about the most expensive habit to have. If you are ever hooked, even if you are 10 years sober, an overdose is your most likely cause of death in a given year. The distribution system described in the LA Times article is pretty accurate. About a third of the people who have ever tried it are using right now. But it’s still the least popular drug out there. If you are living in close quarters with someone, it’s very difficult to hide. It is so destructive to the addict and to the people around them, that if it were really commonplace in Santa Clarita, the entire fabric of our communities would have changed noticeably by now. So to that, I say hogwash. This is a garbage report. Completely exaggerated. I understand that for those affected, it seems like a really big problem, because it is all consuming. So I get their pain. I’ve felt it myself. But this is still a very rare problem. But if you are concerned about heroin, the dealers in awesometown are the last guys in the chain. They just close the deal. Heroin is rock bottom, the kind of user any drug user is afraid of becoming. It isn’t the kind of thing that people get tricked into trying. People usually move into it after cultivating an opiate addiction from other sources. I’ve known parents that have turned a blind eye to painkiller abuse, not making much of it and never realizing how bad it was until it was too late. Heroin comes in long after that ship has sailed.

BrianMay 13, 2010 at 10:38 pm

Nicely put Mike.

Street KnowledgeMay 13, 2010 at 11:40 pm

No one is more concerned about the purity of the product than Stringer Bell. Avon just doesn’t get it, he can’t see past the corners.

DavidMay 14, 2010 at 9:42 am

It’s funny that people treat “Awesometown” like their own child. My little Johhny (AKA Awesometown) would never do any drugs like heroin. It is here in the SCV. Stats may be hard to come by for the number of people using since it is illegal. They should have at least got arrest numbers from the Sheriff’s department to give this town an overdue wake up call.

DamageincMay 14, 2010 at 9:52 am

Trae Daniel Allen was 24, spent very little time in Santa Clarita. He was in violation of an order to go to rehab and had a warrant out for his arrest. He had come back into town to appear in court the morning he died. He went out to party that night and took heroin. Having a bad reaction his friend dropped him off back at his house, the guy told his mother he was drunk and his mother callously left him out on the porch to “sober up” when she came back out he was foaming at the mouth and died. Drunk or not… you take care of you family what if he threw up in his mouth and choked? If Trae Daniel Allen’s mother is looking for someone to blame she can look to her dead son and herself for doing nothing while he died. Not trying to expose a underground heroin scene that is pretty insignificant. Doe SCV have a drug problem? YEP prescription drugs. Vicodin (aka Soccer mom drug), oxycotton ect. Almost every overdose in our valley was due to these drugs last year. I believe the number was about 20 or so. Does Heroin exist in SCV? Yep, along with every community in america from downtown LA to Malibu. Some places have a bigger problem them other. We need to focus on real issues not scary made up ones. Who cares some junkie killed himself and his mom did nothing she has to live with that, not us. Oh if I sound callous, I am sorry I am just really tired of hearing this mother distort the truth when I know the whole story. This kid had been through the system over and over again he chose his path and his fate, his mother needs to quit bothering us with this.

mikeMay 14, 2010 at 10:12 am

I get why you want to push back on the misinformation, but I don’t think it’s fair to go so far as to point fingers at the mother, suggesting she’s culpable. Once someone is hooked, there are very few right answers.

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 10:35 am

I got you. What I meant was the mom is blaming the Sheriff for her son’s death. While I don’t think it is her fault he would probably be alive if she had not left him on the porch maybe done a little more investigating and make sure he was alright before initiating tough love. I don’t think she is necessary responsible for his death but the sheriff dept/system is most definitely not at fault.

mikeMay 14, 2010 at 10:43 am

Yeah, really weak to put it on the sheriff. If he really OD’d, she wouldn’t have known what to do. If he died in his sleep, it would have happened elsewhere. If anyone would have known the signs or known what to do, it was his junkie friends that dumped him off.

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 10:56 am

That guy is a slimeball and Sheriff has been trying to catch him and put him away. “Knowing” that someone is a dealer and being able to prove it are two different things. It isn’t a easy task getting these guys. I understand her feeling guilty for leaving him out on the porch for and hour and half. Unfortunately that is something she has to live with and she should be considerate and not put that on others. She should consider getting counseling.

mikeMay 14, 2010 at 11:00 am

“It isn’t a easy task getting these guys.” Ask Lester. Ask McNulty. Ask Herc. Ask Kima. Ask Prez. Ask Sydnor. Ask Carver. Ask Daniels. They know.

StephenMay 14, 2010 at 10:54 am

I saw the KNBC report and echo Jeff’s take, and Jackie’s. It’s sweeps time. Local news brings out the sex and drug stories, like clockwork. This is not to say there isn’t a hard drug problem. It’s that the issue is sensationalized for the sake of ratings. Local TV news has been infotainment for years. The tactic should be no surprise.

Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 11:53 am

This is not junk journalism. This is a reality that a lot of people here in the Santa Clarita Valley do not want to face. Drugs are a problem here. A huge problem. One of the things that came out of the council meeting where Krissy McAfee spoke was the question of why our local law enforcement was not acting on the tips provided to them. “Captain, this is not the first time I’ve heard this. It’s not acceptable,” Councilman Bob Kellar said, addressing recently appointed Sheriff’s Station Capt. Paul Becker. - From The Signal (The Signal did run this story. http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/27944/ ) It is both foolish and arrogant to think that drugs are not a problem in this valley.

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 12:57 pm

It is foolish and arrogant to overblow and magnify a problem that might cause dwindling resources to be pulled away from real problems. According to the police report, Krissy McAfee lied to the city council about many things in her statement. She left out the part where SHE LEFT her son dying on their porch saying something along the lines of “You can stay out here till you sober up”. She also neglected to tell how much the sheriffs have done to combat this problem how they have attempted several stings and buys from this as well as other known dealers. You need to quit blaming society for choices made by individuals.

Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 1:37 pm

I am not blaming society for anything. I suggest you stop blaming a mother for her sons death. And please show me where exactly in the police report you are seeing she lied to city council? She left her son outside because to let him inside would be considered enabling his addiction. Setting boundaries is a huge part of the addiction and recovery process. Had she known her son was high on heroin maybe she would have acted differently. (ie calling the police and paramedics) There’s no way to know. But do not attack her for this. She has lost her son, and as she said at that city council meeting continues to feel that loss and the guilt for it. This is a REAL problem here in Santa Clarita. How are drugs not a real problem? Do you not understand that with drugs come other problems? Letting drugs in to focus on other crimes is not an acceptable answer. Drugs are a key to a doorway for criminal activity. Whatever the sheriffs department is doing regarding this, it’s simply not enough.

mikeMay 14, 2010 at 1:42 pm

I fall somewhere between the two of you, but Mike, I think you’re doing some conflating. Drugs may be a problem, though I would suspect less than they used to be. The assertion here is that heroin usage is becoming widespread, and there is an implication that the police are letting it happen. I’m not buying it.

Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 1:45 pm

I am not saying that the police are letting this happen. But it is becoming wide spread, and there is not enough being done to stop it. That does not mean that nothing is being done, but like the story in the comment thread below, our police do not understand the drug problem here.

BrianMay 14, 2010 at 4:40 pm

The police ARE letting this happen. Where are the DAs priorities? Closing down marijuana dispensaries which we have none in the SCV. Heroin traffickers shoot back so they seem to be given a green light to continue. There is money to be made busting pot smokers so there they go!

DamageincMay 14, 2010 at 4:48 pm

“There is money to be made busting pot smokers so there they go!” Confusion

lvogelMay 14, 2010 at 1:04 pm

I try not to blame our sheriffs because I do have a deep respect for anyone who is in law enforcement/keeping the peace, however my experience 5 years ago makes me wonder how often or how seriously some may take what our children are capable of doing out there and do it! Here goes… at 3am I was awakened by my dog growling. As I stood in my living room peering through my blinds, I slowly opened up my window. There were at least (from what I could hear) 2 boys and a girl on the paseo (right next to my house) behind some junipers. I listened carefully for awhile to see what was up. A girl walked out into the street and looked carefully around to make sure (I’m sure) that it was still quite. When she returned back, I heard 2 boys arguing about who’s tee shirt they would use (and ruin). I heard a spray paint can being shook. Paint cans have a very distinctive sound. I knew immediately what they were up to. I opened the window all the way and yelled that I had just called the police! They ran, scared! Good. Nope….25 minutes later I heard my dog growling, yet again. After confirming it was them (they were looking for the can they dropped!), I called the sheriffs. When I called, I told the dispatcher what they were doing. She said, “huffing?…what do you mean, huffing?” My jaw dropped. I asked to speak to someone else, now! I was worried about what was going to transpire with the KIDS! I spoke to another sheriff and again, HE questioned me about ‘huffng’. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! I give them credit, within 5 minutes a sheriff was pulling in front of my home. I went outside, explained again the events that too place and mentioned huffing. He went to the paseo with his flashlight looked around and yelled that he did not see a spray paint can and did not see the GRAFFITY. By this time I didn’t know whether to laugh or set this guy straight. I let it go. A second car came rushing up the street; another office jumped out and yelled that they were down the paseo a couple of streets down. They ran and left me watching their vehicles. About 2 minutes later they came around the junipers with 3 boys. I knew one of the boys. He gave me attitude for calling the sheriffs. His exact words were, “WTF, why did you call the F’n cops”!? First I told him I had no idea it was him (or anyone for that matter) and asked did his mother know where is was at 3:30 in the morning!? The officers took them away. The officer I originally spoke with, said that there was a girl also, but she was in tears and they let her go home. The next day this boy was at our community pool having a grand time with his friends. I could not believe his mother didn’t do anything. In fact I layed in bed after they took the boys away and wondered if I should call her. I thought HELL NO! They woke me up at 3am, let them wake her up! But they didn’t, why?…because like the girl that was in tears, they let them go a street over! YUP, these kids wanted to do something so potentially lethal, all for a ‘cheap’ high and these officers let them go at 3:30 in the morning! All under the age of 18! The mother did find out eventually and I’m not sure how she handled it. She had said she was very upset not only with her son (who was forced to apologize to me), but she was also upset with the officers. She also had wished I had called her. If I had known they weren’t going to do it, I would not have hesitated! So, I have to wonder how many other ‘cases’ there have been where an officer(s) for whatever reason, decides/feels that this is not serious! BTW, found out that one of these ‘kids’ is now an adult with a very bad drug habit!

JeffMay 14, 2010 at 1:08 pm

A sad story, but what would you have the Deputies do? Jail the kids for a night? The Sheriff’s Department is not a substitute for parental authority and discipline.

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 1:10 pm

exactly

Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 1:52 pm

Yes. They should have arrested the kids, taken them in and had the parents pick them up. Not just drop them off a street over. The Sheriff’s Department isn’t a substitute for parental authority. Fine. But they are responsible to the community. If they had let the kids go, one had gotten high and then hit by a car and killed they’re at fault as the kid was in their custody and should have been returned to his parents custody.

mikeMay 14, 2010 at 1:11 pm

I’m not sure that I see your point. I certainly don’t want the cops to be the huffing police.

DamageincMay 14, 2010 at 1:18 pm

What are they going to be arrested for curfew? So what some kids were doing some huffing. I think the only crime is waking someone up at 3am. I would be pissed

lvogelMay 14, 2010 at 1:38 pm

Are you all serious, or just yanking my chain!?! Obviously none of you are ‘educated’ on drug use! Huffing has caused many deaths! You don’t see the point Mike…REALLY!?! WOW! So Jeff, what do you think is so “sad” about this story if not for the fact that these kids could have been statistics?!! Jail the kids…NO! Call the parents and let them know that their kids were doing something potentially fatal, yes. Are any of you parents…seriously! If my kid was out at 3am up to no good, doing something that could cause brain damage or worse…I’D WANT TO KNOW!!! I think this is a first for me….I’m shocked! Wow…I am more speechless then I was explaining to 3 officers what huffing is!

Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 1:43 pm

They don’t get it. You’re right, in that instance the police should have woken up those parents, had them drive down to the police station and picked them up. Not to mention find out who had sold the can of spray paint to minors (which is illegal for this very reason) This is why we have this problem. People refuse to admit that there could be a drug problem in Santa Clarita. This young mans death is not the first, but it’s evidence that there is a very real problem here.

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 1:49 pm

—-”Obviously none of you are ‘educated’ on drug use! Huffing has caused many deaths!” So. —-”So Jeff, what do you think is so “sad” about this story if not for the fact that these kids could have been statistics?!!” Meanwhile sheriffs resources are being used on something so stupid when they could be protecting from crimes with real victims. This is what they call a victimless crime. —-Are any of you parents…seriously! If my kid was out at 3am up to no good, doing something that could cause brain damage or worse…I’D WANT TO KNOW!!! Well now you are talking. Why are these kids out, comes down to bad parenting.

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 1:53 pm

oh yeah – They should send a bill to the parents of these kids for the time and resources wasted because they want to be the cool parent and let their kids run the streets.

Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 1:53 pm

@damageinc you’re trolling and it’s pathetic.

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 1:55 pm

Mike M you are the one sounding pathetic. Wanting the cops to save stupid people from their stupidity on societies dime. Wake up, Own your life and quit making excuses for everyone.

Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 2:02 pm

Whom have I made any excuses for? Drugs are a problem in our community. It’s a statement. There are facts that support the statement. Not enough is being done about it. That’s my opinion, but there are facts to support that as well. An increase of drugs in our community will lead to an increase in other crimes as well. From gang related activity to other violent crimes, drugs are illegal for a reason. Sorry you don’t get it. But that doesn’t change any of the facts about how things are here in Awesometown.

mikeMay 14, 2010 at 2:15 pm

If you have facts, I’d like to see them.

Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 2:58 pm

@Mike – I will try to get the reports directly from their agencies over the course of the next week.

mikeMay 14, 2010 at 3:02 pm

Thanks. Sincerely sincerely curious to see.

Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 1:55 pm

They are the police. If someone commits a crime it is there job to do something about it. So. If it’s against the law for three minors to be out at 3 am and for them to be huffing paint…what you think they should just let them go?

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 1:58 pm

Yeah waste an hour or two of an 8 hour shift booking some juveniles for a victimless crime… GOOD CALL.

Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 2:03 pm

How is this crime victimless?

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:10 pm

It is a victimless crime because there is no victim.

Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 2:11 pm

There are plenty of victims, they just aren’t dead on someones doorstep yet. Is that what it takes for you? Don’t deal with the problem until you have a mountain of dead kids to deal with?

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:14 pm

There it is… you believe a person doing something to themselves is a victim. That is what fundamentally separates our philosophies. This is why you believe it is the Sheriff’s job to save stupid people from victimizing themselves. I bet you think jails reform people too.

lvogelMay 14, 2010 at 1:56 pm

So much for ‘it takes a village’…sigh….so much for “Awsometown”. Man, you’re tough damageinc. I mean really tough!

JeffMay 14, 2010 at 2:01 pm

I like the “It takes a village” metaphor. But the public clearly has run the cost-benefit analysis, and they’ve said it costs too much to fix all the societal problems you’re talking about. Take your two kids for example. How would we fix them? - Education in the schools is being cut - To me minors out at 3am habitually would justify a visit from social workers. Oh but wait, we cut them too. And they’re completely overworked - The last line of defense is the Sheriff’s Dept. Guess what? They’re so overworked and under-resourced they can’t possibly respond to every parent or neighbor who thinks one of the tens of thousands of kids in this valley might be doing drugs We expect our public workers to work miracles while simultaneously de-funding them every opportunity we get.

Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 2:04 pm

Over worked on what? I’m sorry but I don’t see it. I think there is plenty for our sheriffs department to do out here. But aside from handing out parking or speeding tickets I don’t see anything being done.

Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 2:05 pm

Granted, that may not be fair of me to say that. I’m not down at the sheriffs station. Just my frustration getting the better of me.

JeffMay 14, 2010 at 2:15 pm

Tell you what. Why don’t you go down to the Sheriff’s Station and tell them you’ve noticed they have nothing to do. Then give them your advice on how to win the drug war. I’m sure they’ll be very receptive. Kidding aside- what is the solution to drugs?

Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 2:24 pm

Jeff, I hope you saw the comment I posted after that. I’m not saying that the Sheriffs department does nothing. But there are a lot of places where things aren’t being done correctly. The solution to drugs, there’s no one solution to stopping them. In dealing with recovery? It’s not a small process or an easy fix. It requires a multi faced approach towards recovery, including 12 step, counseling and therapy, family counseling and therapy, an alternative peer group, and a commitment to being sober. It’s a solution that we’re working on building here in Santa Clarita.

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:36 pm

Words can not describe how more wrong you are. Let’s take a look at SCV Sheriff. 1. They cover the largest area square mileage in California. 2. They have 10 less deputies then they did in the mid-nineties while the population has nearly doubled in that time. 3. This year we are dumping 400+ Non-revokable parolees early in the valley with no increase in the staffing or overtime because of state budget cuts. There are a few thousand being let go in AV and Sylmar, Sunland area. 4. La County Sheriff’s HQ believes this place is Mayberry so guess which station gets the fews resources? I could keep going. My opinion our Sheriff’s station is by far one of the best run in the state. They take the issues seriously and I trust their judgement. I find it arrogant to run around the internet talking crap about hard working law enforcement. Expecting them to waste precious time and resources because some stupid people want to rink their own lives by abusing substances.

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:09 pm

maybe you need to pay more attention, and thank a deputy for all his fine work in making this family one great place to live.

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:10 pm

family = city

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:05 pm

When I was a teen, I knew my mom wouldn’t go to bat for me… it was clear I would face the full consequences for my actions. I got freedoms with the stipulation that I could be trusted. If the trust was broken then the freedoms were taken away. Pretty simple. My aunt didn’t have the same philosophy she babied and blindly defended and made excuses for my cousins. One is dead because of drinking and driving. One had multiple kids, lives in a trailer, can’t keep a job ect. Parents need to teach kids to be good people which in turn will create a society of good adults. Is it any wonder we have a bunch of entitled people who believe they are owed? lvogel – I wouldn’t have called the cops. I would have yelled at them for waking me up and told them to do that some where else.

lvogelMay 14, 2010 at 2:28 pm

Yeah, I get that damageinc…it’s not your problem. Funny, I was more upset about what the outcome could have been then the fact they woke me up. Actually in hindsight, I’m glad I was woken. I was under the impression that I perhaps prevented something horrible from occuring. Who knows, perhaps when the sheriffs let them out of the car and told them to go home, they actually got the high they were trying to get all along; I don’t know. However, I often wondered if they had taken them at 3:30 in the morning down to the very quiet station ,oh wait, I’m sorry….ALL THAT CRIME BEING COMMITTED AT THE HOUR, probably meant the station was just bustling with activity! They got to my home 5 minutes after I hung up the phone, I don’t think they were that busy. I’m not asking for our sheriffs to perform ‘miracles’ Jeff, but perhaps if they took them down to the station…they were in the vehicles anyway…and called the parents, it might have been a wake up call and it really wouldn’t have taken a whole lot of their time. The desk officer would have made the calls anyway, not the ones transporting them. So, what I have gathered is that this is not the problem for our law enforcement. What I hear is that the parents are bad parents and the kids will just do what they want. What I hear is, it’s not my problem or yours. Just take care of your own. Sad. I would do the same thing again. If it meant I’d be possibly helping the ‘stupid’ kid. I’d have the sheriffs waste their time. I wouldn’t hesitate.

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:38 pm

And if they took an hour you would be more satisfied?

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:51 pm

Oh by the way it isn’t sad to think people need to take responsibility. What is sad is thinking you can save a person by creating laws or throwing money at the problem. I know I can’t rescue anyone from themselves and attempting to do so actually does more harm then good. Teens wanted to get high… what is new? Big Deal. Don’t pull deputies out paroling my neighborhood because of that.

lvogelMay 14, 2010 at 3:15 pm

But this is Awsometown! Why would they be patroling your ‘hood? Nothing ever happens in the sleepy bedroom community, where families are priority and people feel safe all the time. http://scvsheriff.com/rec_laws_juveniles.asp CURFEW: The City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles have enacted Curfew ordinances for juveniles under the age of 18. The ordinances are enforced between the hours of 10 PM and 6 AM. The ordinances are primarily designed to target juveniles who are clearly loitering with no lawful purpose and does not prohibit Juveniles from engaging in lawful activities such as school related events or reasonable social and cultural activities. If found in violation of the curfew ordinance, the violator is typically given a citation and released to the custody of their parent/guardian. The violator will be required to appear in court with a parent. http://www.scvsheriff.com/about_captains_letters_curfew.asp “”While a curfew is in no way a panacea, it’s an important way to help our deputies keep the streets safe,” said Mayor Kellar. He cited that most cities in Los Angeles County have adopted similar ordinance which require parental or adult supervision of minors. “We want to encourage parents to take responsibility for their children’s whereabouts,” he added.”

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 3:26 pm

I think you and Mike M need to go on a ride along

lvogelMay 14, 2010 at 3:54 pm

Been there, done that! Actually, a bit boring the times I did it.

mikeMay 14, 2010 at 2:28 pm

You can never be too alarmist, angry or paranoid in SCV.

mikeMay 14, 2010 at 2:28 pm

that’s not a directed at anyone in particular, just a lot of you general, on this thread and elsewhere.

mikeMay 14, 2010 at 2:29 pm

err…in general

lvogelMay 14, 2010 at 2:36 pm

When it comes to our kids…DAMN STRAIGHT!

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:37 pm

wonder why we have some many f’ed up kids which turn into f’ed up adults.

JeffMay 14, 2010 at 3:11 pm

Mike M: If you find some good stats, shoot me an email. I’ll be happy to post a story on the top of the front page. I have not denied there is a problem; I’m just interested in the scale of it.

mikeMay 14, 2010 at 3:14 pm

Number of OD deaths by drug type over the last 10 years would be very interesting. GET ON IT!

Kip RockfistMay 14, 2010 at 3:16 pm

I’m just glad I don’t have to drive ALL THE WAY to the SFV or Pompton anymore to get black tar and crack. Gas is expensive these days!

damageincMay 14, 2010 at 3:24 pm

Now if you and your car could only run off yummy black tar heroin!

MikeMay 14, 2010 at 4:37 pm

@Damageinc – grew up in a police station. My father is a retired lieutenant. I’ve been on more ride alongs than I can count and learned to shoot on the stations firing range. I both love and respect the job, but Santa Clarita has a problem and if the solution is an increase in money for our sheriffs I’d support it. But to deny that there is a problem isn’t healthy. And our sheriffs department has a bad reputation for ignoring certain things and following through on things. Lvogels story isn’t unique.

BrianMay 14, 2010 at 4:45 pm

Drug laws and blue laws. Should we have a police state? For the most part these are victimless crimes and if the user dies, well that’s a personal choice. Nobody forced them to do anything. We cannot legislate stupidity!

JulieMay 16, 2010 at 10:53 pm

Hi, My family lives in Canoga Park. My parents have never enabled me. I attended the local public school, and chose to hang out with the good kids. It does not matter the neighborhood, it’s having the right kind of parents. Believe me, it was hard at times, but I am thankful.

Jackie/SCV MomsMay 13, 2010 at 6:00 pm
It’s called “sweeps.” It’s the same time that suddenly there are “killers in our home,” what’s happening “behind closed doors” in our neighborhood and other blown-up stories with no facts to back it up. Another reason I don’t work in TV anymore.
DavidMay 13, 2010 at 6:06 pm
You folks live under a rock. I am here to tell you it is true, Heroin is here in the SCV. My friend of 15 years has been in rehab for it already and he says its everywhere out here. I asked the same question and was shocked just like you are. Its all over the place! Time to get out from under that rock. Its too bad The Signal will not write about anything that may make “Awesometown” not look so awesome.
BrianMay 13, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Some people do stupid things and die. Society does not need to do a third grade style of punishment on everyone because of a few examples of Darwinian evolution. Heroin is already illegal. What more would you like done? It’s a pity that Trutanich and Cooley are so fixated on the benign marijuana dispensaries that serious problems like heroin supplied by the gangs goes virtually unchecked. Gangs shoot back while older pot smokers and in the open dispensaries are easy marks. Priorities are skewed to be sure.
lvogelMay 13, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Would you think this was junk if, lets say, the city they were talking about was Moorpark, Simi or Thousand Oaks? I ask that, because I have heard the same stories from those cities; kids wanting a cheap high. It is true that drug dealers will find those youths that may be more apt to buy and use drugs; it’s a sad fact. It just takes one ‘buddy’ to turn you on. As the story indicated, Trae’s childhood friend was his dealer. Unfortunately there are going to be kids that find, purchase and use drugs. Our job as a community and especially parents, is to keep talking to our youth and keep on top of whats going on. I have known parents that do know (what’s going on) and turn away. I don’t know if they are in denial or they just don’t want to ‘deal’ with, or face it; either way our kids are at risk, everyday of becoming hooked on something. I have a particular disturbing story about our own sheriffs and how they ‘handled’ a situation several years ago, in my own neighborhood. I don’t feel comfortable sharing it on an open forum such as this, but if you want to email me Jeff, I’d tell you like it is. Is this journalism particularly good for ‘Awsometown’, no; however he must face the fact that our kids could fall victim to this and ask what are WE going to do about it? We have to face it and deal with it.
lvogelMay 13, 2010 at 7:11 pm
BTW, perhaps Trea’s mother approached nbc? Someone brought it to their attention. They didn’t just pull ‘Awsometown’ out of thin air.
BrianMay 13, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Talking to your kids about drugs is useless when the parent is spewing the same misinformed lies and hyperbole we were given growing up. You will be talking to yourself unless you are educated on the subject and stop the fearmongering. Dragnet and Blue Boy come to mind.
lvogelMay 13, 2010 at 7:35 pm
You’re right Brian. However ‘education’ is the key word! You’d be surprised how many parents are not educated on the ‘subject’ mainly because they feel their kids walk on water and would “NEVER DO SUCH A THING”. Seriously, many truly believe their children are never going to touch anything, so talking about it is not necessary. Same thing could be said about sex. I believe in education with a bit of fear mixed in. Let em know what could happen; where they could end up.
JackieMay 13, 2010 at 7:38 pm
I know it’s here. I’ve talked to reliable sources who’ve shared stories. But to splash it across the news with no real facts, sources or ways to help is all for ratings and not meant to shed light on a real problem. If it bleeds, it leads. And drugs in the suburbs is just a juicy topic for those who want viewers.
lvogelMay 13, 2010 at 8:05 pm
What if… the city would not provide statistics, facts or sources? As you said, it’s here. The journalist relies on people to come to them, then they go to officials for that ‘needed’ information. I have spoken to my own and know it’s out there. They have heard about it first hand. They have been offered. We have talked; I have educated and now it’s in their hands. I will not however think that our city or law enforcement will do it for me; I know better.
WalkerMay 13, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Love the Awesometown plug *snort* LOL What I don’t get…..if they had LaCresenta stats wouldn’t it have made more sense for the story to be about LaCresenta????? I don’t mind a tarnished Awesometown, but at least give us some facts.
lvogelMay 13, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Again, if they were made aware of this mothers plight, then that’s the story. The two boys that were interviewed were from SCV, giving their accounts/stories. Don McNeal seems to provide quite a bit of information, and he should know better then anyone, afterall the company he works for does the drug testing for our school district. I believe this is a case where some want Awesometown to remain that way, and not be percieve as anything other than, hence, no statistics.
mikeMay 13, 2010 at 9:49 pm
I have enough first hand experience dealing with heroin addicts than I ever expected to. It’s awful. Nothing’s worse. Nothing is more dangerous. It’s about as addictive as it comes, and because of that it’s just about the most expensive habit to have. If you are ever hooked, even if you are 10 years sober, an overdose is your most likely cause of death in a given year. The distribution system described in the LA Times article is pretty accurate. About a third of the people who have ever tried it are using right now. But it’s still the least popular drug out there. If you are living in close quarters with someone, it’s very difficult to hide. It is so destructive to the addict and to the people around them, that if it were really commonplace in Santa Clarita, the entire fabric of our communities would have changed noticeably by now. So to that, I say hogwash. This is a garbage report. Completely exaggerated. I understand that for those affected, it seems like a really big problem, because it is all consuming. So I get their pain. I’ve felt it myself. But this is still a very rare problem. But if you are concerned about heroin, the dealers in awesometown are the last guys in the chain. They just close the deal. Heroin is rock bottom, the kind of user any drug user is afraid of becoming. It isn’t the kind of thing that people get tricked into trying. People usually move into it after cultivating an opiate addiction from other sources. I’ve known parents that have turned a blind eye to painkiller abuse, not making much of it and never realizing how bad it was until it was too late. Heroin comes in long after that ship has sailed.
BrianMay 13, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Nicely put Mike.
Street KnowledgeMay 13, 2010 at 11:40 pm
No one is more concerned about the purity of the product than Stringer Bell. Avon just doesn’t get it, he can’t see past the corners.
DavidMay 14, 2010 at 9:42 am
It’s funny that people treat “Awesometown” like their own child. My little Johhny (AKA Awesometown) would never do any drugs like heroin. It is here in the SCV. Stats may be hard to come by for the number of people using since it is illegal. They should have at least got arrest numbers from the Sheriff’s department to give this town an overdue wake up call.
DamageincMay 14, 2010 at 9:52 am
Trae Daniel Allen was 24, spent very little time in Santa Clarita. He was in violation of an order to go to rehab and had a warrant out for his arrest. He had come back into town to appear in court the morning he died. He went out to party that night and took heroin. Having a bad reaction his friend dropped him off back at his house, the guy told his mother he was drunk and his mother callously left him out on the porch to “sober up” when she came back out he was foaming at the mouth and died. Drunk or not… you take care of you family what if he threw up in his mouth and choked? If Trae Daniel Allen’s mother is looking for someone to blame she can look to her dead son and herself for doing nothing while he died. Not trying to expose a underground heroin scene that is pretty insignificant. Doe SCV have a drug problem? YEP prescription drugs. Vicodin (aka Soccer mom drug), oxycotton ect. Almost every overdose in our valley was due to these drugs last year. I believe the number was about 20 or so. Does Heroin exist in SCV? Yep, along with every community in america from downtown LA to Malibu. Some places have a bigger problem them other. We need to focus on real issues not scary made up ones. Who cares some junkie killed himself and his mom did nothing she has to live with that, not us. Oh if I sound callous, I am sorry I am just really tired of hearing this mother distort the truth when I know the whole story. This kid had been through the system over and over again he chose his path and his fate, his mother needs to quit bothering us with this.
mikeMay 14, 2010 at 10:12 am
I get why you want to push back on the misinformation, but I don’t think it’s fair to go so far as to point fingers at the mother, suggesting she’s culpable. Once someone is hooked, there are very few right answers.
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 10:35 am
I got you. What I meant was the mom is blaming the Sheriff for her son’s death. While I don’t think it is her fault he would probably be alive if she had not left him on the porch maybe done a little more investigating and make sure he was alright before initiating tough love. I don’t think she is necessary responsible for his death but the sheriff dept/system is most definitely not at fault.
mikeMay 14, 2010 at 10:43 am
Yeah, really weak to put it on the sheriff. If he really OD’d, she wouldn’t have known what to do. If he died in his sleep, it would have happened elsewhere. If anyone would have known the signs or known what to do, it was his junkie friends that dumped him off.
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 10:56 am
That guy is a slimeball and Sheriff has been trying to catch him and put him away. “Knowing” that someone is a dealer and being able to prove it are two different things. It isn’t a easy task getting these guys. I understand her feeling guilty for leaving him out on the porch for and hour and half. Unfortunately that is something she has to live with and she should be considerate and not put that on others. She should consider getting counseling.
mikeMay 14, 2010 at 11:00 am
“It isn’t a easy task getting these guys.” Ask Lester. Ask McNulty. Ask Herc. Ask Kima. Ask Prez. Ask Sydnor. Ask Carver. Ask Daniels. They know.
StephenMay 14, 2010 at 10:54 am
I saw the KNBC report and echo Jeff’s take, and Jackie’s. It’s sweeps time. Local news brings out the sex and drug stories, like clockwork. This is not to say there isn’t a hard drug problem. It’s that the issue is sensationalized for the sake of ratings. Local TV news has been infotainment for years. The tactic should be no surprise.
Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 11:53 am
This is not junk journalism. This is a reality that a lot of people here in the Santa Clarita Valley do not want to face. Drugs are a problem here. A huge problem. One of the things that came out of the council meeting where Krissy McAfee spoke was the question of why our local law enforcement was not acting on the tips provided to them. “Captain, this is not the first time I’ve heard this. It’s not acceptable,” Councilman Bob Kellar said, addressing recently appointed Sheriff’s Station Capt. Paul Becker. - From The Signal (The Signal did run this story. http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/27944/ ) It is both foolish and arrogant to think that drugs are not a problem in this valley.
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 12:57 pm
It is foolish and arrogant to overblow and magnify a problem that might cause dwindling resources to be pulled away from real problems. According to the police report, Krissy McAfee lied to the city council about many things in her statement. She left out the part where SHE LEFT her son dying on their porch saying something along the lines of “You can stay out here till you sober up”. She also neglected to tell how much the sheriffs have done to combat this problem how they have attempted several stings and buys from this as well as other known dealers. You need to quit blaming society for choices made by individuals.
Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 1:37 pm
I am not blaming society for anything. I suggest you stop blaming a mother for her sons death. And please show me where exactly in the police report you are seeing she lied to city council? She left her son outside because to let him inside would be considered enabling his addiction. Setting boundaries is a huge part of the addiction and recovery process. Had she known her son was high on heroin maybe she would have acted differently. (ie calling the police and paramedics) There’s no way to know. But do not attack her for this. She has lost her son, and as she said at that city council meeting continues to feel that loss and the guilt for it. This is a REAL problem here in Santa Clarita. How are drugs not a real problem? Do you not understand that with drugs come other problems? Letting drugs in to focus on other crimes is not an acceptable answer. Drugs are a key to a doorway for criminal activity. Whatever the sheriffs department is doing regarding this, it’s simply not enough.
mikeMay 14, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I fall somewhere between the two of you, but Mike, I think you’re doing some conflating. Drugs may be a problem, though I would suspect less than they used to be. The assertion here is that heroin usage is becoming widespread, and there is an implication that the police are letting it happen. I’m not buying it.
Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 1:45 pm
I am not saying that the police are letting this happen. But it is becoming wide spread, and there is not enough being done to stop it. That does not mean that nothing is being done, but like the story in the comment thread below, our police do not understand the drug problem here.
BrianMay 14, 2010 at 4:40 pm
The police ARE letting this happen. Where are the DAs priorities? Closing down marijuana dispensaries which we have none in the SCV. Heroin traffickers shoot back so they seem to be given a green light to continue. There is money to be made busting pot smokers so there they go!
DamageincMay 14, 2010 at 4:48 pm
“There is money to be made busting pot smokers so there they go!” Confusion
lvogelMay 14, 2010 at 1:04 pm
I try not to blame our sheriffs because I do have a deep respect for anyone who is in law enforcement/keeping the peace, however my experience 5 years ago makes me wonder how often or how seriously some may take what our children are capable of doing out there and do it! Here goes… at 3am I was awakened by my dog growling. As I stood in my living room peering through my blinds, I slowly opened up my window. There were at least (from what I could hear) 2 boys and a girl on the paseo (right next to my house) behind some junipers. I listened carefully for awhile to see what was up. A girl walked out into the street and looked carefully around to make sure (I’m sure) that it was still quite. When she returned back, I heard 2 boys arguing about who’s tee shirt they would use (and ruin). I heard a spray paint can being shook. Paint cans have a very distinctive sound. I knew immediately what they were up to. I opened the window all the way and yelled that I had just called the police! They ran, scared! Good. Nope….25 minutes later I heard my dog growling, yet again. After confirming it was them (they were looking for the can they dropped!), I called the sheriffs. When I called, I told the dispatcher what they were doing. She said, “huffing?…what do you mean, huffing?” My jaw dropped. I asked to speak to someone else, now! I was worried about what was going to transpire with the KIDS! I spoke to another sheriff and again, HE questioned me about ‘huffng’. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! I give them credit, within 5 minutes a sheriff was pulling in front of my home. I went outside, explained again the events that too place and mentioned huffing. He went to the paseo with his flashlight looked around and yelled that he did not see a spray paint can and did not see the GRAFFITY. By this time I didn’t know whether to laugh or set this guy straight. I let it go. A second car came rushing up the street; another office jumped out and yelled that they were down the paseo a couple of streets down. They ran and left me watching their vehicles. About 2 minutes later they came around the junipers with 3 boys. I knew one of the boys. He gave me attitude for calling the sheriffs. His exact words were, “WTF, why did you call the F’n cops”!? First I told him I had no idea it was him (or anyone for that matter) and asked did his mother know where is was at 3:30 in the morning!? The officers took them away. The officer I originally spoke with, said that there was a girl also, but she was in tears and they let her go home. The next day this boy was at our community pool having a grand time with his friends. I could not believe his mother didn’t do anything. In fact I layed in bed after they took the boys away and wondered if I should call her. I thought HELL NO! They woke me up at 3am, let them wake her up! But they didn’t, why?…because like the girl that was in tears, they let them go a street over! YUP, these kids wanted to do something so potentially lethal, all for a ‘cheap’ high and these officers let them go at 3:30 in the morning! All under the age of 18! The mother did find out eventually and I’m not sure how she handled it. She had said she was very upset not only with her son (who was forced to apologize to me), but she was also upset with the officers. She also had wished I had called her. If I had known they weren’t going to do it, I would not have hesitated! So, I have to wonder how many other ‘cases’ there have been where an officer(s) for whatever reason, decides/feels that this is not serious! BTW, found out that one of these ‘kids’ is now an adult with a very bad drug habit!
JeffMay 14, 2010 at 1:08 pm
A sad story, but what would you have the Deputies do? Jail the kids for a night? The Sheriff’s Department is not a substitute for parental authority and discipline.
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 1:10 pm
exactly
Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Yes. They should have arrested the kids, taken them in and had the parents pick them up. Not just drop them off a street over. The Sheriff’s Department isn’t a substitute for parental authority. Fine. But they are responsible to the community. If they had let the kids go, one had gotten high and then hit by a car and killed they’re at fault as the kid was in their custody and should have been returned to his parents custody.
mikeMay 14, 2010 at 1:11 pm
I’m not sure that I see your point. I certainly don’t want the cops to be the huffing police.
DamageincMay 14, 2010 at 1:18 pm
What are they going to be arrested for curfew? So what some kids were doing some huffing. I think the only crime is waking someone up at 3am. I would be pissed
lvogelMay 14, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Are you all serious, or just yanking my chain!?! Obviously none of you are ‘educated’ on drug use! Huffing has caused many deaths! You don’t see the point Mike…REALLY!?! WOW! So Jeff, what do you think is so “sad” about this story if not for the fact that these kids could have been statistics?!! Jail the kids…NO! Call the parents and let them know that their kids were doing something potentially fatal, yes. Are any of you parents…seriously! If my kid was out at 3am up to no good, doing something that could cause brain damage or worse…I’D WANT TO KNOW!!! I think this is a first for me….I’m shocked! Wow…I am more speechless then I was explaining to 3 officers what huffing is!
Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 1:43 pm
They don’t get it. You’re right, in that instance the police should have woken up those parents, had them drive down to the police station and picked them up. Not to mention find out who had sold the can of spray paint to minors (which is illegal for this very reason) This is why we have this problem. People refuse to admit that there could be a drug problem in Santa Clarita. This young mans death is not the first, but it’s evidence that there is a very real problem here.
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 1:49 pm
—-”Obviously none of you are ‘educated’ on drug use! Huffing has caused many deaths!” So. —-”So Jeff, what do you think is so “sad” about this story if not for the fact that these kids could have been statistics?!!” Meanwhile sheriffs resources are being used on something so stupid when they could be protecting from crimes with real victims. This is what they call a victimless crime. —-Are any of you parents…seriously! If my kid was out at 3am up to no good, doing something that could cause brain damage or worse…I’D WANT TO KNOW!!! Well now you are talking. Why are these kids out, comes down to bad parenting.
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 1:53 pm
oh yeah – They should send a bill to the parents of these kids for the time and resources wasted because they want to be the cool parent and let their kids run the streets.
Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 1:53 pm
@damageinc you’re trolling and it’s pathetic.
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Mike M you are the one sounding pathetic. Wanting the cops to save stupid people from their stupidity on societies dime. Wake up, Own your life and quit making excuses for everyone.
Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Whom have I made any excuses for? Drugs are a problem in our community. It’s a statement. There are facts that support the statement. Not enough is being done about it. That’s my opinion, but there are facts to support that as well. An increase of drugs in our community will lead to an increase in other crimes as well. From gang related activity to other violent crimes, drugs are illegal for a reason. Sorry you don’t get it. But that doesn’t change any of the facts about how things are here in Awesometown.
mikeMay 14, 2010 at 2:15 pm
If you have facts, I’d like to see them.
Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 2:58 pm
@Mike – I will try to get the reports directly from their agencies over the course of the next week.
mikeMay 14, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Thanks. Sincerely sincerely curious to see.
Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 1:55 pm
They are the police. If someone commits a crime it is there job to do something about it. So. If it’s against the law for three minors to be out at 3 am and for them to be huffing paint…what you think they should just let them go?
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Yeah waste an hour or two of an 8 hour shift booking some juveniles for a victimless crime… GOOD CALL.
Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 2:03 pm
How is this crime victimless?
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:10 pm
It is a victimless crime because there is no victim.
Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 2:11 pm
There are plenty of victims, they just aren’t dead on someones doorstep yet. Is that what it takes for you? Don’t deal with the problem until you have a mountain of dead kids to deal with?
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:14 pm
There it is… you believe a person doing something to themselves is a victim. That is what fundamentally separates our philosophies. This is why you believe it is the Sheriff’s job to save stupid people from victimizing themselves. I bet you think jails reform people too.
lvogelMay 14, 2010 at 1:56 pm
So much for ‘it takes a village’…sigh….so much for “Awsometown”. Man, you’re tough damageinc. I mean really tough!
JeffMay 14, 2010 at 2:01 pm
I like the “It takes a village” metaphor. But the public clearly has run the cost-benefit analysis, and they’ve said it costs too much to fix all the societal problems you’re talking about. Take your two kids for example. How would we fix them? - Education in the schools is being cut - To me minors out at 3am habitually would justify a visit from social workers. Oh but wait, we cut them too. And they’re completely overworked - The last line of defense is the Sheriff’s Dept. Guess what? They’re so overworked and under-resourced they can’t possibly respond to every parent or neighbor who thinks one of the tens of thousands of kids in this valley might be doing drugs We expect our public workers to work miracles while simultaneously de-funding them every opportunity we get.
Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Over worked on what? I’m sorry but I don’t see it. I think there is plenty for our sheriffs department to do out here. But aside from handing out parking or speeding tickets I don’t see anything being done.
Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Granted, that may not be fair of me to say that. I’m not down at the sheriffs station. Just my frustration getting the better of me.
JeffMay 14, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Tell you what. Why don’t you go down to the Sheriff’s Station and tell them you’ve noticed they have nothing to do. Then give them your advice on how to win the drug war. I’m sure they’ll be very receptive. Kidding aside- what is the solution to drugs?
Mike MMay 14, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Jeff, I hope you saw the comment I posted after that. I’m not saying that the Sheriffs department does nothing. But there are a lot of places where things aren’t being done correctly. The solution to drugs, there’s no one solution to stopping them. In dealing with recovery? It’s not a small process or an easy fix. It requires a multi faced approach towards recovery, including 12 step, counseling and therapy, family counseling and therapy, an alternative peer group, and a commitment to being sober. It’s a solution that we’re working on building here in Santa Clarita.
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Words can not describe how more wrong you are. Let’s take a look at SCV Sheriff. 1. They cover the largest area square mileage in California. 2. They have 10 less deputies then they did in the mid-nineties while the population has nearly doubled in that time. 3. This year we are dumping 400+ Non-revokable parolees early in the valley with no increase in the staffing or overtime because of state budget cuts. There are a few thousand being let go in AV and Sylmar, Sunland area. 4. La County Sheriff’s HQ believes this place is Mayberry so guess which station gets the fews resources? I could keep going. My opinion our Sheriff’s station is by far one of the best run in the state. They take the issues seriously and I trust their judgement. I find it arrogant to run around the internet talking crap about hard working law enforcement. Expecting them to waste precious time and resources because some stupid people want to rink their own lives by abusing substances.
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:09 pm
maybe you need to pay more attention, and thank a deputy for all his fine work in making this family one great place to live.
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:10 pm
family = city
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:05 pm
When I was a teen, I knew my mom wouldn’t go to bat for me… it was clear I would face the full consequences for my actions. I got freedoms with the stipulation that I could be trusted. If the trust was broken then the freedoms were taken away. Pretty simple. My aunt didn’t have the same philosophy she babied and blindly defended and made excuses for my cousins. One is dead because of drinking and driving. One had multiple kids, lives in a trailer, can’t keep a job ect. Parents need to teach kids to be good people which in turn will create a society of good adults. Is it any wonder we have a bunch of entitled people who believe they are owed? lvogel – I wouldn’t have called the cops. I would have yelled at them for waking me up and told them to do that some where else.
lvogelMay 14, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Yeah, I get that damageinc…it’s not your problem. Funny, I was more upset about what the outcome could have been then the fact they woke me up. Actually in hindsight, I’m glad I was woken. I was under the impression that I perhaps prevented something horrible from occuring. Who knows, perhaps when the sheriffs let them out of the car and told them to go home, they actually got the high they were trying to get all along; I don’t know. However, I often wondered if they had taken them at 3:30 in the morning down to the very quiet station ,oh wait, I’m sorry….ALL THAT CRIME BEING COMMITTED AT THE HOUR, probably meant the station was just bustling with activity! They got to my home 5 minutes after I hung up the phone, I don’t think they were that busy. I’m not asking for our sheriffs to perform ‘miracles’ Jeff, but perhaps if they took them down to the station…they were in the vehicles anyway…and called the parents, it might have been a wake up call and it really wouldn’t have taken a whole lot of their time. The desk officer would have made the calls anyway, not the ones transporting them. So, what I have gathered is that this is not the problem for our law enforcement. What I hear is that the parents are bad parents and the kids will just do what they want. What I hear is, it’s not my problem or yours. Just take care of your own. Sad. I would do the same thing again. If it meant I’d be possibly helping the ‘stupid’ kid. I’d have the sheriffs waste their time. I wouldn’t hesitate.
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:38 pm
And if they took an hour you would be more satisfied?
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Oh by the way it isn’t sad to think people need to take responsibility. What is sad is thinking you can save a person by creating laws or throwing money at the problem. I know I can’t rescue anyone from themselves and attempting to do so actually does more harm then good. Teens wanted to get high… what is new? Big Deal. Don’t pull deputies out paroling my neighborhood because of that.
lvogelMay 14, 2010 at 3:15 pm
But this is Awsometown! Why would they be patroling your ‘hood? Nothing ever happens in the sleepy bedroom community, where families are priority and people feel safe all the time. http://scvsheriff.com/rec_laws_juveniles.asp CURFEW: The City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles have enacted Curfew ordinances for juveniles under the age of 18. The ordinances are enforced between the hours of 10 PM and 6 AM. The ordinances are primarily designed to target juveniles who are clearly loitering with no lawful purpose and does not prohibit Juveniles from engaging in lawful activities such as school related events or reasonable social and cultural activities. If found in violation of the curfew ordinance, the violator is typically given a citation and released to the custody of their parent/guardian. The violator will be required to appear in court with a parent. http://www.scvsheriff.com/about_captains_letters_curfew.asp “”While a curfew is in no way a panacea, it’s an important way to help our deputies keep the streets safe,” said Mayor Kellar. He cited that most cities in Los Angeles County have adopted similar ordinance which require parental or adult supervision of minors. “We want to encourage parents to take responsibility for their children’s whereabouts,” he added.”
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 3:26 pm
I think you and Mike M need to go on a ride along
lvogelMay 14, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Been there, done that! Actually, a bit boring the times I did it.
mikeMay 14, 2010 at 2:28 pm
You can never be too alarmist, angry or paranoid in SCV.
mikeMay 14, 2010 at 2:28 pm
that’s not a directed at anyone in particular, just a lot of you general, on this thread and elsewhere.
mikeMay 14, 2010 at 2:29 pm
err…in general
lvogelMay 14, 2010 at 2:36 pm
When it comes to our kids…DAMN STRAIGHT!
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 2:37 pm
wonder why we have some many f’ed up kids which turn into f’ed up adults.
JeffMay 14, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Mike M: If you find some good stats, shoot me an email. I’ll be happy to post a story on the top of the front page. I have not denied there is a problem; I’m just interested in the scale of it.
mikeMay 14, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Number of OD deaths by drug type over the last 10 years would be very interesting. GET ON IT!
Kip RockfistMay 14, 2010 at 3:16 pm
I’m just glad I don’t have to drive ALL THE WAY to the SFV or Pompton anymore to get black tar and crack. Gas is expensive these days!
damageincMay 14, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Now if you and your car could only run off yummy black tar heroin!
MikeMay 14, 2010 at 4:37 pm
@Damageinc – grew up in a police station. My father is a retired lieutenant. I’ve been on more ride alongs than I can count and learned to shoot on the stations firing range. I both love and respect the job, but Santa Clarita has a problem and if the solution is an increase in money for our sheriffs I’d support it. But to deny that there is a problem isn’t healthy. And our sheriffs department has a bad reputation for ignoring certain things and following through on things. Lvogels story isn’t unique.
BrianMay 14, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Drug laws and blue laws. Should we have a police state? For the most part these are victimless crimes and if the user dies, well that’s a personal choice. Nobody forced them to do anything. We cannot legislate stupidity!
JulieMay 16, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Hi, My family lives in Canoga Park. My parents have never enabled me. I attended the local public school, and chose to hang out with the good kids. It does not matter the neighborhood, it’s having the right kind of parents. Believe me, it was hard at times, but I am thankful.