Does it always have to be about immigration and crime in the South Bay?
Immigration and Crime
- I guess so, but you might be surprised to learn that border cities continue to be among the safest in the country. Imperial Beach was ranked the second safest city in San Diego County.(Poway came in first.)
- Also, you are least likely to be murdered in the two border cities of El Paso, TX and San Diego in comparison to 23 other cities in the U.S. Take a look at the FBI data that ranks cities by murder rate.
- The Pew Research Center found that Asians have supplanted Hispanics as the largest group of newcomers. The organization also reports that views of immigrants are largely split along party lines in America. 71% of Republicans say immigrants in the U.S. are making crime worse, compared with 35% of Democrats.
- The Union Tribune reported a disturbing shooting incident in San Ysidro. A man wielding a replica gun was shot and killed by police officers. During a 911 call at 1:15 a.m., the man said he wanted to shoot a female. When police made it to the apartments, he pointed the gun at them and when he didn’t drop it, three officers fired.
- The South Border Communities Coalition (SBCC) continues to follow reports about Border Patrol agents’ use of deadly force.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection rescued three people at the top of Otay Mountain who were attempting to enter the U.S. illegally. A member of their group was in medical distress, so they called 911. CBP launched a helicopter out of Brownfield and rescued the men, locating them through pictures on the lost man’s cell phone. You may remember my post aboutBoundary Monument #251 when Border Patrol gave me a tour of the rugged terrain where no boundary fences exists. A man casually sat at the top and I was asked to wait in the unit while they took him in for processing.
- SANDAG came out with its Mid-Year 2015 Crime Statistics. How did the South Bay fare? Crime was down in Chula Vista, National City and Imperial Beach by 11%, 14% and 30% respectively. Although violent crimes were down in Chula Vista and Imperial Beach, National City sill saw 6 violent crimes in 2015, the largest number in the County. Property crime rates, however, also went down across the board. (Del Mar had the highest rate of property crimes.)
Water, the Port and Defamation
- The Sweetwater Authority Water District broke ground on their Desalination project, expected to be complete in 2017. As you may know, desalination plants are set to open in Carlsbad, Camp Pendleton, Rosarito and Ensenada. You may remember my interview with Mark Watton, the General Manager of the Otay Water District. He wants to secure rights to some of the water at the desalination plant in Rosarito. Between desalination and recycled sources, San Diego could be on its way to independent sources of water. (Currently it imports at least 85% of its water.) Is desalination the dream cure for all our water woes? You might want to take a look at the potential consequences of desalination plants, reported by Scientific American in 2009.
- Ashly McGlone continues to bring us information about National City’s desire to have its own beautiful waterfront park. The problem: Pasha Automotive company imports and exports a vast number of automobiles right next to the park and is an eyesore. The industrial field of sprawling automobiles doesn’t mesh aesthetically with a public park that offers boating, kayaking and fishing. The National City Mayor and Port commissioners are trying to work out how to have both beauty and eyesore stand together.
- In Chula Vista, City Councilmember John McCann sued and lost a defamation lawsuit against the San Diego Building Trade and Chula Vista Voters Against Corruption. He now owes the defendants hefty legal fees after San Diego Superior Court judge ruled that statements made in a campaign mailer sent out to Chula Vista voters was not considered defamation.
And the most heartbreaking story this week:
Flesh Eating Bacteria
- A 14-year-old Chula Vistan had his right leg amputated in order to prevent the spread of a flesh-eating bacteria, necrotizing fasciitis. A freshman at Chula Vista High School, his parents have a GoFundMe page where they describe their family’s scary ordeal.
Notable Events
- The Living Coast Discovery Center is free for kids throughout October. They have all sorts of events in October from the “Mysterious Midnight on the Marsh” to Composting workshops.
- Also at the Living Coast Discovery Center, go see the Shaw’s Agave that only blooms once in their lifetime after about 30 years. They are an endangered California plant and are located near Border Field State Park and the Tijuana Estuary.
- Finally, on October 22nd at 5 p.m. at the Bonita Museum (4355 Bonita Road) my very ownSouth Bay Historical Society will host Richard Carrico as he discusses the role of the ocean and bays in Kumeyaay culture, including in Chula Vista and National City. (Disclosure: I’m a proud board member.)
Barbara Zaragoza is a freelance writer who covers the South Bay, San Diego. She recently published a photographic history of San Ysidro and the Tijuana River Valley and also writes about arts, culture & activism at SouthBayCompass.com. Barbara is a multiple award winner of the Society of Professional Journalists, San Diego chapter, 2016 Journalism Awards.
Great column. So Bay has always seemed out of reach and that’s my
bad, but also major media’s. Too often the stories are light and bright
and without any local political coverage and it’s easy to turn north and
read about the Chargers and the The Convention Center. Same goes
for No County, where the elites haven’t made up their minds if they
oppose or favor democracy.