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Thursday, June 20, 2013
Midtown shooting death sparks response from neighbors
by Melissa Corker, published on August 20, 2012 at 7:58 AM
Storyline: Politics
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After the shooting death of a 32-year old man Friday night near 28th and J streets, Midtown residents are responding with a protest of an alcohol license, and pleas for Mayor Kevin Johnson to act.
“This issue has not yet been dealt with a long-term sustainable manner and now someone has died from gun violence,” George Raya and Julie Murphy wrote in a press release from the Marshall School/New Era Neighborhood Association. [See the full text of the press release below]
Sacramento County Coroner identified Friday’s shooting victim as Joseph A. Long of Carmichael. Long was a bystander and not involved in the incident, according to police.
“One of my close friends that made an incredible difference in my life was senselessly shot last night,” wrote Christian Freed on a SacPress article about the shooting. “No need to throw blames or angry words. We loved him, he will be missed with all our hearts.”
[Editor’s note: Attempts to contact Freed to verify his identity have so far proven unsuccessful]
In response to the shooting, Raya and Murphy called on Johnson to focus public safety resources on identifying the causes of violence in the area, and to act to “bring a sense of safety and security back to our neighborhood,” the release stated.
According to Sutter District security logs, the release states, there has been an escalation of violence in the area in recent months, including a 20-person fight June 8, a 17-person melee July 13 and a day-time assault that occurred at Marshall Park Aug. 13.
To some, there is a need for increasing police presence – but others disagree that the answer is more police on the streets.
“A greater police presence could not have kept this from happening,” Freed commented on the Sac Press article. “No amount of throwing blame around will bring our dear friend back.”
The shooting, which occurred near a Midtown block of popular bars and restaurants, spurred at least one Midtown resident to make plans to file a protest against the proposed alcohol license transfer for Harlow’s Nightclub, one of several clubs located on the 2800 block of J Street.
Midtown resident Vito Sgromo said in an email that he and other neighbors were filing protests with ABC officials due to the increased crime near that location.
“I hope I can count on Sac Police support due to the increased crime in this location,” Sgromo wrote in the email.
The police investigation is still under way, and no arrests have been made.
Press release: Marshall School/New Era Park Neighborhood Association
Our neighborhood association extends our condolences to the family and friends of the unidentified Sutter District shooting victim. Residents are shocked and alarmed by the senseless death of an innocent bystander due to the gunfight between two groups near 28th and J Streets. Escalating violence in the Sutter District of Midtown has become an increasing concern of residents in the area.
We call upon Mayor Kevin Johnson focus the public safety resources necessary to identify the causes of the violence in our neighborhood and bring a sense of safety and security back to our neighborhood.
This issue has not yet been dealt with a long-term sustainable manner and now someone has died from gun violence. According to Sutter District security logs, there has been a escalation of violence on this area in recent months. There was a 20-person fight on June 8 and a 17-person melee on July 13. In addition, there was an day-time assault at Marshall Park on August 13. We have been working with Sacramento Police, city park rangers, and business owners to address ensure the safety of residents and visitors to the Sutter District but additional resources are needed.
This violence must end in our neighborhood and in our community.
George Raya & Julie Murphy
Marshall School/New Era Neighborhood Association
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Melissa Corker is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter @MelissaCorker.
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The City Manager receives his "marching orders" from the City Council, of which the mayor is the the presiding officer.
Calling on the mayor and the council members to act, in this tragic case, is the correct response!
PS: To Melissa & Jarred, Two inter-related stories, with different story tags not to mention almost entirely different community tags outside of the "midtown" Tag?
Here's one community tag suggestion SPD PIO, since individuals change, not the position.
I was out Friday night close to that area during that time and got chills when I heard the news. It could have been anyone.
I am very curious though, has anyone confirmed that the shooter(s) were drinking at the surrounding establishments, or drinking at all, that night?
Given those related actions, where, on a numeric scale, does alcohol abuse rank as a precursors to those actions? Significant assumption? Hardly!
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/not-a-pretty-picture/content?oid=7793
A lot of dreams for "The Boulevard" vaporized and/or were shelved that day...resurrected in 2005-2008...only to run head on to the "perfect storm" melt down of the economy.
Police had a lot of very drunk and impaired witnesses to interview... all that to say, there was no description of a suspect(s) to give. You can see the video interview with Sgt. Andrew Pettit here: http://sacmav.com/2012/08/18/j-street-shoot-out-leaves-one-dead-in-the-sutter-disctrict/
The Mayor is quite hard to actually pin down when asked where he stands on salient issues. For several years he refused to state where he stood on legalizing back yard chicken keeping - yet he kept blathering on and on at many public functions how passionate he was about Food Sustainability in the urban foodshed.
Having failed to negotiate with the Maloofs about a new sports arena - viewing his failure to reduce violent crime/murders/rapes in Midtown Downtown - don't expect the Mayor to take a leadership stand on a moratorium on liquor licenses.
I knew the young man who was murdered in cold blood a few years ago at the corner of 19th & J Streets. He was also an innocent bystander who got caught in the cross fire of gang activity. Mayor Johnson did NOTHING about that murder and I seriously doubt he will do anything to curtail giving out liquor licenses like candy to just about anyone who has the money to pay for it and can pass fingerprint/background checks.
Bottom Line - unless there is political capital to be made - the Mayor won't take a leadership stance on ANYTHING controversial.
I think he should leave politics at the end of his term and devote himself to a career in sports broadcasting - stick to being a celebrity and do pro bono work as a motivational speak with at risk youngsters.
There is a LOT of crime in my neighborhood - violent crime, petty theft, home robberies, stolen cars - the garbage dumpsters in my apt bldg in the alley are constantly being broken into - some dirt bags steal they recyclabes - the security gates in my apt bldg are always being broken by thugs. There are drunks pissing in the street in plain view of pedestrians and this is all happening in lovely Midtown and the expensive part of Mansion Flats.
I've seen no discernable improvement in the quality of life since Mayor Johnson took office. I have not that much against him personally - except that he flew into public office on water wings due to his sex appeal, celebrity status as a ball player. I blame the voters who don't vote based on qualifications - but instead on "star power".
Fed Up Midtown Resident - Mansion Flats