Resurrecting a police gang and drug task force has been a priority for city officials. That priority is now likely near the top of the city council's to-do list after the recent .
City officials are working to develop its next two-year budget, and will have to make tough decisions facing a $4 million deficit, Mayor John Marchand said. The council is scheduled to adopt its fiscal year 2012-2013 budget in June.
Police Chief Steve Sweeney says he would like to add additional officers to the department to help bring back a unit that would focus on drugs and gangs in town. The department currently has 83 officers on staff — down from the 95 officers employed in 2009.
"We're looking to add more resources to the police department if we can," Sweeney said. "In the meantime we are looking at better ways to reorganize (officers to cover) gang and drug issues."
Marchand said residents have voiced public safety to be their No. 1 priority.
"We will do everything we can," Marchand said of adding additional officers. "We may well have to shift resources from one department to another in order to accomodate that."
Meanwhile, met with Marchand and police to discuss the Easter shooting. Officials provided information on Neighborhood Watch groups and other resources to help residents.
"I wanted to bring the neighborhood together so that they can work together," Marchand said.
Sweeney also reminded residents that they are the eyes and ears of the city, and encouraged neighbors to report any suspicious activity and crime to the police department.
"We need your help," Sweeney said. "It’s really working together that keeps us a safe community."
If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch in your neighborhood you can contact Nicole Aguon with the at 925-371-4978.
If you would like to join the Springtown/Vasco/Scenic area Neighborhood Watch, contact at katlaing@comcast.net.
The first city service that should be cut to provide adequate police protection is the service to the regional theater bond.
I am pleased to read this I must say. It has been a huge concern of mine and many of my friends whose children are entering middle and high school. It has gotten so severe, some are wanting to move..... I do not allow my son to wear the color red when we are downtown or just out and about ...... The Easter Sunday shooting just rocked us already concerned parents. This needs to be addressed fast......before it spreads like wild fire......and it will. Thank you for making this a priority. As the safety of our children and our community should come first.
So to answer your question, the plans for a 2,000 seat theater are buried (especially with meetings during work days) but it is not dead. The link about the oversight committee http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=oversight+committee+Livermore+RDA+meetings&oq=oversight+committee+Livermore+RDA+meetings&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_nf=1&gs_l=serp.3...3528.5983.0.6265.9.9.0.0.0.0.250.1720.0j4j5.9.0.86o6pd7MK2k&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=98f6d9d2e4b0df84
Attention City Council Members: We need more police officers and if you don't every single one of you will be voted out of office. People are concerned, angry, worried and are not going to sit by idly and let this happen to our town.
It is time for Marchand and Co. to spend less time finding ways to make themselves popular at cocktail parties and city events, and a LOT more time on getting the varied Norteno and Sureno problem dealt with unless they want more folks to be in Zimmerman's shoes. Yep, I said it.
http://www.independentnews.com/news/article_5daf227a-00e1-11e1-8291-001cc4c03286.html
Gangs fight gangs not other people. Getting invold and snitching could change that and put us in danger. Mined your buisness and they will mined theres. They only hate one thing more then there rivals and thats snitches. Just my thoughts on this subject. I mean better for bullets to be aimed at there enemies then me or my family.