Dude wrote on May 4, 2008 2:03 PM:The gang problem is now being seen in just about every neighborhood in Oceanside. The OPD are totally incapable of doing anything about it and seem more concerned with extorting pay raises out of the taxpayers. We should contract with the Sheriffs Dept. for our law enforcement. San Clemente did this and they are a much safer city now.

Not amused wrote on May 4, 2008 2:24 PM:Dude, Your comment is so moronic, that there is no need to contest the content of it. By the way, San Clemente is in Orange County. Read the paper lately about OCSO?

Bogie wrote on May 4, 2008 2:44 PM:Dude,

How dare you. I cannot form the words that will tell how much I disagree with you. When it comes down to "bad cops" or "bad citizens" I'll take the bad cops every day and all day ...

please. wrote on May 4, 2008 3:26 PM:...people are entitled to their own opinions. you have no right to demoralize Dude poster. Keep your negative comments to yourself.

OPD RULES wrote on May 4, 2008 5:11 PM:Dude, you are totally clueless. Last weekend, OPD did a gang sweep and arrested about 50 gang members in a single night. You need to talk to the City who keeps bringing low income housing and drug treatment facilities into the city. When you have to get up at night to go to the bathroom, look out your window because OPD is out there protecting the streets so that you can sleep safely in your warm bed.

Priorities First wrote on May 4, 2008 5:35 PM:Looks as if they are more concerned about sitting in their offices over there on Mission and scouring Craigslist to drum up some busts for people hooking up together in motel rooms. To heck with the safety of the residents of Oceanside. Great priorities OPD.

not amused wrote on May 4, 2008 5:47 PM:Yes of course, only negative comments YOU agree with shold be posted. PS who made you the blog police?

RHINOSAURUSREX....... wrote on May 4, 2008 5:53 PM:Oceanside needs a Citizens' Review
Board...and a contract with the San Diego
County Sheriff Dept...Like Vista and San Marcos...the Fire Dept&the out of control
police dept...greed eats up the biggest part of Oceanside's budget...the greedy cops will never get paid enough and it's crippling the Oceanside general...... fund...wake-up!!.....OCEANSIDE!!

Tp Priorities First wrote on May 4, 2008 7:49 PM:You get busted recently? Just curious why you would rant about vice detectives going after prostitution...guess next you'll be complaining about street sweepers sweeping the streets

To all Parents wrote on May 4, 2008 8:02 PM:Make sure when you send your kids to either school or on the streets they look like civilized people. Many times gangs shoot at those wearing those baggie clothes with hooded jackets and walkind like imbecils. Not to mention all the tattos and other humiliating apperal. Noow I don't mean that you have to go to Macys and buy expensive clothes. For all I care you can go to the Bazar abd buy some fake Perry Ellis Clothes. So there you have it, wearing decent clothes keeps you from being shot by these gangs. Ok unless you are really a gangbanger

Oceanside wrote on May 4, 2008 8:21 PM:Oceanside is becoming out of control, with the gang problem....... IT IS TIME TO DO SOMETHING NOW BEFORE IT BECOMES OUT OF CONTROL!!!! I am disgusted by what this town is becoming.... What happened to Oceanside??? I mean we have had our problems with the coastlines... Meaning former Hill Street, but this is out of control. Complete middle class neighborhoods, being tagged... this is OUT OF CONTROL....

Hmmm... wrote on May 4, 2008 8:53 PM:PROBLEM: OVERPAID, INEFFECTIVE, POLICE DEPT.

SOLUTION: SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF

NUFF' SAID

Oceansides Gang Problem wrote on May 4, 2008 9:15 PM:has been out of control for years! The gang members have more rights than regular citizens. The police have to be especially diligent with making stops because of the politically correct world we live in. A samoan wearing all red in the back gate area whines and complains they are being stopped because THAT day they weren't involved in gang activity and feel they were being "profiled"...

Political correctness is killing this country!!! Until the laws and punishments are changed to severly penalize gang members just for being gang members, they will thrive and grow in this area.

ncounty.. wrote on May 4, 2008 11:37 PM:the area is very transient..families come and go..but where are these young people learning to do this..plus how are weapons obtained..are we into 4th gen.gangs..do the experienced passing on
to the younger ones..painful/loss of loved one/human life..for what.....parents older relatives..help
end this...

Born and raised and still here wrote on May 5, 2008 12:26 AM:Getting out of control? Where have you been for the past 30 years? It has never been better here! Crime is waaaaay lower than it was back in the day. Until this city gets rid of the low income neighborhoods there will always be violent crime. Period. Oh, and guess what OPD Haters, criminals have constitutional rights just like you. This is real life, not television. What, you think the cops can just kick in doors? Get an intellect.

Paco wrote on May 5, 2008 6:25 AM:I cannot stand street sweepers. Every weekend I go out and clean my sidewalk and gutter and the darn street sweeper just goes and messes it up. It's time we all rally together to stop this crime from perpetuating. Do you think we can contract this out with a foreign contractor to clean our streets.

Did Oceanside ever wrote on May 5, 2008 6:36 AM:solve the case of the San Diego Police Officer who shot the 8 year old?

jose wrote on May 5, 2008 6:39 AM:Just sit back and watch it.After a while the attrition rate makes the gang problem into the gang solution.

Clueless wrote on May 5, 2008 7:01 AM:Here we go again, but the victim was a Gang member, i know, i live right by his family..Very sad for the family, but when is the OPD going to take action and when is the Mayor going to take action?..were was the gang unit, or are we going to have some knee jerk reaction, throw a few more cops on the street, for a while until everyone forgets....I wont forget, when it comes time to elect a new Mayor

Mark wrote on May 5, 2008 7:01 AM:HEY OPD:
LOOKING FOR GANG MEMBERS? VISIT THE OCEANSIDE DRIVE-IN SWAP MEET ON ANY SUNDAY. LOTS OF UNLICENSED / UNREGISTERED CARS THERE AS WELL.

I wouldnt wrote on May 5, 2008 7:35 AM:take the sprinter to Oceanside, I would have to wait for another sprinter to get me out of there! Do they issue visitors, bullet proof vests?

To I Wouldnt Take the Sprinter.. wrote on May 5, 2008 7:54 AM:You wouldn't come to Oceanside? If you would be taking the sprinter that means that you would be coming from Escondido, San Marcos or Vista. Are you saying there are no gangs in those towns? Yeah right!

Hey clueless wrote on May 5, 2008 8:10 AM:There are 4 detectives and 4 officers dealing with over 1000 gang members in the city. Yeah, that sounds like they could stop all the gang crime in the city. Get real genious. If you want to complain about the gang problem, don't blame officers that work their tails off, blame the parents. That is where the real blame lies. If you think otherwise, you really are clueless.

wrote on May 5, 2008 8:18 AM:ITS FUNNY, READING THROUGH ALL THESE COMMENTS AND ALL THEY MENTION IS GANG THIS, GANG THAT!!
I KNEW CESAR, AND NO, HE WASN'T A GANG MEMBER..SO EVERYONE WITH THE HEADS UP THEIR BUTTS, NEED TO PULL IT OUT..PEOPLE DO GET SHOT, THAT ARE INNOCENT!!
EVER HEARD THE SAYING TO GOOD DIE YOUNG?
MAY CESAR REST IN PEACE, AND My PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY

esteban wrote on May 5, 2008 8:49 AM:Gangs are gutless cowards. And people who complain that the cops do nothing about gangs are just as cowardly. Gangs take over neighborhoods because people let them.

violins wrote on May 5, 2008 9:32 AM:I dont see the problem with violins in oceanside. I have allways liked violins
If we had more violins in oceanside i think it would be a good thing. why is everyone picking on violins? someone needs to pick on trumpets or gutars or picalows. lets give violins a break.

Cindy wrote on May 5, 2008 9:41 AM:I just want to say that our heart goes out to the family and friends of this loved brother and loved son . May they live on in his memory forever!

clm wrote on May 5, 2008 10:00 AM:Oceanside is definitely getting better as a whole. The coast and downtown is going high end, the older inland areas will continue to follow the trend. It won't get rid of the lowlifes but it will move them farther and farther inland.

To esteban wrote on May 5, 2008 10:00 AM:When you go out and face the gang problem head on make sure you take an extra depends because you will need it.

Sara wrote on May 5, 2008 10:03 AM:I have been a victim of gang violence back in 1998 while in O'side. I will not ever return after moving out several years ago. Whether it is gang related or not the neighborhoods are not safe.Many people are not aware of the problem because they live there and are used to the lifestyle. Most other neighborhoods in SD county are not like this. The parents let there 2nd generation children run wild in the streets, drugs have taken over and no one can stop them. We need to start treating gangs as domestic terrorists and get the federal gov involved instead of blowing all our funds fighting in Iraq.

lets all rember what the Valley use to be like wrote on May 5, 2008 10:13 AM:Any city in the USA has shootings! Even Oceanside! OPD has done a great job!

Poor Sara wrote on May 5, 2008 10:44 AM:Gangs have been around alot longer than the Iraq war.... good try.

Oceanside wrote on May 5, 2008 11:34 AM:is the arm pit of North County.

Carlsperfect wrote on May 5, 2008 11:54 AM:lets all rember what the Valley use to be like
[-] wrote on May 5, 2008 10:13 AM:
Any city in the USA has shootings! Even Oceanside! OPD has done a great job!

Not Carlsbad! We're perfect. There is no crime here. We don't even need a sewer system or trash collection, we're so clean. Just as us ...

No name... wrote on May 5, 2008 12:13 PM:Hate to burst your bubble but this shooting has everything to do with gangs. Do you think this was a shooting between two circus clowns? Face reality.

I love Oceanside wrote on May 5, 2008 12:58 PM:I moved here 20 years ago and at THAT time, I was afraid to go downtown. It was murder capital USA. Now, 20 years later, I and my kids go weekly, without fear. I love the city, the beach and all the shops springing up on PCH. I love the Thursday market and take my 90 year old mom to get fruits and vegies, WITHOUT fear. The OPD has done a great job of cleaning up the city and environs. The fact that gang bangers inhabit high crime neighborhoods and congregate in the valley has nothing to do with the actual city and community of Oceanside. With time, Oceanside will be the shining city on the sea and live up to it's gang free potential.

esteban wrote on May 5, 2008 1:01 PM:I think the two men in dark clothes where either gang bangers or off duty cops.

Mestizo wrote on May 5, 2008 2:04 PM:I was born and raised in O'side for 32yrs now. There's good and bad areas. Those who choose to put themselves in bad situations have a greater chance of something bad happening to them. It's not on OPD. You hang out late at night doing what you shouldn't be doing you might get shot. Stay above gangs by not joining them,.

Girls Rule wrote on May 5, 2008 2:35 PM:Esteban and Clueless. The young man who was shot, was shot by two men wearing dark clothing. All these ridiculous assumptions are truly what brings down Oceanside; I've never experienced such ridiculous sentiments as these on this subject. SHADDUP unless you want to volunteer to work at the OPD or the SHERIFF offices, and make a real change, Monday quarterbacks!!

NCLOCAL wrote on May 5, 2008 2:45 PM:Dude, they may have thier hands tied because of people like you, no trust-no support.

outoftowner wrote on May 5, 2008 5:21 PM:oceanside needs more police

More Police wrote on May 5, 2008 7:14 PM:I thought we had freed up so much time from the OPD, with the red light cameras!!!

Concerned Parent wrote on May 5, 2008 8:30 PM:Until the families of these kids start taking responsibility for what's happening, this problem will continue, no matter how diligent OPD is. Gang members are having children who become gang members. Until people are willing to come forward and put these people where they belong, nothing will be solved.

Just a thought... wrote on May 5, 2008 10:39 PM:Considering there is 1 officer per 1,000 residents in Oceanside and 45 square miles to cover why don't you all try helping out! Get out in your neighborhoods and show criminals that their activity is not welcome here! Start a Neighborhood Watch group, look out your windows for suspicious activity and report it! Instead of sitting at your computers and expecting others to take care of your community, be proactive. Quit whining about how OPD is supposed to solve all of your problems and DO something yourself to improve OUR city.

Build a CoCos wrote on May 6, 2008 8:28 AM:In each gang neighborhood... the cops love sitting behind those and writing tickets....

To Just a thought wrote on May 6, 2008 8:30 AM:Yeah lets send our troops in with no weapons... heck take the guns away from the cops... A neighborhood watch in a gang area is as bad as going to war with no weapons... unless the Sheriff wants to arm honest citizens so we can protect ourselves

esteban wrote on May 6, 2008 9:36 AM:Remember good folks...the esteban post from 1:01 PM was from the gutless imposter. He's just trying to smear me.

Tomas wrote on May 6, 2008 11:19 AM:Esteban - you'd think the NCT staff person reviewing the blog entries before posting would be able to pick up on those gutless imposters (which they are), by noting their IP addresses, and not wasting everyone's time.

Regarding the article - OPD does the best they can, with what they have. Those wanting the SDSO to take over would end up complaining later about how heavy handed they are. They have their hands full doing a fine job in Vista/Fallbrook/San Marcos with their over-stretched resources.

Shannon wrote on May 6, 2008 2:09 PM:I know the family and they don't need to hear all of your stupid thoughts of what YOU assume what the cause of the shooting. The only thing that matters is Cesar was a child to young to die no matter how he dressed or who he knew. My love & prayer's go out to his family, love you...

Low Income wrote on May 6, 2008 10:09 PM:I just feel bad for the people who aren't low income and are educated. Having to deal with families who lack far more education than can be measured must be difficult. Poor decisions, lack of schooling, daily routines and environments THAT THEY THEMSELVES CHOOSE TO BE IN, I must know..... I live here and have my entire life.

MESA res wrote on May 6, 2008 10:12 PM:I don't care what any of you say you know; I live in the local area so my witness > yours.

If anyone questions why this could of happened you are absolutely STUPID. PERIOD.

Look around.... the poor stay poor in this area because of what they choose to do on a daily basis, how they dress DOES PLAY A ROLE. It represents who you are and what you are about. They lack education, morals, and promise.

truth wrote on May 6, 2008 10:21 PM:I think it's funny how one peson can say they are a nice family and then people living in that area see things highly different: with loud parties (especially when parents were gone) drug issues, gangs walking around from local and vista (mostly mexican) and tagging most of the city.....

why are we even discussing this... this is stupid.

1+1=2

yamel wrote on May 7, 2008 1:31 AM:cesar was a loved son, brother and friend..may we live on your memory forever..
I love you cesar!!

Amy wrote on May 7, 2008 11:39 AM:Theres been a memorial fund set up at Bank Of America in Cesar Melgar's name. Anyone who has ever lost a loved one knows that this is a very,very difficult time for the family. Any donations, 5$, 10$, or even 1$ would be greatly apprieciated. If anyone has any questions you can email me ...

Lori wrote on May 7, 2008 11:46 AM:I personally know the family of the victim. I would like to ask that the negative comments being posted be kept to a minimal, Cesar's family and friends are having a very difficult time right now, and I can clearly see many are reading this blog. Lets be sensitive to this time of mourning for them. If theres nothing productive to say leave it alone right now, these negative remarks and personal attacks are doing nothing good for any of us!

cgc wrote on May 7, 2008 12:34 PM:becareful for what you say because someone in your own family could be next...nobody is perfect and cesar was a good person...

rmey wrote on May 9, 2008 12:51 PM:If the city of Oceanside are not doing there job, election time get them out. Hold those resposible that are running the city to clean up the city. If the OSPD cant handle the gangs we have a awsome military base full of marines that could Probably get it done very quicky. Oceanside has a great potential to be a wonderful city, but as long as they cater to low income which attracts gangs, drugs, and just plain trash things will not change. It is up to the People that are paying taxes to demand change in Oceanside.

Joe wrote on May 10, 2008 6:22 AM:Put all the "hooded wanna bees" in the Marine Corps. Let's see how tought those punks think they are!

Pirate wrote on May 10, 2008 6:54 AM:I love Oceanside. Go away Carlosbad

carlos wrote on May 10, 2008 7:11 PM:its a shame to see where our generation has gone!If you where a certain clothing or color your in risk of getting killed.Blame this on minorities with their "thug" mentality.They should take advantage of education abd career opportunities to better themselves and get out of low income housing and horrible neighberhoods.Trust me if i did they can do it,by them i refer to the youth of our nation

The Marine Corps is gonna help these idiots wrote on May 10, 2008 9:16 PM:You see the PC police andlwyers have created this mess. When DI's hits a recruit they cry foul and the DI is fired! Teachers grade students hard or tell a punk to shut up or put them in thier place , the teacher is fired. The kids of today are no respecful of rukles of adults. The adults are not allowed to do what is needed and we have created a society of new punks whodemand everything for nothing! Not to mention the crappy pot smoking liberla parents who are breeding and not raising them! Sho me a trouble kid and I will show you a scum bag parent! Regardless of the parents income! Parents are doing their job! Poeple quit and divorce and wonder why we have kids running wild! There is always the exception but most parents are to blame for the criminals kids and punks and things! Dressing like punks and walking like punks, thanks 60s parents!