HELP wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:13 PM:THE CITY NEEDS TO LOOK HARD AT THE APARTMENTS WHERE THIS HAPPENED, LOTS OF TROUBLE AT THOSE APARTMENTS, WAKEUP CITY OF TEMECULA,

Marie wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:37 PM:Another shooting in Temecula near old town. I live here and it is becoming all too frequent. With the new city hall coming in maybe the city officials will try to clean up the trouble spots that exist in this area. We have had 5 shootings..in the last couple of years. Doesn't this throw up some sort of red flag? Its disturbing.

Plummeting wrote on Sep 23, 2008 7:57 PM:Temecula just sank even further down the list of Safest Cities. How does it feel to be way below Moreno Valley now?

Gina wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:17 PM:It is so sad that this has come to our once sleepy and sweet town...what a shame!

yaa wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:34 AM:maybe if we keep building those tall buildings in new town they can hide this ghetto from where we can all see it and then bring in more problems
we should have just left old town alone
cuz then there wouldnt be any apartment projects to have shootings at to begin with

wow wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:35 AM:haha a twelve pack of beer and a transister radio with a fork in it as an antenna? and they cant even speak english? this sounds like a complex they just tore down in escondido
maybe its time to do the same here!

Ford wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:53 AM:Good thing I never spent $400,000+ to buy a home in Temecula. The city has gone down hill so badly in the last "six or seven years" that I could get a better deal in almost any other city around here and get half the crime stats.

Sorry Marie wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:43 AM:Its a fact that these low income apartments bring with them more crime. BUT-
Some people are making alot of money putting in low income housing in Old Town. You see, it's redevelopment money- basically few strings attached and you can have a BIG forgivable loan of redevelopment funds from the city. Also, this "RDA" money is not watched as closely as regular city funds so its easy to "lose" some of it, if you know what I mean. Get involved, Marie and become informed on these shady city practices. We can only ask so much of our Police, we need to hold the city accountable for this.

oh brother wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:59 AM:the owner of the complex needs to get serious and make a meaningful contribution to the community with his project...not just stuff money in his pockets. i wonder if this is section 8 housing? wonder if these guys are legal residents? works doing landscaping for his friends in de luz? is this employment? lots of questions. no answers here for sure.

Temecula Fan wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:24 AM:Temecula is not on the same level as Moreno Valley or any of those other cities...Temecula is still one of the safest places, and if you dont agree go find somewhere else that is. Oh yeah, those types of places dont exsist anymore do they...its sad but true. Five shootings in a couple of years isnt great but it could be so much worse. And to all of you that complain...do something about it instead of throwing out your complaints all the time!

McCainiac wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:27 AM:This is how cowards operate. It is no secret that there is a large population of gang members in that area.Maybe it's time to make life a little more irritable for them.Step it up TPD.Shake them down every time they leave the front door.

To Plummeting wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:41 AM:Looks like its time for you to move to Moreno Valley.

Amazed wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:07 AM:This sort of random violence has happened for years in this an many other towns in the area and all across the nation for that matter. I remember shootings in the early 90's in old town far more frequently than now. The Shakin Cats were causing trouble and the club oddessy was drawing in gangsters from moreno valley and fallbrook and they were fighting. Don't play like it was all serene back in the day, cause it was actually worse then. This is a great town, and I think this crime needs to be solved. But this crime does not define Temecula, the other 99.99% of the city defines its future. Make it yours and make it good and this will become a thing of the past.

Sick wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:47 AM:Someone that can say haha when a life was lost!!! What a sick person. Nothing is funny about someone being killed wheather he spoke english or not.
Amazing how their are still a few and I say few closet racist out there, you are aware you are a dwindling breed right? Look around you...

To To Plummeting wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:29 AM:Maybe you're right, at least I know I'll be lots safer than living in Teme-crimewave. Good job city council for approving a new ghetto!

Move wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:22 AM:If all of you complainers are so afraid, move. Temecula is a safe city and you can spin the statistics however you want. The Police are effective and do an outstanding job here and I have NEVER, ever been afraid to live here.

Going down.. wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:24 AM:not worth that long drive anymore....gas prices up, crime up, no value in the homes. Saw that coming a long time ago. Sold 3 years ago and came back to San Diego County. Oh yeah...when is that "waterpark" being built? Oh...they are still talking about it?? Typical of Temecula and Murrieta all talk no action.

Tam wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:26 AM:I am surprised at how many people are so judgemental. Every city has a ghettto area. Everyone is not rich and can't afford $400.000 homes or $2500.00 rent. You are all so high and mighty, get out there and do something about the crime. Try to help some of these people. Someone lost a life. Just because he didn't speak english does not mean he is a bad person. Quit judging people. Get all the facts. By the way I am white and i live in a very nice neighborhood but just because I am fortunate does not give me or you the right to judge other people. I don't like crime that is why I chose Temecula. At the same time I didn't know so many people here were so high and mighty. I live off Butterfield Stage on Kingston and everyone in this area is rude. Wake up your no better than anyone else. Help make this city a better place instead of complaining. First try to communicate with your neighbors and other people around town.

Californians wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:16 PM:As a whole, people from California are pathetic. Everyone for themselves, everyone has their own pet-cause; pathetic. Go to any other state and it's not like this. I find myself always telling friends in other states what a horrendous "hole" this state is. Pick your city in this so-called state; it's pathetic.

To Californians wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:34 PM:Thank you!!!! Everyone is so self absorbed. I haven't lived in many cities in California, but Temecula people are some of the worst i've seen.

It about time wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:54 PM:I'm surprised the article even mentioned "TEMECULA." Usually this paper would relate any bad press to Murrieta. Ex. "Town nearby Murrieta suffers another shooting."

temeculaMurrieta wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:15 PM:suck. Lived there for 5 years and hated every bit of it. Nothing but a bunch of cheap homes piled on top of each other. Takes an hour to go anywhere decent. Glad to be out of that mess.

To Tam wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:51 PM:Well said I totally agree with you. Another thing why do people always judge? Doesn't matter what race the victim was the point is that "someone" lost their life! It shouldn't matter on race, color rich or poor, we are all equal! No, one is better than the other! Wake up people if you think that Temecula is a bad city than as a resident do something positive to better your city than to complain!

to temeculaMurrieta... wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:52 PM:Where in the great state of California is there an area where cheap homes are not piled on top of each other? It takes an hour to go anywhere in any city in the so cal area and I will bet the crime is even worse in any other city. But the logic does make for a good laugh.

Temecula Old Town Down Hill wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:03 PM:Used to be a Old Town in need of help, but people still came for the diverse and interesting shops. The City and trends managed to malign and denigrate the antique business. The large ticket shopper money left Old Town, with few exceptions, and was replaced with with beer bars,and restaurants. We have had a large number of stores go out of business since this redevelopement tap dance started. Some because of poor business practice, but most because big dollar customers are going to other places. This is the gas lamp district the city wanted. It's all about entertainment and free. Low income housing is a important and necessary priority for any City. Most Cities don't put that housing right in the middle of their Historic District. It is being done for profit dollars made by certain developers. It's called dial for redevelopment dollars. Crime is caused by many factors, such a huge growth, decline in personal income,lack of law enforcement presence, and a whole bunch of drunks in one area. Temecula has, due to complaints, increased its police patrols in Old Town. Other then that one plus Old Town is going down the tubes and has become another big real estate developement full of hype, and BS. Listen carefully and you'll the sound of greebacks being but in the back pockets of the insiders. I believe some of that money is not being made on the up and up. Time will tell. Old Doc Pane

To TemeculaMurrieta wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:15 PM:Please tell us where you moved...

to TemeculaMurrieta wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:40 PM:You're a joke! You brag about how you're so glad you left Temecula, and yet, here you are spending your time reading every little story about the town you miss! If you hate Temecula so much, try to not care and read every story, blog about it, etc. You probably live in Escondido now and wish you were here....HA!

Californians right wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:42 PM:You are right on the money. This state, and the people that call it their home, are the absolute WORSE! They all know what is best for you (hint; it's THEIR way or no way), and have no notion what the real world is like. If an earthquake dropped this state in the ocean there would be a week-long celebration in the real world.

To Going Down wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:46 PM:I bet you are real happy you bought a home in San Diego. How much have you lost; 50% of the value! I wouldn't try to brag about how smart you are when you bought a 50ft x 50ft dump in a county where the values have plumetted. Yeah, you're a genius! You're all-action all right, dumb actions.

To Going Down.... wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:31 PM:Do you still have value in homes in San Diego? NOT!!!!! Such an overrated city. haha Some people and their logic. haha

here wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:38 PM:the apartments where the shooting took place are real bad, I know because I live there.

Lived a Lot of Places wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:52 PM:Interesting how many people bitch about california, but they're here. I was born in California, lived in Colorado, New mexico and Wyoming, and always wind up back in California. It's the climate. If you're watching a football game in, let's say, Michigan on New Years day and you see the sun shining in calif. at the Rose Bowl,it is tempting to move here. I find Californians in general treat people with courtesy compared to some of the jerks in other states. If you feel you can't bear another day in the State, you problably need to move for the benefit of all of us.

Murrieta Mom wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:56 PM:If this state dropped into the ocean, the 7th largest economy in the world would go with it. This is a great state and even a better area to live.Home is where you make it.

43 wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:11 PM:When I was a kid my family would spend weekends at Warner Springs Resort, and Temecula and Murrieta were basically gas station towns and Lake Elsinore was the largest town around. Almost 40 years later, Temecula and Murrieta prosper while Lake Elsinore languishes. How did this happen? One thing is sure, Lake elsinore is 20 minutes from corona and 30minutes from anaheim hills - I have a feeling Lake Elsinore if it ever gets it together will a town Much larger than either Murrieta and Temecula. For my money I like Tenaja, but there arent' any Markets or other amenities up there!

Rusty wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:04 PM:Try Living In LA, its safer here in Temecula

Just so you know... wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:25 PM:...that "getto" (low income housing) area you believe the city "just" put there in Old Town, has been there for close to 25 years or more...in fact, when it was "just" called Temecula.

Lets be honest wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:42 PM:There is no crime in Murrieta. I've lived in Murrieta for years and nothing has happened. But on average, every 3rd time I travel into Temecula, I either get robbed in person, my car gets broken into, or a gay prostitute solicits me. Temecula is a ghetto, Murrieta is eden. The average Temecula citizen is a high school graduate, while the average Murrieta citizen is working on their graduate degree.

Murrieta PD would already have this shooter in custody, and convicted with a life sentence and gang enhancements. But like I said, crime doesn't happen in Murrieta, so this guy will probubly get away.

There is also no smog in Murrieta, but as soon as I drive into Temecula, I can't see the mountains. And my stomach hurts when I look south. I love these blogs.

Lets wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:10 PM:Lets Be Honest hit the nail on the head! For all you Temecula fan, you're so delusional to think that your city is safe. After every shooting, bank robbery, etc., you're the first to say; Oh, my city is safe! Yeah, keep dreaming. Every other city around you is safer, especially Murrieta. Look up Safest City and see where it's ranked. A mall doesn't mean anything if it's dangerous to be anywhere in the city.

LOW INCOME HOUSING wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:30 PM:Low income housing at its best! Why does Temecula continue to place low income housing in its CIty!!! Also, why always choose Old Town for Low Income Housing? Are they trying to make it the ghetto?

Tam Friends wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:13 PM:Tam and To Tam: AMEN! Easy does it everyone else. A man lost his life. Not sure it's those of us living in Temecula that are pathetic as much as the people who go about their merry way everyday and don't look around to see where needs can be met. Dont' want to get into the angry debate over people coming to this great country to make a living, but I've said it here before ... we are all the HUMAN race and putting skin color aside, how are you treating others today?

Preservationist wrote on Sep 25, 2008 12:19 AM:The reason Old Town was chosen as a dumping ground for low income housing, was so ... wouldn't have to build any low cost housing anywhere near all those six figure homes that surround Old Town. Where Rancho West apartments are, for example, was supposed to be a public park. Being a flood plane, it was an unsuitable place to build any housing, as the big flood demonstrated not long after it was built. Thirty low-income units have just been approved for Third Street. Think what that will do to traffic during peak hours. But let's face it, Temecula understands there is a need for more low-income housing, and they have already selected additional places to build these low-income units besides Old Town. Those places are known as Murrieta, Wildomar, and Lake Ellsinore.

To Low income housing wrote on Sep 25, 2008 1:56 AM:As someone said earlier. These houses were there long before "Old Town" became popular. Low income doesn't always mean crime. If the owners were involved in the city's crime free housing compact a lot of what happens wouldn't happen. However, in this case it seems that this person killed was not involved in any gang activity. It's the gangs that need to be eliminated. So people who think there are no gangs in this area need to wake up. There is a gang task force and they know who is who. If you want to know more about it then call your local police or sheriff.

Lets be honest wrote on Sep 25, 2008 2:42 AM:Hey "Lets," I was being sarcastic. wow... These blogs are more fun that I thought.

rsxguy wrote on Sep 25, 2008 4:40 AM:roll some armed security into there with no tolerance orders on drugs or noise to assist the owners in grounds for evictions couple that with getting police to actually go down there and break up parties(because they dont allow security to do that in this state) add on some organized parking with only 2 permits per night( if you dont got a permit or sticker in your window come midnight your gettin towed)

in a couple of weeks youll have all those people out of there...problem with that is getting a property managment to actually take money out of there own pockets to fix the problem

but hey it worked at eagles point in escondido tossed the homies right out and all it took was a month of crackdown with 6 armed security per shift(who might i add were assaulted on multiple occasions and had to lay the goon hand down a few times and when the homies learn that you have guns as well as cops commin there thug courage seems to just fade away)

To Californians right wrote on Sep 25, 2008 6:30 AM:It reallly makes me happy that if an earthquake hit and CA broke off into the ocean killing millions, that the rest of the worlds would be rejoicing. Nice.....I think someone needs to grow up and not wish me or my children dead!!!

Preservationist wrote on Sep 25, 2008 7:02 AM:As a property owner in Old Town, I'll never forget the police reaction to juveniles living in Rancho West vandalizing a mobile home on our property right across the street.. They refused to take action against the vandals, because they informed us it was our fault for having the mobile home that they targeted. The city soon after took us to court to force us to remove the same mobile home, because they claimed it was an eyesore, largely because of the damage done by the gangbangers. When the courts allowed us to keep the mobile if it was fixed up, the city then tried to deny us permission to fix up the very building they called an eyesore. Fortunately, HUD has authority over mobile homes, and we received the permits to fix it up against the wishes of the city. We realize now that the city was hoping to paint us as nuisance property owners, to take our land from us, and hand it over to a developer to build yet another high density slum. Having lived in East L.A., Hollywood, and Downtown L.A., I know what slums are, and Old Town west of has never been a slum, despite our city’s best efforts to turn it into one.

Patrick wrote on Sep 25, 2008 7:46 AM:Why do most comments to articles rarely pertain to the article? A few do but most of you just like to blow hot air at your computer. I would love to get all the people that have commented on this article in a room for an hour and listen to you in person...it would be funny.

Ca Transplant wrote on Sep 25, 2008 7:54 AM:I have lived in so cal for over 30 years now. The things that bug me most about the people in this area is if you do not belong to ####### Chapel or an affiliate of it they want nothing to do with you. During the recent presidental elections I have heard more lies about the canidates coming from these people who call themselves Christians than any other people I have ever met. They are so judgemental (I thought that was Gods job). I think that the temecula police and riverside sheriffs are doing the best they can with the funding they have been provided. As for crime in the poorer areas of Temecula, what do you expect rents are now sky high due to those who have purchased homes they knew they could not afford and have caused the economy to be blown out of the water and to those crooks who only cared about their large commissions and who knew what they were doing was illegal. Sure the economy is bad everywhere, but now where are people paying such high taxes than in California and getting less and less for their buck.

Your a sad bunch wrote on Sep 25, 2008 8:07 AM:Some of these letters make good points.
Most seem to be from people that are filled with themselves,and the letters are childish.
When responding to an article why do you not coment about the subject.
A man died,this is not a time to pump you chest up and brag.

To-To Californians right wrote on Sep 25, 2008 8:07 AM:I'm glad I made you happy, unlike everything else in CA; that is free. But yes, we would rejoice if California was gone- deal with it because it's REALITY.

LOL wrote on Sep 25, 2008 8:45 AM:What's with people saying Temecula is turning into a ghetto? Obviously they have never lived near or walked through a real ghetto! Temecula turning into a ghetto? HAHAHAHA!!! I've been to a couple of Chuck-E-Cheeses that is much rowdier than any part of Temecula.

To sad bunch wrote on Sep 25, 2008 8:47 AM:You rambled-on and whined in your comments and hardly mentioned the article; what was your point again? You must be full of yourself-

Maria wrote on Sep 25, 2008 9:20 AM:May this man rest in peace. It does not matter whether he was Legal or Illegal, whether he spoke english or did not, OR whether he was Mexican, black, or white!!! He was a HUMAN BEING and he didn't deserve to lose his life! I hope that they find the person or persons who killed this innocent man. God bless him and his family.

To sad bunch wrote on Sep 25, 2008 9:29 AM:You rambled-on and whined in your comments and hardly mentioned the article; what was your point again? You must be full of yourself-

Get real... wrote on Sep 25, 2008 9:43 AM:FYI: For the most; your comments sounds ignorant. (Temecula vs Murrieta) get a life! There are a few comments that do make sense.

The world is big place, we sometimes make choices that we find ourselves regreting and not everyone can afford to make change if we are not happy. I feel just a little for some of you that maybe in this postion and the ones that feel the need to validate themselves through this blog.

But for the family that has lost a son, brother and uncle and maybe a father who know's. They had no choice, and any amount of money can't bring him back....Just count your blessing that you have not lost a loved one. If you don't like here,move....or do something to help your community be a safer place. Otherwise...deal with it!
I'm a native of So Cal. and even if I hit the mega lotto I'd still have a home here!

My sincere sympathy to the family.

Resident wrote on Sep 25, 2008 9:56 AM:The TPD needs to patrol this area and quit spending all their time in Redhawk, ticketing jaywalkers. The honest folks who live there deserve protection from the thugs that pass through. C'mon TPD, do your job. Quit taking the easy way out.

Pedro wrote on Sep 25, 2008 11:52 AM:Has Temecula hired any cops from San Diego county lately?

To busy wrote on Sep 25, 2008 4:48 PM:Cops are to busy doing traffic stops and sitting outside the restraunts and bars..... gotta make the money... no money in catching gang bangers.... besides just ask all the cops on here.... No crime in Copland.... cause they control it.

newleadership wrote on Sep 25, 2008 5:20 PM:This is what happens when you have open borders... amd cheap housing. Blame the city council.. they are sell outs.. VOTE!!!! Temcula needs new leadership!

The Wizard of Oz wrote on Sep 25, 2008 7:38 PM:Let's face it, when housing prices went through the roof, people, (gang members) living in South LA and San Diego, suddenly foud themselves sitting on a gold mine.They owned a house they paid little for, which was now worth five times what it was worth. So...what do you think they where thinking? Sell for a huge profit, and move on up.. to Temecula. Problem is....you can take the gang banger and his gang banging kids out of gang land, but you can't take the gang land outta the gang banger... So now their little gang banger are in our schools, rounding up other gang bangers along with your kids...The rest is history and the future of this city. And if yoy think Murrieta is not included, you have you head stuck in the sand.

To Too busy wrote on Sep 25, 2008 8:13 PM:You sound like a very uneducated person. Your spelling is equal to a first grader. Cops do catch speeders. Speeder cause accidents and kill innocent people. As far as police work goes, I don't expect you to have anything good to say about it since you are apparently a person who is on the wrong side of the fence. Good luck to you.

Well Wizard... wrote on Sep 25, 2008 10:02 PM:You are a cop. Are you out there making a difference or is your head stuck in the sand?

FATAL wrote on Sep 26, 2008 6:32 AM:the cops are NOT on pujol street like they should be. I know, I live by there.

Ca Transplant wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:32 AM:To Wizard of Oz. Wake Up! One of the biggest problems in our area is not just gang bangers. It is White Supremist. Get it "White!"

To to too busy wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:04 PM:Yu gots me... I flunkded out.... The gung bangers broked down muh fense... while duh cops is writin tickets for parkin...which endangers everyones...

To To Busy Tongue in Cheek wrote on Sep 27, 2008 5:39 PM:Great satire.

ex temeculan wrote on Sep 30, 2008 5:35 PM:temecula is a horrible city mainly becuase of the stuck up people, im glad i moved back to north county.

Ignorant people wrote on Oct 29, 2008 1:27 AM:I have lived in Temecula since 1999. Yes crime has increased but so has the population. To those who complain about Temecula, It doesn't matter what the nationality is. You guys are probably parents not even knowing what the hell your kids are up to. The kids in this town are becoming worst as time goes by. Where are the damn parents? Comparing this to Moreno Valley?? Why dont you move out of this town? Its less worthless ignorant people living here. and by the way, This is a small town compared to north county. Of course you hear everything. Lets count how many crimes are in north county. Its not any better. You all sit here and critisize those who come just to find a job and support there families. but atleast these immigrants strive to make there lives better. Unlike those rich pathetic civilians that think there crap dont stink. Temecula is suppose to be a nice town to live. The way you people are speaking sounds lower than those in the ghetto. Get a grip of yourselves. Dont like it here, move to Compton..See if they will handle your sorry ass.