Thanks, Dana! What a great idea!

Ann
On May 17, 2007, at 4:03 AM, Dana A Shields wrote:

> I am late reading this thread of emails as Charlie has been very ill.
> I think I sent the following email earlier this week. - Dana
>
> Penelope
> I’m so sorry. How incredibly frightening!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m
> wondering if any of the gangs involved in the recent shootings live
> in the Willows? In the Laurel incident, they were walking to the
> basketball courts at Willow Oaks Park so I assumed they were our
> neighbors.
>
> NEXT STEPS:
>
> 1- Have a meeting with the city, where the Willows residents can
> vent and say “We’re mad (and scared) as hell and we’re not going
> to take it anymore.” Demand an appropriate solution and prompt
> implementation
> to end violence and crime in our neighborhood.
>
> AND
>
> 2- Become part of the solution; TRY to help prevent at-risk youth
> from resorting to crime in the first place.
>
> I saw a PBS documentary that said the number of jail cells needed
> in each state is determined by the number of kids NOT able to read
> by the end of the 3rd grade. Wow. I may not remember the
> information accurately, but it has been proven that “Poor academic
> achievement is related to higher rates of school dropout and
> juvenile delinquency.” http://www.helpingamericasyouth.gov/facts.cfm
>
> Penelope, your last email about the shooting was the kick in the
> pants I needed.
>
> I just SIGNED UP to volunteer 1 hour a week with a tutoring
> program in EPA; YES READING.
> http://www.yesreading.org YES makes sure at-risk youth learn how
> to read.
>
> I know it sounds simplistic and the crime/drug/gang issues are very
> complex. But, I feel like I’m doing something to help facilitate
> change. A good friend has been tutoring the kids at Belle Haven and
> Menlo Atherton for years and has helped her kids jump at least 1
> and up to 3 grades in reading ability in one school year!
>
> Wouldn’t it be cool if 50 people from the Willows volunteered to
> help 50 kids in EPA/Willows stay in school? Neighbors helping
> neighbors? Our neighborhood could set a precedent. Instead of
> building walls, we build hope for those kids.
> We sort of have a vested interest.
>
> Dana
> PS
> > Dear Dana shields,
> >
> > Thank-you for contacting us. One of our staff members will
> > get in touch with you shortly, either by e-mail or phone.
> > If you have any additional questions or concerns please direct
> them to
> >
> > volunteer@yesreading.org
> >
> > Or give us a call at: 1-408-945-5720.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > The YES Reading Staff
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>> Hi Craig
>>
>>
>>
>> You are correct.
>>
>>
>>
>> There were 4 shots fired in the 300 block of Chester.
>>
>> The police found shells on the sidewalk on the east side of
>> Chester Street close to the traffic circle at Arnold Way.
>>
>> There was also a lot of broken glass.
>>
>> The assumption is that someone shot out of the passenger window of
>> a car, at another car driving northbound on Chester towards Willow
>> Road.
>>
>>
>>
>> As you know we live across from you at the intersection of Chester
>> and Arnold. My son was in his bedroom which is on the corner,
>> sitting at his desk in front of the windows when the shots were
>> fired. If this incident had happened just a few feet further
>> towards the intersection he could have been killed by a stray
>> bullet as he sat in his bedroom doing his homework.
>>
>>
>>
>> Enough is enough.
>>
>>
>>
>> This is the third shooting incident in as many months (a couple of
>> weeks ago on Menalto Avenue gunshots were reported and an actual
>> shooting on Laurel a couple of months ago). It is an accepted fact
>> that crime follows traffic, while there remain easy get away
>> routes such as the access to Willow Road down Chester, Durham, O’
>> Keefe, Gilbert, I doubt we will see any reduction in this type of
>> crime. This same sentiment was echoed as we were standing outside
>> with the police.
>>
>>
>>
>> I think it is time for a neighborhood meeting to discuss this.
>>
>> Penelope
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> From: willows_neighborhood@yahoogroups.com
>> [mailto:willows_neighborhood@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of cmlawrence
>> Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 10:50 AM
>> To: willows_neighborhood@yahoogroups.com
>> Subject: [willows_neighborhood] incident on Chester?
>>
>>
>>
>> All,
>>
>> My wife and I heard what we thought were gunshots Saturday night
>> (5/12) on Chester near Arnold. We noticed some police cars there a
>> little later on.
>>
>> Anyone know what happened?
>>
>> Craig & Kim
>> 407 Chester
>>
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>
>
>
>> Thank you so much! That has been a concern of mine looking at the
>> response to a very frightening reality. My daughter's boyfriend's
>> family lives in East Palo Alto along with many similar wonderful
>> families who have to (and have had to for some while) live with
>> this reality.
>>
>> I think it would be great to have a coalition of our communities
>> working together both for the welfare of our families and for the
>> future of the youth who have been ensnared in a lifestyle where
>> violence is an acceptable form of self expression.
>>
>> Ann
>> On May 15, 2007, at 9:51 AM, mester wrote:
>>
>>> Dear All,
>>>
>>> We have been away and just read the reports of the shooting this
>>> weekend. We are grateful for the information circulated, and we are
>>> relieved that no one, including the victim, was injured in this
>>> case.
>>> We live on Arnold Way and have two small children. We enjoy taking
>>> evening walks. Any of us might have been harmed or any of our
>>> neighbors as well.
>>>
>>> We too are frightened, angry and deeply concerned about the
>>> safety of
>>> OUR streets, our children, and our neighborhood. Expedient AND
>>> carefully considered steps must be made together to insure safety
>>> and
>>> peace in our lives.
>>>
>>> At the same time, statements such as "these people," "all the
>>> residents involved were from East Palo Alto" and "protecting the
>>> residents of the Willows...with street closures at the border" are
>>> equally alarming and disturbing not to mention offensive and
>>> incendiary. Are we to condemn an entire city and all its residents?
>>> Is this what we wish to teach our children?
>>>
>>> Let's remember many of the residents of East Palo Alto work in our
>>> neighborhood, take care of our children and are our friends,
>>> colleagues and valued members of our community. In searching for a
>>> solution to the extremely troubling incidents that have occurred in
>>> the Willows, let's not cloud the issue with blanket statements that
>>> lead to even greater problems.
>>>
>>> Let's find a way to work together and address the root issues here
>>> which have more to do with the presence and threat of guns in our
>>> community, the fear of related violence and criminal activity
>>> REGARDLESS of residency of the victims or perpetrators, and the
>>> basic
>>> need for safety in our neighborhood and the surrounding communities
>>> than the need to exile an ill-defined enemy in the form of "these
>>> people of East Palo Alto."
>>>
>>> We believe directly involving the East Palo Alto Police Department,
>>> the East Palo Alto city council and the East Palo Alto community
>>> will
>>> improve our chances of finding a solution that works for everyone.
>>> It can be done without violence and hatred and walls.
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>>
>>> The Mesters
>>>
>>> >Thank you Terry for the report.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Quite frankly it does not matter to me whether this is gang
>>> related or
>>> >domestic violence. The fact is these people were racing down my
>>> street and
>>> >shooting a gun out of a car window a few feet from where my son
>>> was sitting
>>> >in our home, in front of his bedroom window doing his homework.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >He could easily have been the victim in this case.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Are we going to wait until one of our children is killed by a
>>> stray bullet
>>> >before we see some action from the City in mitigating how these
>>> people end
>>> >up in our neighborhood?
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >These shootings are no longer isolated incidents.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Had there been no access down Chester Street from East Palo Alto
>>> this
>>> >shooting would not have occurred at this intersection. All the
>>> people
>>> >involved in this shooting lived in East Palo Alto. It is a
>>> straight get-away
>>> >for them to drive down Chester to Willow and disappear.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >It is time for us as a neighborhood to put a stop to the easy
>>> get away
>>> >routes and cut through traffic that traverses the Willows. I
>>> highly doubt
>>> >that the Vintage Oaks or Felton Gables neighborhoods have
>>> domestic violence
>>> >and gang related (as was the case on Laurel) shootings occurring
>>> on their
>>> >streets. It is time that the City steps up to the plate and
>>> protects the
>>> >residents of the Willows by eliminating the spill over crime
>>> from East Palo
>>> >Alto with street closures at the border.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >I plan to co-ordinate a meeting very soon.
>>> >
>>> >Please contact me off line: thprop@earthlink.net <mailto:thprop%
>>> 40earthlink.net> if anyone is interested so
>>> >I gauge interest and find a suitable venue.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Penelope
>>> >
>>> >903 Arnold Way
>>> >
>>> >(650) 281-8028
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > _____
>>> >
>>> >From: WillowsNeighborhoodWatch@yahoogroups.com
>>> <mailto:WillowsNeighborhoodWatch%40yahoogroups.com>
>>> >[mailto:WillowsNeighborhoodWatch@yahoogroups.com
>>> <mailto:WillowsNeighborhoodWatch%40yahoogroups.com> ] On Behalf
>>> Of Molakides,
>>> >Terri W
>>> >Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 3:41 PM
>>> >To: WillowsNeighborhoodWatch@yahoogroups.com
>>> <mailto:WillowsNeighborhoodWatch%40yahoogroups.com>
>>> >Cc: willows_block_captains@yahoogroups.com
>>> <mailto:willows_block_captains%40yahoogroups.com> ;
>>> >WillowsNeighborhoodWatch@yahoogroups.com
>>> <mailto:WillowsNeighborhoodWatch%40yahoogroups.com>
>>> >Subject: RE: [WillowsNeighborhoodWatch] RE:
>>> [willows_neighborhood] incident
>>> >on Chester?
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >All-
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Last night, May 12, 2007 at 8:53 p.m., a shooting occurred on
>>> the 400 block
>>> >of Chester in the Willows. Quick thinking residents called
>>> Police Dispatch
>>> >(9-1-1) to report gunshots being fired from one vehicle towards
>>> another
>>> >vehicle and provided an excellent vehicle description. The
>>> suspect vehicle
>>> >was described as a White Jeep Cherokee, and was last seen traveling
>>> >westbound on Arnold.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >This information was provided to responding police units and a
>>> few minutes
>>> >later Menlo Park Officer Douglas saw a vehicle matching the
>>> description in
>>> >the area of Willow Rd and Middlefield Rd. When Officer Douglas
>>> attempted to
>>> >stop the vehicle, the driver failed to yield and continued north on
>>> >Middlefield. The driver finally yielded to the police at
>>> Middlefield and
>>> >Oak Grove. All of the occupants of the suspect vehicle were
>>> arrested and
>>> >booked into San Mateo County Jail on a number of charges related
>>> to the
>>> >shooting. Also recovered in the vehicle was the handgun believed
>>> used in
>>> >the assault.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >The victim of the shooting returned to her residence in East
>>> Palo Alto and
>>> >reported the incident to the East Palo Alto Police Department.
>>> Although the
>>> >victim did not receive any injuries, her vehicle was struck
>>> several times by
>>> >bullets. This was not gang related, but a family disturbance.
>>> All parties
>>> >were East Palo Alto residents.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Great job to those who called in to the PD, without the calls it
>>> is doubtful
>>> >that the suspects and weapon would have been located so quickly.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Terri Molakides
>>> >
>>> >Menlo Park Police Department
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > _____
>>> >
>>> >From: WillowsNeighborhood <mailto:WillowsNeighborhoodWatch%
>>> 40yahoogroups.com> Watch@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Penelope Huang
>>> >Sent: Sun 5/13/2007 11:43 AM
>>> >To: 'cmlawrence'
>>> >Cc: 'Eric Johnson'; willows_block_ <mailto:willows_block_captains
>>> %40yahoogroups.com> captains@yahoogroups.com;
>>> >WillowsNeighborhood <mailto:WillowsNeighborhoodWatch%
>>> 40yahoogroups.com> Watch@yahoogroups.com
>>> >Subject: [WillowsNeighborhoodWatch] RE: [willows_neighborhood]
>>> incident on
>>> >Chester?
>>> >
>>> >Hi Craig
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >You are correct.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >There were 4 shots fired in the 300 block of Chester.
>>> >
>>> >The police found shells on the sidewalk on the east side of
>>> Chester Street
>>> >close to the traffic circle at Arnold Way.
>>> >
>>> >There was also a lot of broken glass.
>>> >
>>> >The assumption is that someone shot out of the passenger window
>>> of a car, at
>>> >another car driving northbound on Chester towards Willow Road.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >As you know we live across from you at the intersection of
>>> Chester and
>>> >Arnold. My son was in his bedroom which is on the corner,
>>> sitting at his
>>> >desk in front of the windows when the shots were fired. If this
>>> incident had
>>> >happened just a few feet further towards the intersection he
>>> could have been
>>> >killed by a stray bullet as he sat in his bedroom doing his
>>> homework.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Enough is enough.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >This is the third shooting incident in as many months (a couple
>>> of weeks ago
>>> >on Menalto Avenue gunshots were reported and an actual shooting
>>> on Laurel a
>>> >couple of months ago). It is an accepted fact that crime follows
>>> traffic,
>>> >while there remain easy get away routes such as the access to
>>> Willow Road
>>> >down Chester, Durham, O' Keefe, Gilbert, I doubt we will see any
>>> reduction
>>> >in this type of crime. This same sentiment was echoed as we were
>>> standing
>>> >outside with the police.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >I think it is time for a neighborhood meeting to discuss this.
>>> >
>>> >Penelope
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > _____
>>> >
>>> >From: willows_neighborhoo <mailto:willows_neighborhood%
>>> 40yahoogroups.com> d@yahoogroups.com
>>> >[mailto:willows_neighborhoo <mailto:willows_neighborhood%
>>> 40yahoogroups.com> d@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of cmlawrence
>>> >Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 10:50 AM
>>> >To: willows_neighborhoo <mailto:willows_neighborhood%
>>> 40yahoogroups.com> d@yahoogroups.com
>>> >Subject: [willows_neighborhood] incident on Chester?
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >All,
>>> >
>>> >My wife and I heard what we thought were gunshots Saturday night
>>> >(5/12) on Chester near Arnold. We noticed some police cars there a
>>> >little later on.
>>> >
>>> >Anyone know what happened?
>>> >
>>> >Craig & Kim
>>> >407 Chester
>>> >
>>> >
>
Received on Fri May 18 13:05:04 2007