HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-17-2015 Public Comment Walker (2)Lomeli, Monique
Subject: FW: Fireworks @ 4 a.m. on Stafford
Attachments: Fireworks on Stafford 3.15.2015 jpg MAR 16 2015
From: Kathie Walker [kathiewalkerslo @gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2015 1:31 PM
To: Gesell, Steve; Marx, ]an
Subject: Fireworks @ 4 a.m. on Stafford COUNCIL MEETING: p3
ITEM NO.: GI �� 0mryaG� ._.-
Chief Gesell:
My family was jolted awake early this morning by loud, successive explosions. My husband and I thought
someone was firing a weapon in our backyard and could see flashes through our window. I realized it was
fireworks and ran to the back of our property on Hathway Alley. I could see smoke rising from over the
houses on Stafford so I walked up the alley to Kentucky to Stafford.
Aside from car alarms, there was no activity on Kentucky. As I walked down Stafford toward California the
only activity was a college -aged man (Guy #1) banging loudly on the door at 1269 Stafford. He
repeatedly banged 6 -7 times and yelled "Police!" I stood on the sidewalk in front of the house and witnessed the
occupants of the house open the door about 12 " -18 ". They all laughed as he said, "Just joshing ya," and they
opened the door wider to allow him inside, slapping him on his shoulder.
As he moved inside the house I yelled from the sidewalk, "Hey! Did you see the fireworks ?" and he responded,
"Yes, we're investigating that," while the guys behind him in the front room were laughing. I told him that I
witnessed him bang on the door, ID himself as the police, and knew he wasn't telling me the truth. As he
stepped back onto the porch the guys inside the house closed the door, leaving him alone on the porch.
He walked up to me and it was obvious he was intoxicated but was friendly. I told him we have children and the
fireworks scared them. He reached out to shake my hand and told me that he lived on the corner of Kentucky
and Stafford. I asked him if they guys in the house (at 1269 Stafford) had anything to do with the fireworks and
he said he wasn't sure. He told me he didn't even know the guys in the house. As a mom of five children, three
who are now adults, I have seen/heard it all. I could tell he was lying. We continued to talk and he confessed
that it might have been the guys in that house.
Another male student walked up from the yellow house on the corner of California and Stafford. He said he was
with his girlfriend and they saw the whole thing. He said he thought that the guys in the house at 1269 Stafford
were responsible for the fireworks.
At that point the police arrived at Kentucky /Stafford. Both 'Guys' saw the officer's flashlights coming from
Stafford. Guy #1 said, "Oh no. I'm outta here" and turned to walk toward California. I said, "Wait! You said you
lived at Kentucky and Stafford. You're going the wrong way." He replied, "I do. But I'm going to 7 -11 to get
something to drink." Guy #2 also turned to walk away. I followed and asked him if he would stop to talk to the
police. He said he was afraid of the police.
One officer walked up to me and said he saw the fireworks from Santa Rosa Street. I told him about the
two 'Guys' - one banging on the door at 1269 Stafford and the other on the corner, and that they both left the
area ... Guy #1 to 7 -11 and Guy #2 to his house. Soon after, Guy #2 walked back to speak with the officer and
me. The officer used his flashlight to reveal small scraps of cardboard, the remains of the fireworks, which
were strewn around Stafford Street. Guy #2 said he knew the fireworks came from one of two houses. When
pressed by the officer he said it was likely the guys in "the rugby house."
The officers continued to look around the area and I walked home.
This morning my husband went for a walk and found two 18" spent cardboard firework shells. I picked them up
by the top edge and put them in a plastic bag from a newspaper (also in the street). I have attached a photo of
the shells and used the newspaper for perspective.
A male student was in the front yard at 1269 Stafford Street and we conversed. He was sheepish and would not
make eye contact with me or my husband.
Me: Did you hear the fireworks at 4 am?
Male: No. I was asleep.
Me: Come on. We live a block away and it sounded like bombs were going off in our backyard.
Male: Well ... I don't know. (looking to the side and downward)
Me: Is this the rugby house?
Male: Um, well some of the guys play rugby. I don't.
Me: Listen. I know this is college and you all want to have fun. But it's not fun when fireworks go off at 4 am.
That really scared us and our kids. We like the students, our neighbors. They carved pumpkins with us last
Halloween. They're great. But it's a matter of respect...
Male: I don't know anything. (still would not make eye contact)
Me: Okay. Well I found these firework shells and I'm going to take them to the police. We need to get to the
bottom of this.
Male: Uh ... I don't know what to say. (now looking at me)
Me: 1 know you have a high- occupaiicy use permit at this house. There's 7 people here. i ou could be at risk for
losing that.
Male: Okay. I'll talk to them.
As I walked down the street I spoke with an elderly neighbor on Stafford, Sid Marques. Although he is hard -of-
hearing he said he was jolted awake and thought his house "were being fired upon." It was very scary for him
and his wife, as well.
I urge your officers to step up patrol in our neighborhood. Aside from Hathway Avenue, problem areas exist at
Kentucky /Stafford and Kentucky /Fredericks.
The firework shells are in a plastic bag and were only handled at the top edge. Please let me know if you are
interested in having them for your investigation. I urge you to take these problems seriously and hold these
people accountable.
Respectfully,
Kathie Walker
(805) 543 -9661
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