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Soaring assault rate in Livermore

Uploaded: Jul 9, 2013
When the Pleasanton Weekly ran the 2012 crime stats for Tri-Valley communities, the numbers for Livermore jumped out.
In same categories, Livermore had substantially higher crime counts, particularly felony aggravated assaults. Livermore police reported to the FBI 254 assaults in 2012 as compared to 26 in Pleasanton, and 29 in San Ramon, both cities with populations within about 10 percent of Livermore, the valley's largest city at 82,400.
Burglary was nearly twice Pleasanton's total at 310 for Livermore versus 165 here and 147 in San Ramon. In summary, Livermore reported 2,113 part 1 crimes vs. 1,336 in Pleasanton. Notably, 31 percent of the larceny and thefts reported in Pleasanton took place at Stoneridge mall—Livermore's factory outlet mall was open only for about one month of last year.
For complete chart, please click here. (http://www.pleasantonweekly.com/news/show_photo.php?main_id=11374&type=p&media_id=8753§ion_id=1). The source was the Pleasanton Police Department that compiled the stats for the surrounding cities.
I spoke with Lt. Lance Bye, a veteran of 26 years of the Livermore Police Dept. who oversees the records department.
Without drilling down into each aggravated assault, he could not definitely establish why Livermore has such a higher crime rate. He did observe that Livermore has significantly different demographics than San Ramon and Pleasanton and also, traditionally, has had more ex-cons on parole or probation living in the city.
The demographic shift in Livermore has been dramatic. Since the two national labs were established in the 1950s, Livermore has had a very broad middle class with very few high-income earners and not too many really poor people.
That has shifted dramatically in the last 15 years. The city has more upscale people living in the newer neighborhoods on the south side near the vineyards and the core city bounded by Portola, Junction, Railroad and Murietta has grown significant more ethnic and poorer.
I was a leader in the consortium of community groups that worked to help Marylin Avenue School turn around—it reached 807 on the latest testing results after starting 12 years ago under 600. When we started, the school population was neither poor enough (low 30 percent of the students qualified for a free or reduced price lunch) nor ethnic enough (English-language learners were similar numbers).
Now, 54 percent of students are learning English (the vast majority is from Mexico) and 79 percent qualify for free or reduced price lunches. Less than half of the parents graduated from high school.
Lt. Bye cited the demographic difference and, when asked about gangs in Livermore, responded that there are gangs in Livermore and policing them is one of the top three priorities of the department.
"Most communities have gangs—Livermore has gangs within the city limits. It is not as bad as cities in the Central Valley, but we do devote resources to it," Bye said. "Overall, Livermore is still a safe community where you can walk on most streets day or night."
He also cited City Council and city staff policies over the years that have tried to keep Livermore as an affordable place to live with higher density housing. I would debate that in some recent years when the focus was on downtown and upscale entertainment, but agree on the overall policy view. level.
The lieutenant also said that he routinely reads the logs for neighboring communities and Livermore has lots more activity than Pleasanton or Dublin.
Local Journalism.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by PToWN94566, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Jul 9, 2013 at 3:58 pm

PToWN94566 is a registered user.

"Now, 54 percent of students are learning English (the vast majority is from Mexico) and 79 percent qualify for free or reduced price lunches. Less than half of the parents graduated from high school."

For clarification purposes, is the quote blaming low-class families and families not of the Caucasian decent for all the crime rate in Livermore? Why isn't there any mention of Livermore being a much larger city and/or the number of crimes committed by people that do not even live in the Tri-Valley.

I think I'd respect this op-ed articles a bit more if you just told what's on your mind. I.E: "I do blame people of a lower socioeconomic status for crime." (That sentences sounds a bit more educated too by not using the word poor.)


Posted by Pweekly reader, a resident of Livermore,
on Jul 9, 2013 at 9:33 pm

Pweekly reader is a registered user.

PToWN94566, you asked, "For clarification purposes, is the quote blaming low-class families and families not of the Caucasian decent for all the crime rate in Livermore?"

I don't think you have any valid reason to draw such a conclusion. What content of the article has led you to seek "clarification"? It is simply pointing to the demographic differences as one possible explanation for violent crime. Simply put, the demographics of Livermore's "bad area", are predictive for an increase in violent behavior/aggression, which shows up in the rate of assaults. The article also cites gang activity in these areas as a factor.

As for the other comment you had "Why isn't there any mention of Livermore being a much larger city and/or the number of crimes committed by people that do not even live in the Tri-Valley.".

The answer to that is simple: The size and population of the city are irrelevant. What stands out is the *rate* of the crimes. The article explains this: "In same categories, Livermore had substantially higher crime counts, particularly felony aggravated assaults. Livermore police reported to the FBI 254 assaults in 2012 as compared to 26 in Pleasanton, and 29 in San Ramon, both cities with populations within about 10 percent of Livermore, the valley?s largest city at 82,400."

It seems like you really want to play the race card here. Perhaps the topic it would behoove you to seek answers to, is why in an area that is disproportionately composed of immigrants, mostly from Mexico, is the rate of violent crimes nearly 10x what it is in neighboring communities? What is it about this population that leads to violence?

Curious to hear what your thesis is. Fair warning, I'll be sorely disappointed if its just something about the man keeping down the brown. Or any equally trite and vacuous, intellectually bankrupt paranoia.


Posted by PToWN94566, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Jul 10, 2013 at 3:56 pm

PToWN94566 is a registered user.

LOL I have to laugh at you thinking a white male as myself is playing the race card. Your statement alone makes me chuckle at how people hide behind their computers- voice some strong stance here but in the real world if this was a town hall meeting, half of this "fluff" wouldn't even be brought up.

If you're going to state numbers about minorities and how they are "poor", why not state numbers of "poor white people"? The road goes both ways. Why not start bringing in statistics from Tracy and cities on the other side of the Altamont, seeing that Livermore is the first place drivers see.

And if we are going to play the race card, as you so quickly brought up, make sure you are aware that Caucasian people are pretty much the minority now here in California.


Posted by Daveg, a resident of Birdland,
on Jul 10, 2013 at 5:42 pm

Daveg is a registered user.

I have to agree with PToWN94566 regarding hiding behind a computer. I had posted the following some time ago and still question why people can not engage in civil discourse when they can post anonymously.

The question that all of should be concerned about!

After spending various amounts of time, commenting on different postings on the Pleasanton Weekly, I wonder what has happened to civil discourse in this country. In the attempt to make a point, it appears that if one is not physically facing the other, then somehow it is acceptable to use derogatory terms to try to reinforce their viewpoint. Why have we accepted such actions/reactions from both others and ourselves that tend to attempt to degrade and/or insult others? The Pleasanton Weekly provides a wonderful vehicle for all of us to present our personal opinion?s and even sometimes with some facts to back them up. Why is it that if one disagrees, many times one resorts to thinly veiled insults. Can we not present an opposing viewpoint without resorting to name calling and personnel attacks? When the Pleasanton Weekly has to delete somebodies words or entire posting, should we not look to ourselves and question ourselves rather than castigating the Weekly for removing the offensive words? We should all look inward and remember that to present a good argument one can use the English language in the manner it was and is intended. Perhaps it is called conscience, and something we should reflect on before using words that have no place in a civil discourse.
?Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.?
¯ George Washington


Posted by Pweekly reader, a resident of Livermore,
on Jul 10, 2013 at 10:25 pm

Pweekly reader is a registered user.

PToWN94566 sure, everyone is white on the internet. Or maybe you are, who cares? Does it matter? The point is, race hustlers and white guilters simply cannot shut up about how everyone is the same (that's the religion of the Politically Correct cartel - there are no differences between people, everyone is and acts exactly the same). Of course, that isn't true, but that's what they preach.

When a place like Livermore has 10x the violent crimes of its neighboring cities, and the culprit is basically a subgroup population in the city, pointing that out becomes anathema and suddenly all this finger-pointing and braying of "racism" breaks out.

Maybe spend some time dealing with reality and acknowledging the ills of the immigrant populations that in Livermore, and a little less time on the ole racism soapbox.


Posted by Pweekly reader, a resident of Livermore,
on Jul 10, 2013 at 10:47 pm

Pweekly reader is a registered user.

Daveg, I'm wondering what content you are referring to in your post. You posted about uncivil discourse, and derogatory terms, and I'm baffled - where is any of that in this thread? I only see five posts, and two of them are my own. Where is all this "thinly veiled insults, name calling, and personnel attacks?", to which you have alluded?

Were there some posts already deleted which I have missed out on seeing?

You mentioned that the censors here are monitoring the threads and perhaps removing content with no indication that it had ever been there, which I agree does a disservice to the concept of discourse. With the exception being if someone is deliberately attempting to disrupt the conversation.

Can we get back to why Livermore has nearly 10x the violent crime of Pleasanton now? I'm interested in that problem - as I live here and am affected by such a thing.

BTW, love your quote. A quote about conscience from a slaveowner, adulterer, the Founding philanderer.

I see what you did there. You sly dog you!


Posted by liberalism is a disease, a resident of Birdland,
on Jul 10, 2013 at 11:16 pm

liberalism is a disease is a registered user.

So, to summarize for the challenged PToWN94566, crime is bad, increased crime is worse and statistically it points to increasing poor, latinos immigrant (mostly illegal, but some 'legal') as being the culprits.
"Lt. Bye cited the demographic difference and, when asked about gangs in Livermore, responded that there are gangs in Livermore and policing them is one of the top three priorities of the department."
Who joins gangs? let's not mince wrods and continue to naively avoid the obvious here...it's gangs that wanna be or are affiliated with the Nortenos that are responsible for the majority of criminal activity in Livermore. The Lt. is being coy or PC by not coming right out and admitting it, but he doesn't want to scare the city's residents by admitting that Mexican gangs are out to rob and kill the people that built this city. They are parasites and must be eliminated.


Posted by PToWN94566, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Jul 11, 2013 at 10:59 am

PToWN94566 is a registered user.

"Liberalism", you make it sound as if Livermore and the whole Tri Valley is about to fall into an abyss of crime. To state that "they" are parasites and must eliminated just goes to show nasty your thoughts are. Calling a human a parasite??? Would you state this if it were, as I previously mentioned, a town hall type meeting or out in the general public?

Crime is going to be anywhere, but the Tri Valley for the most part is safe. If you're going to blame minorities or illegal immigrants for crime, lets also blame people that support them; people that buy drugs (especially white, middle to upper class people that have money and can afford it), blame people that hire illegals to do yard work, maids, farm hands etc. If you truly want to live a life free of crime, feel free to move to an isolated parcel of land. No matter what people say, illegal immigrants play a part in peoples' daily lives.


Posted by liberalism is a disease, a resident of Birdland,
on Jul 11, 2013 at 7:23 pm

liberalism is a disease is a registered user.

Pretty weak defense of the indefensible, there 94566. Where to start|

'Crime is going to be anywhere, but the Tri Valley for the most part is safe.'
Except for parts of Livermore, which is actually the subject at hand.

'If you're going to blame minorities or illegal immigrants for crime, lets also blame people that support them; people that buy drugs (especially white, middle to upper class people that have money and can afford it)'
So, drug dealers are responsible for an increase in assaults in Livermore and that's white people's fault? Help me with your disjointed logic.

' blame people that hire illegals to do yard work, maids, farm hands etc. If you truly want to live a life free of crime, feel free to move to an isolated parcel of land. No matter what people say, illegal immigrants play a part in peoples' daily lives.'
Yes, they all want to live off the American dream. Problem is, they started out as criminals by illegally entering our country, so why do you think their disregard for the law stops there? Your naive suggestion to ignore the problems they create is laughable...there's no place else to move away from the invasion. Maybe not all illegals continue a like of crime, but why take that chance by trusting them to not break our laws again?


Posted by PToWN94566, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Jul 12, 2013 at 10:09 am

PToWN94566 is a registered user.

So are you looking for a crime free town to live in? You must have not traveled much because there is lots of land far from the coasts where no one is living.

"Your naive suggestion to ignore the problems they create is laughable...there's no place else to move away from the invasion. Maybe not all illegals continue a like of crime, but why take that chance by trusting them to not break our laws again??"

This simple statement of yours has lead me to not coming back to this post. You make broad generalizations and lump every person with X background/ethnicity into that group. Ask yourself this: what about the problems white people, or better yet, people that are here legally, born in this nation, of any nationality create? (What do you do with the teenager that drove wildly down Foothill road and killed the woman on her bike? What do you do with the teacher from Foothill that was caught purchasing drugs in Livermore, who is white? What do you do with the white kids from Pleasanton that went on a field day in the HP libary? What do you do with mother from Livermore that had a sexual relationship with a young child? Do you blame illegal people for this?)

Whatever you respond with won't effect me. I'm all about having adult discussions, but it seems like you want to banter about things that you most likely would never say out loud.

(FYI: I'm a gay, white male, mid 30's and a teacher. I wonder what you think about that and what type of blame you can place on myself.)


Posted by PToWN94566, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Jul 12, 2013 at 2:03 pm

PToWN94566 is a registered user.

Ok one more comment. I saw this quote on another website there's quite a bit of truth behind it.

"Illegal immigration is not a new problem. Native Americans use to call 'white people'."


Posted by Pweekly reader, a resident of Livermore,
on Jul 14, 2013 at 12:47 am

Pweekly reader is a registered user.

PToWN94566: "This simple statement of yours has lead me to not coming back to this post. You make broad generalizations and lump every person with X background/ethnicity into that group.

By definition, a generalization is broad. So its redundant to call it a broad generalization. In any case, the study of people in groups is useful because in this case, its an entire class of people (by virtue of their criminal behavior/illegal actions), who do great detriment to the society of American citizens. While the detriment is done by individuals the fact that it is committed by such a large class of individuals is what makes it important on the group level. Thus, the generalization, that illegals harm citizens, is both valid as well as useful. You're probably going to say "But I know (x), an illegal, who doesn't harm a citizen." Of course, I am using harm to indicate any detriment, not specifically physical harm, so keep that in mind.

"Ask yourself this: what about the problems white people, or better yet, people that are here legally, born in this nation, of any nationality create?"

That isn't the point of this discussion. Those people are all entitled to be here, they have the lawful right to be here. The point of the discussion is that illegals do not have the right to be here. Thus, if the law were being obeyed, then the crimes they commit would not have been committed and thus the harm done to citizens by those crimes would not have been suffered.

"(What do you do with the teenager that drove wildly down Foothill road and killed the woman on her bike? What do you do with the teacher from Foothill that was caught purchasing drugs in Livermore, who is white? What do you do with the white kids from Pleasanton that went on a field day in the HP libary? What do you do with mother from Livermore that had a sexual relationship with a young child? Do you blame illegal people for this?)"

Why in the world would he blame illegals for something that an illegal didn't do? Why do so many of your posts contain these inane questions? Strawmen, windmills at which you hope others might tilt?

Please, try to stay on topic. The topic of this article was the soaring assault rate in Livermore, which appears to be concentrated in the part of town with the highest proportion of illegals and Hispanic immigrants. The article is a really exposing, on a local scale, the ills of immigration on American society. The "Social cost", if you will. That is an important topic, and it would be nice if people could please, stay on topic, and discuss the issue at hand without constantly resorting to irrelevant, apparently politically motivated arguments.


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