Thank you to the police. I disagree with it being called drug-related. Kids have been buying pot here for decades with no homicides. We bring in a few kids from Richmond via a group home and one of them turns out to be a full on gangbanging, cold-blooded murderer. That's some real scary stats. This is a town of more than 40,000 and we had no murders like this. Towns like these barely have any murders period, as opposed to Oakland or Richmond which have like a hundred a year. Do you, parents of Danville, really want your kids living in a war zone like that? Danville has it's rare murder every couple of years or so, but they're always familial, like all small towns. Familial murders are between people of the same family, like the brother who killed his brother two years ago, or the mom who recently committed suicide after killing her son. These are terrible, but they are not threatening to the community. They are not a threat to our children. As long you're not nuts and neither you family or closest friends, well then you're relatively insulated from murder. On the other hand, Richmond's morgues are full of victims who did not know their killer, or did just barely, and even the killer did not know them. The victims were caught in some random crossifre, like that Oakland boy who was playing the piano when suddenly a stray bullet flew through the window and hit him. They were killed for something petty, such as their sneakers. They were killed because some newby gangstas have to kill someone for initiation. Or, like Rylan, they got killed over pot. Because a different ethic reigns in the hood. Here, kids barely stole weed even in opportunistic situations, let alone killing over it. That's just absurd. But let a hoodie in one of our kids ends up shot in the back of the head. Do you really want your kids to live in that type of world, where if they get mixed up a little bit with pot that they may be gang-style executed? Do you wanna believe that, if your kids were like Rylan, that they brought their murder upon themselves. Or might we wanna say "yeah, dealing with weed isn't good, but let's make sure that if they make that small mistake that there's no people around that will blow their heads off!" Trying to make all good kids at school not smoke pot is like making them all abstinent. It's no easy battle, if even possible. Whereas, not importing killers into our
midst is as easy as not doing something. We say no more group homes. Boom! Problem-solved. And our kids would be relatively safe again. When people bust their butts and get themselves out of Richmond and come here to start their families, those people tend to be good for the community. They showed themselves to be different from the rest by having the discipline and appreciation for a better life. This is natural integration. This brings the grateful and hardworking into Danville, people who say "thank God we're not in Richmond anymore, where everyones getting killed.". They teach their kids to be respectful of this good and decent community. Not so if we give a handout to broad swaths of the ghetto, via section 8 housing and especially through group homes. Group homes bring "troubled teens" into our community to go to school with our kids! Can you believe that?! And they obviously can't separate the wheat from the chaff, the good from the insanely evil! People who come on their own accord, through their good works, have separated themselves from the hood. Group homes bring the hood to us

Very interesting and thoughtful comment related to group homes, section 8 etc.

I am responding to Rick's posting. I want to compliment Rick on an excellent posting that resonates of sensible real-world wisdom.

My viewpoint is that 'Group Homes' have an initial tug-at-the-heart feel of graciousness for youths that have not had a fair opportunity to succeed elsewhere. And while there may be some well-intended truths in this Group Home opportunity, all too often, as Rick pointed out, we are inviting a very different code-of-conduct and potentially violent gang-banger values into our neighborhoods and schools. It is the time-old (but true) adage of putting the "fox (or maybe the badger) in the Hen-house". This can be a real threat to the safety of our children and should not be dismissed because of political correctness.

I would add that clearly a large percentage of residents of communities such as Oakland or Richmond are kind, respectful citizens, but clearly there is a hardened violent element (statistics supported by their murder and violent crime rates) that generally does not exist in our community. I would encourage more scrutiny of Group Homes in our neighborhoods and insure that sensible oversight is provided to prevent the dangers that can come with introducing "Wolves in Sheeps clothing".

Rick,

Are you saying that the residents of Danville are a bunch of crackheads? Well, as a citizen of that town where you live you are obligated to report to the authorities any drug activity that you witness, and there are authorities such as DEA, FBI, ICE, and the local PD. You could vent your worries to them or become an informant, and get paid.

About the group homes being responsible for the actions of some spoiled brats, these menaces are spoiled and have a bunch of money, otherwise how can they buy these illegal substances?

FYI, the juveniles/teenagers/crackheads of the town which you inhabit are not buying recreational drugs, but instead are buying medical prescriptions. The problem is their upbringing that is why they are so screwed not because of some group homes.

The authorities cannot comment directly to you on an ongoing investigation as it involves minors. Don't you know? If you are so powerful why don't you contact Jerry Brown?

Dear Peer,

I think you need to read Rick's post a little closer. You seem to misunderstand many of his points.

First of all, why are you mocking my name?

Listen, my name is Peer a German name, not as in peer pressure.

Rick is pointless, and he has many disagreements, rants, and raves, that are circled within demented mind.

He uses this newspaper using every single topic to discuss unrelated reports, though Danville Weekly does not have best reporters.

I believe that Rick is a staff member of SRVUSD who fabricates different aliases, and he may be responding to himself.

Geoff,

I heard that the 15 year old boy being held for Rylan's murdered was released? Could you find out if this is true or not? My daughter was very upset when she heard this and I would like to reassure her with the truth.

Thank You

Rick. Loved your comment! You can definitely get your point across loud and clear without any words that need to be edited out.

I would like to repeat what I have said many times… All kids make mistakes (most of the parents in this community do too). Let’s learn from this, as awful of a situation as this is, we can use Rylan’s death as an example to make Danville a better place.

God bless our children and watch over them so that this will never happen again!

I met the dad long before this happened, he told me about his step-son going out the back window late at night.

This is a very tuff situation for all parents, but taking away the car keys is a good place to start- know who your kids are with and where they came from is another.

I moved here when my children started middle and high school. It was very hard to connect children with their family members. Different last names and so on.

I am with you, the Group Homes are just asking for trouble!

Concerned Mom,

I responded to this on another thread and just wanted to let you know that we are looking into whether he has been released. As soon as we have something concrete we will post it on here and it will be in this Friday' paper. If you wish to e-mail me with the information you have you can do so at ggillette@danvilleweekly.com or you can call me at 837-8300 ext 234.

Thank you.
Geoff Gillette

Rick your post is right on with some points and others are a little off...... My concern is group homes and the kids. My child is a student at SRVHS if in fact you are some how involved at the high school you might want to take a look around. Just today my child told me that lots of kids are concerned about the two new boys that just moved into a local group home. These two boys attended the high school orientation last week. The entire time the students & staff were directing orientation the two boys were throwing up gang signs to the kids left and right. Along with bragging about where they came from and there gang connections. So I myself and not too convinced this isnt going to become a bigger problem.

After reading the lastest post from "another concerned mom", my son told me about these two boy's and while I am all for someone getting a fresh start in life, this is NOT the way to start when given a second chance, very distrubing!!

I am a parent of two at SRVHS and I don't begrudge access to an education or a safe living environment to kids from other communities. I don't have a "NIMBY" feel about the residiential home, and it is just a few doors down from my home. I do understand that it is alleged that a child that lived in this home murdered another child, and this is tragic. I also know that the home has been with us for years, and that children from our own community also hurt each other - thankfully no one has killed another that I know of. I also know that we all love our children and want to keep them safe.

If you are concerned, why not discuss your concerns with Dept of Health and Human Services? They have oversight of the residential care homes. Unfortunately, their funds have been cut drastically in this budget (funds to all at risk populations were cut in California)This is the info off of their website:

Sergio Ramirez, Program Administrator
Mei Yuk Kung, Program Chief
Tammy Rivera, FFH Program Manager
744 P Street, M.S. 19-50
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-4351 FAX (916) 323-8352

No one's begrudging anything. If it were a simple matter of helping kids, we'd all be for it. But these group homes import murderers and rapists into our community. I and many I know have contacted the higher authorities, such as WASC. They give us the run around because they're obviously socialist apparitchiks happy to let a few small town kids die in the name of their agendas. No, this movement must be local, with local protest holding to account these group homes, and ultimately doing away with them. I would like to ask the Danville Weekly to confirm if there is another group home coming here into the heart of town. If no response is given, we'll have to assume it's true

Rick, what does "socialist apparitchiks" mean? I have never heard that term in my life.

From your many postings I know we are light years away from agreeing on anything. Frankly, I have more grief from the teenager across the street from me who has vandalized my cars while his parents do nothing ("he said he wasn't even home when that happened"). We have hoodlums here and some of the kids at the res care facility undoubtedly qualify as well. Maybe a better way to fix the situation is to find out how to help all the kids in the community that are on the edge - including those that have been brought from another community. They are here - how can we help them become better people?

Just a note - I did not mean to imply in my posting that the child who vandalized my car is more a threat to the community than the child who allegedly killed our hometown boy. Only that, for me as a close neighbor of the res care home, I have more issues with a kid from our own community.

Finally, I don't see public demonstrations as a way to rid the community of this facility. The owners likely have much invested and would not go so easily.

Well then we'll try other tactics. What about the homeowners who've invested their precious resources into buying a house in a good, safe community? All so the group home owners can bring in thugs to kill and rape our children. I tell ya, those supervisors at the group home are the most irresponsible people on the planet. They obviously took no care in trying to root out violent criminals. They let these kids run around at all hours at night, which was when that little bastard killed Rylan. They let them bring guns into the community. The list goes on.

Don't shoot the messenger, Rick. I understand your frustration (and actually appreciate that you seem a bit more reasoned in your approach at the moment), but if it were as easy as a public demonstration to get the owners of this facility to turn tail and run, there would be no such facilities anywhere. They are within their rights to have this home here whether you like it or not, and I guarantee there are other guns in our communty. If memory serves, you talk of your own weapons on other posts.

Are you really comparing the possession of a firearm by an adult whose trained to the possession of a gun by "troubled" minors in group homes?

Just stating the obvious - you were the one who accused the kids in the residential home of bringing guns into the community. My point is that guns were already here.

I think you should've gotten that I was empasizing what's dangerous is that TROUBLED KIDS were allowed to possess guns in our community

Rick, I for one am not at all comfortable with someone with your views owning a gun and living in my community. Your rants have been filled with so much hate and paranoia regarding people from various races/walks of life/communities that I question your judgment. On the continuum of comfort around people owning weapons you are not on the high end of my scale. Troubled kids shouldn't have access - neither should troubled adults.

Let it be known that people such as Sharon consider adults who own guns and hold opposing views to hers to be a problem on par with murdering, raping gangbanging minors with guns. Just clearing that up

Sharon, your views endanger my children and make me none too comfortable. But I wouldn't be so moronic and incendiary as to compare you to the gangbangers you work to bring into this community

Rick, with the number of people you have been in conflict with on these forums, I can't imagine anyone would be dim enough to jump on your bandwagon. My comment was to you specifically which is obvious.

I work to bring gang-bangers into the community? Seriously? Do you ever stop lashing out with ridiculous accusations and take a minute to look at your comments and what you accuse people of? This is how you get the reputation you have. Seriously - stop and think before you lash out. It just makes you look like you need a proper diagnosis and psychotropic meds.

I go to SR and I heard about the 2 new kids throwing up gang signs too. This is rediculous. The last couple years I've been here I've heard 2 bad incidents with these group home kids. First a girl getting raped and now another guy getting shot. Its a little out of hand if you ask me. I'm sure there is kids at the group home who actually do want a second chance, but maybe someone there should keep an eye on the other kids...

Hi anonymous - my son and daughter both go to SRVHS also. My daughter was being harassed by some boys when she walked between classes (when they were rebuilding the gym) so she went in and talked to her counselor. They started watching during the time when she went by(and other female students were going by) and found the boys were also smoking pot - at least one got expelled. Don't hesitate to let officials know if you feel threatened. Our experience was really positive. If kids are demonstrating gang activity, they likely won't be there for long, so hang in there.

Thanks for your perspective - you brought this thread back down to earth.

Hey Anonymous, you're awesome for having the guts to tell your story. Sharon talks a good game, but the facts are is that plenty of kids and adults have "told the teachers" about these kids, and the teachers are fully aware of the risk, yet they still allow these kids to come into the school to endanger all of you. We have to make them listen to the kids of this community who are being endangered. Stay tuned for how to do that

And Sharon, I would like to say that there have actually been more people that have come to my defense than have tried to attack me as you just did. Fortunately for me, most of my attackers have been semi-mentally handicapped, like Kasper, Ulrich and Matt (who turned out to be the same person), or Klaus. That guy's idiotic arguing style speaks for itself. Let it also be known that I don't know a single other person who's posted on this forum. I know countless people who agree with me, but we all agreed that I'm the most convincing writer for this forum. Plus, most people I know just don't like blogging. They're outdoorsmen, not computer jockeys. However, I've come to see the validity and power of the e-forum. Anyways, the point is those who come to my aid are doing so purely on their own accord, and as I learned in statistics, for every random person who speaks up, they speak for at least a hundred, maybe a thousand. So, on my side, one could wager that, outside the people I already know, there is quite a crowd of angry parents and kids developing. Whereas, on your side Sharon, you have a bunch of Klaus's. Good luck on that. And yes, your proactive defense of these group homes is how you work to bring in murderers. My proactive protest against them is how I work to get them out. Take responsibility for that which you stand for.

And if I'm ever deprived this forum, we shall start a poster campaign, IMMEDIATELY, which could very well be far more effective. And that's just the beginning.

Rick, leave this child alone - they are not a part of our disagreement and your comment just left them with the impression that they should take a "wait and see" approach if they feel threatened in their school setting. Something is wrong with that thinking (as usual).

I give up - your twisted views are beyond help. I see that you really do believe your own rhetoric. I initially believed you were creating farcical personality to rev up the forum - but, sadly, you really exist in your own private Idaho.

Anonymous: I applaud you. I would love to hear more from you and your friends. In most cases the teachers and/or staff should be able to help students, but sometimes outside influences need to be called in (such as good parents who care about other kids in the community). Please talk to the councilor or principle if you feel threatened or if you see someone else being threatened. If we come together, we can make a difference.

All SRHS students: If you feel your voice is not being heard…please call the Danville ANONYMOUS tip line at 800-222-TIPS.

Rick: I would love to have you as my neighbor. I don’t think we would be best friends, but I respect you for being someone who cares about good people, and not afraid to voice your opinion about bad people. Please comment ASAP with your “Stay tuned” ideas.

Students and parents: Please check out Web Link and make a comment if you're interested. Thanks.

So what is happening with the murder charge? It is the middle of September, and I cannot find if anyone has been charged with a crime. A young boy was killed, a goofy boy, yes, but one that should have had the opportunity to grow and change. We all did silly things as kids, some dangerous, but we weren't murdered on our front door step.So what is happening

Sharon:

You rock! Intelligent, literate and remarkably patient responses to the adolescent, hormone-addled ravings of our local on-line lunatRick.

That is all.