Environment and Public Safety

By Marty Blum

Two other important issues are about cleaning up our water supply and supporting our police and fire departments.

Only a few years ago there was a division between the business interests and the environmentalists. Then we discovered that the environmentalists were earning a living, some were even business owners! The business owners were found to care about the environment. Now we are all working together in coalitions to help our community. I have pushed for the City to meet with the South County supervisors to talk about south county interests.

The first goal of Council for the next two years is to clean the creeks and ocean and to make a plan for each of our creeks. This plan will not only address clean water, but it will be a plan for purchasing open space next to the creeks, putting trails there, and have pocket parks in the City as the creeks wind through neighborhoods on the way to the ocean.

Safety

The City of Santa Barbara has great police and fire departments. It is deplorable that our police station is so crowded and outdated. I hope the citizens can see their way clear to support a bond measure to build a new police station.

Our Police Department has received grants for gang violence suppression and was one of the first in the state to have computer terminals in each police car. The Host program gives folks downtown someone to ask directions and to report problems. This has been a successful program. We are truly fortunate to have such an innovative and professional department.

The beat officers in the neighborhoods make every effort to meet with community groups and to get to know that area. What a difference that community based policing makes in the City!