I too have noticed especially Vineyard Ave. The city seems to be doing a preety good job of getting rid of it quickly.

"Gangs from Amador"? Puhlease Pleasanton kids don't have a clue what gangs are really about other than the asscociation with music.

We may not be talking about the Cripts and Bloods, but gang wanna-be mentality and activity has begun in Pleasanton.

Web Link
Campus security is another growing concern in Pleasanton............ an incident off campus involving Amador students and a gang element from Stockton.

No gangs in Pleasanton? Just ask the people living anywhere near the continuation school on First Street. Those kids roam the area before and after school vandalizing property (check out the poor guy's fence at the corner of First and Angela) and intimidating residents. Many of them live in the area of Vineyard. It's a good bet that much, if not all, of the damage is being caused by those kids. What we really need to do is get that school closed. Never thought I was much of a "nimby" person til having to live around kids with no discipline or motivation.

I would love to sit here and explain to everyone that "these aren't REAL gangs"...But to tell the truth, I'm more scared of these gangs, than the ones I'm used to seeing. The gangs I come from were just kids that didn't have much, banding together, and try to get "what we could". We stole what we needed, but our main goal was to protect our neighborhood from threats(or perceived threat.) The gangs were necessary to survive bad situations.... I believe these kids are trying to form "gangs" because its 'cool'...and thats what scares me. They have no needs...they only have wants. They want the community to see the spray paint, they want the fine residents of Pleasanton to take notice. Most of the gang memebers have normal family lives, and supportive families.. (I know not of of them, but I'm sure most of them do)...They have cars, money, and time to kill. The scary thing is, they can disappear easily. They can pull up their pants and jump in the back of Moms Volvo with little sister, and blend in with everyone else. It worries me that privileged kids tend to get all the breaks. So even if one of these kids gets caught spray painting or stealing, they will never do any time. Their parents will bail them out, sign him up for counseling, and ground him for the weekend...
So in short, there is no physical threat to the community, only the nuisance. But I'll still advice you to be carefull when you see a Volvo packed with young white teenagers...
Maybe we can bring in some REAL gansters to explain to these kids that your supposed to go TAG up someone elses neighborhood, not your own.

Right, Doo Doo!

And what I'd like to know is where are the parents of these kids?

One of the gangs is the Mexican Kids that set themselves apart from the white kids because they speak spanish at school and openly profess to hate whites. The natural consequence is the white kids ganging together in retaliation.

See...that makes sense to me. The race issue is at least an explaination. Have the school(s) been made aware of the tension between the groups? These situations are kinda par for the course, but they can get out of hand quickly. Someone needs to keep an eye on this...
I have a stupid question... do any of these gangs have "territory" I mean ...are there places to avoid at certain times?

The tension exists but that's because no one wants to get out of their comfort zone. Does the Spanish language offend you? Spanish doesn't create tension. Attitudes do.

The tagging is annoying. I grew up here and I am of Mexican descent. My parents moved us here from Oakland for a better education and safer neighborhoods. Not once did I think to disrespect my neighborhood or my town. I love where I live and I never needed to tag up Pleasanton to show it. I moved away to Los Angeles for college and returned to raise my kids here. My kids have noticed the tagging. They are used to it in Los Angeles, not here. I have to explain to them how disrespectful it is to do that and I have to say- it's ugly. We also critisize it because it's so lacking in the "pleasing factor". The taggers should take an art class because it's not appealing. Three letters and done so sloppy. I may be in the minority, but I LIKE Grafiti. It is an art. But the tagging done here in Pleasanton is SO not ART!

To all kids who tag: it sickens me to know that your HARD WORKING parents sacrificed their time, their bodies, thier money, their health, etc. to have you here in Pleasanton and the best you can do to repay them is to tag up your own neighborhood? All parents picked this town for the benefit of their own family and you jeapardize this "family first" town by your actions. Who are you telling that this is your "turf"? No one cares because you don't own anything so stop doing it. Write on your hand or your notebook.
I know your parents would be so ashamed of you.

To all kids: Take advantage of all this town has to offer.

Stacy,
Perhaps their parents are spending the entire day pontificating on some stupid blog.

Parenting is a tough job-you should try it yourself sometime.

Lorianne.... what kind of person are you? To read what was written ...AND THATS WHAT COMES INTO YOUR HEAD ?? You should really take a look at what kind of person you are...seriously!

I SPEAK SPANISH AND I DON'T HATE WHITES! MILLIONS OF RESIDENTS IN THE USA SPEAK SPANISH AND THEY DON'T HATE WHITES. INCIDENTALLY, I THINK THAT IT'S WONDERFUL TO SPEAK SPANISH AT HOME AND AT SCHOOL! HOORAY!!! VIVA!

IT COSTS PROPERTY OWNER'S LOTS OF $$$$$ TO REMOVE THE TAGGING.

I APPRECIATE GRAFFITI THAT'S SCRIBBLED ON YOUR PROPERTY, NOT MINE!

DOO DOO, YOU NEEDN'T BRING IN REAL GANGSTERS, THEY'RE ALREADY IN PTOWN. TAKE A GOOD LOOK AROUND!

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT MOST PARENTS DO WORK HARD SO THAT THERE KIDS HAVE A BETTER LIFE. IT'S SAD WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE SHOW NO RESPECT FOR THE SACRIFICES OF THEIR PARENTS...SAD.

Let's not get my appreciation for graffiti twisted: I don't like it on anyone's property unless someone commissioned an artist to "beautify" their wall. (Graffiti also exists in sketch books.)

Doo Doo,
Lorianne appears to be a member of my fan club.

Cholo - THERE ARE NO GANGS IN P-TOWN. The only thing p-town has are want-a-be-gangsters.

DOO DOO - Why are you scared of these punk kids?

Pay a reward for info - Maybe a extra gpa point - this will work in Pleasanton

Just kidding a bit but it is vital to find out who and bust them quick -

Pay a reward for info - Maybe a extra gpa point - this will work in Pleasanton

Just kidding a bit but it is vital to find out who and bust them quick -

Oops! You're right Doo Doo-no pun intended-I forgot to include that I agree with whatever Stacy has to say about tagging-and gangs-and.....

Gotta go-my baby's crying!

Unknown, I'm not scared...TRUST ME. I'm just done with that lifestyle, I have been for a long time. But if me and my wife, and two daughters are walking down the street and some of these punks mouth off.... then I can (and will) un-retire ...REAL FAST.... And doing so would bring on cops and court dates, and hassles that I'm proud to be rid of. I live a simple life now...
We can dismiss these "gangsters" all we want because their parents might make decent money.... but any idiot kids can pull a trigger.

I "Doo Doo" will do my part to "Sta" and "Cey" through the Amador members concern regarding the natural consequence of a white person. "Cholo" will articulate "Me"(the well intentioned)to continue, as long as his property is safe and will readily voice his personel opinion of the advantages Plutonians have. The "Voter" will petition to have a local school closed. The "Parent" will provide encouragement to their children to become active participants to assist present problem. "Noticed" reminds us all that young adults are the only ones to insure a more stable future. Come on :) I expect all of you to research, detering graffiti, and be role models for community service. We don't want our children shipped out to Brentwood. Call the Pleasanton Police Dept.,get the graffiti ph.# have it available at all times and become active. Time wasting away, need to go walk my cat.

Is it just me...or does everybody read these "blogs" kinda expecting confrontation.
Mr. Wilson I almost feel inclinded to take offese to what you wrote. Although, I have to say... I don't get it? I get the last part, about calling in and reporting stuff. But the whole cryptic thing missed me.

The territory is Vineyard Ave. things can get tense at the park.

To Voter:

My son attends Village High School and he is not a wanna be gangster nor are his friends. You can't lump a whole school as bad. There are bad kids at all schools. Have you ever gone and spoken to the principal or the police regarding your concerns. Might be something to consider!

Also, not everyone that attends Village lives on Vineyard.

Exactly Doo Doo. That was the point. Assisting our police Dept. may enable them to be more responsive based on participation from community. Leaving problems to the so-called experts does not provide good citizenship. The City can provide, in front of your face services that assist most but rely on Community for the detail.

watch out...are you suggesting that we SNITCH? I'm already a snitch, what else can I do?

Twisted? NOT! Graffiti can be fabulous art...on another fence, not mine!

I'm accepting commissions

Lorianne, go back to Mayberry where you came from!

wilson makes sense...keep up the good work! HOORAY!

WHAT ADVANTAGES ARE YOU REFERRING TO?

Oh...it's so much fun to be back in my adopted country....HOORAY!

AS FOR LONELYANNE, SHUT UP! YOU KNOW THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A BABY!

TELL THE TRUTH...

Diversity divides, I wish I could remember the philosopher that spoke to that fact.

When someone has a conversation in front of me that I don't understand it makes me uncomfortable. Weren't we all taught not to whisper in front of people? It is rude to whisper because it makes people feel left out of the conversation or feel that something is being said about them. Spanish speakers know this and know it will only create bad feelings.

In common public areas english should be spoken. Especially in school where we are using our tax dollars to acclimate ESL students to our education system.
I agree with Obama that is is time that we all learn multiple languages and I am working on improving my spanish and requiring all of my children to take spanish and our families native language.

We proudly speak our families native language and take great pride in our heritage at home and in appropriate settings but we don't need to disrespect others to maintain pride in our ancestral heritage.

I say speak your native tongue wherever and whenever you please and the DEVIL take the hindmost! YUP, that's how to do it!

If there's another language that I would like to learn, it's Mandarin!

Mr. Wilson, I'm already a snitch. Is that good or bad? I know lots of police officers and enjoy reporting illegal activity.

I am in love with this place! We started out talking about gang issues, and now it went through politics..and civil rights...and now we're at RACE.
The person was just referring to a group of kids that happen to be hispanic. He was answering the question of why is the tension. And I might not be an expert in this subject, but I assure you they are not fighting about 'what language they speak'. They're teenagers, come on guys. One group disrespects another group...pretty soon words exchange... then... you know how it goes...In all of this, I highly doubt we have a bunch of racist teens battling a bunch of militant foreigners (or however this story is going)...
Kids will be kids...
PS.. I can't believe that lady who said schools should not allow our children to communicate (amoung themselves)in a way that their comfortable. Will there be signs prohibiting spanish? I never saw one before... Will it have a person in a sombrero with a big red X on it???

English should be mandated in public school. English learner benefit from speaking English only and it reduces the separation of groups that lead to gangs.

Languages do not create gangs! Geesh! TRUST ME, these kids know how to speak English, they just speak to each other in their native tongue. It's a sign of respect. If I speak to you in English (Mandarin, Spanish), you reply in English (Mandarin, Spanish). If my grandma speaks to me in Spanish and I reply in English, I am rude. Get it? Inside the classroom, it's English, English English!

Diversity does not devide unless you are afraid of diversity.

Cholo-the advantages: great schools, great resources, etc.

please excuse my typo for the word divide in my previous post. I dislike mistakes. =)

Hi Me! That's right...if somebody speaks to me in Spanish, I respond in Spanish. If you speak to me in another language, I respond in that language if I know it. People learn another language by hearing it spoken. IT IS RESPECTFUL!!!

A few months ago, I was in a doctor's office. His assistant spoke to me in Spanish and we had a delightful conversation. Then, when the doc entered, she switched to English but I didn't. She trashed me when the doc left the room. I told her that I was gonna report her lame ass to immigration. She was furious. What a strange nurse?

Dude you are whack.

"TRUST ME, these kids know how to speak English, they just speak to each other in their native tongue. "

Yes, that is the point, they use the opportunity to dis someone in front of them and feel confident they can get away with it.
A friend and i were walking at the mall and a group walking behind us starting talkin smak about us in Spanish. My friend is fluent in Spanish and understood what they were saying. We did not want a confrontation so we turned and my friend addressed them pleasantly in Spanish and we walked on.
Talking anything but english in public is not respectful!!!!!

Can you explain the "trashed me" part... that doesn't sound professional for a medical office. BUT the part when she switched to english when her BOSS walked in...that sounds perfectly normal. And what exactly would you tell immigration if you had called??? Or is this just another Cholo rant that is part joke, part lie....

Kyle.... it sounds like you handled yourself pretty good when you were in that situation, keep up the good attitude. But your comments about "talking anything but english in public is not respectful" is just plian wrong. It is also offensive. Do you realize that (in your thinking) that we would all be speaking native american...OH YEAH, lets not forget that we're ALL on foriegn land. I know its a childish point to say...but...
The fact is that our language, the ENGLISH language is created and expanded through other languages. People and languages that have been around THOUSANDS of years before ours have helped this country become great. Its about time we give them just alittle tolerance, and respect.
When I'm in public and I hear people speaking different languages, I am curious...sure. I'm not offended (why would I be?) Lets just say for kicks...they ARE talking about me. What do I care? Kyle, I guess thats just part of getting older.... other peoples opinions just don't carry the weight they once did...

Whoa people, I didn't expect to see just a heated debate in here. Regardless if they are classified as "gangs" or just a bunch of kids up to no good, the problem is still the same. And no need placing blame on anyone other than the kids who are doing this. Maybe the police can monitor for graffiti more, I don't know what the answer is. Even the best parent in the world can't control their teenager's actions 24/7.

PS - I agree that we should close down the continuation school or move it to the middle of Sunol where residents wont have to deal with it.

Kyle...go back to Mayberry where you came from! Begone Devil!!!

Lyndalu...nobody appreciates your silly comments....go away....PLEASE!

Join the TROLL CLUB!

SPANISH LESSON OF THE DAY: chilito = apple sauce

Marty...do you have a full deck? How does speaking English only make the world a better place? Duh...

I repeat, Dude you are whack, you posted 3 times in response to you own post. Kind of like arguing with yourself.

Lorianne. Stacey's baby is crying, too. And the older one just bumped his head....

whut...so what? It's is way fun...tee hee hee, tee hee hee..

Smells Begone!

I see no need to speak in English 24/7! The doc didn't seem to mind and stated that he had a basic understanding of Spanish. When the doc left the room, Ms. RN spoke to me in an emotional tone that I perceived as derogatory. She put on her trying too hard to fit in hat and spoke to me as if I had in some way violated her in G_ds presence.

I could have terrified her and shouted manos arriba...migra and she would have wet her pants. As for "professional" for a medical office, that is a myth. NOT ALL MEDICAL OFFICE STAFF INTERACT APPROPRIATELY WITH PATIENTS, DOCTORS & RN'S INCLUDED.

Shouting manos arriba...migra would have been too mean spirited. I took the high road and simply informed her that I would call immigration on her if she didn't shut up. That was the least I could do to help her contain herself. No rant or lies...tee hee hee, tee hee hee...

Where do you born Confused? Mayberry..hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...?

Cholo, you naughty troll, it is rude to speak spanish in front of non-spanish speakers. I am sure your mother taught you it is rude to tell secrets in front of people... it is the same thing.

My teacher used to tell us, "secrets don't make friends."
rude... rude... rude... rude... rude... rude... rude... rude... rude...

Cholo do you have any friends? Cholo I will be your friend ...I like trolls ;~)

Yes Cholo I am the devil...Teeheeheehee

These comments have run their course. Thanks for posting.