I've been a homeowner on E Tularosa Ave for 23 years and the City of Orange land parcels labeled 8 and 9 on the map (specifically parcel 8) are right behind my property. I was able to attend the meeting last Fall and have been following progress on the Creek Commission since then as we consider the space behind our property the big back yard and have a vested interest in what happens back there. I do support the vision of the Commission for the Santiago Creek but with hesitation due to safety concerns. Currently the plant growth along the creek is tall, dense brush in places creating fire and crime concerns for all of my neighbors on Tularosa. Over the past 23 years that we've lived in our house there have been no less than five brush fires, a deceased person, people pitching a tent behind my back gate, a crazy woman hopped into my next door neighbors backyard and damaged items and even entered their home while they were gone, gang graffiti on rocks/drainage pipe, garbage/refuse in creek bed/surrounding brush from people that are currently or were living within the brush, and I could go on. We are calling Orange PD more frequently (we love them, they are great). My elderly neighbors are afraid to walk back there now as they have been threatened by an unstable, transient man that hangs out back there. Our husbands no longer want the women on our street to walk back there alone and when I asked the police about that the last time they came they echoed that sentiment. I'm saddened to see what the Santiago Creek area behind our property has become and that we no longer feel safe in our neighborhood because of it. We love the idea of having a beautiful, natural space behind us for all to use but it won't matter if it's unsafe. Thank you for your time and look forward to seeing how the vision continues to unfold.
Dear Committee Members,
I've been a homeowner on E Tularosa Ave for 23 years and the City of Orange land parcels labeled 8 and 9 on the map (specifically parcel 8) are right behind my property. I was able to attend the meeting last Fall and have been following progress on the Creek Commission since then as we consider the space behind our property the big back yard and have a vested interest in what happens back there. I do support the vision of the Commission for the Santiago Creek but with hesitation due to safety concerns. Currently the plant growth along the creek is tall, dense brush in places creating fire and crime concerns for all of my neighbors on Tularosa. Over the past 23 years that we've lived in our house there have been no less than five brush fires, a deceased person, people pitching a tent behind my back gate, a crazy woman hopped into my next door neighbors backyard and damaged items and even entered their home while they were gone, gang graffiti on rocks/drainage pipe, garbage/refuse in creek bed/surrounding brush from people that are currently or were living within the brush, and I could go on. We are calling Orange PD more frequently (we love them, they are great). My elderly neighbors are afraid to walk back there now as they have been threatened by an unstable, transient man that hangs out back there. Our husbands no longer want the women on our street to walk back there alone and when I asked the police about that the last time they came they echoed that sentiment. I'm saddened to see what the Santiago Creek area behind our property has become and that we no longer feel safe in our neighborhood because of it. We love the idea of having a beautiful, natural space behind us for all to use but it won't matter if it's unsafe. Thank you for your time and look forward to seeing how the vision continues to unfold.