Changes around the community

For those of you who haven’t noticed, here is a list of changes that have recently occurred in the Soco Walk community, in large part to the stance its residents have taken in fighting local crime.

1. No trespassing signs have been posted at “entry” points to the complex.  I do wish they were more visible.  In any case, it’s official.  If you have no relationship with any resident of this community, and you are passing through in a belligerent or suspicious manner, you are trespassing.   If you see this occurring, pick of you phone and just inform the FPD.  They will come take care of it.

2. Lock have been installed on the electric closet doors.  If you would like a key, contact the association management.

3. Speed bumps were installed around the blind turns at the main entrance.  Beware as you turn, because you probably won’t even see the bumps, but they are big enough to make you not forget they are there.

4. New trees have been planted in place of the old dead ones.  Believe it or not, this does help in detering crime.  A well kept looking community projects an image of those who are on top of things.  If this place looked anything like what it did a few years back, you could expect that just like then, this place would be the central point for activity.

5.  I’m sure you noticed the new building are up.  Have you seen their driveways!  That’s good as it should serve to alleviate some of the parking demand if they can park in their driveways.

6. The Coffee Rail and Sweet Mango are OPEN!!!!  Just kidding.  They are still cosed.  Hey, I can wish.

7.  Apparently large propane tanks are not allowed within 10 feet of the building.  This means they can’t be on your balconies.  You can still barbeque though, you just need to use the tiny camping tanks.  Sorry folks, it is the law.  But at least they aren’t banned.  Wait, isn’t there someone suggesting to ban them?  Someone give that person the “Enemy of Fun” badge.  Not being able to barbeque sounds un-American.  (More on this subject in a future post).

What does “Urban” mean to you?

In light of the recent rash of activity regarding the communities new “noteriety,” I’d like to start a discussion of what the term “Urban” means.

Seriously, we all know what the dictionary says.  But in reading the article, and listening to some comments from around the community, it obvious some people have not a clue.

Just for the record, dictionary.com defines urban as:

urban – adj.  

1. Of, relating to, or located in a city.
2. Characteristic of the city or city life.

I personally take it as more of a synonym for metropolitan, which I derive from my experiences in cities like New York and Los Angeles.  I hear urban and I imagine, a city rich with activity, of all walks of life.  Public transpotration, bars and restaurants abound, crime, and traffic.  I definitely do not expect lawns and gardens, parks and playgrounds.  That I expect more out of suburbia, wouldn’t you agree?

But again, obviously some of our residents had no clue what they were getting into.  I think maybe some saw this as modern and hip, and bought into this community without regard to what was actually being sold to them.  This community has always been billed as “urban-like.”

I don’t understand why living here, people complain about there being no gates or no park or no pool.  Didn’t you know when you bought the place?  If you want those things so bad – move to a suburb.  I hear Irvine is nice.

I don’t understand why living here, people complain about noise from the bars or noise from their neighbors.  Didn’t you know this was attached living?  Didn’t you see how close you were to Downtown?  If you wanted piece and quiet and everyone asleep by 9:00 pm – move to a suburb.  I hear Victorville has some opennings.

And yes I realize that some of you may turn around and say, “why are you complaining about crime then?”  But my answer to that is, personal safety, in urban or suburban or sub-suburban, it doesn’t matter – we all should have the right to live in a safe environment.

My point is, if you don’t like living in an urban environment – move.  Don’t try to change this community to become something it was never meant to be to appease what your short sightedness got you into.  I didn’t want Irvine and I didn’t want L.A.  I wanted Fullerton – an old historic city, that as a transit gateway to Orange County – is on the verge of growing to the next level.

That LA Times article…

In regards to a previous post about an LA Times article (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-downtown19-2008aug19,0,1885626.story?page=1), a resident responded with the following:

Do you live in SocoWalk or is this blog just an effort to decrease property values in SocoWalk?

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I assume these negative responses are a result of the misrepresentation of the purpose of this blog perpetuated by the LA Times article.  I am greatly disappointed that the blog has taken on this negative light.

I assure, this blog was not created to decrease property values of the Soco Walk community.

Common now, listen to yourself.  Do you think this blog is the source of the problem?  Is THIS blog the cause of lowering property values?

This blog was created because we live in a neighborhood that, much like all other neighborhoods, has its issues.  This blog aims to help combat problems created by members of the community (and these individuals are part of this local community) by keeping other members informed and alert.  By commenting on this blog, I am proud that you care as much to continually keep yourself informed.  But don’t place your frustrations with the surrounding situation here with unfounded (and ridiculous) blame.

Look outside your window.  Do you see the graffiti?  Do you see the homeless drunks? Do you see the traffic?

My friend, I hate to break it to you, but it’s those issues driving down the values.  This blog does nothing to create those things.  All this blog does is inform you of its existence, so that you can do something about it.