The City Council got an earful of worry Wednesday from residents
who live in Coyote Estates and Mission Ranch at the east end of
Cochrane Road.
The City Council got an earful of worry Wednesday from residents who live in Coyote Estates and Mission Ranch at the east end of Cochrane Road.
Six women stood up and told of finding escaped inmates from the James Boys’ Ranch in their yards, of not being able to let their children play outside and of getting little help or information from the police or public agencies.
Two of the four teens who escaped Jan. 12 following a gang fight are back in custody.
Georgina Pelz, who lives in Coyote Estates, asked that the issue be put on an upcoming council agenda because, clearly, something must be done.
“We’re looking for support from our city,” Pelz said. “It’s too easy for them to get out and hurt us. They come into our backyards – I want sex offenders and dangerous criminals housed someplace else. Why are we not told we aren’t safe?”
She said the number of escapees during fiscal year 2003 was 139.
Mayor Dennis Kennedy said the council would do what they could, which is to convene a meeting with all parties to share information, concerns and solutions.
City Manager Ed Tewes tried to explain.
“City government shares your concern about the safety of your neighborhood,” Tewes said. “There are changes there: a new chief probation officer, the Holden Ranch has closed (because of county budget finances). The chief probation officer will meet with neighbors, answer your very legitimate questions and report back to the City Council.”
The residents reported incidents not just related to the most recent escape of four boys on Jan. 12, but ongoing at the minimum security site.
Christine Nguyen of Mission Ranch said she once encountered a boy who jumped over her backyard fence.
“He asked me not to call the police,” Nguyen said. “I have a little boy and a little girl who play in that backyard. It’s unsafe. We feel threatened by all these escapees. What if they become violent and take one of our children hostage?”
A probation officer came around Jenny Vo’s Mission Ranch street the night of Jan. 12, looking for the teens but wouldn’t tell her anything.
“Nobody told us what was going on,” Vo said. “They should at least tell us so we and our kids can be safe. I e-mailed the staff at the boys’ ranch and got no response. I e-mailed the chief of probation and got no response. From (County Supervisor) Don Gage I got a response. There is a real lack of communication from the different agencies.”
Residents did know about the ranch before buying but were unprepared for the current situation.
Cherie Bourlard of Coyote Estates said she was advised by a disclaimer when she bought the house that the boys’ ranch was near by.
“But we didn’t know about the lack of security, the lack of motivation by law enforcement (to keep them inside), the types of offenders and the number of boys who escape,” Bourlard said.
She said she and her neighbors were told that the problem was not with boys escaping but with offenders coming onto the ranch.
“They put up a gate (to keep them out) but it is never closed,” she said.
A conversation with Assistant District Attorney Marc Buller made her even more nervous.
“Since a 1995 report, more violent offenders are being housed, there,” Bourlard said. “Murderers, rapists, robbers, sex offenders and car thieves – because CYA (the California Youth Authority houses the really difficult cases) is not taking as many as they used to. Times are changing and the probation department refused to see this as a problem.”
Susan Cervantes lives on St. Marks Court and only asks for enough information to keep her kids safe.
“I encountered three juveniles coming down my street when I was out with my kids,” Cervantes said. “Two boys were holding onto one in the middle who looked as if he had been beaten up. They send boys on good behavior out to get the escapees.”
Cervantes said she was told the officials could not give out information because the boys are minors.
“We don’t want to know their names,” she said. “We just want to know what’s going on.”
Joy Zaho, a Morgan Hill resident for more than 26 years just moved into Mission Ranch from Jackson Oaks where she felt much safer.
“I’m frightened at night, especially after the helicopters beamed lights into our backyard,” Zaho said. “I have two stepdaughters who now have to play within my sight.”
Councilman Greg Sellers said Gage wanted a bit of time to get the changes in place. Sellers asked that a county representative attend a council meeting so Gage would be fully aware of the local concerns.
Carol Holzgrafe covers City Hall for The Times. She can be reached by e-mail at ch********@*************es.com or phoning (408) 779-4106 Ext. 201.
