Comments on: Police Blotter – March 5, 2010 | Marijuana grow house shut down http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/03/09/police-blotter-march-5-2010-marijuana-grow-house-shut-down/ News, information, photos, videos and history about the Richmond District neighborhood of San Francisco. Tue, 22 May 2012 14:13:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: David http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/03/09/police-blotter-march-5-2010-marijuana-grow-house-shut-down/comment-page-1/#comment-4243 David Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:43:30 +0000 http://richmondsfblog.com/?p=4411#comment-4243 Beyond my views about should or should not legalize, I understand the poor fellow was not a big time dealer. Just a neighborhood guy trying to make ends meet in a tough economy. I do know for sure that the untold part of the story includes; some of the neighbors innocently trying to help give him first aid were detained on the sidewalk for HOURS. They may well tell their unhappy stories about their treatment to the Office of Citizen Complaints. I have gotten an earful from a couple of them. Its also curious why, with the scene secured, so many officers were needed on this call, for so long, when our district does not have that many to start with. It's my opinion that if officers, instead of whizzing by in the patrol cars, developed more personal relationships with nieighbors, we would not need citizens to call when they experience, "strange smells" or other problems. Given that, neighborhood watch can fill the gap created when a debatable diversion of resources on a case like this, leaves worse people roaming around, according to the newsletter some of them with 30+ felony convictions Beyond my views about should or should not legalize, I understand the poor fellow was not a big time dealer. Just a neighborhood guy trying to make ends meet in a tough economy. I do know for sure that the untold part of the story includes; some of the neighbors innocently trying to help give him first aid were detained on the sidewalk for HOURS. They may well tell their unhappy stories about their treatment to the Office of Citizen Complaints. I have gotten an earful from a couple of them. Its also curious why, with the scene secured, so many officers were needed on this call, for so long, when our district does not have that many to start with.

It’s my opinion that if officers, instead of whizzing by in the patrol cars, developed more personal relationships with nieighbors, we would not need citizens to call when they experience, “strange smells” or other problems. Given that, neighborhood watch can fill the gap created when a debatable diversion of resources on a case like this, leaves worse people roaming around, according to the newsletter some of them with 30+ felony convictions

]]> By: LoudMime http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/03/09/police-blotter-march-5-2010-marijuana-grow-house-shut-down/comment-page-1/#comment-4224 LoudMime Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:01:33 +0000 http://richmondsfblog.com/?p=4411#comment-4224 How many of these issues are due to the illegality of the operation: "My sense, given the high intensity lighting, heaters, blowers and pumps utilized in the operation, all powered through substandard wiring, was that the risk of fire was extreme." ~ If it were legal they could hire an electrician. "Given the magnitude of the operation and amount of marijuana on site, this facility was a high value target for criminals who attack illicit businesses. A “grow” like this could well have become the site of an armed “takeover” robbery or a robbery related kidnapping." ~ Since it's illegal perpetrators will know that they will never have to contend with the law. If it were legalized an invasion and kidnapping would have the same perceived repercussions (deterrents) as breaking into a jewelry store, somebody's home, etc... The people in this operation will now be going to prison. And to make room some violent offender will likely get off with a reduced sentence and be out on the street to do it again. Nearly all of the societal problems of this prohibition can be traced back to marijuana's illegality, not the drug itself. How many of these issues are due to the illegality of the operation:

“My sense, given the high intensity lighting, heaters, blowers and pumps utilized in the operation, all powered through substandard wiring, was that the risk of fire was extreme.” ~ If it were legal they could hire an electrician.

“Given the magnitude of the operation and amount of marijuana on site, this facility was a high value target for criminals who attack illicit businesses. A “grow” like this could well have become the site of an armed “takeover” robbery or a robbery related kidnapping.” ~ Since it’s illegal perpetrators will know that they will never have to contend with the law. If it were legalized an invasion and kidnapping would have the same perceived repercussions (deterrents) as breaking into a jewelry store, somebody’s home, etc…

The people in this operation will now be going to prison. And to make room some violent offender will likely get off with a reduced sentence and be out on the street to do it again.

Nearly all of the societal problems of this prohibition can be traced back to marijuana’s illegality, not the drug itself.

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