HomeMy WebLinkAboutCORRESPONDENCE - 85A
Orozco, Norma
From:Katre Kruus <katre_kruus@yahoo.com>
Sent:Monday, December 14, 2020 5:26 PM
To:eComment
Cc:Jeffrey Katz; Tony Bujan
Subject:Comments - Agenda item 85A
December 14, 2020
Re: Agenda item 85A
Dear City of Santa Ana Council Members,
My husband and I own a historic home that was built in 1909 on North Bush Street. Three
years ago, we made the decision to move from Irvine. We absolutely love our home
and the City of Santa Ana, but we are seriously reconsidering our decision because the
City has not addressed a fundamental right – a right to feel safe and secure just outside
our front door.
On our block, within a few 100 years of our front door is a Sober Living/Transition House,
located at 2057 North Bush Street. Young men with ankle bracelets are coming and going
from this property. OC Probation has confirmed that Violent Criminals are housed there
and there is no supervision. Currently, a Logan Gang member is living there and we
have witnessed on many occasions other gang members visiting this property.
This past year we have seen an increase in gang activity, graffiti, and we even had two
shootings on our street. We are terrified and have started discussions with our
realtor whether we should move to a safer city.
We are hoping for immediate action from the City so that our neighborhood could be
made safe.
Sincerely,
Katre Kruus and Anthony Bujan
949-290-4029
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Orozco, Norma
From:Jeffrey Katz <jeffrey.katz@kesherlawgroup.com>
Sent:Tuesday, December 15, 2020 7:03 AM
To:eComment
Subject:Agenda Item 85a - City Council Meeting - December 15, 2020
Re: Sober Living & Transitional Homes
Dear City of Santa Ana Council,
With its consideration of agenda item 85a and the regulation of “group homes” (including sober living and
transitional homes), this new City Council has an opportunity to establish itself as a council that stands for the
quality of life in Santa Ana. I applaud Councilmembers Penaloza and Mendoza for shining a light on this
horrific problem and beginning the process – a very long process – of figuring this issue out.
PLEASE HIT “PAUSE” ON ALL NEW GROUP HOMES IN SANTA ANA … while we take the time to study
and pass regulations that govern these facilities.
If you appreciate how the motel formerly known as the Red Roof Inn is damaging the surrounding
neighborhoods and our City, then you understand that many of these sober living homes are simply mini–Red
Roof Inns sprinkled throughout our City – right in the middle of residential neighborhoods where kids should be
able to play on our streets -- wreaking havoc and danger on our residents.
Sober-living-home operators has been accused of exploiting recovering addicts for sex and even of giving drug
to drug addicts. They have kept Todd Spitzer and the DA’s office (The Sober Living-Home Investigation and
Prosecution task force) extremely busy as they have investigated and prosecuted operators for fraud.
These operators and their residents have generated neighborhood complaints, lawsuits, and allegations of
behavior so rowdy it borders on the criminal.
We have no idea how many group homes are in Santa Ana.
We do not inspect these homes.
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We do not regulate these homes.
One home is very close proximity to my home is owned by a Newport Beach trust – its beneficiaries living in a
posh neighborhood that would never allow group homes while they ravage a Santa Ana neighborhood with its
“cash cow.”
I implore the Council -- walk through the small neighborhood Santa Ana Triangle which borders Museum
Row. Witness how we have allowed a neighborhood to deteriorate into blight ravaged by the Logan Street
Gang and sober living homes. How can we return our City to greatness, attract new business and retain our
residents if we do not stand for Quality of Life? (It is discouraging to hear neighbors lament, "I have had it with
this City; I'm moving out!")
It's time that we place greater priority on Santaneros who are just trying to create a "home," and not elevate the
interests of those who do not live in our City.
Do not fall prey to the argument that regulating these homes is what our City needs. Ask yourself, do you want
to live in house which is surrounded by group homes – regulated or not?
Southern California has become known at the Rehab Riviera. This climate has exacerbated our homeless
problem as these group home operators seduce addicts from around the US to come to our City, exhaust their
insurance, provide little help, and then dump them on our streets. Once-quiet neighborhoods have morphed into
recovery campuses thanks to the “body brokers.”
A sober living home SHOULD BE a health care facility. We are years away, as a City, from being able to
regulate these types of homes.
So … hit PAUSE for now until we figure this out.
KESHER LAW GROUP
PRESIDENT OF FLORAL PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Jeffrey A. Katz | Attorney at Law
Ward 3
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(714) 296-8309
jeffrey.katz@kesherlawgroup.com
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