Speakers At Republican Club Address Bird Bombs and Gangs
May 13, 2011 7 Comments
Grandview Police Chief David Charvet speaking to Sunnyside Republican Club
The Sunnyside Republican Club heard Grandview Police Chief David Charvet and Sunnyside Council Member Don Vlieger address political and law enforcement issues ranging from controlling birds in area orchards, to controlling nuisance behaviors of gangs.
Chief Charvet spoke to the issue of “Bird Bombs” which has been the subject of some recent media coverage. Local orchards use these and other devices to scare away birds from their fruit trees. ”Bird Bangers” is another name for them. Charvet said that propane powered noise makers are another method commonly used.
The bird bombs have been in the news because agents of the federal government have started enforcing regulations that require background checks and other controls related to their usage. Charvet said as a law enforcement officer, he has never responded to a situation where these devices are used in a crime, and personally did not see the need for these new regulations.
He pointed out that other similar explosives are available, without these regulatory controls, in the form of flare guns, shotgun blanks, and even regular shotgun ammunition loads. Charvet also pointed out that background checks are not required to purchase rifle or pistol ammunition either.
A "Bird Bomb" explosive noise maker subject to new federal enforcement and regulations.
I asked if explosives by model rocket hobbyists were subject to these type of restrictions, and again Charvet said they were not. Some other comments in the room expressed concern about the government spending its resources enforcing these types of regulations, while public safety is being jeopardized by dangerous criminal gangs in our area.
While speaking, Chief Charvet passed around “Bird Bomb” explosive charges for the audience to see and handle. Charvet said he had absolutely no concerns about anyone being harmed by handling the small explosives, which are little larger than a firecracker.
Following Chief Charvet’s presentation, Sunnyside Council Member Don Vlieger addressed the topic of gangs in our community.
Don Vlieger said that he did not distinguish between “wannabe” gang members and “actual” gang members. He compared it to someone who steals a TV from a person’s home. ”Are they a burglar or not?”, he asked.
Vlieger said that if they are committing acts of a gang member, then are a gang member. However, Vlieger did say that there are different levels of gang involvement.
Drawing from his background in gang prevention while a deputy for the Los Angeles County Sheriff, and his experience working with school districts as a gang prevention officer and nationally travelled seminar speaker on this topic, Vlieger spoke of the hundreds of troubled kids he has counseled.
His counseling experience covers both Washington and California.
“Poverty does not cause gangs. Most people in poverty are not in gangs” said Vlieger.
He continued, “A nest does not produce eggs, although it might provide an environment where they can be nurtered.”
Vlieger said that some kids think it is “fun” to be in a gang, adding that mainstream middle class values can not be used to relate to this alternative culture.
“Going to jail for some of these kids means that they have better food, better healthcare, and that they will be surrounded by friends they already know. Most of us in this room would not have friends there, and would not be a good time for us,” said Vlieger.
Speaking of the Sunnyside Police Department’s proposed Gang Elimination Plan, Vlieger said “The police have a plan to deny sanctuary and support to gangs.” He said that to be successful, the city must create pressure while also providing opportunity. With police providing suppression efforts and increasing the pressure on gang members, they will have more incentive to seek help from Sunnyside’s Promise, he said.
Council Member Don Vlieger addresses the Sunnyside Republican Club while Council Member Theresa Hancock sits nearby.
A question was asked about why the Sunnyside Council was not strongly supporting the plan proposed by police. Sunnyside Council Member Theresa Hancock, who was also in the audience, spoke up and said she is opposed to the idea of notifying employers if they had gang members on their payroll.
“While they are at work, they are not committing crimes”, said Hancock.
Vlieger countered, “If an employer has a child molester or an Al Qaeda member at their business, they have a right to know that. The same is true for gang members. We would be negligent if we did not tell them.”
Related articles
- Police Present Gang Elimination Plan (blogsunnyside.com)
- Gunman Killed As Police Dispense A Pound Of Cure (blogsunnyside.com)
About Jason R. Raines
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Jason,
Chief Charvet is one of our outstanding lawmen and law enforcement leaders in our part of the State. Citizens supporting his influence combined with that of that of our own outstanding and capable enforcement leaders (Chief Radder and Deputy Chief Phil Schenk) will serve as a major first step to resolving the rampant rise in crime that our elected officials have allowed to escalate in Sunnyside and Yakima Valley.
Jim Stevens – i-WATCH
Jason,
Regarding “Bird Bombs”.
We realize the problem orchardists face with making a profit and totally support the efforts of our farming community. But, we must all work together for a better community…and not violate the rights and quality of life of our neighbors while serving our own best interest.
What erodes our quality of life and sanctity of our homes: Invasion of our homes and property by crime, gangs, intruders, trespassers, viscous dogs, flocks of crows, manure droplets in the air we breathe, bright lights in our windows at night, and loud noises.
It is a documented fact that noise contributes to heart disease – especially when it disturbs a time that is supposed to be a restful time or invades our sleep – even if it doesn’t cause you to wake.
Another solution must be sought to control birds in the orchards. It exists. “Bird Bombs” may be good for the profits of the farmer, but is bad for the neighboring homeowner, his health, his peace, quality of life, and value of his property. American Citizens in the Yakima Valley, of all ethnic backgrounds, already have
monumental invasion of those Civil Rights provided to them by the Constitution of the United States of America. They certainly do not need additional violations from our well-meaning orchardists. Let’s work together for a BETTER community.
United We Stand
Jim Stevens
i-WATCH
Jim,
My sleep has never been disrupted by “bird bombs.” The overbearing regulation by an ever expanding government is unnecessary and harmful to the local agricultural economy. If these were disturbing people’s sleep, they could be regulated by local sound ordinances. This is not a federal problem.
Jason
Regarding Councilman Vlieger’s presentation about gangs.
Mr. Vlieger aptly described the situation, with accuracy and credible authority. He KNOWS…he has been there, lived it, and studied it to a depth we can only imagine. Gangs are his field of expertise.
Residents of Sunnyside and Yakima Valley of ALL ethnic backgrounds, are fearful of gangs…continually. Most all residents are related to victims or know victims. Many residents are VICITMS themselves and have had their homes invaded, property stolen, and their lives threatened. They have heard gunshots or had guns fired at them or near them. They are in a state of terror. By definition, those causing the terror are terrorists. I have questioned many victims and asked if these terrorists are their friends and they replied of course not. If they are not our friends, then they must be our enemy.
In attendance at this meeting was Councilman Theresa Hancock. At this meeting, and at SS Council meetings she seems to continually challenge Councilman Vlieger regarding the concept of GANG ABATEMENT. She also challenges Deputy Chief Phil Shenck. Gangs have been their study and occupation. She stated that she does not like referring to gang members as terrorists or our enemy. Ms Hancock is an expert in the field of her occupation and selling that product…how does that make her an expert at gangs? These men and their expertise are some of our best resources to eliminate gangs in the Yakima Valley and the crime and terror gangs spread. Why does Ms Hancock want to stand in the way of our best resources and their goal of eliminating gangs in Sunnyside and the Yakima Area?
Protect the Victims…Not the Criminals
Jim Stevens
i-WATCH
First councilman Hancock and her puppets voted for gangs and crime and NO against more police presence ! Watching Hancock there taking notes has me wondering if she is just taking notes so she can vote no against EVERYTHING Vlieger stands for. Seems Hancock has left the mode of working for the good of the sunnyside taxpayer and has reverted to a mode of taking down Vlieger. She seems to be on a destructive mode towards Vlieger because he is far and above her capabilites in get this town of Sunnyside back to a safe place to live and walk the streets! Everything Theresa Hancock is against ? Seems councilman Hancock is not only on a self destructive mode for her council position but is also working on taking Gehlen, Garcia and Restucci down with her! And it seems that Gehlen, Garcia and are taking their marching orders not only from Hancock, but perhaps the crime syndicate as well.
Watch for the council meeting to come. Hancock and these others mentioned will be catching flack from taxpaying voters and will try to get through a watered down version to makes people think they were mistaking what they heard. They will either have to do this or fire city manager Gervasi. But do not think the taxpayers would accept a third firing as an excuse for their fatal reasonings per all their back stabbing votes !
Per Restucci and all his know it all RCW’s. R—Restucci’s C— childish W- Whimperings – Yes by this RCW meaning. He is an Einstein per RCW’s ! Wow, the word Mayor does not fit this man !
Jason
RE: Bird Bombs
My comment was in no way promoting more Federal Government control of our FREEDOM. It is not suggesting injury or damage to local farmers of any crop. It is a plea to BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR and respect the RIGHTS and FREEDOM of your neighbors and fellow American Citizens. The “Bird Bomb Blasting” is as situation where our neighbors with crops have a business; their business is backed by large, politically influential groups like the Farm Bureau. Our farm neighbor is emanating a product that is infringing on the RIGHTS of American Citizens…NOISE. It is not unlike the farm product that invaded Sunnyside for years…SMELL. These are two forms of air pollution. Noise in the form of Bird Bomb Blasting is an annoying product that crosses property lines and is uninvited, unwelcome and violates property the protective walls of homes. What happens when powerful political groups overwhelm local regulations and local government fails to protect the RIGHTS of American Citizens? Rights, such as their property rights. What happens when state government fails to uphold the laws set to protect the RIGHTS of American Citizens?
Your response, “My sleep has never been DISTURBED by bird bombs.” indicates that you did not understand my commentary, “…INVADES our sleep – even if it doesn’t cause you to wake.” The key word here is INVADE. This can happen without your conscious knowledge. Your comment suggests a conscious awareness of sleep disturbance. It also suggests that your health would not be affected even if your sleep was disturbed. That is a bold statement, but it is not supported by scientific study. Theoretically, you MAY be one of those people whose health is not adversely affected, but you your situation may place in statistically select group. Sleep deprivation and sleep disorders are a monumental health problem today in our Country. At any rate, a broad-sweeping statement indicating health is unaffected by the level of noise emanated from bird bombs or does not affect sleep, or the “peaceful” existence of ones home or property is scientifically unfounded.
My point is about NOISE…not federal regulation and not about unique personal experience but an issue that is adversely affecting the quality of life in our community. The arguments supporting the RIGHT to produce “industrial” noise that permeates our community have little difference from the RIGHT to produce industrial manure odder that permeates our community. Bottom-line…GOOD NEIGHBOR policies negate the need for many regulations that chip away at our FREEDOM.
Jim Stevens, i-WATCH
Jim,
The ATF regulations on “Bird Bombs” have nothing to do with sleep disturbance. I do not think that they generate enough noise to be an environmental issue, especially given the low population density of places where they are used.
The issue here is not about noise, but about federal regulations to solve a problem no one is looking for a solution to (i.e. a rogue terrorist using noisemakers to kill people in their sleep.)