A brief overview of the police meeting in North Natomas

More to follow tomorrow when I've had a deep breath- but here is a short summary.

I feel 100% confident that our police are doing everything they can to solve the policing problem in Natomas and they are working hard to catch these robbers. Chief Brazil and Captain Hahn left me feeling that they are busting their butts to get this thing put away. Natomas Buzz will have information tomorrow on what you can do to protect yourself.

However, their hands are tied by a lame city council and mayor that need to be on the curbs as soon as humanly possible. Fargo and Tretheway contributed absolutely nothing, not one iota of useful commentary or information. Complete fluff, political stunt and garbage. I don't think anyone would have missed their presence.

Fargo's huge blunder of the night, I believe, was showing her true colors. She snapped at an audience member who asked what the city was doing to hold banks responsible for dilapidated properties that are drawing crime. Fargo snapped

"You can't blame the city for foreclosures, that's the feds."

More on why we CAN and SHOULD blame Fargo for the foreclosures and how to report code violations tomorrow.

Oh and thanks to Kevin Johnson for making an appearance at the meeting, observing and listening without making a show of his attendance. Professional, polite and exactly what I'm looking for in a mayor. He didn't need the stage to show his concern.

What is going on in North Natomas and where are the police???

Joe Sacramento has posted it best so I will not try to outdo his writing. North Natomas is currently plagued by a rash of home invasion and armed robberies. Please be careful, look out for your neighbors and be suspicious of anyone who looks out of place. I have personally seen two suspicious older teens behaving oddly this week (I know odd, I taught high school) and I did nothing because I didn't want to appear intolerant or perhaps racist. I'm kicking myself now for not making a simple phone call.

If you're in Natomas Park, call Paladin Security immediately if you see anything out of the ordinary. Do not hesitate, do not wait and do not intervene yourself. They have a much, much faster response time than the police in Natomas. Pathetic, disgusting and yet totally true.

Email Heather Fargo, anyone and everyone at the city and try the Sac Bee while you're at it. Then go outside and sit on your porch tonight. Knock on your neighbors' doors and get to know them. Share a cup of iced tea and chat about how smoky the air is. You need to know who stays home during the day, who is available in an emergency and who is watching your stuff when you're gone!

When you're done freaking out that your own garage is not safe and would like to stick your head back in the clouds, check out Rick Kushman's new column "The Good Life" all about life in Sacramento. While I appreciate his bubbly enthusiasm, I'm busy checking my backyard for armed robbers.