My family and friends keep asking me about what is going on with the potential courthouse site across from the mall. This really has everyone upset and feel it is the beginning of the demise of our family-friendly safe environment here in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Anyone who has done jury service at the courthouse building in Van Nuys, and what comes along with that, knows how local crime rates will be elevated.
Do I have data or charts to prove this? Nope, just logical common-sense deduction. It will never be as safe as it is now.
It is not just NIMBY thinking — it is a reality when you create a regional hub to process and try criminals for small crimes and major felonies such as murder.
There must be a better and more suitable location for this building instead of positioning it where we go for a night out, a day of shopping or a place for out-of-towners to experience what our city has to offer.
Also, that parcel is not very large for a building that size (eight stories) and all the parking and services needed to support it.
I don’t think the folks here understand that to my knowledge they will be moving all the cases here from northern L.A. county to the SCV and closing or reducing cases at Chatsworth, San Fernando, Sylmar juvenile hall and felony cases from downtown L.A.
Starbucks seems to be the only ones in town that knew it was coming by building their store in such an odd location with no visual presence from the street. Our hope is that our leaders of this city find a new location and fast. Sacramento politicians don’t care. They don’t live here or have to deal with the consequences of their decisions.
We do. Forever. Signal editors, can we read more stories looking into this very important issue? City leaders, are you paying attention? Starbucks did.
Gary Arndt
Newhall
