As many as 500 people attending a community meeting last night after 9 year old Ximena Meza was murdered in a drive by shooting Wednesday night in the 2300 block of West Greenacre Avenue in Anaheim. The shooting is the result of possible gang violence. Witnesses reported two groups in the area at the time of the shooting, one of which traveled in a white vehicle. Meza was not the target but was hit by a bullet. News media reports say the family had just moved into the apartment about a month ago. She would have turned 10 later this month.
We spoke with Dr. Jose F. Moreno yesterday. he told us he got a text from the superintendent about the shooting and together, they mobilized the district’s crisis team. Meza attended a school in the Magnolia district but many of the kids who lived in the apartment complex near the shooting attend school at Gauer Elementary. Dr. Moreno said grief counselors were on hand to help students and faculty deal with this senseless tragedy. The district implemented protocols for this incident effectively and with speed. We’d also like to call out the work of AUHSD Trustee Annemarie Randle Trejo who was involved in prepping Brookhurst Jr. High students.
While he did not go to the scene of the shooting, he and Mayor Tom Tait did attend the community meeting last night to address the shooting and how police are investigating the case. But Dr. Moreno viewed his job Wednesday night as one of supporting the school district’s team with everything they needed to address the needs of students and teachers the next day.
For the Tait bots, they’ll be in praise and awe of Tait’s attendance at the meeting (which as mayor, he was where he was supposed to be). Moreno was right to be there too; but dollars to donuts, had candidate Lorri Galloway shown up, they’d be using tragedy to accuse her of pandering for votes. Council member and Mayoral candidate Lucille Kring was also in attendance. Galloway scheduled an ESCRI Public Safety Town Hall event for November 17 to review safety issues specific to disenfranchised areas of Anaheim. This was organized about a month ago.
Gabriel San Roman’s story in OC Weekly takes aim at the city’s police department. From the story: “To be honest, we need assistance, but sometimes we feel a little bit uncomfortable with some police,” resident Guillermo Ocampo tells the Weekly. A patrol car parked in the alley blocked his passage last week as he tried to drive through. A cop got out and sternly ordered him to move while hitting the trunk of his car. The experience left him with a mixed feeling.
The number of service calls to police this year from the neighborhood reflect that reality: only 91 such requests have trickled in. Residents in the audience wanted better lighting in the dim alleys of the neighborhood and also for Brookhurst Park, where drug use is said to be commonplace.”
With a number of high profile police shootings in Anaheim during Tom Tait’s stewardship of the city, it’s not surprising that residents are distrustful of the police. Donna Acevedo had no comment for us on the shooting when contacted Wednesday night. She did condemn the gang violence and promised to get back to us — two days ago. We haven’t heard a peep from her since. Since she leads an effort to “Film the Police” and is a candidate for City Council, I wonder if she’ll lead a similar effort to “Film the Gangs” in an effort to hinder gang violence.
A GoFundMe site has been set up to offset the child’s funeral expenses; we urge readers to contribute what they can.
Doubtful on any attempts to film any gangs in Anaheim. The gangs ae not bound by the same Constitution which permits filming of the Police. I am confident that any such attempt to intrude on gangbangers would result in a serious beatdown or worse. This is the environment the Hispanic Community has created for itself in Anaheim. Also compounding the mess is, gangbangers are either the kids, relatives or friends of most of the residents.
Here’s another Irvine idiot speaking about a city that he has no connection to or knowledge of whatsoever…the two of you should just stick to talking trash on each other and leave Anaheim to those of us who actually, truly care.
You care? Did you make a contribution to her funeral? Or was the fact your reporter did a story about it enough? Examples of your caring please because all you ever do is complain or ridicule
Wow…leave it to Vile Dan to turn what’s supposed to be an act of charity into a dick-measuring contest. Even Vile Dan’s dear friend Matty, as disgusting as he is, knew better than to insert politics or vendettas into Ximena’s tragedy—all his blog post did was report the incident and urge readers to donate. Dan? He turns it into an opportunity to slam Latinos, Gabriel, myself, Tom Tait, Donna Acevedo and all his annoyances—vile.
PS, Dan: Remember how you used to send me all those emails from Rick Warren for reasons I still don’t understand? Ask him to explain to you Matthew 6:1-4. Then get the hell out of my town, once and for all.
If I recall correctly, you once asked me to let you know about any politicizing from the pulpit by Warren which is why I sent you that stuff. And on the subject of vile, you’re a monthly guest on the Tom Leykis program, a genuine wife beater who regularly denigrates women. And yes, I’m quite familiar with Matthew 6:1 and I am not sure how that applies here. Unless you still live in Anaheim, it ain’t your city anymore than its mine.
Kring did show up near the end. Acevedo didn’t give you a statement? Good! And yet, here you are trying to profit off of that anyway. You haven’t learned a thing about brow beating Mexis in the aftermath of a tragedy. I know how Acevedo feels about it, but that’s between us. You on the other hand can’t leave the woman alone even after playing funeral politics with her son’s death to boost LoGal on this decrepit blog.
And did my story really “take aim” at the police department? Or did it report the actual gap between them and the community. The calls for service stat came from APD itself. Ask the police if that’s something they feel they need to work on.
In the meantime, dig yourself deeper and deeper in it.
That woman is a candidate for city council. Since she’s taken the lead on FTP perhaps she can lead an effort to film the gangs. I don’t profit from this blog. Not one bit. But you took more aim at the police than you did to gangs. That’s pretty plain.
And here’s Vile Dan again, offering suggestions when no one asked him to. The funny thing is he’s trying to have it both ways: on one hand, he agrees that residents should be wary of the police (but blames it on Tait, of course). Then, in the same breath, he says that residents shouldn’t worry about police. But talking out of both sides of his mouth and looking like a fool shouldn’t surprise anyone one: After all, Vile Dan takes after his hero, Larry Agran.
Putting words in my mouth again? Larry isn’t my hero. Pray tell, what’s your plan to solve gang violence? Aren’t you in a position to say something about it? All I hear from you is criticism and excuses.
I’m curious why it was newsworthy to report Tait was there but not Dr. Moreno or Lucille Kring? Could it be you’re promoting your favorite candidate for mayor, the same one who pushed so hard for immigration agents to be based in Anaheim City Jail in the 90s?
Well the cops caught two suspects. Will they warrant any praise for this from you?
Silly Dan —
Two people spoke from the microphone at the forum: Tom Tait and Raul Quezada. I quoted them both. Jose F. Moreno stood in the back of the room and Lucille Kring came towards the end. That last sentence I just wrote doesn’t add a whole lot to the body of a story. I’m glad they were there. Now that’s a simple straightforward explanation. I fully expect you to distort, distort, distort, so hop to it!
When I went to j-school, if there were people of noted status in the audience they were noted in the story. But then again, you never mention Tait’s role in insisting on immigration agents in Anaheim City Jail in your pieces.
Silly Dan —
I quoted podium speakers but was more concerned with interviewing residents, which I did. Mayor Tait spoke at the Saturday press conference but I didn’t quote him, I quoted Meza’s family members.
Now go outside and quote yourself!
Sure. Whatever floats your boat
You went to journalism school? That explains EVERYTHING…and the other M-list OC commentator who always pulled out the “I went to journalism school” schtick when being royally schooled was Jim Gilchrist—further proof Vile Dan is circling down the drain of doofus-ness…
I am beginning to question your academic credentials. I’ll guess ethics wasn’t your strongest class. Keep avoiding the facts and the timeline. The racist stuff isn’t sticking to me no matter how hard you try.
The APD did a great job in arresting these men within two days of the murder. I told them so in person today. What plate of b.s. are you going to serve up next?
The great thing about Vile Dan is that he just can’t let his vileness go. Over at his pal Matty’s blog, Vile Dan joined in the parade of pendejos (not including Matty, for once) by demanding that the people of Ximena’s neighborhood “offer a little gratitude” to the police—as if they haven’t already. Of course, Vile Dan wouldn’t know because all of his “coverage” has been from Irvine.
Don’t let Matty off the hook just yet. I left a reply to Dan C on that thread that’s still awaiting “moderation” while others comment away. I’ll leave it here instead:
There you go again–suggesting (and stereotyping) residents you don’t know as ingrates!
Let’s review shall we?
I mention a 9 year old girl was killed in an apparent drive by shooting. I never mention the girl’s ethnicity yet GSR calls me a racist.
I pose a question about the community, no mention of ethnicity, address the issue of gang violence. I am again called a racist. The community holds a town hall.
Someone who no longer lives in Anaheim tells me to stay out of his town. Pot, meet kettle.
I ask for examples of OC Weekly’s editor in chief’s own acts of kindness to Anaheim and ask if he gave money to the girl’s funeral expenses. I am read a Bible passage that doesn’t pertain to this conversation and fail to see said editor’s name on a list of contributors. I will note Michele Martinez and Kris Murday both made donations to cover funeral expenses. Good for them.
The police did their jobs. The school district, run by someone said editor detests, did its job. I applaud and am criticized for it
So let me “Ask a Mexican” a question. What’s your plan for dealing with gang violence?
As usual, Vile Dan turns an issue that everyone could rally around into an opportunity to whine about himself—this, after Vile Dan turned it into an opportunity to trash his opponents. CLASSY…and you’re STILL with your dick-measuring contest. Pathetic…but what else can we expect from Vile Dan?
I’m reviewing facts. You learned about those in journalism classes, or perhaps you were sick that day. Sequence and timing are also important to context. A contest? No, challenging you to own up to how much you care about your community and noting all you actually do is say you do. Actions speak louder than words.
I’m not demanding anything. I do question your reading comprehension
I’m sure Anaheim PD was stunned you had anything nice to say about them. I hope the fast arrests can serve to heal rifts between residents and the police?
Stop pretending to care what Anaheim residents think or feel—the charade is just laughable and patronizing. Then again, what else can we expect from an Irvinite?
I care very much that a father had his nine year old daughter die in his arms as the result of a gang-related drive-by shooting. Ponder that horror for a minute. Better still, once (or if) you become a father, then ponder it. There isn’t a thing laughable or patronizing about it. You are the last person who should lecture me about what I think or feel.
As usual, Vile Dan turns what’s supposed to be an apolitical community gathering about a tragedy into a disgusting opportunity for him to prop up his beloveds and slur those he doesn’t like. But the most hilarious part is when he tries to connect Tait to all the recent officer-involved shootings—even Matty and his morons have yet to stoop to such lows.
By the way, does anyone think Vile Dan will apologize for his idiotic question of “Will the people rise up to condemn gang violence?”, implying residents wouldn’t? Of course not: sensitivity has never been part of Vile Dan’s portfolio.
Wow, so LoGal no longer has use for Donna and has decided to throw her to the wolves, aka: DC, to be devoured! Nice! At least Kring showed up to the event even if she might be criticized for it. What was Lorri’s excuse?
Lucille Kring,Kris Murray,Gail Eastman Could Kick In A Few Thousand,Each,of ‘Disney Money’,Lorri Galloway,Could ‘Brake Off’….A Couple Thousand,of the 42K…She,Loaned Herself…..Oh! and YOU ‘Liberal OC’ are NOT Fit to Shine Donna Acevedo’s Shoes.
The school that is right next to this scene is Melbourne Gauer Elementary School, not Gower. Some of my sixth graders witnessed the murder. Our district, Anaheim City School District, sent out many psychologists to our school to speak with our students individually. I thank them for being there for support.
Thanks Virgina. Dr. Moreno alerted me to the error and I will correct it. I agree with you that the district’s response was very well handled
Hooray. The Anaheim police have arrested two men and charged them with murder.
This was a tragedy.
I notice Dr. Jose Moreno too donated a hundred dollars, which is equivalent to .oo1% of the funds he received in contributions and less than that in his listed salary. $100. Come on Jose kick down some more$$$.
I notice the author, put his money where his mouth is and dropped a donation. And that dude doesn’t even live in Anaheim.
The power of the keyboard is matched by the power of activism. THREE THOUSAND WORDS OF BLABBER seldom meet up with a $100, $1,000 or even a days worth of contributions. Some guys are just born to sit behind a keyboard and pontificate.
Good Stuff LOC.
Can anybody confirm what OC Register Brian Calle mentioned in the You Decide airing with Mayor Tom Tait? Brian mentioned that Tait’s opponents were against district elections but I saw the You decide that had Lorri and she mentioned she supported district elections.
Did Lorri change her position?
Did Brian get it wrong?
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/clip/10674811/you-decide-tom-tait
So, Dan, when will you be writing about my meltdown and threatening my neighbor for taking Lorri’s sign down. Let’s tell the readers about my seeking help from Pastor Stephanie for my anger issues. I was such a bad MF that the poor guy had to call the cops on me. I bet the OCWeekly woild love the scoop on me.