It's time to make some changes, according to a man whose son was beaten by probable gang members outside a downtown gathering place.
On March 15, my 22-year-old son was assaulted in front of a popular downtown establishment.
I’m writing this commentary to understand how or why something like this could happen — and, remembering the punch outside the bowling alley that resulted in a young man’s death, what could’ve been done to avoid it.
While my son waited for friends at closing time, he was “sucker-punched” and fell backward, hitting his head on a metal electrical box. He was transported to the hospital with potential head trauma, requiring staples to suture the wound. He might also have been kicked, judging from the bruises on the side of his head.
I’m not totally surprised about the violence at this location, as I see it mentioned often in the police blotter. But I was surprised to hear from more than one source that it might have been frustrated gang bangers who beat down my son.
I was told that security at this place is proactive, as opposed to reactive. I knew from speaking with others who were there the night my son was assaulted, and the head of security concurred, that it had reached maximum capacity, causing a crowd to loiter outside on the sidewalk.
I think being proactive, at that point, would have been to call the Tracy Police Department to disperse the crowd. Being proactive is dealing with something before it happens, not after the fact.
I was also truly surprised to hear that known gang members are allowed inside, as long as they’re “dressed to impress.” Hey, it’s nice to know that in the morning I can have “coffee with cops,” and in the evening, a “brew with a banger.”
My advice to the No. 1 place to meet singles (according to the Tracy Press): Make some changes, or the distinction may become the No. 1 place to get assaulted by thugs.
My advice to the Tracy police: You really need to have officers at this place prior to closing time, or some innocent young person will eventually end up dead.
My advice to my son: Stay away from this joint.
• Mike Murray is a Tracy resident.
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