Tracy Press

Things have gotten dicey lately in Tracy, a local man says, and he's not sure why.

What is going on in this town? I live in what I thought was a great neighborhood in an even better town, but things are changing, and not for the better. Up until this year, I can honestly say that the worst thing that I’ve had to deal with in 16 years of living in Tracy has been a bad neighbor or a barking dog. Recently, things in Tracy have gotten pretty dicey, and I am not quite sure why.

First, the letters in the sign welcoming people to our beautiful development were stolen. The developer replaced them, and then they were stolen again. The developer gave up, so now we have no sign.

Second, around Christmas, our car and our neighbors’ cars were broken into, and to make matters worse, the thieves stole a getaway car from around the corner.

Third, my son’s scooter was stolen from our yard in the middle of the day, and we live in a court.

Fourth, while at a Little League game at Jefferson School, a car was broken into, right in front of my car. The owner was walking toward the car and saw the whole thing. The criminals were so brazen that they took the loot and jogged off.

Finally (but probably not finally), as my family was leaving Chili’s on Thursday night, a motorcyclist left Grant Line Road at high speed, purposely hopped onto the sidewalk, almost ran over my family, sped through the parking lot and then got back onto Grant Line. I inadvertently caught up with him at the stop light and chastised him for his behavior, and instead of a “sorry” or at least an acknowledgement of his wrongdoings, I got the finger.

My wife got upset with me for confronting this guy, and she was probably right, as he had to be on something. But I am sick and tired of people getting away with everything in this town. This guy had absolutely no fear of being caught. He was weaving in and out of traffic and driving erratically, and I didn’t hear so much as horn honk.

Are we so beaten down and so timid that we can’t even express our displeasure with other people’s actions without the fear of being drawn into some sort of physical altercation?

Petty crimes are not victimless crimes, and we as citizens need to stand up for ourselves. Vigilantism is not the answer, and police are overwhelmed, so where do we turn? I have had it and would like some help.

• Greg Terry is a 16-year resident of Tracy. He’s married and is a work-at-home dad with four children.

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written by B-dub , April 16, 2008

All I can say is, if you have children, teach them to respect the property of others. "If it doesn't belong to you don't touch it". Crimes, of the sort you're talking about, usually are committed by juveniles whose parents don't know what they're doing, they "hang out" with the wrong group, or they steal to support a habit. As for the irratic motorcycle rider, next time write the motorcycle's license number down and call the police. If they're not busy with a high priority call they can look for the rider OR they can run a registration check to see where he/she lives. If you're willing to press charges you can have the officer take a report and submit it to the district attorney for charging. Unless you're willing to physically engage with people like this I would recommend not saying anything to them. Road rage will only make matter worse.

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written by luigi maggi , April 16, 2008

B-dub,

you're a cop aren't you?

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written by luigi maggi , April 16, 2008

mr terry,

your frustration is not uncommon. the law requires that victims not take matters into their own hands. most citizens are law abiding and the thugs and dirtbags know this and rely on it as a tool to victimize. unless law enforcement can get a better handle on petty crime citizens may very well have a change in attitude and be more willing to confront these thugs with violence. not soon enough for me.

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written by Safest city??? , April 16, 2008

Tracy is the 17th safest city in California. Yea Right.

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written by Dog , April 16, 2008

Let's do like they do in Texas. Make it legal to carry a sidearm. Welcome to the new frontier.

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written by Captain Obvious , April 16, 2008

Hey Greg, you've lived in this town for 16 years and only now you are figuring out that we are a dicey place to live?

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written by Steve Reshakis , April 16, 2008

Elect Patty Garamendi! she will fix everytning!

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written by Steve Reshakis , April 16, 2008

OOPPS! Celeste? same Clan of Socialists....

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written by Silly Me , April 18, 2008

hey.... I have an idea!
Why dont we make these outfits out of white sheets, put some holes where our eyes go, and burn some crosses! Ooooop's taken already huh?

Well may be we should get over the fat that Tracy isnt K.K.K vill and make a difference by getting invloved instead of crying you bunch of crybaby's