DEAR WEHO: Block by Block has no bark, no bite

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Dear WeHo,

I am Mikie Friedman, I am almost 79 years old and I am disabled.

When my dog died during Covid and I rescued another dog, I got a big beautiful 95 pound German shepherd mix, and everybody said to me that I was too old and too disabled to have such a big dog. But that’s EXACTLY why I got her!

People give me a wide berth when I’m walking with her down the street. They think twice before they mess with me.

And do you know why?… Because my dog is huge and she has big teeth! and those teeth can do a LOT of damage if anybody tries to hurt me.

If my dog were smaller and had no teeth, nobody would be afraid of messing with me!

And that’s what block by block are…they are dogs with no teeth… UNLIKE MY STORMY!

Nobody is afraid that their bad behavior is going to have any consequences… Certainly not from block by block people! They just stand there.

So now our beloved city is TOOTHLESS!

A sheriff, on the other hand, like my dog, has ways that make people who want to act badly, think twice about it! . Rather than so many toothless block by block, we really need to have armed walking sheriffs’ patrols. NOW…THEY ‘D have teeth… like my Stormy!

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Time For Action
Time For Action
1 year ago

Talking about dogs and teeth, the city doesn’t even have a dog in this situation to improve public safety teeth or no teeth. The current Community Safety DirectorDanny Rivas is more accustomed to inspecting roof leaks, property maintenance, short term rentals, which they fail miserably at, real estate signs, noise, illegal construction, vacant properties, and E-scooters which is beyond a colossal failure. He has not revealed himself to be a critical and or innovative thinker, simply as aspiring bureaucrat that has recently received a salary and benefits increase. He is pursuing the same laissez faire policy of Kristin Cook who… Read more »

Johnny
Johnny
1 year ago

As I stated last time this came up part of my property taxes are pay for the Sheriff. Instead we have “toothless” blue shirted vendors with no lawful authority, no training beyond how to call in a crime which every citizen should do and nothing else. We know that we did have more officers and today we need foot patrol sheriff’s to be present and seen. This Block by Block Ambassador nonsense is a waste of taxpayers money. It is overseen by a convicted felon who was convicted of murder. I much prefer hiring adult security or off duty officers… Read more »

Gary
Gary
1 year ago

I was robbed and assaulted on a bus at SM Blvd and Fairfax. The suspect jumped off the bus and would have easily escaped except there was security ambassadors on the outside. They followed the suspect until real police arrived and took at least one violent criminal off the street. I am grateful for their presence and closure they provided.

Mikie
Mikie
1 year ago
Reply to  Gary

this is wonderful and I’m so glad they were able to help you. I just wish there were more stories like this. Sadly, this is the first one I’ve heard. I hope you’re OK now.

TomS
TomS
1 year ago

I challenged on this site that someone tell me what have these Ambassadors done besides stand at their desks. I got
00 response there was a women that was ODing with a friend by the basketball court my phone was dead. I ran to the Kiosk and he told me he could not leave the desk or help.

Mikie
Mikie
1 year ago
Reply to  TomS

Shhhhh! don’t tell, but Stormy is a big baby too! She just looks really ferocious!

TomS
TomS
1 year ago

LOL so true so true the gutless.
I have a rescue Pitty just turned 2 he’s a big baby. But when I walk him on SM blvd it’s really interesting

M A
M A
1 year ago

My goodness, this is a positively dystopian take. As a queer person, I feel much safer walking around WeHo knowing I am not going to encounter unknown individuals who possess the force to take my life in an instant. That the security ambassadors don’t have “teeth” is precisely the point! I, for one, am not interested in your vision of a city where everyone walks around in fear. I’m not afraid of my neighbor and I don’t need to make my neighbor feel like they’re living in a police state just so I can have whatever personal comforts to which… Read more »

Davedi
Davedi
1 year ago
Reply to  M A

Wow. You see a cop and think, “he could take my life in an instant.” And you’re the one who doesn’t want to live in fear? Too late if you fear the very people there to help you. Even sadder is you don’t think you’re entitled to the comfort of safety. Talk about dystopian.

M A
M A
1 year ago
Reply to  Davedi

You must be in a highly privileged position if you’re able to believe that the police are there to protect you. Pick up a book and read about the history of policing in the United States. The police exist, and have always existed, to protect property and the rights of property owners. Police have no duty whatsoever to protect the individual, and horrifying legal doctrines like qualified immunity protect officers who murder in cold blood. If you think my view is dystopian, that simply means you agree that we already live in a dystopic police state. Cheers.

Weho Resident
Weho Resident
1 year ago
Reply to  M A

Police exist to protect us by arresting criminals and investigating crimes. They also protect us by deterring crime with their public presence. Protecting the property of owners is a part of that if some criminal is on my property to burglarize or commit another crime. And prosecutors exist to protect us by prosecuting the criminals and locking them up. A locked up armed robber isn’t…can you guess??…NOT out there robbing you. So stop crying about the history of policing in this country. Every developed (and undeveloped) nation has a police force. If being decent human beings who don’t commit crimes… Read more »

voting
voting
1 year ago
Reply to  M A

I disagree with your extreme and disturbing views. Maybe you need to find some new reference books to get at the real truth.

Weho Resident
Weho Resident
1 year ago
Reply to  M A

Your reaction to this article is the dystopian take here. It’s incredibly dark and sad that you see a police officer and you think he or she will take your life. Are you an armed robber? You’ve also made the point the article was making. If police make you scared (for reasons you’ve chosen not to articulate), then perhaps criminals too will be scared. We need trained officers who walk around with guns because the criminals ALL have guns. Think about that before you make these senseless comments next time.

greeneyedguy
greeneyedguy
1 year ago

We go from 60 deputies to 59 and suddenly “our beloved city is TOOTHLESS!”????

Not buying it.

Larry Block
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  greeneyedguy

68 to 58

greeneyedguy
greeneyedguy
1 year ago
Reply to  Larry Block

Actually, 60 to 58 since this expansion of the Block by Block program.

Eric
Eric
1 year ago
Reply to  greeneyedguy

As pointed out 10 deputies, when we should have seen an increase from 68…..you way off point here thinking its only 1, when by your measure you should be at least citing 2, but ok, and guess you don’t understand the message that cuts sends out…..Yep, turns out Mikie is 100% correct….TOOTHLESS!

greeneyedguy
greeneyedguy
1 year ago
Reply to  Eric

This council has not reduced deputies from 68. They have cut 2 starting effective Jan 2023.

Alan Strasburg
Alan Strasburg
1 year ago

Mikie’s fire and passion are a much-needed dose of reality in our city. Bravo for taking a stand and expressing that stand with such eloquence and heart-felt energy.

Tom
Tom
1 year ago

Stormy would make a better council person than some of the ones sitting up there..

TIME FOR CITIZEN ACTION
TIME FOR CITIZEN ACTION
1 year ago

Agree 100%. Unfortunately these “ambassadors” are so out-of-place on our sidewalks, either standing still or walking along, & usually with their eyes fixed on their phones as they text. Many if not most people are hopelessly addicted to their iPhones, but these “ambassadors” should not be allowed to stand on or walk the streets in public, texting while ignoring what’s going on around them for very long periods at a time. I, like most people I know, am moving from frustration to anger with all these wasted resources that could be going to legitimate safety measures by armed sheriffs with… Read more »

M A
M A
1 year ago

I’ve seen several incidents where community members needed assistance, mild to severe, and the Ambassadors stepped in and provided professional, courteous assistance. Not sure what parts of town you’re spending time in.

Gimmeabreak
Gimmeabreak
1 year ago
Reply to  M A

I don’t believe you.
Yes, I think you’re making that up.

Me Too
Me Too
1 year ago
Reply to  Gimmeabreak

Agree. In fact I feel sure of it

greeneyedguy
greeneyedguy
1 year ago
Reply to  Gimmeabreak

Well, they don’t have to provide any proof because it would be a waste of their time (according to your logic)

Gimmeabreak
Gimmeabreak
1 year ago
Reply to  greeneyedguy

….. and I didn’t ask for it.

See how simple that is?

STAT
STAT
1 year ago

Mikie, this was the very best Public Comment ever! The City, represented by the Mayor and City Council not only have no teeth, they appear to be impervious to the basic responsibilities of their positions and pending disaster. Pet projects and personal visibility are upper most in their individual and collective minds as they continue to inform us during Councilmember comments.

The Council Members need Mental CERT training STAT!

David Abrams
David Abrams
1 year ago

Unrelated, but the spam advertising on Wehoville is quickly becoming unbearable. There are currently 11 ads on my screen, including 2 pop ups. I understand the need for revenue, but 11 ads?

We talk about billboard blight in Weho, but this is so much worse

Larry Block
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  David Abrams

Thanks for the comment, as mentioned we are going through a transition and two week period of gathering data. And yes, takes a couple of grand a week to float this business with owners taking zero compensation.

Cy Husain
1 year ago
Reply to  Larry Block

Well I was wondering where you got all the Science, Hi-Tech and, Progressive Activist ads from. I ended up buying a few things, so I hope I didn’t make things worse.🤷🏽‍♂️

Larry Block
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Cy Husain

Those ads are artificial intelligence delivering your computer what you want to see. We don’t have control. Its a two week test and curious to see the results.

Alison
Alison
1 year ago
Reply to  David Abrams

Get AdBlock. I see NO ads.

Peter B
Peter B
1 year ago
Reply to  David Abrams

The ads are fine, everyone expects everything for free these days. If WehoVille disappeared just because you don’t want couple ads, then thank you!

Eric
Eric
1 year ago
Reply to  David Abrams

Let them generate some revenue!