By Joan Ling Executive director, Community Corp. of Santa Monica
Every family has its triumphs and tragedies. Community Corp. of Santa Monica (CCSM) is no exception. It is a bittersweet irony that in the same month we feature in our newsletter a successful young teacher at Edison Elementary School who grew up in our housing, a young man living in our housing is arrested for robbery. Same neighborhood, same property owner, different outcome.
Those who think that CCSM causes gang shootings are wrong. Gang violence in the Pico neighborhood precedes CCSM’s existence and we do everything within our power to reduce such violence. That includes working closely with the police, the courts and our neighbors. In fact, over the years, we counseled and then evicted several families living in housing we purchased in that neighborhood. But for most of our families, our housing gives them the financial stability that allows them to focus on raising their children.
Our tenants suffer the same violence, fears and uncertainties as everyone else. The recent round of shootings and arrests tells us that more work needs to be done to rid our community of a few bad apples. CCSM is committed to do just that, with the help of our neighbors and police.
P.S. Press reports that suspect Terence Brown or his father lives in our 17th Street building are incorrect.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 28, 2003. Read the original PDF.