Mask wearing man robs SLO beauty supply store

Let’s go back several years to the local bank robbery where 4 suspects pulled up in the parking lot to rob a local bank….and they never even got inside. Why? Because citizens flagged that action with the police and knew what was coming down–calling 911 FAST. All 4 of the men were sentenced too. Now…..we have armed robberies taking place on a routine basis. Why? What has changed?

I have seen the creepy developer/property flipping invasion seeping into the area lately (and although we cannot “see” it, there are banks that have swarmed into the area–wanting massive development–with a willingness to back construction projects with low interest loans). The community always takes a turn for the worse when this happens. It literally tears up the fabric of a community when that core of caring for the safety and wellbeing of the community turns to “how much can we make out of this place..? Or to put it more succinctly: How much liquor can we sell to college students? (I wish you could post “pics” here–I would show you an actual picture of a maternity shirt in a SLO shop window that says “Mama needs a drink”–baby bump and all [Folks–you live in one of the highest fetal alcohol cities in the US–and this is a community issue]). How many small businesses can developers buy, renovate and raise the rent so high– that only major chains can afford to be here?

Answer: There is no hope; San Luis Obispo County is not only on the top 10 rising crime rate list—but rents have tripled in only the past few years, and the wholesomeness of the community has been traded in for money. Anytime you are in downtown SLO–you are within steps of a bar. And, shop keepers had better get city smart. As in sawed off shotgun behind the counter. It is no longer a community here—it is every man for himself.