154 replies to this topic

[forumreader]

In a separate thread, a Sutter St. business owner suggested that light rail has already brought "undesirable elements" (homeless?) to Folsom.

I'm curious. Has anyone else made a similar observation? My husband has been taking the light rail to work since it began service into Folsom. He has not noticed any problems with apparent homeless riders.

[Justasmalltowngirl]

...but it's politically correct...the tree-huggers love this kind of stuff, even though nobody's gonna use it and it's costing a fortune...oh, details, details...

I don't doubt it will be used once it is there. However, WHO will be using it.. It is part of Sac County Meaning it will be icky just like everything else in sac. There goes Folsom
( sorry, just venting in an ignorant, close minded matter )

[Justasmalltowngirl]

Folsom Blvd (in Rancho) scares me.  As it should!

Rancho, in itself, SCARES ME! But you lucky folk will now have a light rail that can take you right on through it and pick up a couple people on the way - WOOOHOOO ( sarcasm)

[DavidH]

Rancho, in itself, SCARES ME!  But you lucky folk will now have a light rail that can take you right on through it and pick up a couple people on the way - WOOOHOOO ( sarcasm)

Can anyone (particularly JASTG or Mylo) explain what's so scary about either Folsom Blvd (in RC, I presume) or Rancho Cordova in general? Sure, there are some not-so-desireable parts, but that moniker applies to just about every community (yes, even Folsom). Just curious...

[DrKoz23]

Can anyone (particularly JASTG or Mylo) explain what's so scary about either Folsom Blvd (in RC, I presume) or Rancho Cordova in general?  Sure, there are some not-so-desireable parts, but that moniker applies to just about every community (yes, even Folsom).  Just curious... 

It's the bubble community we live in. If it isn't like Folsom... it has got to be scary.

Unless its Granite Bay.

[bordercolliefan]

In a separate thread, a Sutter St. business owner suggested that light rail has already brought "undesirable elements"  (homeless?) to Folsom.

What about additional business? Have any of the Sutter St. merchants noticed that light rail has brought an increase in business?

[Justasmalltowngirl]

Can anyone (particularly JASTG or Mylo) explain what's so scary about either Folsom Blvd (in RC, I presume) or Rancho Cordova in general?  Sure, there are some not-so-desireable parts, but that moniker applies to just about every community (yes, even Folsom).  Just curious... 

Certainly - I say it's scary because I am scared to be there at night - therefore - it's scary... to me.. I wonder about people that talk on here and how long some of them have been aorund to see the changes in Rancho or in Folsom.. not just recent changes

[forumreader]

What about additional business?  Have any of the Sutter St. merchants noticed that light rail has brought an increase in business?

Very good question, bordercollie...I'm surprised that a certain Sutter St. merchant has noticed an influx of "undesirables" in less than a month.

I thought that the City had predicted that that light rail would have a positive effect on our community. It seems very plausible to me.

[Terry]

Certainly - I say it's scary because I am scared to be there at night - therefore - it's scary...  to me..  I wonder about people that talk on here and how long some of them have been aorund to see the changes in Rancho or in Folsom.. not just recent changes

In the 60's, Rancho was "the place" to live because it had the benefit of Aerojet's white-collar workers who bought the homes there in the "new" developments. It also had Mather AFB as an economy base. Mills Shopping Center and Cordova Shopping Center (all on Folsom Blvd. were full of shopping opportunities of all kinds)

Folsom in the 60s was basically a prison town with a few markets or other stores, but we had to go elsewhere for shopping (Country Club Center at Watt and Marconi for a shopping mall, or Roseville Square for a smaller shopping center - the late 60's brought Sunrise Mall online).

Rancho's population was more affluent than Folsom's due to Aerojet and Mather AFB, and Folsom's middle schoolers were bussed to Rancho before Folsom Middle School was built.

Folsom has always been safer crime-wise primarily because it's been incorporated since the late 40's and thus has its own police department which has historically had good financial support from the city council.

Rancho, until its incorporation a few years ago, was served by Sac County Sheriff's Department for law enforcement which has been spread thin for a long, long time due to its coverage area and county funding.

Hope this helps with background.

[spork]

I rode the rail last Saturday from Iron Point to downtown, and back. Here is my experience:

Left from Iron Point at 12pm. Every station after sunrise was littered with trash. Several stations had homeless people hanging around. There was a random barefooted guy.

Left downtown at 5:30pm. I was trying to escape before dark. A group of girls were on cursing and being really loud. A guy with a boom-box blasted some explicit rap music. A crazy lady was talking to herself. All the suspect people had exited by Sunrise.

Maybe I've become soft, because I never really felt safe. Back in the day, I rode bus 22 from downtown San Jose to Eastridge everyday. Some safety tips I learned from the 22:
1. sit near the driver/conductor
2. don't sit too close to the door (grab n run)
3. don't stare
4. don't wear/bring showy items
5. wallet goes to front pocket before you get on

[tessieca]

In a separate thread, a Sutter St. business owner suggested that light rail has already brought "undesirable elements"  (homeless?) to Folsom.

I'm curious.  Has anyone else made a similar observation?  My husband has been taking the light rail to work since it began service into Folsom.  He has not noticed any problems with apparent homeless riders.

Yesterday, my hubby saw a couple of homeless (assumed because of the garbage bags they were toting) get off light rail at Iron Point. He kept an eye on them as they moved through the factory outlets peering into cars. Later he followed or found them up at the Safeway/Chevron parking lot where they were accosting people trying to get money. They were actually following ladies to their cars as they panhandled. They were still peering into cars throughout the parking lot. The kids from the high school were giving them money after school.

[FolLN]

Well Light Rail has been here about 1 month. Here are two of my observations

On Sunday October 15th a man was urinating off of the Glen Street platform towards Folsom Blvd. Not a care in the world. There were two guys sitting on the platform with sleeping bags and knap sacs. All three looked like they had not showered in quite awhile. There appears to be no RT security on the weekend.

I run along the Lake Natoma trail in the afternoons. I saw a guy coming onto the trail with a backpack and sleeping bag. He looked like the people mention above. Also had to dodge a guy out by the Willow Creek bridge who had one blank look on his face. My wife rides her bike in this area and after telling her about these two incidents she is starting to question how safe it will be in the future.

I sure hope that the area between Folsom Blvd and the lake does not become a camping ground for the homeless (Although prior to the light rail I have seen occupied camp sites in this area). The Folsom Police and BLM/State Parks need to keep an eye on this prior to the fire season next year.

[tessieca]

Saw a guy with a knapsack walking up Iron Point on Sunday. He caught my eye because his jeans were duct-taped -- not a common sight in Folsom. I'm starting to feel less comfortable with my children walking around.

[MSgt]

Well Light Rail has been here about 1 month. Here are two of my observations

I run along the Lake Natoma trail in the afternoons. I saw a guy coming onto the trail with a backpack and sleeping bag. He looked like the people mention above. Also had to dodge a guy out by the Willow Creek bridge who had one blank look on his face. My wife rides her bike in this area and after telling her about these two incidents she is starting to question how safe it will be in the future. 

This is what my wife and I have been worried about. Our bike paths have usually been pretty safe. We were worried that the area around the lake would turn out to be a haven for street people coming out on the light rail.
I wonder if the city has any plans for keeping the recreational area free from homeless people staying there? Did they discuss the potiential for this with the light rail?

[mylo]

Can anyone (particularly JASTG or Mylo) explain what's so scary about either Folsom Blvd (in RC, I presume) or Rancho Cordova in general?  Sure, there are some not-so-desireable parts, but that moniker applies to just about every community (yes, even Folsom).  Just curious... 

When I go to lunch or run an errand on "that side of the tracks" you really see the ugly side of society. Sure, Folsom has some not-so-desireable areas, but I'm not afraid to walk through them. I've witnessed crack deals, prostitution, knife fights, etc. all while having my happy little lunch. I don't feel in Folsom I'm going to get hit by a stray bullet, but Rancho sure seems I may catch one in the arse every time I ride from Zinfandel light rail to my office.

I'm sure all of this stemmed from the economic impact of the AFB closing, and Aerojet cutting back (isn't Real Estate their biggest money maker now?). Hopefully Rancho can pull itself out of this hole and with incorperation they hopefully will have the resources to do so!