Stockton is Frustrating, why attempts to rebrand Stockton are always doomed

With CNN’s Morgan Spurlock in town to film his new show Inside Man everyone with a vested interest in Stockton has come out of the woodwork to try and bring their narrative to the forefront.

Groups attempting to speak for Stockton as a whole isn’t anything new, it’s been going on for the better part of a decade. At the City Council Meeting last night though, those groups all pretty much jumped the shark. It was pretty depressing to watch, and not just because Mayoral Candidate Anthony Silva basically turned the public comment portion into a 2-hour filibustering campaign speech.

It should be no surprise to people that Stockton’s going to garner attention from the national media. We’re the largest municipality to declare bankruptcy and the poster child for inept government spending. If you’re doing a piece on cities struggling in this economy we’re probably the first place people are going to take a look at. Looking at the problems this City has faced, is facing, and will face going forward isn’t a “hit piece.” It’s straight news. We are undeniably screwed for a large part of our foreseeable future. Trying to pretend otherwise just rings false.

Danger Zone for 9/28-9/30

Friday Sept. 29th

Shooting 1600 block of E Sixth St 2:33pm

A 21-year-old male was in a parking lot when he heard some gunshots and was struck by one. He said he saw a dark green car drive away at the time but was unsure of its involvement. Victim was taken to hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Assault with deadly weapon arrest 400 block of S Stanislaus St 2:40pm

A 54-year-old man was walking his dog when he was shot by a BB gun. Police arrested a 13-year-old male suspect and the victim was treated for minor injuries.

Person shot Lincoln St at Sonora St 7:30pm

A 32-year-old male was walking down Lincoln St when he witnessed a Hispanic male in his 20s exchange gunfire with a heavyset Hispanic male in his late-50s. He sustained a non-threatening gunshot wound during this exchange and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Saturday Sept. 29th

Assault with a deadly weapon Sierra Nevada St at Weber Ave 12:05am

A 53-year-old male was sitting on the curb when he heard some shots from a pellet gun. After one pellet grazed his head he witnessed 4 Hispanics flee northbound in a gold Toyota. He was taken to San Joaquin General and treated for a small laceration to his head.

Arson EWS Woods Blvd at Boardwalk St 12:25am

A 32-year-old female heard an explosion outside of her house and looked out her bedroom window to see her car on fire with a black male in his teens playing with a lighter next to it. Suspect fled on a bicycle.

Robbery 2500 block of Plantation Pl 1:10am

A 26-year-old male went to a residence to meet a female he met on the internet. As he approached the door he was cut off by 3 black males and a black female. One suspect brandished a handgun while the others went through his pockets and car, taking his wallet and cell phone, before telling him to leave.

Gold chain robbery 1700 block of S Hunter St 3:23pm

A 28-year-old female was standing on the sidewalk when two black males in their mid-20s approached her. One suspect grabbed her by the neck while another pointed a gun at her head. They then ripped her gold chain from her neck and fled south on Hunter in a black car.

Sunday Sept. 30th

Person stabbed 400 block of S Hunter St 3:40am

A 52-year-old male was arguing with a 30-year-old Hispanic male who goes by “Bon Bon” when Bon Bon stabbed him. The victim walked to the 300 block of S Center St where he collapsed. He was transported to the hospital where he was in stable condition.

Arson 1700 block of S American St 5:23am

A 72-year-old females car was parked outside of her house when her neighbor heard an explosion and witnessed a tan truck fleeing the scene. Fire Department discovered evidence of some sort of accelerant.

Robbery Plantation Pl at Branstetter Pl 10:45am

A 40-year-old male was riding his bike when he stopped to text a friend. Three black males aged 20-30 walked up to him and took his phone. When he attempted to take it back they pulled a gun on him and went though his pockets, eventually taking his phone, wallet, and bicycle.

Shooting Maude St at John Townsend Pl 4:30pm

A 23-year-old Hispanic male sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound after engaging in a gun battle with the occupants of a black Honda Accord. At the conclusion of the shooting he jumped into the passenger seat of a gold Honda and fled, eventually ending up at a local hospital.

Strong arm robbery Oak St at American St 8:45pm

A 45-year-old male was walking when he saw a black male in his 20s that allegedly stabbed him in August. He confronted the man, who proceeded to punch and kick him until he was pulled off of his accuser. In the process the attacker took cash from the victim’s pocket. Victim went to the hospital with minor injuries.