" This guy really worry me because he is hanging out around parks where young kids go and play. who knows what else he have done. I,m sure there are other kids out there that just haven,t came forward yet. "

" It's a good thing this child felt comfortable enough to trust Officer Westlund with her story. From personal experience, I know Officer Westlund to be professional, compassionate and a real asset to this community. We're lucky to have him here. "

" Kudos to Officer Westlund for giving the kids someone they know they can trust. I am SO pleased in Per Westlund's valued relatiobships with our children. Thank you Officer Westlund.
Ice cream? "

" Office Westlund is by far an awesome officer. He works great with the children and its wonderful to know that our children feel they can come to him when they need help. I totally am gald that officer Westlund is around to help out the children and protect my daughter when she is at school. It's officers like office Westlund who make our schools safe for our children. THANK YOU OFFICER WESTLUND FOR BEING THERE & PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN. "

" Creepy.

Who would make enough cash by selling pot to 9 and 10 year olds anyway?

Does anyone else think that this could be potential child grooming for something unthinkable?

Too bad we didn't build that Criminal Reentry facility here...it would have helped him so much and help ease his burden of returning to an uncaring society...

NOT HARDLY! "

" Not to defend his actions, but this guy is not all there. Another example of the importance of good mental health. "

" Yea, Alihandero - that re-entry facility would have done nothing of value. But, that's not on topic.

GREAT job Officer Westlund. And even more kudos to the kid who had the self confidence to buck the peer system and be brave enough to bring something like this to light. I'm sure her parents are very proud of her for standing up for something right vs ignoring what was occurring. "

" How can this guys bail be so low? It should be at least 4 times what it is, one times more for each of the kids he is suspected of giving drugs to, or he should be refused bail completely since he already appears to be a convicted felon, otherwise why was he on parole to start with?

Is there any rhyme or reason to how much bail is set at? Sometimes I see people getting bail set low like this guy, and then others who seem to have done a less heinous crime and perhaps even first one, get half a million? If anybody knows the equation used to set bail, then please inform me, thanks. "

" To NotHomeGrown: Bail is usually dictated by the charges and the severity of the crime. "

" Hey Deb,

If you read my post carefully you will find that I asked two germane questions on this specific article:

Alihandero wrote on Oct 6, 2009 4:00 AM:
" Creepy.

Who would make enough cash by selling pot to 9 and 10 year olds anyway?

Does anyone else think that this could be potential child grooming for something unthinkable?

What would YOUR on-topic answer be, or perhaps you have any specific feelings about children being approached and offered drugs by recent parolees?

Now that would be an on-topic answer, Deb. "

" Joe:

I think Nothomegrown is right. Anytime you're dealing with children, the severity of the crime is amplified exponentially. "

" Alihandero -
I have 11 year old twins who never attend parks alone or walk around town alone, period - when my 24 year old child was 11 she never attended parks alone either. It's simply not safe because of pedophiles and other criminal activity, especially in this area.

Whether or not this person was grooming - who knows... one could think of tons of "creepy" things the guy had in mind, but he was in the big house previously for arson, not sex crimes.

I think criminal activity related to children should be no bail, period.


Does that answer your question, Alihandero? If not, I'd be happy to further elaborate. "

" This was such an idiotic thing to do that the first thing I thought was that he wanted to be sent back to the can which is about where he should be. "

" Thanks Deb.

You said this:

"I think criminal activity related to children should be no bail, period."

I agree with you 100%.

See we can find a common ground when we put our minds to it.

And I also agree with you when you said:

"Yea, Alihandero - that re-entry facility would have done nothing of value. But, that's not on topic."

Is it on-topic now? "

" Deb pointed out something very important. No kids should be at the parks by themselves-period. It still amazes me when I see little kids (5-10 yrs old) walking places by themselves. It's sad to see them so unprotected. "

" To: Deb wrote on Oct 7, 2009 5:55 PM:

My question, do you allow your twenty four year old daughter to go to parks now? Just curious, it isn't safe for adults in parks and on playgrounds and they don't belong on playgrounds to begin with, that is why taxpayers paid for all those glorious fences. That's why most of our campuses today look like prisons instead of school yards.

My question is this why did the parole board ever allow this person to set foot on the streets if there were obvious mental problems?

You can thank govenor Arnold for that one folks. "

" WDF - first - IF people were held in prison simply b/c of "mental problems" we'd have a much larger prison population than we do now. Not sure how the Gov has anything to do with your statement. Determinate sentences have everything to do with parole which went into some years ago.

As to my 24 y/o daughter - well, she's of legal age, so I have no say in what she does. But, as a smart adult she doesn't go places alone where she's at high risk. My point in the post bringing her up, WDF, was that even 13 years ago it was not safe for children to be in a park without adult supervision.

As a family we've enjoyed Calif State Parks, County Parks and City parks all over the state of CA and beyond. I thank all taxpayers for parks created for the benefit of all. "

" I can't help but say I love this county - it's truly a land of opportunity!

Where else can Deb's comment of her daughter being brought up to be a "smart adult" be compared, say for example, to a "wise Latina" eventually being able to sit on the bench of the highest court in the land?

Seriously, I agree completely with the views expressed by Deb and Angie about recognizing the danger modern society poses to our children as well as young men and women. We completely share a common ground there.

Where did all these predators come from? How come we let this happen?

Why the social shift from the relative safety of the 1950’s and most of the 60’s? Seems like the Charlie Manson of 1969 was the watershed date for the rise of community violence but others might say that the assassinations of both Kennedys and MLK were indicators that we were becoming more hostile towards each other.

Was it due to our gradual trend into stylish overtly liberal views by our politicians and judges?

I wonder what you all think about this? "

" Ali- Ok, just remember, you asked my opinion! :>)
I believe that in 1962 when prayer was taken out of school is when society began taking a turn for the worst.
Ok, here we go........ "

" Once again I agree with you, Angie!

It seems to me that something beginning in the early 1960's caused a shift from traditional, safe, homestyle American family values into...well, something else.

Why, do you think, did we start becoming less than ourselves? "

" Re: Alihandero~ First off I want to let you know that I truly enjoy your comments. I think you make great points in all of them.
In regards to your comment posted "Who would make enough cash by selling pot to 9 and 10 year olds anyway? I like the way you put that because this guy must of been a real despert to consider something like this. What this guy did was beyond stupid on his part.
I also agree on your comments posted "Too bad we didn't build that Criminal Reentry facility here, it would have helped". I believe a Reentry facility would of helped many people who need it, BUT at this time the government is taking everything away from us, which many people actually can benefit from just to fit the "budget". Yes, I know this isnt part of the topic but Im expressing my own opinion. "

" Ali- I think once prayer was taken out of school it took the authority, if you will, out of Gods hands. It took away the responsibility to have to answer to God for our actions. There wasn't a deep sense of responsibility to God any more. As time went on we as a people allowed things to happen that conformed us to the mentality we have now as a society which is 'If it makes you happy then you are free to do that, because this is Americ and we can do what we want.' You know what I mean? "

" Thank you luvbugzmom; I appreciate your honesty and your comments.

Law enforcement and Fire Protection services protect kids as well as adults and are very essential services on a 24/7 basis.

Locally we seem to spend money like water for things we really don't need in today's economic climate.

We spend tens-and-hundreds of thousands of dollars for outside consultants (the 'what do we do with East side of town' consultants for example) and future city/county development and for things such as a 'planned' uber-expensive educational facility and meeting hall at Hickey Park when there is insufficient budget to keep the park open seven days a week as it is. (And who goes to Hickey Park anyway except to see the old train or jet if they are even still there?)

What about using the money for really more important things like police, sheriff, fire dept. adequate staffing?

But I digress...sorry.

I still wonder why we let our American traditions change into this great public tolerance for things illegal, immoral, and dangerous?

Why did we stop being proud of our one single country, its traditions, and ourselves? "

" Hey Angie,

I know EXACTLY what you mean and thank you for your response to my question.

Your observations are spot on here and while I agree with them I'd like to go one step farther.

How do we get back to our founding roots and core principles that made the United States a great country and safe to live in in times past?

Is this even possible given today's society?

Any ideas, folks? "

" Ali- No, I don't believe we can go back to the way things were because I believe things will get worse before they get better. Things may be bad now, but according to Gods word, it will get worse. It's Bible prophecy. As individuals all we can do is impact the world around us. What do you think? I know this is off topic but what does anyone else think?? "

" Agreed again, Angie.

Are we as a people supposed to - using a phrase from Mrs. D again - just "suck it up" and allow things to progress unimpeded to the End of Times, OR, do we use the talent and skill God has given us to effect a positive change? "

" I believe Ali is on track as to how those who give or sell drugs to youth as young as 8 or 9 years old. It is just a lead in to more sinister things such as child prostitution, becoming a dealer, doing crimes for the adult as the youth fall under juvenile laws and just plain recruiting another customer for life. There are numerous reasons that these low life scum target children. I also agree that a lot of money is wasted on the projects such as the Burris Park one and outside consultants. It would seems to me that those who have businesses there and polling the local customers would be a lot cheaper and give a more appropriate input. "

" First of all, this man is very unstable. He has a child's mind. I am not saying that is an excuse but it does explain a lot. As for the rest of you, you need to know the full story... not just what the paper tells you.

As far as selling pot to minors... it probably wasn't even about the money.

There were other people involved that weren't even arrested or investigated. Get the facts before you post something here. "