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2009 starts with a senseless bang – fatal and tragic.

Too many horrifying and senseless crimes are hitting the East Bay and Contra Costa counties. On New Year’s Day, a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer, Johannes Mehserle arrested 22 year old Hayward resident, Oscar Grant and several other passengers at an Oakland station as part of their investigation of a fight on a San Francisco bound train. Johannes Mehserle shot Grant in the back as he was sitting face down. Mehserle resigned the same day Grant was buried. Non –violent protests by the community against police brutality followed in wake of the investigation.

A month and half later and still reeling from the BART shooting, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the nation, mourned the death of four Oakland police officers killed in the line of duty, the deadliest shooting of California law enforcement in decades. A parolee gunned down John Hege, Mark Dunakin, Ervin Romans and Daniel Sakai on March 21 during a traffic stop, later taking his own life. Thousands from law enforcement from as far as Canada and Boston descended on the Oracle Arena for the funeral service. California State Senator Dianne Feinstein and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also paid their respects.

A week later, eight year old Sandra Cantu didn’t return to her Tracy home. On Monday, police broke the heart wrenching news to Cantu's family. Her body was found stuffed in a suit case at a nearby pond. Security camera video images show her skipping near her mobile home park just hours before she was reported missing. Police say they have no suspects but authorities have been conducting searches at a local church and Cantu’s home. This morning, the police said they are investigating a note that reads, “From Sandra To My Killer”. It was found near the make shift memorial.

Anyone can be a victim. Anyone can be a perpetrator. Everyone is and feeling vulnerable. I hope this is not a sign of a spiral downward path of how ugly and monstrous humans can be. We read about crime and see it headline the local news casts but when three strikes hits the same and neighboring communities within three months (3 on 3), how soon will the numbness subside, if ever?

Little Sandra, John Hege, Mark Dunakin, Ervin Romans, Daniel Sakai and Oscar Grant. May you all rest in peace.

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