Niles Community Unity

Discussion


General

BMX BICYCLE BANDITS in Niles See all 2 replies
I am one of the so called adolescent boys that built this bmx bicycle track. Me and my friends built these jumps up by hand.It took weeks to do and all we are trying to is have a little fun around town, as there is nowhere to ride our bicycles otherwise. Everyone is so concerned about the jump across the tracks, we have common sense when we are doing all of this. We had two people looking both ways for trains before we even thought about jumping it. after once or twice of jumping it it was no longer standing, it was just some dirt leading up to the tracks.we also have a bunch of jumps in the Niles park, we dont have anyjumps over any train tracks there, yet they are still being torn downevery time we build them back up.I DONT SEE WHY PEOPLE HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM WITH IT!!!!We keep it clean, we dont use voulgar language, and we arent hurtinganyone.We heard it was because the trail was dirty but, we sweep it if thereis lots of dirt on it. And if the problem is liability, then wouldn'tit be the same if we were riding down the park trail and we fellriding on flat ground?? We are all very advanced riders and we allhave fallen on our jumps, but none of our parents have sued anyone.In fact most of us have signed liability release forms for our set ofjumps. All I am trying to say is why aren't you posting topics on the drugdealers that are in Niles?Or graffiti, or the REAL crime in Niles??All of us kids are just trying to have some fun in our town.And we are just trying to stay out of trouble by making our harmlessjumps. And when we all become drug dealers, drug addicts, and bankrobbers you will be sorry you ever wanted them to tear down our jumps.And some of you might be saying "there is the Fremont skate park!"but they don't allow bicycles in.So unless we are provided a designated bicycle jumping area whichwould never happen.We are going to continue building our jumps A.K.A. BMX courses.Sorry but thats just the reality of this situation.And there will not be any more train track jumps to worry abouteither, we made it for a little movie we were making, and it didntlook that cool on film anyways. So we are going to stick with jumps inthe park.Thanks.-B.M.X. BANDIT/Adolescent BoyA.k.A. JoeyNiles Blvd.
Posted - 07/28/07 9:56am by Lynn Slater, updated or replied 07/28/07 9:57am

Alert for parents of adolescent male BMX bicycle riders in Niles See all 9 replies
If you have a son who is between around 10 and 14 years old and who isfond of riding their BMX bicycle "off road," keep an eye out on wherethey are going and what they're doing once they get there.There is a vacant lot immediately north of Dave's Foreign Car Serviceat Mission Boulevard & Nursery Avenue. While there painting overgraffiti, I discovered that a local group of boys in that age rangehas created a BMX obstacle course on that lot. They literally wereusing shovels and a wheelbarrow while creating it, presumably shovelsand a wheelbarrow "borrowed" from Mom and Dad's garage.But trespassing and altering private property isn't the problem, theproblem is what they've created on the property. They have created apair of jumping ramps on opposite sides of the gravel roadbed of theU.P. Railroad track. It appears that they have been riding down a paththey created in the vacant lot and then jumping their BMX bikes overthe railroad tracks.I've already reported this to the Fremont P.D. and they're decidingwhat city department has jurisdiction in such a situation. I don'tknow who the property owner for that parcel is, but I'd recommend theyget someone out there quickly with a caterpillar tractor to level itall out, before some kid sets killed on the railroad tracks, or getsbadly injured while trying to impress his adolescent buddies with howmany boulders or splintered 2x4's he can jump over.And if your kid is one of those who created or uses this "obstaclecourse," it's a sure recipe for disaster. I suspect the kids that areinvolved are from that adjoining townhome complex or from the otherside of Mission Boulevard, as they surely didn't bring that heavyfull-sized wheelbarrow from more than a few blocks away.Del on Niles Boulevard
Posted - 07/28/07 9:50am by Lynn Slater, updated or replied 07/28/07 9:53am

Shooting near BlockBuster See all 6 replies
This morning around 10:45 I was dropping my dogs off at All About Pets to be groomed and when I left I saw a crowd of people at the liquor store on the corner next to blockbuster and a man laying on the ground. Apperently 2 black men robbed the store and shot the man/owner behind the counter and then took off I saw people pointing in the direction of America's Tire. From what I understand he was shot in the arm but not sure...the police were arriving just as I was leaving the parking lot.
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Posted - 07/28/07 9:46am by Lynn Slater, updated or replied 07/28/07 9:49am

The Morning Race Track on Niles Boulevard See all 5 replies
Does anyone else on the group commute out of Niles between about 7:00- 7:30 a.m.? Have you noticed the speeds that the southbound vehicles travel through our 25 mph residential neighborhood at that hour? Or how aggressive the drivers are when you're obstructing their ability to go 60 mph through town? Or how they tailgate you relentlessly and aggressively, six feet behind your rear bumper? Or how they pull out and pass you over a double-yellow line?This morning, I was particularly enraged! I actually witnessed an import pickup truck pull out to pass another small car and the two of them then raced at high speed all the way down to past Mr. Mikey's. I would estimate their speed at 70 mph or more. This absolute craziness is a disaster looking for a place to happen, with this passing phenomenon becoming more and more common through that residential neighborhood.The problem seems to run all the way from the BART bridge to the intersection of Niles Boulevard and Mission Boulevard. And my observation is that it's primarily traffic coming out of Union City that's using Niles Boulevard to bypass the heavier traffic on southbound Mission Boulevard (no matter how incredibly potholed Niles Boulevard has become in the past couple of years, I guess they still figure it's a faster route).If you're as fed up with this incredibly dangerous and irresponsible driving as I am, please don't post a reply message here! Either email me directly at nilesblvd@yahoo.com. Or, better yet, can you take a few minutes are call the P.D. at 790-6800, ask for the traffic-unit officer, and request that the P.D. at least put that speed radar unit out on Niles Boulevard during the 7:00-9:00 a.m. commute drive on a few mornings? It won't solve the problem, but if it slows down enough of the vehicles, the others who don't give a rip about speed limits will be forced to slow down as well.Del on Niles BoulevardP.S. They had a motorcycle officer near downtown Niles on Saturday afternoon and he told me that he had issued 41 citations in something like three hours. And on a busy Saturday afternoon with lots of pedestrians about! If that doesn't put the scale of the problem in perspective, I don't know what does.
Posted - 05/05/07 11:31am by Lynn Slater, updated or replied 07/12/07 7:10pm

Potty in Rancho Arroyo Park See reply
Please do not use the Rancho Arroyo Park until it gets cleaned it up.Someone "did their business" i.e. (#2) inside of the children's slide(toilet paper and all). Thankfully our 5 year old girl was able to tellus in time.There is also more grafitti.We have called the police non-emergency number and anti-grafitti line toreport it, and Sean is putting up a sign right now.Thank you,The Smith FamilyHillview
Posted - 07/02/07 11:43pm by Lynn Slater, updated or replied 07/02/07 11:44pm


Tagging and Defacing


Diamond Scribes
As if the defacing of the north walls of the Munoz Building and theold Niles Town Hall buildings with spraypaint wasn't bad enough, ourlocal vandals are now scratching up plate glass windows in downtownNiles with diamond scribes. I counted a total of eight large plateglass windows this afternoon that have been scrawled on by some ofthese local criminals who have been raised with no morals, decency, orethics.Two windows are on the front of Mr. Mikey's and they happened lastnight, Thursday, as they were not damaged when I looked at them onWednesday afternoon. The other six happened previous to that.Sadly, while normal people are sleeping soundly, these drugged-uplow-lives are out committing their unrelenting criminal vandalism ofour neighborhood. While I can, and do, clean up spraypainted vandalismand paint markers or chisel-tip marker damage, there is nothing thatcan be done for scratched up windows but to replace them at aprohibitively high cost. The only good part of that cost is that if wecan catch the creeps who do this, they can be prosecuted for felonyvandalism when the overall damage they do totals $1,500 or more.If your store or home windows get scratched up with initials or tags,PLEASE call the P.D. and file a report through the dispatcher. Only bythese kind of records being accumulated can we ensure that if/whensome of these losers are caught in the act, the financial totals willbe serious enough for the offense to be a felony, rather than amisdemeanor.Also, as I've mentioned before, if traveling through Niles during thehours from 1-4 a.m., and you see anyone suspicious, call the P.D. at790-6800 and ask for the dispatcher. Report the suspicious activityand they'll probably roll a car. During those wee hours of the morningthings are generally pretty slow otherwise.Del at The Trees
Posted - 04/15/06 2:27pm by Lynn R Slater

Munoz Buiding Graffiti
Graffiti abatement in Niles is excellent, kudos to all those neighbors staying on top of this crazy-making situation. There are a few prominent spots that need attention. Does anyone know how to contact the new owners of the Munoz building so that help might be offered in removing the graffiti on this vintage property? A message needs to be sent to the perpetrators that there is zero tolerance for vandalism in Niles. Unfortunately, removing graffiti from brick usually requires expensive and time consuming processes. Let's help our new neighbors restore this important part of Niles' historic fabric. Cathy Lyn Harrison, CUSS (Clean Up Scruffy Sites)
Posted - 04/15/06 2:13pm by Lynn R Slater

Vandalism at Third St Park, dangerious white SUV See all 3 replies
Some of you may have noticed the recent vandalism at the Niles Third St Park. Some idiot decided to do some donuts in the grassy lawn area, destroying much of the nice lawn.If you have any information about this crime, pleasecall the Fremont police at 510-790-6800.This may have been done by an out-of-towner, but please ask your neighbors and children if they haveany information about this. It's likely anyone dumbenough to pull this stunt would be dumb enough to "brag"about it.If you see or hear anything suspicious at the park, call Fremont police at 510-790-6800. Put the numberin your cell phone and call if you're out in the park.We should be vigilant so our city funds are not wastedon crimes like this.Thanks,David on I St
Posted - 10/29/05 10:19am by Lynn R Slater, updated or replied 10/29/05 10:30am

Graffiti along Tiny Tots lot to Shinn Pond
A couple of days ago, I saw gang graffiti on the trail leading from the Tiny Tots lot to Shinn Pond ("Norteno" and some Roman numerals were spray-painted on the pavement near the second bend).I again called Fremont Police, spoke to Dispatch, and asked that the information be passed onto the Alameda Gang Prevention Task Force, and the folk in charge of graffiti removal. I have since also programmed the Gang Task Force's telephone number into my cell (if anyone else wants the number, it's 477-1700).
Posted - 10/29/05 10:27am by Lynn R Slater

Graffiti on the Alameda Creek Trail See reply
To my utter disgust there was also a lot of graffiti on the Alameda Creek Trail between I St. and J St. at the end of last week. I called the graffiti hotline, but am not sure they can remove it because most of the tagging was done on trees and tree stumps. Any ideas on how that can be taken off?SueRiverside Ave.
Posted - 10/29/05 10:23am by Lynn R Slater, updated or replied 10/29/05 10:24am

Vandalism, center cap stolen
We live east of Mission, up against the hills. I know this might seem trivial, but it is annoying, and expensive. Within the last two weeks, a center cap was stolen off of two of our cars parked in front of our house. (The part in the middle of the wheel) They were on the side against the sidewalk so obviously someone is sitting down by the car and taking them off. I filed an on-line report with the police dept. and as told they will step up patrols in an area where there is a problem. I guess the only real answer is a prowling doberman with sharp teeth, though...Genie HawkinsBarnes Lane
Posted - 09/03/05 3:47pm by Lynn R Slater

Henkel Building See reply
That ugly Henkel Building (and the tagger morons who keep spraypainting on it) isn't helping our cause either! As you enter from that direction, it looks like you're driving into some slum zone in the worst part of the Port of Oakland, rather than into a downtown shopping/dining area. I've been very disappointed that Henkel is moving so slowly to address this problem. I thought they'd care enough about their public image to make some steady progress, but I don't think they give a damn about anything other than preventing damage to their property. How it looks seems to not concern them a whit.
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Posted - 08/23/05 10:17pm by Lynn R Slater, updated or replied 08/23/05 10:18pm


Wildlife


No Articles were found.

Theft


Halloween decorations stol
My neighbor just had all of his Halloween decorations stolen a couple of nights ago and I know that some of the real estate signs have been taken as well. Probably teenagers..... Thanks for the idea of putting the police number in my cell phone. Christine GoodrumMontecito Drive
Posted - 10/29/05 10:22am by Lynn R Slater


Violence


Teenagers firing pellet gun by 7-1, Sunday evening 2/12 See all 4 replies
Anyone see or hear anything regarding a group ofteenagers who were shooting pellets around the 7/11 atthe corner of Niles Blvd. and Mission Blvd. on Sunday(2/12) night around 7pm or so? They were aiming at abum/homeless person and others, and hit my son's armas he was getting out of the car to go into 7/11. Doyou all know what your teenagers are up to? Myhusband said it was drive-by style shooting, althoughnot with a "real" weapon. My heart sinks when I hearthis type of thing happening in our town.We would have reported it to the police, but did nothave any details.Thanks,KarenHillview
Posted - 04/15/06 9:41am by Lynn R Slater, updated or replied 04/15/06 9:42am

Gunfire along the train tracks or Mission Boulevard
1) A little over a week ago, around midnight, I heard what I thought might be gunfire. I don't know much about guns or what guns sound like outside of movies, but I heard two loud, sharp cracking / popping noises (they didn't sound like firecrackers) coming from somewhere along the train tracks or Mission Boulevard, probably between the train depot and the creek. Anyway, I called the police (and turned off all my indoor lights, and locked the doors).
Posted - 10/29/05 10:25am by Lynn R Slater

Drug dealer carrying guns.
I was just rollerblading over at the Third Street Park and there are many police there looking for a drug dealer who is carrying guns. The Sergeant also said there is a homeless sex offender that hangs out by the 7-11 at Niles and Mission and also up the Canyon. So beware and be safe. Thanks for the idea of putting the police number in my cell phone. Christine GoodrumMontecito Drive
Posted - 10/29/05 10:22am by Lynn R Slater


Drugs


No Articles were found.

Suspicious Activity

What was going on last night?! See all 4 replies
What was going on last night in Niles? My daughter said there was a police helicopter over our neighborhood and many, many police sirens on Mission around 4AM. What the heck? She said someone tried to rattle our front door open and ran away. That's comforting....Genie Hawkins
Posted - 04/15/06 2:24pm by Lynn R Slater, updated or replied 04/15/06 2:26pm

Rancho Arroyo park - Odd activity See reply
Just putting out a note about three teenagers we saw this last weekend at the Rancho Arroyo park on Montecito drive.Three teen males who were in a black acura with a primer gray back corner pulled up to the park. As two of them headed into the park with a paper bag in their hands the third one relieved himself in the bushes of the house across the street from the park. This was around 4pm while other families were in the area. When I confronted him about doing that in public he became hostile and physically threatening.The weekend before this I saw some broken bottles near the curb at the park that I cleaned up. With such a large space that backs up onto the trails, tracks, quarry and other places I just hoping we could all keep our eyes open for odd behavior around here.John...
Posted - 04/15/06 9:44am by Lynn R Slater, updated or replied 04/15/06 9:44am

Lt. gold(?), older sedan, loud and irritating radio
Last week in late afternoon, a lt. gold(?), older sedan parked mid-street in front of our house for about 5+ minutes. The radio was loud and irritating. I was going to go out because of the noise but he finally drove off. Couldn't tell how old (fuzzy vision) he was but he did have a mustache. While it was unusual, I didn't think too much of it because what kind of neighborhood thug would draw attention to himself with loud noise? Just strange, he wasn't local and most people just don't sit in their cars blocking the street. And we are right across from Linda Drive. NancyPlumeria
Posted - 09/03/05 3:43pm by Lynn R Slater

Silver Japanese older make car -- drugs? See reply
About a week ago, Rene saw a silver Japanese older make car, a young male with an unseasonal dark blue quilted jacket and a another male standing outside the car. They were passing things between themselves and the car. This happened across the street from Paige Frakes house on G St, closest to the 3rd St. intersection, closer to the "party house" Krystenon 3rd.
Posted - 09/03/05 3:40pm by Lynn R Slater, updated or replied 09/03/05 3:42pm

Suspicious characters with lookout See all 2 replies
On Aug 25, I called the Fremont Police to report suspicious characters who looked very much like they didn't belong and like they were doing something illegal. One looked like the lookout person. Unfortunately, I did not give very good details as I was driving by and they were looking at me strangely with my kids in the car, so my report wasn't a very detailed one. I did give their location and a brief description. I didn't have enough details but I thought it better to call with something than to not call at all.Unfortunately, the police dept. has been busy today so an officer just now came to pursue the call. I told him they are probably long gone. He didn't realize that the call was placed awhile ago as he was ready to pursue the call. He said they were busy. He seemed surprised that the call was old.I hope a house hasn't been broken into or some other crime committed.Please be on the lookout.When we were visiting our niece in San Diego recently, her barking pug woke me up at 4am. I looked outside and saw a hooded look-out guy. I yelled out at him and he made up a story and left. I noticed my niece's husband's car cockeyed, out of it's stall. I had called the police, not realizing he was breaking into my niece's husband's car. They were trying to steal it and in the process, they caused major damage, breaking the ignition and all door locks, plus some windows. If I didn't yell out, their SUV would have most likely been long-gone across the border as that's what has happened to most of the cars stolen from the complexes in that area that are never seen again (they are almost at the border). My niece is in the Navy (usually leaves for work around 5am), has 2 little ones and they don't make much money nor do they have good insurance or any tow service (they are young). This left them with one car for awhile as they struggle, working two different schedules and in taking the baby and toddler to two different day cares. I helped them out as much as I could. The San Diego police too were understaffed and came much later after the criminals were long gone.I just get so frustrated when people's lives are interfered with because of crimes.I highly respect our police dept. and understand that they are understaffed with more important crimes to take care of.In a perfect world, it would be nice if we could prevent crimes by catching folks when being reported...L Morton
Posted - 09/03/05 3:34pm by Lynn R Slater, updated or replied 09/03/05 3:38pm


Accidents

Large Orange Cat Died See all 5 replies
The cat has died from its injuries (head trauma from being hit by a car; location: near Niles Blvd between D and E Streets). The cat was a 17 lb., neutered male - no collar or chip. The body can be claimed at Ohlone Veterinary Emergency Clinic, 1618 Washington Blvd., 510-657-6620.NancyD Street
Posted - 01/15/07 10:53pm by Lynn Slater, updated or replied 01/15/07 10:55pm

Sunday evening's accident on Niles Blvd See reply
Does anyone know what happened? I passed by not too long afterwards, since the green minivan was still there. It looked like the minivan hit the divider outside the Thai temple square-on, taking out the signs, crossing over the divider and the other side of the street, and bouncing off the far sidewalk, back into the street. I seriously doubt that could happen at 35mph, and I'm wondering how on earth someone could hit the divider like that on a 2-lane road.Martin.
Posted - 04/15/06 9:23am by Lynn R Slater, updated or replied 04/15/06 9:25am

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