City of Stockton’s Marshall Plan to host first Stakeholder meeting: 7 months post announcement.
“We will be having a council study session on the Marshall Plan on January 31st,” clarified city of Stockton’s Mayor, Ann Johnston, during the first city council meeting of 2012.
Her clarification was brought up when concerned citizens voiced their opinion during the public comment section of the council meeting: “In less than two weeks of this New Year we already had multiple shootings, we don’t have to remind you that the homicide rate of 2011 set a grim record…” said Stockton resident, Christina Cervantes. “We question the priority given to this problem by city council.” Cervantes added.
The Marshall Plan was originally brought up by Mayor Johnston, during her State of the City address in May of 2011. The Marshall Plan’s goal would bring stakeholders together to fight Stockton’s crime.
According to the proposal published online, phase 1 of the plan would approach schools, churches and any organizations that have a stake in the issue. However, “Between May and December the City has not approached any stakeholders, you just began to approach stakeholders recently,” said Rocio Lopez, resident of Stockton who spoke on behalf of the Occupy Stockton movement.
“We are not just concerned with the homicides, but thousands of other crimes that occur each year making Stockton statistically one of the most dangerous places, not just in San Joaquin County, not just in California, but in the United States of America,” added Lopez.
Two days prior to the council meeting, Mayor Johnston wrote an editorial for The Record, “We understand and share the frustration that we must find quick solutions to our crime problem. However, there is no single plan; there is no single solution that is controlled by the city that will result in immediate change.”
A day after the council meeting, city officials announced a public meeting on “Community Improvement and Crime Prevention” to take place on Thursday, January 19th.
To learn more about City of Stockton’s Council or to contact the Mayor Johnston, you may dial (209) 937-8244.
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