Since the passing of 16 year old Ebony Huel, I wonder who is to blame in this latest tragedy to strike our City and my District.  Is it the business owner who showed a blatant disregard for the safety of our youth by continuing to run these parties without proper security or permit and, under the guise of operating an afterschool  program?  Or the parents and guardians who allowed their children to attend this unsupervised gathering?  Maybe it’s the police department whose earlier presence may have deterred outside negative elements from escalating? Surely, the shooter is to blame.  And yes, it has even crossed my mind to blame myself.

As time goes by and I am afforded the opportunity to think past my emotions, I realize that there is no one person or entity to blame.  As a City, we have clearly failed to fill a badly needed void in comprehensive services for our youth.   The community has expressed a need for a teen venue that operates outside normal business hours for many years.  Perhaps if this had been made a past priority, we would not be at this juncture.

What we have on our hands is bigger than just enforcing gang activity and bigger than Northwest Pasadena.  Our police department can only do so much.  Personal accountability is needed on all fronts and we cannot continue to blame others for what we can and are able to do ourselves.  Let’s take the initiative and start community policing.  Parents and guardians, be strict about knowing the whereabouts of your teenager.  Curfew is 10pm and minors should not be unsupervised on city streets after this time.  Young people, be independent but smart.  Look out for each other.  Trust your gut about where you choose to socialize.  

As a community, we have to come together and form an allegiance to take back our streets.  In the first 3 months of my term, I have seen numerous residents and non-residents alike come and lobby in front of the Council for banning strip clubs, alleged accounting flaws at the Humane Society, environmental and building preservation, and equal recreation use around the Rose Bowl.   All of these issues are important to our quality of life and I have used my vote and voice to support many of them.  However, what is the value without the life?  We have to be outraged at our present priority for things instead of young people and life.  If we spent even a 1/3 of the millions we have allocated to purchasing parking spaces and buildings, what would Northwest and the City look like a few years from now? 

My thoughts and prayers continue to be with not only Ebony’s family and friends, but all victims of violence throughout the City of Pasadena. 

—Councilwoman Jacque Robinson
jacquerobinson@cityofpasadena.net