Victorville Mayor Addresses the Recent Violence

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Violent acts in the Victorville and surrounding areas has led to community concern, including concern from the Victorville Mayor.

Some crime is natural in every area, even the best are prone to domestic disturbances, and other crime. In the past weeks, Victorville has been the epicenter to several violent acts and other careless acts, leading to injury or death. Unfortunately, those who were born and raised in the Victorville or surrounding areas feel as their home has made a change for the worse.

“I’ve been here since ’68’ and it’s just not right in any way shape or form,” said Susan Tryggvason. Two officer-involved shootings occurred within an hour earlier this week, a shooting in Victorville that left a small girl injured, and a shooting in Adelanto killing a man. That is just to mention a few. There have also been injuries and deaths, possibly a result of reckless or intoxicated driving.

The mayor of Victorville decided to address the situation rather than acting as though they did not occur. “I want you to know that we are just as outraged as you are to see such violence and disregard perpetrated in our City,” said Mayor Gloria Garcia, in a written statement. “The City of Victorville invests nearly 63 percent of our general fund on public safety each year. Victorville has the largest police force in the High Desert and the second largest police force in all of San Bernardino County, and we will continue this investment because we value our law enforcement personnel, and we care for the safety of our community.”

On Wednesday, September 4, 2019, the community witnessed a widely shared video of suspect Ari Young, 21 of Victorville, brutally punching Deputy Meagan Forsberg in her head and face before gaining access to her service weapon and shooting at her. Fortunately, deputy Forsberg was not shot, nor were any bystanders. Young was shot by responding deputies and suffered non-life threatening injuries. Deputy Forsberg was treated for non-life threatening injuries. The other deputy-involved shooting was when deputies were responding to a call reporting a suicidal subject. The suspect would not drop a knife and he was shot by deputies. He died as a result of the shooting.

Also on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, a man was killed after being shot by a man who was out on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) or AB109. The incident took place on Wednesday night in the City of Adelanto. The suspect, 40-year-old Patrick Eugene Coleman, of Adelanto, was arrested in August of 2011 for a May 2011 shooting also in Adelanto.

Although the shooting in Adelanto was not in the City of Victorville, it is a good example showing that some laws may need to be changed. “I applaud the men and women of the Victorville Police Department, and I appreciate the tremendous service they provide us each and every day,” Victorville City Mayor Gloria Garcia added. “Unfortunately, AB 109 and Propositions 47 and 57 have made their jobs even more difficult by decriminalizing and reducing the penalties for certain crimes. The net result is that we have more hardened criminals on our streets.”

Mayor Gloria Garcia has asked residents to voice their concerns to Sacramento, as some of the state laws is what is making it difficult for law enforcement and dangerous to residents. “In order for us to affect real change, we must work together as a community – all of us – to find solutions to our very difficult and real challenges. I’m thankful to everyone who has voiced their concerns to us, and I believe with continued dialog and by working together, we will build a stronger and safer Victorville.”