After the shooting that took place in Lompoc Saturday evening leaving a teen boy dead, community members say they want to make their voices heard at the Public Safety Commission meeting this coming Wednesday.
"It is really important and I encourage everybody in the Lompoc community, if they can, attend this meeting because of all this stuff that is going on," said one Lompoc resident. "It is just so heartbreaking."
Lompoc police say they are currently investigating the crime that took place Saturday night in an alley in the 700 block of North F and G Streets. Three people were shot, and one of them died from his injuries.
Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne says the latest string of violent crimes feels like an invasion to the community and she acknowledges the city could be doing more when it comes to ensuring the public feels safe.
"We have not prioritized public safety as a council. It has been a personal priority since I began running for and being on council but as a council majority, that has not been reflected in the decisions we've made," Osborne said.
While the Public Safety Committee welcomes public comment and wants to hear from residents, Mayor Osborne says she encourages those members to also attend Tuesday's city council meeting.
"The best place to come and advocate for your concerns is absolutely a city council meeting," Osborne said. "So what I would actually encourage is for you to attend tomorrow night's council meeting which happens before the public safety meeting."
Osborne says that with a tax measure being placed on the primary ballot in March, she hopes the city will consider that revenue to address lacking resources and funding for local law enforcement,
The October 15 city council meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, located at 100 Civic Center Plaza in Lompoc. The Public Safety Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. on October 16, also at City Hall.
The Lompoc Police Department encourage those with any sort of information about this weekend's shooting to contact detectives.
