The Ojai Post

This is an outrage !!!!!!!!! what kind of circumstances must a kid be in to do such heartless a thing. where are the parents of this murderer. I'm shocked by this my heart goes out to the friends and family of the victim who's life has been cut short. we as a community must not stand for this. how many more crimes will it take for the police to really crack down on gang activity. it's uncalled for we live in a tiny town we must stop the prejudice and learn to live peacefully together. I hope the person who is responsible for this crime is found out and tried as an adult.

I'm sad to say that what I heard from one of the parents whose teenage daughters knew the young boy who died, and whose teenage friends were at the party and saw the boy as he was dying, that this press release does not begin to convey the horror of what happened.

This is a tragedy for all of us.

Re Anonymous: Oh, absolutely let's learn to live peacefully by frying that 15-year-old perp as soon as we can!

I am so sad to hear of yet another family in Ojai who has lost their son at the hands of another...I'll be praying for them all...and praying justice will be served..

My children know of these gang members from school and are afraid all the time- the Police know who they are but the gang members are still terrorizing are small community. Is it time for vigilantes if the authorities keep failing to protect our community? Let's put preasure on the Police, gangs and their guardians and clean them up or OUT! Your beloved child could be next.

Note- all previous postings and even people like myself have to sign ANONYMOUS due to the gangs hold on our community. Is this a way to live in Ojai?

Very unfortunate the Sheriff felt there was some reason to report the perp as "Hispanic." Over on the OVN Blog, people are calling for a race war. Some want to go down to Waite Street tonight and ... well, read it yourself. Scary times in Ojai.

Worth considering whether Ojai's apartheid is a cause of this. We need to learn to not only tolerate but celebrate difference in this town - to include, not exclude, and to be intolerant only of the hate and division that unfortunately is the prevalent attitude among far too many in our town today. This killer is a killer - not a "Mexican". I am sick of the racist spew among some elements of this town.

Regardless, very sad and tragic for the young boy and family, and all of us as a community. What a loss for us all.

Anon #6 - Every sheriff unit and police department in the county lists the race of suspects in their press releases, every time. Not sure why you put "Mexican" in quotes, because you aren't quoting anyone.

Tyler, there is only one sheriff in this county. I think the one sheriff in this county should refrain from listing the race/ethnicity of suspects, unless it is relevant to an actual plea for help from the public in identifying a suspect. Note they did not list the race/ethnicity of the victim.

I don't know about police departments, but same criticism applies. What is the purpose in identifying suspects by race/ethnicity? (Again, assuming this is not an active call for help in identifying a suspect, which would include far more information). The only purpose I can discern is to help perpetuate disparaging racial and ethnic stereotypes, in turn fueling the kind of hatred we deplore.

Second, the quotes come from the OVN blog, which is what spurred this comment.

Thankfully, we see a better side of Ojai typically here on the Post, which is one reason I prefer to comment here.

It's typical knee-jerk retardation that you'd take offense at the word "Hispanic." How ELSE can the cops even hope to catch this scum? Methinks "human" might offend someone of your proclivities, as well. Good God, should law enforcement do without ANY profiling whatsoever? (No, on second thought, don't answer; I'm sure you think the cosmos will balance everything out in the end/that prison is just another of "evil Whitey's" prejudiced inventions) Let me pray you're never asked to ID a perp; you'd probably sue/alert the ACLU if there weren't any poesies or puppies in the lineup.

Someone died and someone is responsible - A description is needed - Hispanic is a description!!!! White is a description!!!!! Get it????? the police relay info - the witnesses described the offender. A child died - do you care? I do. God bless the family and child. My thoughts and prayers are with them. This is not a race issue so far on this blog. Pray for the child who died. My heart is with the parents. How terrible..... and who ever did it should pay with his life.

Maybe we can get evan to hold a candlelight vigil ! or he could help in the healing process !

To everyone:

As a Latina, I do not take offense to the word "Hispanic" and I too, hate the "homies."

I just hope that the rest of you realize that we are not one group and that it is not ok to stereotype. If a Hispanic did it, it is not a representation of the community as a whole and some of us are working hard to fix our broken community, but we need the help of everyone, not just "Hispanics," but all of us in Ventura County.

To Ojai Post:
I thank you for linking to our crime blog in this story. We have added you to our media roll.

We support local papers, as you can see, most of us have reported a suspect has been caught, and the Ventura County Star, as of yet, has not.

Ventura County Crime Blog

This was not just a stabbing. The victim's neck was cut ear to ear from what I've heard from kids who were there. These gangs need to be wiped out NOW. White, black or brown - and I don't particularly care how. If we have any of this GANG scum in our town, they need to be wiped out. If you know of any, turn them in! AND THE PARENTS NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR RAISING SUCH DIRTBAGS. Put that in your peace pipe and smoke it.

I am so sorry to hear the bad news. I just recently met seth 2 weeks ago at a party, and it breaks my heart to know that he is gone now. I am especially sorry to his poor family who has now lost there youngest son :(

I am so sorry to hear the bad news. I just recently met seth 2 weeks ago at a party, and it breaks my heart to know that he is gone now. I am especially sorry to his poor family who has now lost there youngest son :(

This town is just great. For 26 years I've heard people whine and cry about gangs in Ojai, and still, nothing has happened. Plan on waiting another 26 years. If the cops never see these gangbangers, then how come I see them on a daily basis, in the same spots, over and over and over again? Cops have no idea where 80% of the parties are, let alone are tromping the streets at 12-3 a.m. looking for one to break up. Believe me it's the ignorance of the parents that go out of town and trust there junior high/high school kids for one night at the house alone. It's pretty obvious what's going to happen if you have any popularity at all...throw a party, yes. I grew up in Ojai, went to Matilija, and Nordhoff, and know exactly what goes on every weekend after 8 p.m. in that town. I'd say nearly all of the kids I went to school with at some time or another were at a party I was at. And yes, I too lied to my parents about going out for the night to a "friends house" or "camping" or what-not. Your kid probably isn't the angel they play out to be. Ojai is a boring town for kids to grow up in. This is not a child-friendly town, aside from a skate-park...but if you don't skate then...? When you don't have a license, can't get out of the valley, and have hours to kill after school, or on the weekends, you're going to drink, you're going to smoke weed, and you're going to do other things that make the time pass by. Now this was 1997-2001, so I suppose I can't speak for everyone, but I'm sure the numbers haven't dropped much from then.

What I'm saying is that all the ingredients are there for something like this to happen.

Ignorant Parents
Gangs
Drugs
Alcohol
No Cops/Police Knowledge

If you want something done in this town, better think of somethin' quick, townspeople. It's pretty much up to you because it's been almost 20 years, and OSL is still around. LMAO

Alex was a real piece of work... He was in trouble all his life and had made threats against others. His mom tried to get him help and even sent him away for awhile. But ask yourself if Alex was your kid what could you have done? Okay now since he was not your kid what could you have done? I am sure a lot of you say "beat his a$$" or "get him help" okay beating his butt would not have helped but getting him help might have... but where do we go to get the help for this type of problem? Schools? The school knew of his problems why didn't they help? Mom knew of the probelms why couldn't she help? A lot of family and friend's knew of his problems and knew this day was coming why didn't we do anything? What could we have done to prevent this? Yeah lets just blame the mom or someone else that is the easy thing to do... A lot of us saw this coming and I believe the one's that saw it coming are to blame too! Maybe I should have tried to spend some time with Alex to steer him away from this. Oh wait I was to busy with my life to care about him. Bottom line is YES he committed this crime and deserves life in prison or death sad to say about a 14 year old but he got thru the school system cracks and mom's supervision on this one!

BTW ~ his dad has spent most of his life behind bars and maybe Alex was mad at the system for taking his Dad from him and did not understand why...

RIP Seth (Ojai Atheletic club lifegaurd)

REMEMBER THE STABBINGS 3 YEARS AGO? 2 PEOPLE STABBED,GIRLFRIEND BEAT UP, BOULDER SMASHED ON A GUYS HEAD ALL THE SAME NIGHT? WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE OJAI. THESE CRIMINALS NEED TO BE STOPPED NOW!

Look around,How many people in Ojai are on Drugs,or know people on drugs?They are not supplied by harmless people just trying to get by,gang members control this market.As for me the more of these gang members that do each other in the better off the community is.I am away right now but if the more of these blights are put in graves the better off Ventura County and our "bucolic village" will be.Good job gang members keep up the good work!!!!

EVERYONE NEEDS TO REMEMBER THAT 2 FAMILIES HAVE LOST A CHILD. COULD ANY OF YOU EVEN BEGIN TO IMAGINE WHAT THAT PHONE CALL WAS LIKE AT 2 IN THE MORNING????? TO ARRIVE ON SCENE JUST IN TIME TO SEE YOUR SON PRONOUNCED DEAD? TO WATCH YOUR 14 YEAR OLD SON BE PUT BEHIND BARS FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE (HOPEFULLY). BAD KIDS DON'T ALWAYS COME FROM BAD PARENTS AND WHAT DO WE REALLY KNOW ABOUT THE FAMILY?? DON'T USE THIS AS ANOTHER REASON TO ARGUE BECAUSE THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT STARTED THIS MESS. TWO WRONGS DON'T MAKE A RIGHT, SO PLEASE LET THE VIOLENCE STOP HERE. MY HEART GOES OUT TO SETH'S FAMILY.

In reply to comment #16:
You said Ojai was boring for kids, nothing to do but the skate park. You said that if kid's don't skate or have a licence then they end up drinking, smoking weed or doing other bad things to pass the time...Well I truly believe that Ojai has done it's damdest to provide a healthy enviroment for the youth such as organized sports of all kinds,the youth foundation, the after school organizations and activities thru the rec.dept and the boys and girls club in Oak View as well. There is something for all the kids. It's there choice to take on an activity or sport, it's the parents choice to give the kids a gentle push in the direction of these activities. It is written and proven that kids who participate in one or more of the activities I mentioned will have a lower if not at all, risk of smoking(anything),drinking, having thoughtless sex, fighting or 'killing'.
Ojai has provided plenty. As for my kids, with no skating or drivers licence, I know were they go and what they do after school and I know that at 1:00 in the morning, they are in bed like the rest of us. Parents I urge you to get your kids involved early on, make it a healthy habit for them so they won't end up like the Seth, Alex, or thr rest of the partiers who will forever have the vision of murder in in their souls.

As a mmember of this town I am scared for all of our kids. I am saddened by the thoughtlessness of this act. The hurt that all are feeling will not go away for a long time.
I am angered by disregard for life, but my heart and prayers go out to both families and the boy who now sits it a cell wondering how he could have gotten in this deep. There are obviously some major problems with both of these youth to get envolved with gangs and drugs.
As someone who knows the accussed and his family, the parents are good, decent people trying to raise a family. They are stunned at this news and never thought that youth rebelion would end up this bad. it doesent make the parents bad people. Their hearts are breaking for Seth's family.

I know the kids that this happened too. I have been hearing from people that this has something to do with a red shirt so it may be gang it may be not I do not know. I know the kid who committed the crime Alex or something like that and Seth from what I hear are not in any real gangs. But the students at nordoff who cared all wore red shirts in his honor and some were crying. lets just be thankful that the person was caught.

Well Ummm I know exactly what happened I was there.
And umm well I wasn't there but my brother was and he was friends with Seth.
Okay so it was a kind of war between East and West and I think people who came from the East was only suppose to wear red.
And people who came from the west was only suppose to wear blue or maybe it was the only way around I Don't Know but anyways yeah Seth was tired of that so he decided to wear red and he wasn't suppose to so they where at a party and he said it's time to end this war so he decided to wear red not knowing what's coming his way,so Alex came out of the bush and stabbed Seth in the throat and in the chest and he died.
And everyone is turning this a racist thing and it's not STOP BLAMING MEXICANS FOR THIS JUST BECAUSE ALEX WAS MEXICAN. it was bad,but hey it wasn't all the Mexicans fault okay,and yes it was a mistake,but hey just because Alex killed a kid doesn't make him a bad person okay people think he is but he's not okay.
Why should his parents get yelled at for what Alex did it doesn't make his parents bad either his parents raised him and so what if he killed him it doesn't mean we should all go up to him and try to kill him no then we would be the murders to.
I'm just saying if you bring blue and red together you make purple,purple means peace in world.
So let's help out both families and wear purple tommorow.
R.I.P. Seth we will all miss you.
And Alex when you come out of jail I know you will really think about what you did.
I Love You both.
I'll miss you Seth!!!

seth was a good kid raised by a good family im tired of all these little 2 foot punks runnig around town thinkin thier tough but cant fight with there hands they got to use weapons they have always been like this they just crossed the line this town needs to do somthing about it fast il never forget u bro

alex should never get out

Just because he killed a guy does not make him a bad person? This Alex kid should be tried as an adult. What is wrong with our society where a statement can be made like that. I know I sound angry, I am. What a senceless waste of a life this is. Alex has no respect for life nor his own family. I wonder if he thought about his own parents as he plungged the knife into Seth. Bless Seth and his family and Alex's family. Alex should rot in hell.

Welcome to the real world Ojai. It's encroaching on this small town just like all the other small towns across America. And it will only get worse. Gangs use fear so nobody will do anything about them and also retaliation. Good luck.

I would have to ask why the kids were unsupervised by adults and out so late at night and why their parents let them stay out so late. In the small affluent town I grew up in here in CA there was a curfew imposed on teenagers and if they were out beyond a certain time, the police sent them home. My parents were also strict about being home by a certain hour.
This let's all play nice in the sandbox and find world peace is not going to solve problems in the real world that has come to Ojai.

a gang of boys, with a bb gun, shot out an eight-inch-hole in the back window of a minivan driving on El Roblar yesterday. the family was particularly frightened and upset as their two young daughters were in the back of the van when it was shot..

Several years ago I saw Alex run with impresive power I also saw him roller skathing with the grace and flow of an artist he also picked on the weak

My car was broken into on on Wednesday night and some items were stolen. Saturday night these little punks were on their bicycles on my street and whistling their little gang sign when we came outside to see why the dog was barking. Later a young man was murdered up the street.
Our Cops are doing a bad job ! Stay out of the Nordoff parking lot and patrol our neighborhood ! They know who the bad guys are ! If they don't, take pictures, just like LAPD does of the "knowns" Shake them up ! Every time you see one, stop them.
Run them out of town before they form alliances with cartels (it will happen)!
Interesting this is happening after Bruce left Ojai and we have a new chief.
Maybe he's not doing his job !

I've mostly tried to stay out of this issue, but I must say I'm a little alarmed by the tone of some of the people posting here. Sadly, many of the posts are anonymous, so they carry very little weight other than to create a noise similar to large angry mob.

The bottom line is that the lives of two children ended this last weekend. I can not even begin to fathom the pain and grief that the families and friends of these two boys are going through.

It now appears that this was not gang related. Please correct me if I'm wrong. To me, this being an act of unspeakable violence that is not related to gangs and their ridiculous fights is more frightening. I admit that I have little information about what really went on at that party, but it seems that a very troubled 14 year old killed a 16 year old.

The picture that is emerging is that two very troubled teenagers got into a fight, over stupid, but longstanding racist issues that manifest as a dispute over "colors." One was white and one was Latino. One or both may or may not have been amped up on various substances that may have affected their already poor judgment. One was bigger than the other, and may or may not have had a weapon or pretended to have had a weapon. One carried and used a knife. The big one is now dead.

Clear as mud. And clear as day.

BTW, I urge everyone to go check out the OVN Bog on this. They are currently suppressing comments, so you will not see the whole picture, but you are going to be disturbed at the reality of our valley as reflected there. Even now, people are making threats that sound like a race war, and threatening to take matters in their own hands if the cops don't prosecute their race war against Latinos for them.

Meanwhile, at Nordhoff and in MO on the corner, white kids have been clustering in groups wearing red. Supposedly this is in solidarity with the slain boy. It looks a whole lot worse than that.

So much for my previous fantasy of an idyllic valley.

can you please back up you assertion that this is not gang-related, as everywhere we read about this indicates otherwise

everyone seems to blame the hispanic kid for this tradegy, these kind of these dont happen just because i dont think anyone deserves to die that way but there was a reason why it happend...

From what I've been able to tell, neither of the boys were in an official "gang", if there can be anything like an official gang. Possibly they were both enamored of the gang "lifestyle' as evinced supposedly by profiles on social networking sites. But posting pictures of guns and logos like Famous Stars & Straps(straps as in to be strapped with guns) is what passes for a segment of current youth culture. In my day it check patterned bondage pants, punk and mohawks--whatever. I'm not yet old enough to condemn the culture of today's youth though I do loath much of it.

Anon #34, I don't care what racists think. I'm not interested in what they have to say and I'm not particularly surprised they are calling for more violence. Also, I do not consider the posters on the OVN blog to a majority or even representative sampling of the Ojai Valley. It's usually the same 6 or 7 wing nuts under anonymous names. Here's a hint, stop going there.

Anon #36, cryptic and vaguely frightening. WTF are you talking about. Yes everyone "blames" the "hispanic" kid. He is the alleged killer. If you have some information on this I urge you to tell it to the investigators.

but alex is an OSL member, how can this not be gang-related??

I had not heard confirmation that he was a member of the gang know as OSL. Are we certain this is true?

yes, sheriff's dept. confirms, read today's OVN (skip the comments, though):

http://ovnblog.com/?p=1161

Alright, I stand corrected. So this was an attack by OSL on a kid who was not in a gang, is that what we're being told?

those are the reported facts in the case

Seth was the nicest and realest kid in Ojai. He was not in a gang, he was friends with every both he met. I first meet Seth in kindergarten. He was my first real friend. I went to his house all the time, we both had struggle reading and he pushed both of us through it. Seth taught me how to skateboard and was the first person to take me surfing. I all ways strived to be like him. He was funny and very outgoing. if you ever need to talk to someone about any thing, he would be there. one day when i was at Seth's house, when i was about 7, him and his cousin launched me on the trampoline super high and i landed with my nuts on the springs. thats when i first learn what nutting it ment. i have so many memories with him. he shaped the person i am today. i could not believe that some little 14 teen year old OSL fucker would take life.

REST IN PEACE SETH SCARMINACH
WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU AND WILL NEVER
FOGOT THE THINGS THAT YOU TAUGHT US.
2/26/09

As a student at Nordhoff, i have to face going to school in fear. This tragedy has become an all out race war. Were not allowed to wear red, blue, or even purple. An innocent life was lost, and those grieving aren't getting the respect they deserve. His bestfriend is in a few of my classes, and when people that have no connection to the matter bring it up, it hurts her.

Girls that are freshmen, wore all red today. They had no idea who he was. They just did it to show white power. Do you think that it is right? No, it's not. everyone needs to realize that a family is hurt. Seth was a friend to all. Stop running your mouth and show some respect.

wow really has it come to this i moved out of ojai a couple of years ago, whoever as involved be ashamed of yourselves. there has been enough blood shed, there shouldnt even have been any. And for what, im sick of hearing about how its race wars!!!do u realize a boy was killed because the color of his skin!!! i used to live up the street from seth he was a good boy never caused trouble, and for some delinquent to take his life makes me irate that ppl are raising their children to become these monsters. this is real!! and for some punk kid trying to make a point for killing an innocent child over the color bandanna!!! im sorry for the parents and all his brothers and sisters i know there in mourning. but this has got to stop. that punk and all his little gang bang wannabes need to be put away, u think ur men but ur not ur cowards. rest in peace seth ur in all our hearts and prayers now

Parents! THINK! Allowing your children to drive around in white trucks holding red bandanas out of the window up and down the streets of Meiners Oaks is dangerous.
The kids in the silver Mercedes wearing the "colors" and displaying their red from the rear view mirror and truck drivers say they are showing support for their dead friend.
Perhaps they can hang a picture of the boys favorite animal instead? Just as ridiculous, and much less lethal.That action is provoking violence. And there are always innocent people caught in the cross fire.
I hope the kids can use the power of their anguish to triumph and be victorious in obtaining PEACE

i'll miss u brother, remember the tree fort? all summer thats all we did love and miss u.

There is a lot of speculation over who was to blame but the question is who is running this town? Under the surface this town is full of racism, gang affiliation, and authority neglect. So, those who want to shape the town need to make a French Revolution Style barrage on City Hall to make their voices heard - then let it trickle to the news print, the schools, the town gossip etc. We don't need another child to die or go to prison. God bless the family that lost their child - unite and make a change.

WHO WANTS TO SHAPE THIS TOWN? THE TAGGERS? THE GANGS? as we all find our way to our gated homes and gated schools? Take our town back so we can walk the streets again at night to look at the stars and return home from restaurant. Really! The fact is our town has become scary!!! Stabbing at a gas station on Drown St - a Stabbing in Libby Park - and now a CHILD has died - Our idyllic bike is not safe FOR A MOTHER AND CHILD TO WALK - Take it back - our town belongs to those who want to live in it and we pay for it-

So Mayor of Ojai I call on you to hold a town meeting and address the issues ......And parents and residents come together to discuss what may or may not be the cause of this incident AND to stop the OBVOUS rise in gang activity around our town. It is apparent - it is seen with OSL tagging all over the place and it is rumored to be a contribution to this case.

Mayor - you are the leader of this town - so take action to bring the community together to hear the concerns. A child died - OSL and other gangs are here. I don't know what they are since I only see OSL tags but they are here. GANGS DON'T NEED A RACIAL BANDANA TO MOTIVATE A CRIME -THEY RUN DRUGS, AND LIVE A VIOLENT LIFE JUST TO BE IN A GANG. OSL AND OTHER GANGS ARE HERE. VIOLENCE WILL FOLLOW. Run our town properly so we don't blame kids anymore - IT IS AN ADULT ISSUE TOO! IF THE MAYOR IS CONSCIOUS ENOUGH TO HOLD A MEETING - ACTIVE PARENTS PLEASE GET INVOLVED - DEMAND A TOWN MEETING PETITION ON OJAI POST. This is not for our children to sort out with purple bandanas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And Mayor - if this happens - come prepared. Know your ABC's - call on other cities and counties with this problems to learn solutions so our town can act effectively. Offer solutions rather than just listen and postpone!!!! I am sick of watching this problem grow!!!!

#48, I trust you have emailed this to the mayor at:

devito@ci.ojai.ca.us

We all have a lot to say about this horrible tragedy. Most importantly, what does God say to all parents, their children, their children’s children,…? Remember, God says this (not me or anyone else):

Numbers 14:18: 18The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. (Also ref.: Exodus 20:5—6: & Deuteronomy 5:9—10 (KJV))

Matthew 22:35—40: 35Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (KJV)

The Beginning of Knowledge
Proverbs 1:1—7: 1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (KJV)

John 3:16—21: 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (KJV)

This horrible tragedy has made most of us very sad. I am praying for all. God bless all of you.

Where was God that night?

It can and should become a political issue answered by the mayor, council and not suppressed as usuual soft peddle in "bucolic village" but be central dialogue as did by community publicity during previous city council campaign. Local police efforts are retroactive, and chief admitted to being overwhelmed and needing broader community solutions. A multi-million dollar sherrif’s budget, yet only two patrol cars on duty in county all night-tags on affluent buildings-seeming to state youth feels disenfranchised.
Patrol cars hurrying around but never stopping to interact with comunity and understand issues on the street.

Yeah, where the heck were Alex's parents that night too?

Gangs have been around for decades, this is not an issue of gangs (although the one we have in this town has no respect for the people who live here or their property. and exist only to feed this towns lust for narcotics.) this is an issue of a disturbed child who crossed a line and became a murderer he destroyed a family’s life and his own. If you say you can't blame the parents because they are wonderful people then who do you blame? Because we as parents are the front line against "Gangs”. This kid did not come from my side of the street so I could not have stopped it but my God people we as "parents" have responsibilities to our children to raise them to keep away from these people to stay away from this life style. To make this a racial thing is to let each and every parent off the hook. We enjoy the beauty of this small town and when things go wrong we sweep our problems under the rug and play the race card. To me, it comes back to parenting. When I was a kid we didn't carry weapons nor did we feel threatened to the point that we needed to kill. The only thing I feared was my father and the only time I feared him was when I knew I did something wrong! It is a sad day that I have to scold my son and daughter because they wore a red shirt or a blue school sweatshirt around this beautiful town. I Know My civil leaders are addressing this issue but the answer is so simple if you are a parent THEN BE ONE!! If you are gang member STOP TRASHING OUR TOWN!! If you’re a drug abuser GET HELP!! If you are the parents of the victim I am whole heartedly sorry for your loss and our prayers are with you. I've already covered the rest

OSL has done this before to my friend. They slit his throat and left him for dead in Libbey Park. This is an absolutely hideous vicious disgusting thing to do to another human. I say find these oxygen thieves, burn their houses so they have nothing to come back to and sterilize them so they get out of the gene pool. Then give them their own island so nobody else can be guilty of looking at them "wrong". They need to go back to school and evolve already; until then we will have to be vigilant and make them leave Ojai. There is no way to do this legally, so vigilante power is the way to These are not our latinos who are responsible, these are mutant viruses that need to be eradicated asap.

OKAY FIRST OF ALL ALEX WASNT MEXICAN AND WASN'T IN OSL.
PEOPLE FROM OSL HAD TOLD HIM TO STAY OUT OF IT AND STAY AWAY FROM THE DRAMA SO YOU KANT KALL ALL OF THEM THE BAD GUYS.
ALEX WAS JUST STUPID ENOUGH TO GO BACK AND GET HIS "REVENGE" FROM LOSING A FIGHT TO SETH.AND WE HAVE TRULY LOST A GREAT PERSON AND ALL OF HIS FRIENDS HAVE TO RESPECT THAT SETH WAS ALSO FRIENDS WIT MANY PEOPLE OF ALL RACES AND THEY NEED TO STOP CALLING PEOPLE OUT AND SAYING THEY DIDNT EVEN KNOW HIM BECAUSE THEY DIDNT LIVE HIS LIFE AND SEE WHAT HE SAW.
ALSO KIDS JUST GET BORED IN THIS TOWN AND TRY TO FIND A WAY TO BE ENTERTAINED AND SUMTIMES LOOKUP TO THE WRONG ROLE MODELS SO SOME OLDER BROTHERS NEED TO STOP TEACHING THEIR SIBLINGS TO BE WHITE POWER OR BROWN PRIDE BECAUSE IN THE END THATS GONIG TO GET U NO WHERE.
I HOPE ALEX GETS WHAT HE DESERVES KUZ HE KNEW WAT HE WAS GETTING HIMSELF INTO WHEN HE PULLED THAT KNIFE OUT.

R.I.P. SETH

alex was trying to become a member of osl and trying to prove himself.but all these little youngsters arre the ones causing the problems because ive noticed the older members are much more calmed down than thes 15 year olds.and not much help comes from the police kuz they pull over random people thinking theyre affiliated i mean come on get a life.

REPLY TO COMMENT 21....
REALITY CHECK THE SPORTS AND OTHER ACTIVITES ISNT GOING TO KEEP KIDS AWAY FROM SITUATIONS LIKE THIS.KIDS INTERESTS CHANGE AS THEY GET OLDER..AND ALEX MEDINA USED TO PLAY SPORTS SO THAT ISNT AN EXCUSE.

We As A Community We Owe It To The Kids In Ojai To Be Positive Role Models, Parents Need To Know Where There Children Are, Who They Socializing With. Talk To Your Child Let Them Know That You Love Them Unconditonal, Are Always There For Them. Take Time To Do Activities With Them, Make Time For Them. Meet Their Friends And Their Families. And Become A Parent Cooporation With Other Parents. As For The Gangs We Need To Stand Together, Let The Gangs Know That We Will Not Tolorate Unacceptable Behaviors, If They Want To Feel The Need To Belong As A Gang, To Use It In Positive Ways, Such As Helping With Our Community, Volunteer To Help In Organizations. Also Give Kids Positive Comments On Good Behavior. Acknowledge The Good Qualities That They Have. These Kids That Join Gangs, Looking For Support And Guidence!! This Is Why They Associate Themselves With The Gang Life!! This Is What Seth Would Say!! Rest In Peace SETH!! We Will Figure Out How To Make Ojai A Positive Place To Live!!

I have so many thoughts after reading all of the comments...
First is that there needs to be more social emotional education for the students in Ojai Schools. Teaching to the test is leaving some very empty souls.
Also, there are way too many unsupervised children/teens in our community who are bored and uninvolved in life. They are allowed to check out and disconnect from others.
These kids need to be required to be engaged and involved.
There is also a huge amount of generational ignorance and abuse. Parents have checked out too it seems.
These kids are time bombs waiting to go off.
We as a community need to research how other cities have addressed similar problems.
The schools, the police, the parents....
Obviously no one can stop this alone. It is up to all of us to stop tolerating this behavior in our community.
I was involved in meetings involving the same kids a few years back.
It only stops when they are temporarily in jail.
To comment #51...
"Where was God that evening"
God gave us choice. This is what humans do when they choose to live separated from God. We want God to reach in and save humanity when he already did. It takes an effort on our part also. Please don't blame God. It is typically a reaction when something so terrible and painful has happened but do you not think it is painful for God to see his people do this to each other? Choose God. Get to know HIM. That will transform you and our community.

[multiple identical posts deleted]

soooo sorry. I thought it wasn't working but obviously it is really effective.

Nordhoff was a pretty big nothing for me, and that was 1969 to 1973 when it was 'mod'.

the school did not honor or teach the native traditions of our local Chumash. world spirituality was hidden from us ... buddhist, taoist, hindu, pagan, wiccan, shaman, animist etc. etc. ... especially the shaman/spirit ways of the indigenous peoples of the world.

then, as now, we dishonored the whole world of peoples and cultures.

we were all taught the bankster 'American' war machine stuff.

my friends and I just hiked the hills on the weekends, and studied the stars at night. we did ten times more reading than was given us in school, all the good and honest activists and philosophers that we could find ... though I found very little until years later.

only after twenty years of following and believing the 'space program' and 'science' lies did I finally awaken to the truth of the corporate propaganda matrix which runs everything, and keeps us all dumb slaves.

only then could I drop out of the machine, and take up real studies of sacred nature. only then could I uncover the superluminal spirit foundations of our experience ... electric life. only then could I discard the old physics, and discover the structure of the proton and atomic nucleus. only then could I throw out the Space Shuttle and fake aerospaceplane frauds, and design honest plasmajet Spaceplanes.

only then could I live with the Maori in Aotearoa (New Zealand, the land of the long white cloud) ...

and study the aboriginal peoples, cultures, and spiritual traditions of a whole world ...

and return to Ahi (misnamed Ojai) ... and begin to learn from our Chumash elders of our sister/brothers tree, stone, river, coyote ...

learn to love my fellow human beings of all species, all times, all cultures, all songs.

aho, mitakuye oyasin.

Milleium,
It IS always about you, lest we forget....Plz place your bio under "Ojai Myth Series #...

I think Millennium intended to post his Comment under the article on Mindfullness Training in Ojai Schools:

http://www.ojaipost.com/2009/05/mindfulness_training_in_ojai_s.shtml

kia ora, Suza,

Maori blessings.

I posted this to add to the dialog, for our youth and adults of the Ahi Valley.

most are well aware of where the anger and frustration come from here ... from the schools and the mono-cultural indoctrination ... from the disrespect for indigenous and world spirit ways ...

from treating the young like cattle ...

for disrespecting the people of many beautiful cultures from around the world for whom this valley is their sacred home.

WHEN the schools and churches, the property-owners and their sheriffs, and media and organizations, in our Valley TEACH and HONOR all traditions, all spirit ways, and respect and further and protect EVERY child, and woman and adult, equally ...

when we guarantee the safety of the people who walk and bicycle, when we cherish and support them, rather than treating them like criminals ...

then we will have the excitement and wonder of understanding ...

then we will have a community building and celebration as has never been seen ...

for all our relations.

arohanui, enfolding love ...

This is so sad!!!!I also just moved here and know medina family what wonderful people they are.(wich is alex"s mom and grandparents.)I met them at church.I KNOW for a fact she had him sent away to get help.and she tried everything!!Some kids just make bad bad choices.AND NOW HE IS GONA BE IN JAIL FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE!!i DIDNT REALLY KNOW SETH BUT ,MAY HE REST IN PEACE!!!THAT IS JUST VERY SAD!!!!NOBODY SHOULD DIE THAT WAY!!!THE MEDINA'S ARE VERY HEART BROKEN FOR SETH FAMILY!!AND I AM FOR BOLTH!!!NOW WE NEED PEACE!!!!GIVE PEACE A CHANCE

ke 'aku ne iwama!

why are we forced to learn European culture in Ojai CA? how many of the Central California Chumash songs do we get to learn? why are we forced to learn US government military empire songs?

of the 180 separate cultures in the area of 'Mexico' five hundred years ago some sixty or so are said to remain. these are local cultures, of many of our citizens. how many of these traditions are we learning of?

these include the Amuzgo, Ch'ol, Cochimi, Cocopa, Cora, Guarijio, Huichol, Kickapoo, Kiliwa, Kumiai, Matlatzinca, Mixe, Mixtec, Nahuatl/Mexica, Oaxaca Chontal, Opata, Paipai, Pima Bajo, Popoluca, Purepecha, Rarmuri, Seri, Tabasco Chontal, Tarascan, Tarahumara, Tepehuan, Tlahuica, Toltec, Tubar, Yaqui, Yoemem, Yucatec Maya, Zapotec, and Zoque.

haikukame cloud walker

I love this site. It is a place to hear and be heard. Thanks for all of your voices.