Re: opinions?

The Village has its share of code violations, no doubt. Even your (Laughing Bear) property had code violations until the structure was burned down during the Willow Fire. However, I believe that these violations are not what initiated the code enforcement raid. There were several factors that I believe initiated the code enforcement raid. At that time, Widow Bates was filing complaints concerning the Bowen Ranch and the suspicious death of her husband with numerous Government Agencies including the DEA. In addition, one of the residents of the village was cultivating medical marijuana (which SB Sheriff does not accept prop 215 as law) and this resident had successfully defended himself from criminal charges in two previous cases. When a citizen in SB County is successful in defending himself from criminal charges, retaliation usually ensues. My objection to the code enforcement raid was the illegal manner in which it was conducted, the violation of the U. S. Constitution, the violation of civil rights.

The Village Raid is a public issue because it was funded and paid for with public money. In addition, the importance to the people who visit Deep Creek is to further illustrate the illegal activities of local law enforcement. The visitors to Deep Creek have never experienced law enforcement in San Bernardino County and have no idea how they operate. It is bizarre that Mike Castro and others have committed all these crimes and have not faced criminal prosecution. However, I have found out that this situation is not uncommon in San Bernardino County, selective serious crimes are covered up all the time in San Bernardino County.

I understand that the residents of the Village want to be left alone and have some peace and quiet. However, once the County starts conducting these code enforcement activities, they do not stop and most people end up losing their homes. I know a lady whose home was bulldozed due to illegal code enforcement activities. I firmly believe that if we had not defended the village with vigor, many of the village residents would be homeless today. I believe that continuing to expose the illegal activities of code enforcement in the village has continued to protect the residents from further abusive code enforcement action.

The public should be cautious at Deep Creek Hot Springs as long as Mike Castro is at the Bowen Ranch and not facing criminal charges.