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The Sandman faces one more ticket/court date on August 30th

Mayor Casey Tanaka,

After reading the crime blog posted on this site...it's clear that there are bigger problems.

What exactly is the violation in spreading some sand on the pavement and that's sand that he swept up

from the street to begin with?

The algae and kelp cost more to deal with and were a bigger mess.

He PROVIDES smiles from everyone I see pass by...the number of tourists who take pictures astounds me.

Abuse of POWER by law enforcement is a complete waste of taxpayers dollars.

He has complied with a liability policy.

What ordinance is he not in compliance with?

It is demeaning and mean spirited to continue this persecution.

Please advise what it takes to stop this and leave the "old man" alone.

52.04.010 Requirements for work in public rights-of-way

No person shall place, remove or replace any item within the public right-of-way or on public property nor shall a person do or cause to be done any work in the public right-of-way or on public property covered by this title without first having obtained a permit, a City contract or a franchise right to do so. All activities performed under this title shall be done in accordance with conditions of the required permit, City contract or franchise and shall conform to the approved plans, standard drawings, standard specifications, general provisions and other conditions determined by the Director of Public Services as being applicable to the project. This title, however, shall not affect the requirements of any other title of the Municipal Code requiring permits, the payment of fees or the granting of franchises.

Tags: crime

2 members like this

Comment by Mayor Casey Tanaka on August 24, 2012 at 10:24am: I was not notified of the Sandman receiving a citation in August. While I see no need to bother the Sandman, I am not a sworn law enforcement officer. I will look into this to see what the circumstances were behind this incident. I also suggest that you set up a meeting with Lou Scanlon, Chief of Police, at 522-7398 if you object to how the Department is run. The City Council has oversight over the Police Department, but it is run on a daily basis by the Police Chief.

Comment by Madison W. on August 24, 2012 at 11:04am: I think Sandman should be the official people greeter of Coronado. He is always on 3rd or 4th in the afternoons waving at people entering the city and leaving the city. If Walmart can have a people greeter, then so can Coronado!

Comment by TR on August 24, 2012 at 12:15pm: Casey,

What I want to understand is what he is doing to specifically to violate the ordinance and that is something the city council can change. Casey, I've lived in Coronado and enjoyed it since the 60's, I've been a welcome patron of the hotels and restaurants.

If I literally thought he was giving the city a bad name or damaging property or looking to be a nuisance I could appreciate the need to deal with it....but in the scheme of life, sand in a cul de sac or on an asphalt walkway seems to be so innocuous that it is hardly worth blinking an eye at regarding enforcement.

I sit on a public safety commission and have a full understanding of the trials and tribulations that local, regional and national law enforcement and security personnel are faced with. If this is a war of attrition than the Sandman will lose. Government resources can afford to wait it out.

I have no reason to communicate with your police chief...I have respect for you and the job you do and all I'd like to see is some agreement that would allow him to practice what is a simple form of art, entertainment, etc...the crime blog shows graffiti on the lifeguard towers and elsewhere....that would seem to be a real problem, versus sand which blows away.

If it comes down to the Sandman sweeping up his work by a certain time every day then maybe that's a solution. I know as summer winds down there will be less and less of it.

My attitude has always been, how to make a WIN-WIN out of it.

If it's paying for a permit to do this...

His economic status in life and his acceptance of this as something that brings him pleasure is something he has come to terms with, something that many with material wealth never achieve.

He just wants to put smiles on peoples faces....and a heart celebrating a wedding, birthday, anniversary or a Mickey Mouse for a child is personal and creates a great memory and a reason to come back...

Comment by John m on August 24, 2012 at 12:29pm: The only people he's hurting are the people who choose to be negative

Comment by LSanders on August 24, 2012 at 3:18pm: The ordinance cited is for public right-of-way or public space. Why not give the Sandman a corner of a private parking lot close to where he prefers to spread happiness. I'm a habitual visitor to Coronado and have always enjoyed the Sandman's art. Just a thought.

Comment by TR on August 24, 2012 at 3:42pm

Comment by chuck perkins on August 24, 2012 at 4:37pm: Graffiti taggers; bike thieves; drunks on Orange every night; cars w/ghetto blasters & windows down; prowlers; break ins; car burglaries;...but wait...there's a nicely dressed, always smiling old man the locals & tourists love, making people smile with art that he's made with sand that he swept up...

Seriously?

Comment by Stephen Knuth on August 27, 2012 at 8:42am: As a previous longtime resident of Coronado and 2006 grad, I will say I do feel the Coronado police have too much time on their hands and they choose to pick on the smallest cases to sometimes "win big".. Sorry for the brutal honesty. Free the sandman. If this were a guy spray painting the street, I could understand but doesn't this fall under his fair right to share public art? What's the difference if a kid draws all over orange avenue with chalk or the annual kids painting local stores at Halloween? Tanaka, you're the mayor and really have power over the police. I think you know what you need to do here.

Comment by Jim Rohn on August 27, 2012 at 10:33am: here, here ...

Comment by Carrie Anne Inada Downey on August 27, 2012 at 11:12am: It is wonderful that so many people enjoy the Sandman's art. I agree it brings a smile ot my face every time I see him. Unfortunately when we looked into the issue in the past it was not as easy to solve as we had hoped. He is not willing to only create his art in a parking lot, etc. he likes high traffic volumne areas where many prople can see the art which is dangerous for him and drivers in the areas he is working at.

I don't think the Mayor has seen, nor have I, the specifics of this ticket and/or code violation so let us look into it and someone will get back to this post with the information. I agree that a solution that allows him to practice his art out of harms way is the preferred option. Let us see how that can happen.