Forget Auto Theft, Let's Legislate on Dogs

A vote on a proposal to allow a 15-minute grace period when tethering a dog to lightposts or parking meters has been postponed. The proposal came from councilmember Quan's office, which says it is trying to give dog owners a break. (Oakland Tribune, Sept. 28, 2007)

Meanwhile, a Maxwell Park resident reports: "A couple of weeks ago a car was stolen on Madera between Birdsall and Camden. I'm pleased to report that the car was found in Castro Valley. The thief had replaced an old radio with a CD player, and was playing 'music' so loudly that the sheriff's department stopped him. He was arrested, and Joe got his car back, a bit worse for wear but at least back."

Because the Oakland city council refuses to address our understaffed police department, officers have no time to stop boom cars. It took a county sheriff to enforce state law against boom cars, discovering a car thief in the process.