Vandals Target Mesa Businesses

I wonder if the vandals got a notice from SBBT that they were now being charged $11/month for a simple checking account? The rest of us (soon to be former) customers received that letter on Saturday.

The telephone box at Cliff and Fellowship has been recently spray painted with anti-Police profanity.

The Mesa Lane Stairs were attacked all summer with spray paint, including the rocks and cliff.

The amount of empty alcohol containers left on the beach this summer and to date are at an all time high as well as broken glass on the stairs and street around Mesa Lane beach access.
The Mesa Lane Stairs have had pallets dragged across them, splintering the rungs of the stairs. Burning pallets leaves rusty nails in the sand.

Human fecal waste and TP have lined the bushes on the stairs, I guess thats the new toilet for the beach party pigs.

The beach is no longer for children, families and surfers.

Abandoned shopping carts litter the corner of Cliff Drive and Fellowship Road and on Red Rose.

The Mesa which used to be an oasis, is now the same trashy place as downtown.

Progress - NOT.

“Class Warfare.”
"Don’t f--k with Oakland."

Well then, KEEP IT IN OAKLAND. This ain't class warfare, it's a temper tantrum by disgruntled Post Colonial French Literature majors that didn't get what they wanted after spending $35,000. 2 words here: Caveat Emptor

KenV: "I wonder if the vandals got a notice from SBBT that they were now being charged $11/month for a simple checking account?"

I doubt they even have bank accounts. Either that or they're those entitled trust fund urban camping babies that throw molotov cocktails @ the IV Foot Patrol station (@ the very least). Hey Keiper, how's that room @ the Graybar Suites treating you fireboy?

KenV: "The rest of us (soon to be former) customers..."

See people, now THAT is the way to deal w/ these malakas known as savings institutions. Use YOUR $, move it elsewhere that works for YOU. Do it Ken, stick it to those jerks!

By the way, Ken, stopped by Cave' last Thu around 10:15a on my way to work (was running late) hoping to see you, didn't get to, maybe next time (if I'm running late again) :) henry

Hank.. I didn't have any plans to be there.. I haven't been to that coffee shop for awhile...

Ken, the fee from SBBT is only if you keep less than some minimum amount in your account. If you regularly run your balance below that amount it would be worth moving, otherwise it won't affect you.

I am well under the balance! Many of us are.

Just moved to a local credit union, good-bye SB Bank n Texas.

I plan to do what Ken is doing. I live in Solvang and at present I am with SBBT. If any of you know of credit unions up there or in Buellton/Los Olivos/Santa Ynez please let me know.

By the way, I agree with Howgreenwasmyvalley. I used to go to Mesa Lane back in the early 80's until the steps came in and every jerk and his brother was going down there and ruined the place. Yes indeed: "progress".

P.S. As Ken pointed out, I almost never have $1000 balance so I guess this is their way of telling me I'm not good enough to breath their rarified air.

Im just curious we all know the banks/bankers are generally self serving weasels but whats with complaining about the fee. Has it occurred for balances under that amount it probably costs the bank money to service those accounts, so why should they do that for free? You are upset they took bailouts (so am I) but I don't expect them to SUBSIDIZE me its kind of hypocritical to bitch about them if thats the case.

As a frequent patron of the Starbucks mentioned and an area resident I agree with howgreenwasmyvalley's description. The area is deteriorating despite the superficial redo of the Mesa stripmall. However, while it ain't class warfare [I agree, Hank], it relates partially to the Big Recession of 2008 and the increasing number of homeless and inebriated folks all over. Go check it out around lower Milpas, howgreenwas, and you'll see we've still got it much better around the Mesa.
An idea I have is that the SBPD itself loves to meet and have breakfast at the excellent Mesa Cafe there...often at 6 or 7 am I spot three to four black-and-whites there. Cam Sanchez uses the same Starbuck, as does Marty Blum the former mayor. There presence, which I like, might seem like a red flag, there guarding the ATMS... etc. When displaced by their presence, is it likely one person might flip out and whang away with a bat? It's pretty stupid, eh?
As the homeless guitarist wrote: "'I used to always hang out in front of Starbucks and play my guitar,' he said. 'After someone broke the windows a few days ago, they told me I couldn’t stay anymore.'” So it isn't class warfare since it harms this guy, and I was angry at the anarchic element when I entered Starbucks Feb 1 after it reopened amid shattered glass.
When the social safety net begins to break down, and there are more itinerants and sad cases wandering about, and empty pangas wash up on local beaches, and the upper 1% chant "let them eat cake" [Ron Paul saying, 'oh, the churches will take care of the poor' HA HA] -- it means we have to raise taxes and redistribute money downward. If there is some class warfare it is led FROM THE TOP.

Doc, I hear what you're saying & agree to a level, but it's the last part that I have to go against your grain on:

"it means we have to raise taxes and redistribute money downward."

As it stands, that redistribution of $ already exists, but corrupt people in high places of all political inclinations are bilking our system for every red cent they possibly can.
Then there's some of the recipients themselves. In what "Western" country can a person on "welfare" drive a Cadillac Escalade or a Lexus? Only in America!
I'm not saying these are the rule, but them being a prolific exception is bleeding the system dry.
I'm not advocating that welfare recipients should live in the dumps, but there has to be some form of transparency/accountability @ some level to avoid other fraud & scams.
I proudly pay my taxes as an American, I contribute to the system & I keep my means of living to a reasonable level.
Anybody that says there's no such thing as welfare fraud or that it ain't that common, let me offer you this caveat: Where there's $$$ you can rest assured there's SOMEBODY committing fraud.
The other caveat I offer is that when it's "OPM" (other people's money) the chances of fraud increase because after all, it's other people's money.
In all, I feel your sentiments, bummer about the window @ the Starbucks too. That window was replaced, but the paranoia from this act will follow for a time to come.
By the way, Starbucks, while a capitalist corporate entity, still manages to treat it's employees & customers w/ consideration & respect, not just a good cup of coffee or coffee drink.
They're 1 of the best employers w/ as many perks & opportunities as they can throw the employee's way.
I wish the same could be said about some other businessess that try to pass off as "green" or "hip" or "earthy" & have an air of "anti-capitalism" that amounts to arrogance. Their coffee also usually sucks too :) henry

To answer pointssouth's direct response to my comment: If SBBT physically kept my money on their premises and had to open a specific vault or safe to get out my dollars or shuffle them around then you might have a point. However everyone's money pretty much exists on a computer hard drive, much less physical space needed as well as minimal physical handling. But even in the old days when this was the case, banks traditionally and historically offered free accounts, savings and checking because they while they were making interest bearing loans, they weren't allowed to gamble with depositor's money as evidently SBBT has according to reports in all the local news media these past few years.
For me, this sudden and elitist fee was the straw that broke my piggy bank's back. I have a long list of complaints that perhaps I should have notified a regulatory agency about instead of saving them for this pithy piece on vandalism.
But the incident that galls me to this day happened in c. 2006. I deposited a check at the teller window, the teller saw the check themselves and initiated the deposit. Days went by and no deposit shows up in my account. Then I receive a letter from SBBT informing their proofing dept lost my deposited check (not me, not the teller- their proofing dept.) Therefore, not only were they not going to credit the funds to my account- they were going to charge me a bounced check fee on that specific check!
If you think I fly off the handle here, you should've seen me back then. Thankfully a great bank manager I often worked with fixed it for me, but even she was dismayed and angry.
Another little trick they have is to reshuffle the chronology of deposits and debits, no use running to the bank to cover a check- they'll find a way to get a fee from you. Numerous times I've checked my online balance then a day or so later, a check would mysteriously be debited in unchronological order. Go to the branch and either get a run around or complete pleading of ignorance . I've been ready several times to de facto occupy lobby before it was a movement until they made right or they called the police (the pr from which would not have served them well.)
Lastly, if costs of maintaining these church mouse accounts is so expensive, how did they afford that extensive remodel of the downtown branch?
Texas can keep SBBT; their wonderful branch employees may be local- but the people who actually run the bank are neither wonderful nor local.

"For me, this sudden and elitist fee was the straw that broke my piggy bank's back."

My feeling exactly. My sister banks with Wells Fargo and she likes it. I'm going to research to confirm everything's ok with them and if so, I'll make the switch.

The money SBBT makes when my bank account doesn't cover my checks is more than enough so they they don't need to punish me addtionally just for being poor.

wow, someone still believes in the welfare queen.

Spacey: "wow, someone still believes in the welfare queen."

Of course we do! She lives right across the street from me in IV, has Section 8 housing & drives a nice SUV. Has nice clothes too & both her kids have Apple computers.
Maybe not a queen, but definitely better off on welfare than I am on a hard day's work, granted an SUV & nice clothes make your day.
Nice to see my taxes making somebody's day, gives me a feeling similar to that when doing a good job @ work or peeing in my wetsuit in a cold lineup: Gives you a warm feeling & nobody notices :) henry

If she has Section 8 housing she is most likely disabled. Or perhaps she lost her partner to the grim reaper. I certainly frown upon SUVs for anyone, butdecent clothing and computers doesn't seem extravagant to me. For all you know, a friend or relative could've gifted them. An education foundation might've given the kids computers. There's a sick kind of mentality (and I don't intend to include Hank in this per se) that one is only worthy of help when they hit the streets. "You must be an urchin to get any assistance, otherwise just free fall until you hit the status."

Wow. Nothing like the comments to learn something you didn't know before. SBBT not local but based in Texas? An $11.00 fee if your account dips below $1,000? When my wife and I moved to Santa Barbara in 1995, we had very good experience with SBBT. The staff was friendly from teller to bank manager. Now it is time for us to rethink. I also do not approve of the downtown bank switching to Diebold, the same company that manipulated the voting machines back in 2004.
I won't break any windows. But as they use to say in the 1950s TV series in Rawhide, Move 'em out. This time money instead of cattle. Probably time to check out Riviera or the credit union.

KenV: "If she has Section 8 housing she is most likely disabled."

Nope, just as able-bodied as I am.

KenV: "Or perhaps she lost her partner to the grim reaper."

Again, nope, he's there too.

KenV: "I certainly frown upon SUVs for anyone, but decent clothing and computers doesn't seem extravagant to me. For all you know, a friend or relative could've gifted them."

Once more, nope, not the case.

KenV: "An education foundation might've given the kids computers."

Still nope. All things bought w/ cash partially from welfare & some under the table work, tax-free mind you.
I know these folks quite well, converse w/ them on a regular basis, the ONLY "predicament" they have is, well, let's just say they're from "somewhere else" that they left in a hurry & we speak to each other in our "native" language, I'll just leave it @ that :) enrique

@ billclausen and everyone else who are banking through the conventional system, GET-OUT! Move your money to a Credit Union. I did after getting hit for not being part of the 1% and paying extra charges for being a normal poor american and said to myself, I can way better than being imprisoned by a bank of loan sharks.
Aa for the article, this attack on the banks only hurts the account holders who'll have to foot the bill for repairs, the bank is protected by the Government and their Insurance, the people still banking with them have to pay higher interest to repair the damage but Nation wide.
It will alot worse before it gets better regarding the violence, first civil disobedience, then fandalism, then shootings and War! It stands to reason that frustration often leads to outrage and violence; and Santa Barbara is NOT immuned to what is coming day by day, week by week, with an election for becoming "Da Man" of this country, people are NOT finding a Savior to save them from themselves, so the hostilites with continue to esculate until the National Guard is called in to restore order at the end of a barrel, God willing it will never come to the later but be ready to take refuge in your foreclosed homes....

"peeing in my wetsuit in a cold lineup: Gives you a warm feeling & nobody notices :) henry"

You turn on the faucet when you're wearing your surf tuxedo?

5dolphins: "You turn on the faucet when you're wearing your surf tuxedo?"

Most certainly do. It is warm, it is sterile, it is mine. Besides, I can only do a good job 5 days/wk. whereas I can surf 7 days/wk. More warm feeling more of the time :) henry

I don't see the connection between vandalism on the Mesa, sketchy banking practices, and Hank's urinary habits.

I do Ken, people are getting P****d off.

yeah bill, credit union.