From the field: We have slept with baseball bats and fire extinguishers in our locked master bedroom for 2-1/2 years

In 2016, we stood here in these chambers and gave our testimony about one of the most unexpected and difficult times we have endured in our life – living next to a commercial cannabis cultivation operation. During that time, we shared our concerns about ground and well water contamination; the depreciation and undesirability of our home; and also about how we were stalked, endured threats, intimidation tactics, and lived in constant fear of a home invasion because operators were from the east bay. We could not enjoy our own backyard, because security cameras that were aimed at our house and property were monitoring us. We called Sheriff dispatch on numerous occasions, and were advised to set up a defensible space in our home because, a)the Sheriff deputies can’t help us unless we are harmed first, and b) it could take a deputy up to 30 minutes to respond. So at the advice of responding deputies, we have slept with baseball bats and fire extinguishers in our locked master bedroom for2-1/2 years. Our life was a living hell of chronic anxiety, fear and hopelessness. But today, we are here to say, “Thank you!” for your vote in 2016 to support rural residents by banning commercial cultivation in our zones. It has made a huge difference in the quality our lives. Just this month (April 2018), because of the Ordinance, the situation next door has resolved. The property has been sold, the security cameras have been taken down (hooray!), and we will soon have neighbors who will make this property their family home. We can’t stress enough how wonderful this is to us, and to the entire area.