Politics & Government

5 Questions for Take Back Santa Cruz Co-Founder Analicia Cube

This evening at 6:30 p.m. people will gather at the site where business owner Shannon Collins was murdered – the 300 block of Broadway - and march at 7 p.m. to Camouflage on Pacific Avenue, where she was headed.

 

1. What made you start Take Back Santa Cruz and do you think it has been successful?

Let me start by saying that I did not start TBSC by myself.  It was a collaboration with my sister, Heather Babcock  and our husbands, Ian and Dexter. 

Our frustration was mounting, as we played arm-chair quarterback regarding some of the decisions made within our community.  We wanted to influence the direction of Santa Cruz, but didn’t know how to start.  

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We knew our friends had similar views, and that we all hang out on social networking sites.  Hence, we created a Facebook group and called it “Take Back Santa Cruz”.  

We thought maybe a few buddies would join us at city council meetings, collaborate on ideas, be stewards to our environment, and take a stand against the crime that was building in our neighborhoods. 

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We asked our immediate friends to join. Within two weeks of launching the page we had over 4,000 members.  We also have now an additional 1,000 members via our website.    

Since then we have adopted the slogan “Action Above Words”. 

We continue to grow our “active” membership, and are no longer surprised at the participation at our Positive Loitering, Drug den clean ups, key City Council meetings, and our new initiative, called Court Watch. 

We are a platform that people can turn to, to put their talents and energy to use, to be an active member of our community.  We are a community group, first and foremost, and our scope and impact is still growing.

2. What are the goals for the future?  Can SC be taken back or is it too far?

To keep working with great people, on a scope of impactful projects. Ultimately, my goal is to have a Santa Cruz we can hand down to the next generation that we can be proud of.

3. What does the killing of Shannon Collins say about Santa Cruz?

Unfortunately, there are acts of violence across this country.  It’s not exclusive to Santa Cruz.  It’s how we deal with crime as a community that makes the difference.  

4. What do you hope to accomplish with the March in her honor on Monday?

It’s not a march.  It’s not a protest. 

Shannon was walking down the street.  Just like most of us do every day.  She was just walking.  We are going to finish her walk back to the shop she loved so much. 

This community needs to mourn together.  We can’t allow this man to write her story.  Shannon was not her murder.  We, as her community will not let him have that privilege.  We need to come out of our homes and businesses to support each other.   We will show the greater community that we don’t won’t let one of our own, go that easy.

5. If there was one thing that you can do to make Santa Cruz better and safer, what would it be?

That’s an interesting question.  I have been thinking a lot about that.  I am constantly pushing for safer public policies, working with our leadership, and reaching out to neighborhoods and community members. I am always trying to find out how I can best utilize my talents.  I was a SC born mom of two that pushed the send button on my computer.  Some days I wonder how I got here.  I want Santa Cruz to know that I will continue to stand up for them, and with them.  We can do this together.   



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