Take Back Santa Cruz, "a non-profit community organization focused on creating awareness and working together to build a better, safer and cleaner Santa Cruz," tried to go silent about one of their most high-profile members facing felony charges for firearms and drug manufacturing. In an interview with GoodTimes published on May 25 of this year, TBSC founder Analicia Cube tried to disassociated herself and TBSC from James Burtnett by claiming to not know him well.

Sixty-year-old James Burtnett of Boulder Creek, California faces multiple felony counts ranging from illegally synthesizing a Schedule 1 narcotic, to being illegally armed with a firearm. According to court documents, Burtnett was involved in a narcotic processing operation. Due to the high concentration of extremely flammable, toxic chemicals involved, the illegal lab exploded on September 29, 2013, on 3rd Street in Santa Cruz, putting an entire apartment complex at risk.

Burtnett, a vocal police advocate, commented on the Santa Cruz Police Department's Facebook page on August 26, 2015 regarding the SCPD's arrest of two activists who allegedly painted "blue boxes" on Pacific Avenue as a political protest in support of free speech and public space. Burtnett wrote, "People their age should know better! I hope the Felony sticks!"

On May 21, 2016 TBSC member Ronald Paul Hughes posted on TBSC's Facebook page a news article about the court hearings of the four people charged in the 2013 hash oil explosion, including Burtnett, and wrote "in case anyone wants to attend..." The post was deleted in the early morning hours of the same day. This selective censorship and silence by a group who claims to be concerned with public safety is all too common.

Read More and View Screenshots

See Also: What a Hysterical Bunch of Losers!

Related Features: Who Runs Take Back Santa Cruz and What Are They Up To? | Dylan Greiner Removed as SC Clean Team Admin After Arrest | Mayor's Public Safety Task Force Member Is "Fine with Junkies Dying" | Video of Take Back Santa Cruz Supported Clean Team Harassing Homeless