Following the Department of Interior land trust approval for the $700 million Scotts Valley Casino, it’s clear that its potential has sparked local debate.
The proposed 160-acre site — currently occupied by rolling green hills and a horse boarding facility — would sit directly in residents’ backyards.
The project, sought by the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, has its fiscal, environmental, and even ethical impacts being questioned among locals.
While there is hope that its construction would guarantee a more robust local job market and increase cash flow for its surrounding businesses, fear remains that a casino could bring with it an uptick in crime.
With the Vallejo Police Department understaffed and suffering from fiscal shortfalls, a handful of residents feel that a casino is simply too much for local law enforcement to handle.
