Oakland Police, In Remembrance

Today marks one of the most tragic days in the history of the Oakland Police Department — indeed, in the history of law enforcement.

Three years ago today, four Officers from the Oakland Police Department were murdered by a paroled felon and rape suspect.

Today we remember Sergeant Mark Dunakin, Sergeant Daniel Sakai, Sergeant Ervin Romans, and Officer John Hege.

Today, the Oakland Police Officers Association will unveil a new memorial sign to be placed along the 580 Interstate on the Keller Avenue overpass. Today, a special ceremony will be held at OPD Headquarters for the families and friends of the fallen four.

Today, we remember these men who made the ultimate sacrifice— in their memory.

St. Patrick's Day Safety Tips

Let’s be honest—most people look forward to St. Patrick’s Day for the drinking. Pinching people for not wearing green is fun, but the event’s spirit rests at the bottom of a good bottle of whiskey and a few pints of Guinness. And Irish stereotypes aside, that’s as it should be. After all, the levity and good natured exuberance of St. Paddy’s help make it such a popular and care free celebration.

However, the greater levels alcohol consumption also make it a day to be responsible. Check out these five St. Patrick’s Day Safety tips to help you successfully navigate the hoopla and festivities on March 17th.

Safety Tips

Predetermine a safe way to get home for you and your friends. Whether you’re watching a parade or going to or hosting a party, ensure everyone in your group has a safe means of returning home if you plan to drink. Select a designated driver, arrange for a cab, plot a bus route, or figure out a nearby place you can crash for the night. It’s a good idea to keep route maps of local public transportation, as well as the numbers for taxi companies handy during the day.

Eat. Drinking on an empty stomach is a good way to end your St. Paddy’s day a lot earlier than planned. Make sure to get some nutrients in you to help absorb that alcohol.

Stay hydrated. Getting enough water will decrease the likelihood you’ll have a March 18th hangover.

If you feel impaired, don’t get behind the wheel. In the eyes of the law, impaired driving is drunk driving, and even if you feel fine, a breathalyzer might not concur. With all the checkpoints on the roads, it’s best to play it extra safe. If you have even the least bit of doubt, don’t drive.

Be extra cautious on the roads. Just because you’re a safe and sober driver doesn’t mean other people are. A disproportionate of traffic accidents on St. Patrick’s Day are caused by people driving under the influence. Whether you’re driving or just crossing the street on foot, keep your awareness levels high.

St. Patrick’s day calls for drinks with friends, a heap of green, and a healthy dose of responsibility. With that formula and the above tips, you can make March 17 a greater and safer night out for you and your loved ones.

Redwood City Police Chief Gamez presentation to City Council, February 6, 2012

Super Bowl Sunday DUI Prevention “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk”

Super Bowl Sunday DUI Prevention “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk”

Football is one of America’s favorite pastimes, but fans can put themselves in serious danger if they don’t plan ahead.  Whether you’re at the game or watching from a sports bar or a friend’s house, designate a sober driver before the game.  Remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk!

The following are some recommendations of what you can do if you are hosting a Super Bowl party:

Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers before kick-off or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers

• Find unique ways to recognize the designated drivers at your party

o Give them a great spot to watch the game
o Whatever non-alcoholic beverage they are drinking, make sure their glass is always full
o Let them have the first pass at the buffet table
o Make sure their cars are easy to access when it is time to start driving people home

• Serve plenty of food
• Offer a variety of non-alcoholic choices like soft drinks, juice, and water
• Serve one drink at a time and serve measured drinks
• Only serve alcohol to guests over 21 years of age
• Determine ahead of time when you’ll stop serving alcohol, such as one hour before the end of the party or at the end of the third quarter of the game (just like NFL stadiums) and begin serving coffee and dessert
• Add the numbers of local cab companies into your phone so they are just one touch away
• Take appropriate steps to prevent anyone from driving while impaired
• Be prepared for guests to spend the night if an alternative way home is not available

If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:

• Designate your sober driver before the party begins and leave your car keys at home if you plan to drink
• Find unique ways to recognize the designated drivers when you are out at a bar or restaurant

o Offer to be the designated driver the next time you go out
o Cover the cost for parking or even pay for a tank of gas
o Whatever non-alcoholic beverage they are drinking, make sure their glass is always full
o Pick up the tab for their food and drink

• Before you go out, add the numbers for local cab companies in your cell phone so if you find yourself in need of a ride, it is just one touch away
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
• Take appropriate steps to prevent anyone from driving while impaired. Remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

Always buckle up – it’s your best defense on the road.

Mountain Lion Safety

Mountain Lions are occasionally sighted in Redwood City. They are very shy and elusive animals. Chances are you will never get to see one of these majestic creatures in the wild, but if you do, the California Department of Fish and Game recommends that you take the following actions, which are based on behavior analysis of attacks by mountain lions, tigers and leopards:

Try to remain standing to protect head and neck and, if attacked, fight back with whatever is at hand (without turning your back) people have utilized rocks, jackets, garden tools, tree branches, and even bare hands to turn away cougars.

• When it comes to personal safety, always be aware of your surroundings, wherever you are; conduct yourself and attend to children and dependents accordingly.
• Landscape for safety. Remove vegetation that provides cover for cougars. Remove plants that attract wildlife (deer, raccoons, etc.). By attracting them you naturally attract their predator the cougar. 
• Don't feed wildlife. Don't leave pet food outside. Both may attract cougars by attracting their natural prey. 
• Keep pets secure. Roaming pets are easy prey for cougars. 
• Confine and secure any livestock (especially at night) in pens, sheds, and barns. 
• Don't approach a cougar. Most cougars want to avoid humans. Give a cougar the time and space to steer clear of you. 
• Supervise children, especially outdoors between dusk and dawn. Educate them about cougars and other wildlife they might encounter. 
• Always hike, backpack, and camp in wild areas with a companion. 
• Never run past or from a cougar. This may trigger their instinct to chase. Make eye contact. Stand your ground. Pick up small children without, if possible, turning away or bending over. 
• Never bend over or crouch down. Doing so causes humans to resemble four-legged prey animals. Crouching down or bending over also makes the neck and back of the head vulnerable. 
• If you encounter a cougar, make yourself appear larger, more aggressive. Open your jacket, raise your arms, throw stones, branches, etc., without turning away. Wave raised arms slowly, and speak slowly, firmly, loudly to disrupt and discourage predatory behavior.
• Try to remain standing to protect head and neck and, if attacked, fight back with whatever is at hand (without turning your back) people have utilized rocks, jackets, garden tools, tree branches, and even bare hands to turn away cougars.
  
  Visit www.keepmewild.org for more information.

PLEASE REPORT ALL MOUNTAIN LION SIGHTINGS IN REDWOOD CITY TO THE REDWOOD CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY.

RCPD Supports the Blue Star Moms of San Mateo County

San Mateo County Blue Star Moms and Applebee’s of Redwood City would like to invite you to enjoy a short stack for a tall cause!

When:             January 28, 2012 Time: 8AM to 10AM

Where:           Applebee’s 1135 Veteran’s Blvd, Redwood City

Cost:               $10.00

You’re invited to an Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast to benefit the troops through your support of the San Mateo County Blue Star Moms. 

The San Mateo County Blue Star Moms organization is a 503(c) non-profit.  We are a group of mothers and associate members who come together to support the troops and their family members here awaiting their arrival back home. 

The San Mateo County Blue Star Moms send care packages to members of the military deployed in combat zones, support military personnel and their visiting family members at Veterans Administration Hospitals.  We attend ceremonies for honored military members and provide miscellaneous support for military families in need.   

We attend the funeral services and participate annually in the “Wreaths Across America” ceremony at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in honor of those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedoms and to ensure they will never be forgotten. 

Please help us to support the thousands of troops still deployed along with those service men and women recovering from the effects of war back home.  Eighty percent of the proceeds will be donated to our cause.  On behalf of the San Mateo County Blue Star Moms, we thank you.

RCPD Honors Fallen Officer Herman Fleishman

The members of the Redwood City Police Department will honor Officer Herman Fleishman on the anniversary of his death that occurred while on duty with RCPD on January 22, 1939.  Flags in front of the Police Department will be lowered to half staff on the true anniversary date, Sunday, January 22nd.  All of our sworn personnel will be dressed in a formal class "A" uniform  to honor the sacrifice given by Officer Fleishman and his family.  A historical summary of the events leading to the service death of Officer Fleishman is described below.

Officer Herman Graham Fleishman

Tour of Duty: 1927 – January 22, 1939

        

On Sunday, January 22, 1939, at about 2:15 AM, Officer Fleishman was working patrol when he observed a car speeding about 60 miles per hour along El Camino Real. Fleishman and his partner, Special Officer Mark Ryan gave chase and pursued the car north on El Camino Real from Five Points into the City of San Carlos, where it was stopped near Brittan Avenue.  The driver, George Devin, stopped the car in the number two lane and Fleishman pulled the patrol car off the right side of the road behind Devin’s car. The two were standing behind Devin’s car as Fleishman was issuing a citation. A call on the police radio summoned Officer Ryan to the patrol car. Seconds later, a crash to the rear of the violator’s car pinned Fleishman and Devin between the two cars. Fleishman’s left leg and both of Devin’s legs were sheared off. It was reported that after the accident, Fleishman attempted to get up from the pavement and crawled to Devin’s side to give him first aid. He then reportedly directed Officer Ryan to issue a citation to the driver of the car that hit them.

The impact sent Devin’s car more than 200 feet across the highway (El Camino Real), over a curb, and into a vacant lot. Fleishman and Devin were rushed to Mills Memorial Hospital where they died of their injuries just before noon. The driver of the other vehicle, Robert Lee, was charged with negligent homicide.

Officer Fleishman is the only officer killed in an on-duty collision in the department’s history. Forty two years old, Fleishman was survived by his wife and two daughters. In July 1939, city officials dedicated Fleishman Park in his honor. On this date, we remember and honor our Brother Officer, Herman Fleishman.