Behind the Badge




 

 

(830) 569-3869

I chose to title this week’s column; (830)569-3869 because I want our citizens to realize the importance of that number. That is of course the number to the Pleasanton Police Department. as your Chief of Police, you would be astounded at the crime information that I have to filter through every day. Sad to say, some of that information is just not true. Usually it begins with a phone call, “I heard on (insert favorite social media site here) that there were several overdoses at the River Park”. Of course, that is not true. Or there was a time someone chose to post something on an online trade site explaining on how her children were nearly abducted by a stranger in a van while at the park. The post was so vivid and detailed that it had to have taken at least 20 minutes to type. Of course I was alarmed when it was bought to my attention. I checked through all of our calls for service and did not find anything that remotely resembled that call. The police were never notified. We took the time to track down the person who posted the story and it turned out that it was just that, a story. Unfortunately, our criminal investigators took time from their heavy case load to chase a ghost. This robs all of our citizens of valuable services. I cannot put in words how relieved I was to learn that an attempted abduction never occurred.

I am amazed with how many people actually witness crimes in progress and post it on social media but don’t notify the police. Our citizens are our eyes and ears in the community. If you see someone or something suspicious, by all means call us, we will investigate. If the person who moved in next door has a steady stream of cars driving in and staying for a couple of minutes and leave and you suspect some criminal activity might be taking place, call us, we will not divulge your name. If your friend thinks it’s a good idea to dive off the Second Street bridge at risk of severe injury just for some social media notoriety, I ask of you to think of your Pleasanton Volunteer Firemen who will have to risk their own lives to enter the rain swollen river to rescue that person. Just for a few “Likes”.

Social media is here to stay. It is an everyday part of our lives. We in law enforcement utilize it daily during investigations and the Pleasanton Police Department even maintains its own Facebook page. But I ask of you, if there is ever any question as to whether a crime actually occurred or if you witness a crime occurring, please call the Police Department at (830)569- 3869, we are here to serve you. Thank you, Ronald Sanchez RONALD SANCHEZ is the Chief of the Pleasanton Police Department .


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