Police Officers
Get to Know Them
Many news stories over the last several months focused on police officers across the nation. Several African American teenagers died from police gunfire, some justified and others not. And several police officers were killed in the line of duty. Let’s face it, the job responsibilities of our local cops can be daunting, especially when they must make split-second decisions. Because these decisions can mean the difference between a loved one coming home or being carried into the local morgue.
Good Idea
A local San Diego PD officer, Alan Mills, came up with a very smart idea. He decided it would be good for San Diego police officers to mingle with community-members over a cup of coffee.
Hanging out with our local neighborhood police officers, a smart, dedicated and friendly group of people
So on the designated day, I got up earlier than I normally do, which is quite a feat of determination. And I drove to a local coffee shop called S3 Coffee Bar down the street. There I met several members of our neighborhood police.
The place was full of citizens who had questions and issues to discuss with the friendly officers. I told Captain Rich that I loved the idea of a community gathering with the people who are in our neighborhood “to serve and protect.”
Neighbors and Officers Share Info
Neighbors and officers shared a lot of information. The biggest problem seems to be the flow of homeless into hidden pockets of our neighborhoods that are not maintained by the land owners. Consequently, villages of squatters’ tents go up. One of the officers mentioned that one such “village” even has a Mayor. And they generate mountains of garbage, A homeless guy by the name of Evan was living in the canyon behind our home where he alone generated three tons of garbage. Astoundingly, it filled two garbage trucks. There is still probably a ton of garbage which a group of community members wants to haul out because it poses a major fire hazard to the homes along that canyon.
Our Dirtiest Little Secret
I believe that rampant homelessness across our county is San Diego’s dirtiest little secret. One of the officers shared the story of how for five hours one day, he shepherded one heroin-addicted homeless guy with abscesses all over his legs and arms to the hospital where a doctor treated the wounds. Doctors there warned the heroin addict that he would probably lose his legs because of these wounds. The officer then took the homeless man to jail where he’ll remain for a few weeks. He’ll go through the heebie-jeebies as he detoxifies. And then, predictably, he will go back to the streets, buy heroin and continue his downward spiral into slow suicide. And he’ll end up losing his legs.
A Difficult Day
I thanked the officers for their service to our community and told them how sorry I was to learn about the killing of Jonathan “JD” De Guzman, 43, a 16-year veteran of the force. “Yes, that was a very difficult day for all of us,” said the captain.
I was happy to participate in our neighborhood’s first coffee confab with our local police officers. Because it’s just like talking with celebrities. You find out they are real people, just like you.
Great Event
As one neighbor wrote about the officers on NextDoor.com that afternoon, “They were so friendly and listened to the issues we brought up. I now have several contacts in the PD for future issues. Great event.”
Yes, great event! And I highly recommend it to any neighborhood across these beautiful United States.
