Dear Editor,
I had a disappointing experience with the Gilroy Police
Department today. I am concerned that thieves steal from the city
by taking the recyclables put out at the curb.
Dear Editor,
I had a disappointing experience with the Gilroy Police Department today. I am concerned that thieves steal from the city by taking the recyclables put out at the curb. Money lost by the city, no matter how you look at it, translates into either higher fees for those of us who actually do pay taxes, or in fewer city services. I realize at least one Dispatch columnist thinks it’s okay because “… they probably need the money …” (or something to that effect) but in my world, a thief is still a criminal.
When I saw two older “ladies” going to each recycle bin on Calle del Rey loading cans into their dark green Toyota Camry, license plate 4UJK505, in the middle of the day, I was shocked by the bold “I don’t think you care” attitude they displayed. I made a U-turn and got on the phone to our police department. The dispatchers were extremely nice and professional. The thieves saw me on the phone and jumped in the car to leave. I had a few minutes to spare, so I could not help myself. They drove into a dead end street trying to evade me, and the dispatchers tried to get the officer there in time, but you would be amazed how fast a couple of old gals can drive when they realized someone did, indeed, care.
I wasn’t going to risk my driving record for a couple of common thieves, so when I could not longer see them, I headed home. To my GREAT surprise, right there on Loganberry were three young “ladies” pushing strollers filled with aluminum cans. I asked them to return the cans to the bins. One said, “but they didn’t come from that bin.” I told them if they didn’t, I was going to call the police. They clearly didn’t care. I pulled over in my car, called, and an officer did come. Now I know why the thieves didn’t care. When asked, “What is your last name?”, the first thief paused long enough for me to know she was thinking of a better last name than her own. I’m not a police officer, and don’t want to question the good training I’m sure our officers have, but even I would have asked for an ID at that point.
Much to my disappointment, the officer did not cite the thieves. He said if they ever get “run” again, their names will come up in the computer. Sure, if the thieves are stupid enough to give the same false names! At least they were cute young ladies, with wide eyes and an innocent enough sounding, “We didn’t know it was against the law!”
The company under contract to pick up recyclables, confirmed that calling the local police department is a waste of time, and I was given two recent examples that mirrored my experience. It appears thieves are welcome in Gilroy
Laurie Ann Santos Weber, Gilroy
