Police suggestions:
”
Hi, I’m reading April 30, Saturday’s paper and you had a Red
Phone article about the woman who wouldn’t pull over when the cop
was following her because it was dark and you said to go to
www.gilroydispatch to read about the guideline
Police suggestions: “Hi, I’m reading April 30, Saturday’s paper and you had a Red Phone article about the woman who wouldn’t pull over when the cop was following her because it was dark and you said to go to www.gilroydispatch to read about the guidelines. I’m thinking a lot of people, girls especially, don’t have computers and that you should print those suggestions in the Red Phone so that they can read them. Thank you very much.”
Ask and you shall receive.
In the Dispatch article, ‘A driver’s dilemma’ on April 28, police offered some suggestions for pulling over when unsure about an unmarked car that can keep both the driver and the officer safe. Keep in mind that failing to yield or stop for an officer with red lights and siren is a violation of state law.
Gilroy police detective Rosa Quiñones said that drivers who want to verify that an officer is indeed pulling them over may call police dispatchers on the non-emergency line.
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Lt. Dale Unger suggested those worried about being pulled over in a rural area call 911 to verify the stop. They can also request to see an officer’s identification. Drivers may look for a more public and well-lit place if they are scared, but Unger warned against driving more than a short distance or breaking any rules of the road.
“Look at the officer’s point of view: Why isn’t this person stopping?” Unger said. “…the officer is thinking in the back of his mind, maybe there’s something going on here.”
And once you stop, cooperate with the officer and tell him or her your reason.
“… certainly explain what was going through your head and I think most officers are understanding of that,” he said.
Bursting the balloon: “Hi, I’m just wondering why Gavilan Honda is flying a balloon above its dealership, when nothing is supposed to fly higher than the American flag, according to our city ordinance. … We don’t seem to have any code enforcement in this city, yet we go after the firemen.”
The Red Phone checked with the City of Gilroy to check on city code regarding your concern, caller.
According to Susan (last name not given), there is no ordinance on the books about this.
“We don’t have anything in the city code or the zoning code regarding flying something higher than the American flag in the city limits,” she said. “That blimp that’s flying over the car lots – they can do that.”
The Red Phone also looked into state and federal laws regarding such with little success. It found only that other flags are not supposed to fly higher than the American flag when flying next to it.
Be careful: “Good morning. I read Friday’s paper (April 29) and I want to comment that I enjoyed reading the letter to the editor from Zack Snyder. He is right! The fire and police both are going to price themselves out of a job if they are not careful.”
Thanks for voicing your opinion. To see what others think about the pay issue, see the Friday, May 6 edition or visit www.gilroydispatch.com. There you’ll find an article elaborating on the results of the Dispatch’s recent firefighter compensation survey.
Clock news: Since the Red Phone’s last column on Wednesday, Joe Kline, public information officer for the City of Gilroy has contacted the Red Phone regarding the Old City Hall clock. After the column ran, he said that a local resident who has interest and repair experience called and offered to take a look at the clock. Kline said the city is arranging a visit. Stay tuned.
Hey readers: If you call about a problem with a streetlight or suggestion for a turn signal, please give the intersection street names. It makes it easier for the Red Phone to report the problems or offer the city suggestions. Want to complain about bad driving? Or maybe offer up a compliment? The Red Phone is here to listen to your troubles (but encourages happy thoughts) and do its best to find answers to your questions, so call 842-9070 or e-mail
re******@gi************.com
.
