Dear Editor,
This letter is to acknowledge the courteous and efficient
efforts of Gilroy’s police officers, paramedics, firefighters,
local tow-truck operators, city maintenance crews and police
department dispatch operators. We were awakened in the middle of
the night on Aug. 16 to a most awful crashing sound and the sight
of devastation in our front yard.
Dear Editor,
This letter is to acknowledge the courteous and efficient efforts of Gilroy’s police officers, paramedics, firefighters, local tow-truck operators, city maintenance crews and police department dispatch operators. We were awakened in the middle of the night on Aug. 16 to a most awful crashing sound and the sight of devastation in our front yard.
As we now know, a stolen van, driven at an exceedingly high rate of speed, crossed Miller Avenue, heading east on Third Street and “took out” our entire front parking strip, including eight junipers and the city-established tree. In addition, major damage was done to the telephone pole which brought the vehicle to a halt; damage to that pole was to cause major interruptions in our neighborhood for hours to come.
A call to 911 received almost immediate response from police units, paramedics and firefighters. Reports were made by officers Rodriguez, Dutton and back-up units, and instructions were given for follow-up action. The tow truck driver dealt with the severely disabled vehicle and cleaned up the area for an hour after the crash.
Morning light clarified the reality of the situation: a city speed limit sign down, the tree strewn across the sidewalk and our neatly and creatively manicured junipers, a natural barrier to our yard, butchered, chopped and flung far and wide. We agreed that the plants were probably a total loss and were informed upon questioning that a city maintenance crew might be available to help clean up and chip the debris.
A follow-up call at mid-morning found the grandchildren with us watching the efforts of two most efficient Gilroy city crew members. Our thanks to Joe Barrientez and Jose Muniz for efforts “above and beyond.” Our sidewalk was again passable and the severely damaged junipers were on their way to serve a “greater purpose,” as I explained to the grandkids, who lamented grandpa’s pet projects as they flew into the chipper.
Our thanks to Teresa who dispatched the city crews, and then called to be sure they had arrived. Further appreciation to Betsy at police dispatch who sent out an officer to assess the telephone pole and alert PG&E. This kind of service and attention is gratifying to longtime residents who have seen Gilroy grow much too fast and fear for the loss of “small-town” caring and consideration. Thank you to each individual and city agency who made this ugly experience a renewal of faith.
Henry Rocha Jr. and Suzann Muccigrosso, Gilroy
