TatankaGap
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http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_14379903
Nicely, the police spokesman Powell acknowledges the incorporation of Heller :dude:
Vallejo police advise citizens against arming themselves
By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen
Posted:02/11/2010 01:20:23 AM PST
Fearful Vallejo residents thinking about arming themselves after a rash of violent crime may be jumping the gun, police said.Police Department spokesman Abel Tenorio said he has read online comments from people saying they're alarmed and may arm themselves -- something police don't recommend.
"The Constitution allows citizens who are not otherwise prohibited from having a gun to have a firearm in their home," Vallejo Police Department Support Services Manager Bill Powell said. "But we don't want any kind of tragedy to occur because someone got a gun and they're not familiar with it."
Unless you're licensed to carry one, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon, including some knives, Tenorio said.
However, state law does not bar people from carrying an unloaded firearm.
The Penal Code defines a loaded firearm as one where "there is an unexpended cartridge or shell in, or attached in any manner to, the firearm, including ... the firing chamber, magazine, or clip."
The so-called Open Carry movement has become a Bay Area issue. In recent months, advocates have been more vocal in some local communities in support of changing the law to legally carry loaded weapons.
As for knives, carrying them legally depends a lot on their size and style.
State law bans most people from possessing "any dirk, dagger, ice pick or knife having a blade longer than 2 1/2 inches, folding knife with a blade that locks into place, a razor with an unguarded blade, a Taser, or a stun gun."
In the past 10 days in Vallejo there has been a widely publicized beating and robbery of a city worker, as well as two homicides, three shootings and several stabbings.
While some may be frightened, no one they know of has called the police department seeking advice on how to stay safe, the police officials said.
"We've gotten a number of general inquiry calls -- what is the police department doing? -- and we're telling them that we continue to respond to emergency calls based on priority," Powell said.
Powell acknowledged, "it's harder to get in touch with us these days, but we have the alternative ways to report non-emergencies to free officers up to respond to emergencies."
Residents should remember that a week or even two does not necessarily a crime wave make, the officials said.
Tenorio cited some general precautions people can take to help ensure their safety.
"We're suggesting people be more cautious about when they go out -- and this is not specific to Vallejo, but everywhere," Tenorio said. "Be aware of your surroundings, follow your gut feelings. If your gut feeling says to leave someplace, then leave.
"And be especially careful at night. Park in lighted areas. Walk in groups at night if you can. Have your cell phone ready to call police if you're walking alone." Having an alarm installed at one's home also is not a bad idea, he said.
"Also, start a neighborhood watch," Tenorio said. "Have interior and exterior lights on a timer, put a 'beware of dog' sign up, even if you don't have a dog."
Patty Walters of Vallejo's Standard Burglar Alarms, said inquiries about alarm systems are up.
"There is definitely an increase in requests for estimates and quotes for installing alarm systems," she said. "People are saying they don't feel safe -- that it's dangerous to be without some kind of protection."
But calls to the firm started increasing several months ago and have not noticeably spiked in the past week, Walters said. "It started when the Police Department started cutting personnel," she said.
Chris Denke of Vallejo's Hall's Safe Lock & Alarms said he has noticed an uptick in inquiries in the past week, but no increase in purchases, at least not yet.
Police acknowledge the spate of high-profile violent crimes Vallejo has suffered in recent days is troubling. Though crime is usually down in winter, short crime spikes are not unprecedented, Tenorio said.
"I think we have to look at a longer period," he said. "One week could just be a bad week. If it's still going on in two weeks or a month, then we'll have a serious issue and have to look at what's happening."
Contact staff writer Rachel Raskin-Zrihen at (707) 553-6824 or rzrihen@timesheraldonline.com.
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_14379903
Nicely, the police spokesman Powell acknowledges the incorporation of Heller :dude:
Vallejo police advise citizens against arming themselves
By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen
Posted:02/11/2010 01:20:23 AM PST
Fearful Vallejo residents thinking about arming themselves after a rash of violent crime may be jumping the gun, police said.Police Department spokesman Abel Tenorio said he has read online comments from people saying they're alarmed and may arm themselves -- something police don't recommend.
"The Constitution allows citizens who are not otherwise prohibited from having a gun to have a firearm in their home," Vallejo Police Department Support Services Manager Bill Powell said. "But we don't want any kind of tragedy to occur because someone got a gun and they're not familiar with it."
Unless you're licensed to carry one, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon, including some knives, Tenorio said.
However, state law does not bar people from carrying an unloaded firearm.
The Penal Code defines a loaded firearm as one where "there is an unexpended cartridge or shell in, or attached in any manner to, the firearm, including ... the firing chamber, magazine, or clip."
The so-called Open Carry movement has become a Bay Area issue. In recent months, advocates have been more vocal in some local communities in support of changing the law to legally carry loaded weapons.
As for knives, carrying them legally depends a lot on their size and style.
State law bans most people from possessing "any dirk, dagger, ice pick or knife having a blade longer than 2 1/2 inches, folding knife with a blade that locks into place, a razor with an unguarded blade, a Taser, or a stun gun."
In the past 10 days in Vallejo there has been a widely publicized beating and robbery of a city worker, as well as two homicides, three shootings and several stabbings.
While some may be frightened, no one they know of has called the police department seeking advice on how to stay safe, the police officials said.
"We've gotten a number of general inquiry calls -- what is the police department doing? -- and we're telling them that we continue to respond to emergency calls based on priority," Powell said.
Powell acknowledged, "it's harder to get in touch with us these days, but we have the alternative ways to report non-emergencies to free officers up to respond to emergencies."
Residents should remember that a week or even two does not necessarily a crime wave make, the officials said.
Tenorio cited some general precautions people can take to help ensure their safety.
"We're suggesting people be more cautious about when they go out -- and this is not specific to Vallejo, but everywhere," Tenorio said. "Be aware of your surroundings, follow your gut feelings. If your gut feeling says to leave someplace, then leave.
"And be especially careful at night. Park in lighted areas. Walk in groups at night if you can. Have your cell phone ready to call police if you're walking alone." Having an alarm installed at one's home also is not a bad idea, he said.
"Also, start a neighborhood watch," Tenorio said. "Have interior and exterior lights on a timer, put a 'beware of dog' sign up, even if you don't have a dog."
Patty Walters of Vallejo's Standard Burglar Alarms, said inquiries about alarm systems are up.
"There is definitely an increase in requests for estimates and quotes for installing alarm systems," she said. "People are saying they don't feel safe -- that it's dangerous to be without some kind of protection."
But calls to the firm started increasing several months ago and have not noticeably spiked in the past week, Walters said. "It started when the Police Department started cutting personnel," she said.
Chris Denke of Vallejo's Hall's Safe Lock & Alarms said he has noticed an uptick in inquiries in the past week, but no increase in purchases, at least not yet.
Police acknowledge the spate of high-profile violent crimes Vallejo has suffered in recent days is troubling. Though crime is usually down in winter, short crime spikes are not unprecedented, Tenorio said.
"I think we have to look at a longer period," he said. "One week could just be a bad week. If it's still going on in two weeks or a month, then we'll have a serious issue and have to look at what's happening."
Contact staff writer Rachel Raskin-Zrihen at (707) 553-6824 or rzrihen@timesheraldonline.com.
