OPS MARINE
Regular Member
This evening, on the way to do some shopping, I saw a woman alone in a vehicle on the side of the road with her flashers on. I also saw what we would consider a "non-desireable" on a bicycle trying to talk to her. She waved her hand to tell him to go away. I made a U-turn to see if he'd gone, and he had not. I pulled over and exited the vehicle. He rode away.
Upon making contact with the woman, I learned she had car trouble. She explained that her son was en route from another city, and she was going to call AAA. She told me that the man on the bike was the second to stop by. She said she was glad to see me.
Being alone on a Salinas street is not the most desireable of positions, so I took it upon myself to call the Police. Here's the conversation:
"Salinas Police Dispatch, may I help you?"
"Yes. I'm out with a white Nissan Altima, P L A T E #, on N. Main. There is a single female in the vehicle, and it is immobile on the side of the road. She is on the phone with AAA now, but it's dark and she's alone. Are you able to send a unit or an SRO to
standby with her until help arrives?"
The calltaker verified my position and then asked for my name and any associated vehicles. I gave him the info, and I added..."The incoming Officer should know that I am armed."
"Okay, sir, I'll let them know. Who are you with?"
"I am a former Peace Officer and am unaffiliated at the moment."
"Thank you, sir. I will put it out."
I waited about 15 minutes and her son arrived just 10 seconds before the Officer.
Officer Diaz stepped out of his car and walked up to me directly. He said "I didn't get info on a black car." (The son was driving it)
I told him it just arrived. He smiled and said "Okay" while shaking my hand. He said then, "If you've got somewhere to be, you can clear, man. Thank you for waiting with her."
She in turn thanked me and her son followed up with what seemed like a heartfelt thank you for watching his mom. I got into the vehicle and left.
Thus ends the notion that Salinas Police Department will shoot an armed person on sight. Salinas Police Department has once again proven its professionalism.
Upon making contact with the woman, I learned she had car trouble. She explained that her son was en route from another city, and she was going to call AAA. She told me that the man on the bike was the second to stop by. She said she was glad to see me.
Being alone on a Salinas street is not the most desireable of positions, so I took it upon myself to call the Police. Here's the conversation:
"Salinas Police Dispatch, may I help you?"
"Yes. I'm out with a white Nissan Altima, P L A T E #, on N. Main. There is a single female in the vehicle, and it is immobile on the side of the road. She is on the phone with AAA now, but it's dark and she's alone. Are you able to send a unit or an SRO to
standby with her until help arrives?"
The calltaker verified my position and then asked for my name and any associated vehicles. I gave him the info, and I added..."The incoming Officer should know that I am armed."
"Okay, sir, I'll let them know. Who are you with?"
"I am a former Peace Officer and am unaffiliated at the moment."
"Thank you, sir. I will put it out."
I waited about 15 minutes and her son arrived just 10 seconds before the Officer.
Officer Diaz stepped out of his car and walked up to me directly. He said "I didn't get info on a black car." (The son was driving it)
I told him it just arrived. He smiled and said "Okay" while shaking my hand. He said then, "If you've got somewhere to be, you can clear, man. Thank you for waiting with her."
She in turn thanked me and her son followed up with what seemed like a heartfelt thank you for watching his mom. I got into the vehicle and left.
Thus ends the notion that Salinas Police Department will shoot an armed person on sight. Salinas Police Department has once again proven its professionalism.