faithandsurvival.com » East Bay California, National Blog, Police State » 22 police and fireman witnessed at downtown Pleasanton event
22 police and fireman witnessed at downtown Pleasanton event
Pleasanton California a town of 60,000 people, closes its downtown main street every first Wednesday of the month in the summer time, for an event called “the street faire”. Yesterday was the first of these events and yours truly decided to go out and mix with the community. However what I thought would be a nice stroll amongst the 5000 or so people that show up turned into what can only be called the police state going crazy in America.
Now let me set the table. Pleasanton is a town known for its good schools, high income residents, family atmosphere, and about as gang and drug free of a city that exists in America. In fact the only police activity that I have seen hit the papers this year has been a rash of tire slashing, in which they apprehended two teenage suspects last week.
But, if you had your eyes open last night you witnessed what I would consider MADNESS levels of police and fire presence at a four event that is basically nothing more than a chance for two hundred merchants and politicians to try and sell their goods and themselves to the public. I will let the pictures speak for themselves. but let me sum this up logistically as well.
The town’s main street downtown is closed off for six blocks. This of course is a traffic inconvenience and you would expect traffic cops to help with the traffic. Yes they were there and I DID NOT EVEN COUNT THEM in my numbers of 22 police and fireman. Six blocks, again we are talking six blocks of streets, and only one road closed off. At the peak I would estimate about 3,000 people at one time around 7pm, with an overall attendance of about 5,000 which would include all the merchants. This downtown is tree lined, with flowers, and nice shops on the ground floors of buildings. This is NOT a downtown like Detroit, or San Francisco, or other cities where drugs, and gangs are roaming, there are NONE, it is just well, pleasant.
That is right seven cops standing around doing what?
So In my photo’s you will see three fire trucks, three police cruisers, one police supervisor SUV, three police motorcycles, and in total 22 police and fireman either standing in circles talking to each other, or walking the beat, looking for what I am not sure. Not only do you see all the equipment but don’t forget surveillance camera’s EVERYWHERE, I took a photo of just one of them, pointed right down at the crowd, not used for traffic at all. Look at the people, do they look intimidating, as though we need police in mass to keep these crowds under-control?
I left the event feeling sick, appalled, not safe. The police presence is sickening in the amount of tax payer money being wasted, and how even in Pleasanton California the Police State is growing and showing itself right in everyone’s face. I wonder how many other people saw what I saw that was there. I wonder how many newspapers in the area that I know read my blog daily will pick up this story and run with it, I wonder?
Filed under: East Bay California, National Blog, Police State · Tags: america, faithandsurvival, pleasanton, pleasanton california, police, police state, san francisco
I'd say the police and fire dept were merely doing their job…and nicely, thank you. You are blessed to have that kind of support, given the garbage going on in the rest of the country right now.
Yes, that is one point of view. Perhaps I should mention that last year it was about 10 cops at the event, and the year before that it was 5 or less, with the same size crowds.
I'm with you Lisa, I wonder how many times the author acknowledged these members of the community who are willing to risk their lives."Hello, Good Day, thanks for being here." It's also a chance for these civil servants to show their support. I didn't read anything that stated the police were harrassing and moving peopl along. I didn't read anywhere that crime was rampant apart from the event. Perhaps the author shoul rethink….
The cops are just people like us. Really want to be worried? Leprechauns. They're blending in with regular cicus folk now. Where do you thing all the peanuts are going? There is no such thing as a "peanut alergy". That's just a cover story to mask the peanut shortage in our schools and candy bars. Please Chris, we need this issue brought to light! An article please. Just the facts though. No need to cause a panic…
Circus folk. Forgot the r
Also forgot the extra l in allergy. Can I just start over?
I noticed a lot of the police presence was in front of banks, like Chase. Either they were expecting 'occupiers' or the banks might have asked for added taxpayer-provided security.
I have to side with Chris on this one. To understand how Pleasanton really is normally, (and Chris has described it exactly), one would have to question why the overkill on police presence. That many officers are simply unnecessary.
At least they weren't in SWAT gear and dressed to kill…;).
There was a big concern that MAY DAY was going to be rebellious, with the anniversary of Bin Laden’s death and The Rodney King Beatings. The occupiers were supposed to hold big events starting the beginning of May as well – so.. maybe that is why there were so many?
Hello, you used to write magnificent, but the last few posts have been kinda boring… I miss your great writings. Past few posts are just a little out of track! come on!