|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Gravel trucks speeding down First Street
My husband and I have lived on First Street for 15 years, the majority of our residency here has been wonderful. We love Pleasanton, our neighborhood and the quaintness of our wonderful downtown.
However, since COVID impacting our community, there are many disturbing trends in our town. We cannot worry about the past three years, but since May 2024, we (the residents of First Street) have been sending emails and voicemails to our city government officials with very negligible response and no resolution.
The number of cars speeding in excess of 50 mph, in a 25 mph zone, is staggering — not to mention very dangerous. In addition, since June, we have been putting up with very large gravel trucks speeding north and south.
A full gravel truck weighs in excess of 70,000 pounds. Our homes shake as they drive by at 4-7 a.m. The Pleasanton Municipal Code 11.48.060 set an 8-ton limit on First Street.
The Pleasanton police traffic enforcement unit has been disbanded and the result is total disregard for the local laws.
The primary responsibility of a government is to make and enforce laws that regulate the behavior of individuals and groups in a society. This is to ensure the safety of the citizens.
To compound these problems, the recent rerouting of Meadowlark Dairy traffic exclusively to First Street has created additional safety and traffic issues. This traffic lane along Lions Wayside Park has eliminated safe parking for residents who wish to utilize the park. Due to this unfortunate decision, we regularly witness multiple illegal U-turn’s to access the lane, and verbal confrontations between dairy customers.
While we are big supporters of Meadowlark Dairy and the family atmosphere it supports, there are serious safety and traffic issues needing to be addressed. The common denominator appears to be lack of police presence and law enforcement.
— Karen Miller
Qualities for police chief
An ideal candidate for the position of police chief in the city of Pleasanton, with a population of 76,000, should possess a blend of leadership, community engagement and modern policing skills.
1. Proven experience in leading a police department, with the ability to inspire and manage a team effectively.
2. A commitment to building strong relationships with community members, understanding their concerns and working collaboratively to address issues.
3. The ability to manage stressful situations calmly and make sound decisions while being empathetic and understanding towards both officers and the public.
4. Familiarity with modern policing methods and a willingness to implement new strategies to improve public safety.
5. A track record of maintaining high ethical standards and being transparent in operations and decision-making processes.
6. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively engage with the community, media and other stakeholders.
7. An understanding of and sensitivity to the diverse cultural backgrounds within the community.
8. A degree in criminal justice, public administration or a related field, along with advanced training in law enforcement leadership.
The ideal candidate is expected to be very visible in the community, possess strong emotional intelligence and have progressive leadership qualities. The ability to build community relationships and use evidence-based policing.
— Michael Austin
Thank you, Livermore Vine
My team and I are extremely grateful to you for publishing a wonderful article about our “Flora in Focus” show. Thank you so much for your help and support. Means the world to us as we try and bring new creative programs like this for our community.
— Meghana Mitragotri
