Posted by DC McGlynn, a resident of the Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks neighborhood, on Feb 15, 2012 at 4:22 pm

Cops are more worried about petty traffic offenses, like harassing motorists near Encinal School at 3.00 pm when the traffic is at a stop due to the school carpool.. Have they ever heard of Traffic Flow duty ? Or hide in their patrol cars at Laurel/Encinal, Glenwood/Laurel to catch a wanton Stop Sign runner who does not come to a compete and absolute stop.. late at night with no other moving cars..what a waste of a $140,000 per year officer !

DC McGlynn..

PS. I have never received a ticket here in CA or anywhere.. drive in accordance with the law and look out for those who allegedly 'serve and protect' .. well sometimes they do..

Posted by Neighbor, a resident of the Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks neighborhood, on Feb 15, 2012 at 8:28 pm

All you have to do is read the Almanac to see how bad things are getting around here. Our house and many others have been broken into, cars at church and the dish the same, all in the middle of the day. I appreciate and know how difficult being a police officer is, but the gals and guys in uniform need to get on it, before someone really gets hurt.

Posted by Whoa!, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Feb 15, 2012 at 10:08 pm

"400 block of Laurel Avenue"

That's just down the street from MP police (701 Laurel).

Pretty f-ing brazen!

Posted by Robert D., a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2012 at 10:39 am

DC McGlynn, Encinal School as you might know is in Atherton, this was near the Menlo Park Police Dept. As far as hiding their cars - well some of that is traffic enforcement as noted, but it also works as crime prevention. Anytime the cops are on the street driving, parked working radar, etc., chance of a crime in that area is very low. Since you list your neighborhood as in that area, you should be happy they seem to park there and work traffic - I am guessing crime is very low in your area. Hoe many neighbors in other areas would love to have the same..... Good news is I am betting many read the post and maybe they will avoid working traffic in your area to keep your no tickets record at zero.

Posted by Neighbor, a resident of the Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2012 at 12:11 pm

Laurel Avenue is in the Willows; Laurel STREET is where the police station is.

Posted by Neighbor, a resident of the Menlo Park: The Willows neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2012 at 12:12 pm

Actually, this incident was on Laurel in the Willows, not near the police department.

Posted by M-A grad, a resident of another community, on Feb 16, 2012 at 12:18 pm

Dear Whoa!

Menlo Park has two streets named Laurel, one is Ave and the other St. The police department is located on Laurel St. This crime took place in a different neighborhood on Laurel Ave (Willows).

Regardless of location be observant.

Posted by Concerned, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2012 at 12:29 pm

There are some very good points being made. Crime is definitely up in Menlo Park; there is proof that the presence of police officers deters crime.

I see a lot of officers in the downtown area giving out overtime parking tickets, but I see very few patrol cars in the neighborhoods in the middle of the day or at after dark. They need to do a better job of having a consistent presence, especially in the neighborhoods bordering EPA -- the Willows, Bay Road, etc.

I realize the revenue from parking fines helps to fund the city payroll, but it's all about the most effective use of resources.

Posted by Willows Resident on Laurel, a resident of the Menlo Park: The Willows neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2012 at 1:28 pm

I'm a resident of the Willows and agree that we need more of a police presence. I see police in the neighborhood all the time. They are generally driving fast (not always, but more often than not) which leads me to believe they've been called to investigate a specific incident and/or suspicious activity. It would be really nice to see more of a preventative presence from our officers. Overall, there does seem to be too much crime during the day (and in this case, after dark). Neighbors, it's amazing how many people don't keep a front porch light on. At the very least, motion controlled lights should be installed (near driveways, gates and doors). More eyes, more light, more police cruising...it will all make a difference people!

Posted by Hmmm, a resident of another community, on Feb 16, 2012 at 4:05 pm

Menlo cops have a rep for driving too fast, even on their way to coffee.

If the borders need more patrolling, can you explain why residential burglaries are so high in other parts of Menlo? Until we know the real patterns, we can't know what. Weds more patrols.

Posted by Ranch Gal, a resident of the Atherton: West Atherton neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2012 at 5:30 pm

I'm with you DC. Atherton Cops are now hiding in bushes, in private driveways, with radar guns poised, ready to catch you going 30 in a 25. I kid you not. 30 in a 25 and they ticket you now in Atherton. YIKES. Atherton is now FEAR CITY and we citizens are fearful. At night they hide with their lights off on El Camino Real in the turn lane to "catch" speeders. Very dangerous I would say. Protect and Serve has been replaced with Catch and Ticket for Atherton's coffers. We're broke.

Posted by Hmmm, a resident of another community, on Feb 16, 2012 at 5:51 pm

Ranch Gal, I checked out the registered sex offender list, as I do a couple times a year. I spotted a guy I know, who apparently is a child molester. Egads! Same thing, a couple years ago, spotted a respected scientist who I think was into kiddie porn.

I wonder if the address in the article is a halfway house or has some kind of agreement w/the county?

Posted by Hmmm, a resident of another community, on Feb 16, 2012 at 5:56 pm

Sorry, was referring to the other thread, the Atherton one w/the gunshot victim.