Posted by Smoke-And-Mirrors, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2013 at 10:22 am

[Post removed due to same poster using multiple names]

Posted by Phil, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2013 at 11:06 am

I see it as more of a high level manager staying connected to what's going on with his people and the city as a whole. Even more critical when you're talking about a profession that is entirely based upon people issues, often time under the worst possible circumstances.

As for the residential burglary problem you cite, the Palo Alto Weekly and other publications have well chronicled the numerous arrests, well over thirty at last count, of burglary suspects that have been arrested and many more cases cleared. So, I have to point out that you're being a bit biased and one-sided on this issue. Respect your opinion, but I don't believe that you're giving credit where it's due.

Posted by resident, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2013 at 11:20 am

Can believe people are whining about these programs. Citizens want more transparency into what the government does and this is one way to provide it. This is also publicity for the police and fire department Twitter feeds, which provide on going information about what the departments are doing, as well as regular safety advice and emergency notifications.

Posted by Resident, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2013 at 11:26 am

I enjoyed taking part for some of the time last night and then reread all the Tweets today.

It appears that there was not a lot happening for a Friday night in Palo Alto. Although I am pleased there was nothing major, I can't help feeling that I was wishing for a big accident, barfight, or mugging - things that do happen in Palo Alto. If we had had something along those lines, it would have been far more interesting but perhaps the one doing the tweeting would have had very little time to actually tweet!

As an average Friday evening in Palo Alto, it seemed a little dull. I for one, in the big scheme of things, am glad that for the most part life is dull for our on duty PA police.

Posted by musical, a resident of the Palo Verde neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2013 at 6:43 pm

Long periods of boredom punctuated by short moments of excitement. (A quote from somewhere.)

Listening to the PAPD radio frequency is fortunately quite boring more often than not. Mostly 11-95s, routine traffic stop. Even on Saturday nights.

Posted by Homeland security, a resident of the Charleston Gardens neighborhood, on Feb 18, 2013 at 8:25 am

[Post removed due to same poster using multiple names]

Posted by Resident, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Feb 18, 2013 at 2:36 pm

Does the ride-along include a tour of their multimillion-dollar retire-young-and-then-double-dip plan?

Posted by Phil, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Feb 18, 2013 at 3:29 pm

If if you truly believe that it's that easy and lucrative Resident, then why not apply?

Posted by To Resident, a resident of the Community Center neighborhood, on Feb 18, 2013 at 8:35 pm

Hey Resident,

Phil has the answer, he is right on!

Were approaching double digit vacancies.

All you have to do is pass the background, make it through the academy, pass field training and then the riches are yours.

Bring 11 other people who think just like you do, we have plenty of room.

Posted by Mark, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Feb 18, 2013 at 11:40 pm

Hey Resident,

Check the facts, some people actually enjoy their work and service to the community. Chief Burns is well past his maximum retirement allowance of 90 something percent of his salary, and yet he continues to serve as the chief. In fact, like all other employees, management included he is actually losing money from benefit deductions implanted by city counsel and pushed for by Jim Keene. Yet he continues to serve this community and does not duck out after getting his pension and reaching the age minimum to do so. Chief Burns is a great example of what Palo Alto employees are all about and the many that stick around well past retirement!

Posted by Me, a member of the Palo Alto High School community, on Feb 19, 2013 at 1:15 am

I think this was a totally neat idea! I might even sign up for Twitter and break my promise that I would never use Twitter.

Re it being "boring" in Palo Alto, perhaps we can follow an EPA cop on Twitter for a wilder ride.

Right on, Phil! It's easy for cowards to sit behind their computers and complain. I am thankful for law enforcement who risk their lives for strangers everyday.

Posted by Sam, a resident of another community, on Feb 19, 2013 at 8:14 am

If Chief Burns is losing money, then he needs to get a life!

Posted by Mary, a resident of the Evergreen Park neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2013 at 12:15 pm

YOU got to be kidding! With over 50%increased crime in Palo Alto. Police has time to be on Twitter. Palo Alto citizens should demand more of their Police and Fire personnel!

Posted by Stan, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2013 at 5:34 pm

Hey Mary, you can relax a little. It sounds like our hard working Police and Fire personnel have ride-alongs tweeting/twittering as they get the calls. Do you really think that these Professionals would stop what they are doing, delay care or ask a criminal to "hang on while I tweet"?????

Posted by Kate, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Feb 20, 2013 at 6:45 am

This was a great job by PAPD! Chief Burns is a great man and Chief! He always goes above and beyond his job. For a Chief to go out on patrol is amazing, you don't see other Chiefs doing this for the public!

And for PAFD to follow what the PD did was amazing! It was great to see all the training and classes that it takes to be a firefighter! I loved seeing the medical calls that the fire department went on to see exactly what it takes and how many people it takes to help someone on a call. I think that Chief Caprilles did a great job. I loved all her trivia too! I think it was great to see that even though firefighters have to shop for their dinner they are still available to the public. My son always loves asking the firefighters for stickers and to look at the engine, I love seeing a smile on my childs face because a firefighter was so kind.

Great Job PAPD and PAFD