I read about the recent home burglary. A years back, my home in Danville was burglarized when we were away. Danville police did not care. They wrote up the value of the loss as $300.00 since it is considered a misdemeanor. I had provided them a comprehensive list of the contents of the 2 big fire proof safes. The burglars, carried both the safes which are quite heavy. I am a senior and recently lost my husband. I did not have the emotional energy to pursue. Lost valuable jewelry given by my parents for my wedding and my late husbands sentimental items. Danville police did not care. My friend was telling me that if I was white, they would have worked with me. It is a racist town. My doctor advised me to get a private detective. Since I was having lot of health issues after loosing my husband of 49 years, dropped pursuing. Inefficient police force. I am still hurt. But will not let me ruin my health. Only hope is that there will be justice for all of them some day.

"Danville police did not care. My friend was telling me that if I was white, they would have worked with me. It is a racist town."

^ I have periodically heard this commentary from others as well ...hopefully it's not true given that Danville is a predominantly white community.

Yes. That was my point. We are a highly educated (sophisticated) family with high values. But we are not white!!! Not aggressive to pursue or take the town to legal actions. Have been a Danville resident since 1981 (42 years!!) Don't know where the Police department is located.

Burglary is a property crime, and property crimes are low priority to any police department. Burglaries also have low rates of solving the crime, which doesn't make the police look good.

More anti-police rhetoric, as usual.

Blame the police for everything right? What if there were no police? Would you feel safe? Lawlessness appears everywhere. And when police make attempts to curb violence, they are called racists, get shot at, spit on, threatened, etc. Sorry about your loss Vijaya, but the police didn’t burglarize your house. They took a report - that’s their job. That’s what YOU pay them for.

America has truly become a nation of finger pointers. It’s always the fault of the police. Why don’t you people address the lawlessness with your law makers up there in Sacramento. Police don’t make the laws, they enforce them. Better yet, Jennifer, strap on a vest and participate in a ride along with OPD, SJPD, or SFPD some night to see what law enforcement encounter. Better yet, sign up for a visit with your local county jail and watch was goes on in a booking area Friday and Saturday nights.

By the way, thanks to your Democrat law makers, the thug life that burglarize your homes are back out on the streets in less than 24 hours due to no cash bail requirements. Gavin and his friends up there in Sacramento support no cash bail. You know why, because they deemed it racist.

Thug life isn’t a color, it’s a way of life where criminals see opportunities and take advantage of them. And ask your governor why he commutes sentences of murders. In 2020, Newsom commuted sentences of 21 state prison inmates, including more than a dozen convicted of murder or related crimes. The victims were children in two of the cases and a pregnant woman in a third.

That’s what YOUR governor did, not the police.

Malcom, as a college student in Los Angeles, I did a ride-along with LAPD. I'm pro-police, but burglary never has and never will be a priority to LE because it's a property crime. The police aren't responsible for burglaries nor is it "race" related.

Yeah, so, what’s your point? You said property crimes do not make the police look good. That makes no sense. I’ve never heard of anyone blame the police for a burglary. Well, not until Vijay appeared to be upset anyway.

Glad to hear you back the blue, Jennifer.

@Malcom Hex...
We also try to be supportive of the police as it is a tough job BUT there was no excuse for what happened in Memphis.

We are fortunate in the San Ramon Valley that the police here care about the residents. They have a tough job made even harder by those who don't cooperate and criticize. If you have security cameras, let your PD know. Your camera may help the PD solve someone else's break-in. Property crimes are up because San Ramon and Danville are relatively affluent communities and attractive to out-of-towners who would rather steal than work. We need to strengthen the law on property crimes so if they are caught, these guys aren't back on the street in a day or two after their arrests. That can be blamed directly on the District Attorney, not the police. These men and women who hit fast and run off with other's property are well practiced and fearless. Be helpful to our PD instead of just criticizing.

My POINT is clearance rates for burglaries are about 13% nationwide. With that low of a clearance rate, it won't be a priority for any department. LE wants to solve crimes, and most burglaries aren't solved, which doesn't make the police look good. This isn't hard to understand.

I agree property crimes should be tougher, but this is California, and we're no longer tough on crime.

The police do not prevent crime...they follow-up after the incident(s) and decide whether to pursue matters further.

@ Danielle

Unfortunately, there are bad apples in every profession. Unfortunately, there are a select few who give law enforcement a bad name. However, the vast majority of cops stand for law and order, just like you.

@ Teresa

What you said isn't necessarily true. Police take bad guys off the street which helps to prevent more crime. Don't believe me? Who responded to the North Hollywood shoot out in 1997? Two bank robbers wearing body armor and wielding assault rifles engaged in a ferocious gunfight with officers on the streets of North Hollywood.

Who took out the bad guys? THE POLICE.

"Unfortunately, there are a select few who give law enforcement a bad name."

@Malcolm Hex
Do you have any recommendations that can rid the police departments of these 'bad apples' prior to any more incidents such as Memphis?

In his State of the Union address, President Biden has assured all Americans that police reforms are warranted to prevent future incidences of law enforcement-related malfeasances and brutalities against the public.

This is a step in the right direction as additional federal laws are needed to keep the police in check.

'Qualified Immunity' was rescinded years ago and no longer exempts the police from criminal and civil charges for their wrongful actions.

It is the responsibility of the homeowner(s) to prevent residential burglaries, not the police.

Preventative measures include hiring a private security patrol, installing surveillance cameras/alarms, getting a watch/guard/attack dog, or a keeping a shotgun handy.

@Jerry

You can’t rid the world of bad people, Jerry. Police departments do their best to hire the most qualified applicants. But like any job, you have bad actors.

Law enforcement applicants who go through polygraph, psychological, and medical tests; in addition to reference checks, credit checks, FBI, DOJ, firearms and child abuse index checks.

Part of a new law enforcement background check requires background investigators to check the National Decertification Index (NDI) to see if an applicant’s name is listed. If so, the applicant does not move forward in the background process.

All of this may sound like a step in the right direction, but keep in mind the media has cast all of law enforcement in a negative light. The aftermath is good qualified people are second guessing a career in law enforcement - which means less good cops on the street.

Law enforcement officers are the last line of defense between peaceful people and anarchists. If you decimate the ranks of the blue, martial law takes over and out country can quickly spiral out of control.

Hind sight is 20/20. I am not against police. People assume if you mention about the inaction of the police, one is against police. Grow up. The lecture about police inaction will change if one has to experience a burglary and loose memories of 50 years. It appears that this forum is not for me. Do not wish to waste my time. I have moved on. Please do not comment again to this post. I won't be monitoring this anymore