Chief's Community Update - June 9, 2024

Dear Community Members,

As we approach the season of celebration, we kindly urge you to refrain from engaging in fireworks activity. While fireworks may bring momentary excitement, they can cause significant harm to our community members, particularly our children and pets.

Fireworks pose serious safety risks, including the potential for injuries and fires. The loud noises can also be distressing, especially for young children and pets, leading to anxiety and fear.

We ask for your cooperation in considering alternative ways to celebrate that ensure the well-being of all our community members. Your understanding and adherence to this request will contribute to a safer and more enjoyable environment for everyone.

This year we embarked on a partnership with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, Menlo Park Police, and Menlo Park Fire Protection District to form a Fireworks Task Force.  We plan to address fireworks through a few different approaches, including the Sheriff's Fireworks buyback program.  To learn more details, please visit their Facebook post.

https://www.facebook.com/SMCSheriff/posts/pfbid02yFh4rWtDJbTh9zvZB34qNwz...

Anonymous tips and immediate service

We appreciate all the anonymous tips we have been receiving.  It is important to note that anonymous tips are not a resource for immediate police response as it is not monitored 24/7.  For immediate police response, either call 9-1-1 or our non-emergency phone number 650-321-1112.  For complaints related to property violations, please contact Code Enforcement department, which operates under our building department (https://www.cityofepa.org/building/page/code-enforcement).

When providing information to the police, we need specific information about the crime or criminal.  As an example, if you are reporting someone for dealing drugs, we need to know:

where and when they are selling the drugs

a detailed description of them (white female, blue jeans, red jacket, baseball cap)

any description of a vehicle

any other information you have about the crime. 

While we don’t expect you to jeopardize your safety to get this information, it is very important information if we make an arrest.  Not only will your tip provide us with accurate information about the suspect, but we are also able to serve as a witness to the crime and we can testify in court.  Please use these options for providing an anonymous tip.

You can make an anonymous tip to the police by calling or texting to (650) 409-6792.

If there is a topic you would like addressed in the next update, please feel free to send an email at jliu@cityofepa.org. 

Thank you,

Jeff Liu

Chief of Police