Chief's Community Update - June 16, 2024

Dear Community Members,

On June 10, a group of juveniles engaged in a fireworks fight while surrounded by apartments, residents of the apartments, and carports with vehicles parked within.  The juveniles were literally shooting fireworks (Roman Candles) at each other and hitting not only each other, but apartment buildings, vehicles, carports, and residents of the apartments.  This type of activity is extremely dangerous on so many levels!  

The next day, we conducted an emergency meeting of the Fireworks Task Force.  Additionally, our EPAPD Detective Bureau launched an investigation into the fireworks activity. 

By the end of the day, an adult and juvenile cited for the fireworks activity from the night before.  Additionally, 159 lbs of fireworks were seized, preventing 18,380 potential discharges.

Community members, please help us reduce the harm of fireworks by alerting us to fireworks activity and/or encouraging those in possession of fireworks to turn them in.  The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is hosting fireworks buy-back events.  Please use the link below for additional details.

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