High Gear December 5 2016

Posted by Rosalie McCloud on Dec 05, 2016
 

Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation

On a crisp December Noon, we gathered for our luncheon and to bid a fond farewell to the Hilton san Francisco Airport Bayfront. Yes, after all these years, we are moving to the Poplar Creek Golf Course in Baja Burlingame, also known as San Mateo, on Wednesday, January 11, 2017.
President Stan invited the Hilton Staff to join him at the podium as they received our thanks, and some serious spending money to enhance their holiday celebrations. The Rotarians lauded the staff for courtesy, efficiency, and patience. Dick Gregory suggested we promote Mynor to Major! Being a former hotel manager, President Stan shared with us some of the trials and tribulations inherent in these positions of service. Thanks all! We will carry fond memories of The San Francisco Hilton Airport Bayfront. President Stan called the meeting to order. Duffy led the pledge and Carol Tanzi invoked "Let's eat!
 

Visiting Rotarians, Guests & Announcements

Welcome to visiting Rotarian from the San Mateo Club Noemi K. Avram, AIA, of Gumbinger Avram Architects.
 
Mark your calendars. Holiday festivities will commence at noon on December 12 at Sapore Ristorante Italiano, 1447 Burlingame Avenue. We'll get started with Duffy's eggnog, a crisp green salad. You may select your entree from salmon, chicken marsala, ravioli, or rigatoni rustica. All this and tiramisu, too.  Red or white wine included as well for the attractive price of $40.00 per person.  Bring your beloved, your in-laws, guests. Please RSVP to Cheryl Fama or Emily Matthews ASAP!
Pastor Paul Watermulder will preside over the Membership Committee Meeting tomorrow morning, Tuesday December 6, at 7L30am at Carr McClellan. Opps! Missed it again!! Those kids, Pastor paul plus 11, are zealots to get up in the middle of the night. Whatever; it's working.. Great programs!!!

Newscast

President Stan introduced the "more-better" Newscast to be delivered by Counselor Dennis Zell. 'Tis the season to tell lawyer jokes! Isn't it always? They write themselves. Moving along...
Your fate is in the hands of twelve citizens who couldn't figure how to get out of jury duty. What do you call Santa's Elves? Subordinate clauses. What nationality is Santa Claus? North Polish.  Why is Santa so jolly? He knows where all the naughty people live. "More-better" than what, one might query?
 
 
 
 

Program

Reverend Paul introduced today's speaker, the Police Chief of the City of San Mateo, Susan Mannheimer. Did we know Reverend Paul was a Berkeley cop before he was Reverend Paul? Now, son Tim is serving as an Oakland police officer.  Chief Susan came to us from a San Mateo North Rotary Retiree Lunch, honoring old cops, new cops. It's been a touch year to be on the front line of policing. The police are the icons of government; the public identifies them as authority in the lives of the public.
Chief Susan is a New Yorker, born to a father who served as President of the San Mateo County Police Officers Association as well as President of the California Police Officers Association.  She is definitely our hero.  Prior to her policing  career, Chief Susan was in radio with KCBS Radio in San Francisco. After joining the police force, our chief spent two years in the robbery division as a decoy in 25 cases. There are 12,000 police agencies in the United States.  Police cadets undergo four months of book study, including the study of psychotic response. This study is followed by four months full-time field training. Police Officers are trained to be transparent, earn trust, and be accountable. Department employees are asked to be aware that when the public calls in, the public has no idea the classification of the employee. Could be the janitor or a detective. All employees must be excellent representatives of the department.  
Chief Susan cited a book by New Yorker Tom Tyler who attempted to answer the question, "Why people obey the law?"  In a 20-year longitudinal study, it was determined that people obey the law when they have confidence in the enforcers - the police. It's not about the outcome, it's how one was treated. Treat people with respect, communicate the result of the contact. These are the fundamentals of community policing. 
No more "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you." The national narrative is now disturbing. No use of force can prevent dangerous people from fleeing, and who may later invade our lives. Any organized team has team morals and self-image. The police are one breath away from a video that can go viral at any moment. All the public wants is peaceful sleep at night with their children safe. Marijuana must be kept out of City parks. This new lawy will be a great challenge. San Mateo's policies must be developed, then applied.  
After Dallas, nationwide police have been reviled, made scapegoats. How do we deal with it? Chief Susan says the reaction in San Mateo was different. People in the City inundated the police with cards, notes, donuts, treats of all kinds. After too many donuts, restaurants were sending salads.
Property crimes are going crazy! 1. Don't park at Northpoint and Powell in the City.  2. Don't put anything in your car or trunk where someone can see it, or if someone is watching you put it in your boot, such as at the mall.  3. Be careful of doorknob burglars. A woman walks up to a home, possible with a toddler, and rings the doorbell. Observing no one home, her accomplices break in. 4. If someone rings the doorbell, shout out 'I'm sorry, I can't come to the door."  5. When you leave your home, try to leave a radio on to suggest someone is home.
The Chief says the homeless outreach created with the purchase of the Vendome Hotel in San Mateo has been a success and is now run by Shelter Network. Some 25 folks were taken in from the streets and enjoy  food, clothing and shelter.  The challenge for the County Gang Taskforce is to keep gangs out of our schools. For a closer look at policing, drive-bys are available for the public.
Absolutely no truth to the rumor that Chief Susan said the Fire Department is the second oldest profession, as they perform their tasks on their backs. Thanks so much, Chief. We will see you agian soon, it is hoped without lights blazing.  
 

Dates to Remember

December 12   Holiday Party at Sapore
December 19  - No Meeting
December 26  -  No Meeting
January 4   -    No Meeting
January 11  - WEDNESDAY at Poplar Creek Golfcourse  Speaker is Tim Matthews: The Professional Marketer
 
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, HILTON FOLKS!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL AND A HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS 2017