A couple of hours before the yearly Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Foundation luncheon, Oct. 19, where Chief Jamie Field was set to recognize Jiffy Mart for its contribution to community safety, a call came in to the department.
Days earlier, the store had become the victim of a burglary—with windows smashed and thousands of dollars of merchandise stolen.
But now, the town’s top cop had some good news: the corner store’s video cameras had helped, once again, to crack the case.
“We were able to solve another case today as a result of their surveillance system,” she said. “This morning they were able to identify the suspect.”
The event at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church was an opportunity for the police department to thank the wide range of people who help keep the two Silicon Valley communities it watches over safe, from dispatchers to front-line officers to investigators to administrative staff.
Field started out by putting the awards in the context of legislative moves happening in Sacramento that she says is making things harder for the profession.
Nevertheless, the members of the department have continued to perform to a high standard, she said.
“Safety is also a shared responsibility between the community, businesses and the police department,” she said. “We must take time to pause, and that’s what we’re doing today.”
Field reiterated her emphasis on community policing and shared a story about how doing the groundwork of building relationships can pay off when the rubber hits the road.
She described how one officer suited up in scary-looking tactical gear as part of the show of force at a recent event at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center in the wake of the Hamas attacks in Israel.
Despite his SWAT vest and long gun, some people, she said, saw through to the person inside—“Officer Bus,” who picked up this nickname during bike rodeos, where kids learned about navigating around school buses.
Capt. Clint Tada spoke about the contributions of therapy dog JJ (and handler LeAnn Linenko) and Gary (and handler Manny Respicio) and Mary Cortani, the founder of Operation Freedom Paws.
One unique honor was the Overtime Award, which highlighted those who the Town relied on as the police department dealt with staffing challenges.
“This is certainly not a recognition that anyone strives to achieve,” Field said. “These four individuals have the most overtime hours.”
That included Officer Macey Delgado, with 549 extra hours beyond her regular shift, Mario Carrizosa, with 559 extra hours, Cpl. Respicio, with 850 additional hours, and Dispatcher Christine Crosson, with 1,227 hours.
“Dang!” one departmental employee in the audience said.
Field also gave them each “chief’s challenge coins” for the hours of toiling away that would be easy to overlook.
“I think it’s important to humanize what that is,” she said. “I have given these coins sparingly.”
In addition to Jiffy Mart, Field gave a Citizen Award to the JCC.
“In just the last two years, the JCC leadership and many of the staff members have allowed the police department to engage in many ways,” Field said, noting they allowed them to set up a disaster response command post on the property.
And as Israel appeared on the verge of a ground invasion of Gaza, with many worrying a rise of antisemitism could follow here in Silicon Valley, Field said they’ve been posting a police cruiser at the facility as a deterrent.
Foundation President Jonathan Knowles held up a cardboard cutout of the golf cart purchased for the department’s campus safety operation (with funds from a recent bocce ball tournament) as it was a more practical way to demonstrate the new item.
Special Recognition was awarded to Officer Ryan Cronin.
Knowles said Cronin was a big help at the summer jazz music series he helps produce.
“One of the interesting things about Jazz on the Plazz is we have very few incidents that require significant police presence,” he said, adding Cronin takes the right approach when one is necessary. “Boy, do we feel like we hit the jackpot.”
The Meritorious Award was given to Heather St. John, for her help with preparing the budget and securing grants, and Jackie Rose, for her community outreach leadership.
Assistant District Attorney Jay Boyarsky said he was speaking on DA Jeff Rosen’s behalf as he was on a mission to convince Michael Bloomberg to fund a ballot initiative.
“The cases that you bring us are extremely strong,” he said. “People are coming here for a reason—and it’s not just for the fancy-schmancy bread at Manresa.”
Three groups of officers were recognized for their contribution to specific incidents.
Merit Awards Team Incident #1:
Sgt. Greg Borromeo, Sgt. David Nylander, Sgt. Bill Hoyt, Cpl. Mario Carrizosa, Officer Logan Howard, Officer Nathan Delia, Officer Zach Low, Officer James DeOcampo, Officer Andrew Demont, Officer Todd Fleming, Dispatcher Julie Burns, Dispatcher LeAnn Linenko and Dispatcher Nick Lindamood.
Merit Awards Team Incident #2:
Sgt. Harold Hoyt, Cpl. Manuel Respicio, Officer Andrew Demont, Officer Justine Theilen, Officer Rick Rondeau and Reserve Officer Nick Krist.
Merit Awards Team Incident #3:
Sgt. Richard Campbell, Officer Alexis Belligan, Officer Macey Delgado, Officer Scott Floerchinger, Dispatcher Julie Burns and Dispatcher Nick Lindamood.
Officer Zach Low received the MADD Award and a Police Commendation was given to Officer Nathan Delia.
During her comments to close the midday event, Mayor Maria Ristow thanked the department for keeping the town safe.
“Each of you brings your best to our community,” she said, pledging to make sure no one else has to do more than 1,000 extra hours in the coming years. “I’m dedicated to making sure our department has the resources it needs.”
