Public Safety Rally Evokes Responses

RALLY A SUCCESS
The rally to support Costa Mesa's Public Safety staffers - Police and Fire - evoked a joyful, horn-honking response from folks driving past City Hall Tuesday night.  For more than two hours homeward-bound drivers tooted their horns, waved and gave thumbs-up to the more than five dozen people who lined Fair Drive on both sides of the street with colorful signs and balloons.

(Former Police Chief Roger Neth chats with columnist Barbara Venezia)

FORMER OFFICIALS ATTENDED
Members of the Costa Mesa Police Department and Costa Mesa Fire Department showed up, as did former Police Chief Roger Neth, former Mayor Arlene Shafer and former councilwoman Wendy Leece.

COVERED THE AGE SPECTRUM
Attendees ranged in age from 8-month old toddlers to 94-year old Sally Parker.  Girl Scouts provided Thanks-A-Lot cookies.

DAILY PILOT COVERAGE
Bradley Zint covered the rally for the Daily Pilot and published his article, HERE.  I'm not going to try to repeat what he said, but will just give you a photographic flavor for the event.  Incidentally, more people showed up for the rally than the City Council meeting which followed it a few yards away in council chambers.  More on that in my next post.

 

MONAHAN NOWHERE IN SIGHT
Incidentally, councilman Gary Monahan, whose ill-advised plan to host a wake for a criminal who died in a shoot-out with Costa Mesa Police officers near the end of last year was the catalyst for this event, later canceled the wake and said he wanted to help support the CMPD.  He not only didn't show up for the rally, but was late to the council meeting, too.  I'm thinking the best thing he can do to support the men and women of the CMPD is to be sure he's available for the closed session meetings when contract negotiations are discussed so that long-overdue contract can be completed.

(Chief Neth with organizer Mary Spadoni)