Parking enforcement is absolutely the worst for CONSTANTLY SELECTIVE enforcement…read more These people turn a blind eye on drivers who block traffic by parking in the middle of roadway, directly under the traffic lights in the intersection, or in the red zone, e.g., blocking the driveway of fire house in downtown. Those who HABITUALLY double, triple park on major streets in downtown and southside in the commercial areas never get cited! On Durant, they instead are asked to "move their cars" by the meter maids. So, does the traffic department make a conscious effort to hire blind people to do the job? Or are those drivers all related by genes or marriage to the meter maids, so they can always get away with creating chaos and disorderliness in this city? Is employment with the traffic department practically a social welfare program for people at risk to combat hunger and potential homelessness? If you get a parking ticket, most likely you are a victim of TARGETED ENFORCEMENT. The meter maid either hates your race or you, and this is what their reptilian brain reflexively instructs them to do about you. Third world country grade enforcement by certified incompetent and shameful people!

The Berkeley Police Department is admirable! An officer patiently listened to me about my son's…read morehealth condition and a misunderstanding that occurred in front of Sutter Berkeley. She offered compassionate advice with her professional insights. Another officer who drove by Sutter Hospital also helped my son and me navigate a safer living situation. I'm truly grateful for the Berkeley Police Department and feel blessed to live in Berkeley!

Extremely inconsistent if you call in to their non-emergency line regarding civil standby and more…read more (2025)

I had different encounters with Martinez involving my safety…read more First encounter I was driving on Alhambra and I had this random sever migraine that hit me so harsh. I could barely see. I pulled over at the jack in the box parking lot. I was panicking and this was about 9pm. I called MPD because I felt like they have a lot of down time driving around in such a small town. Big mistake. The officers didn't care how much pain I was in fact they just treated me like they needed safety instead. They searched me patted me down looked through my purse. I told them please take me to the ER which was across the street. After they looked through my purse . They refuse to assist me in the car remember I couldn't see much. I had to sit in the back and my purse had to be in the front with them. It was very traumatic because I'm a 5'2 female that needed a medical emergency. They treated me horribly. When I got to the hospital he gave me my purse through the window. Didn't care if I made it in safe. I will post his badge number once I find it. Second incident Which was about two days ago. I had been very concerned about buzzing going on in the wall. It's been going on for quite some time. I brought these concerns to my property manager they took off my smoke detector. They were got new managers they said they also have been hearing complaints from other residents that they hear buzzing in the walls. Well I didn't want anybody to think I was crazy so I downloaded two apps and I would see 5 cameras appear. I am a single mom that lives with my son. I freaked out because I just knew it. Well I also bout a camera detector. Well it would go off on the wall kitchen area. I felt ok I got evidence maybe ppl will believe me. Calling the Martinez department was the biggest mistake of my life. I just wanted to know if police can detect cameras. They could have gave me a simple "No". Instead they arrived 40 minutes after calling them with a crisis team and three cops. A big group came into my apartment making me feel like I was nuts. They didn't make me feel comfortable or heard at all. They just couldn't wait to demonstrate what they learned in training. They asked me if I been hearing voices. When they asked me that I should have just kicked them straight out and they knew it so they tried to act like they cared. They did not do a courtesy check or reassure me. They didn't care looking at the area where the detectors was going off. I knew my camera detector was spot on because as the officers were walking in my thing would go off on everyone of them because they had body cameras on. Anyways they didn't care to hear me out. They gaslit me to thinking in all in my head. I was so humiliated they tried to intervene with my child there. They told me why don't I just move to another place , yeah like it's that easy. It's the cheapest place I could afford. They gave me hot line numbers and a shelter number. When they left I felt more anxious. I learned my lesson . I will never call MPD if I am concerned for my safety ever again. They are no good. The two ladies who tried to intervene looked like Rosie O Donell. I thought to myself they should be the last ppl suggesting mental help . They definitely were out of breath bout time they got my apartment. My point is they caused more distress. I will be contacting the chef. It's just very unsettling for me. Although one officer gave me the answer I needed at the very end. They don't have equipment for seeking devices. That's all I wanted to know. No police report was done. The crisis team left like they didn't something when I never demonstrated I was on edge. I actually needed a crisis team after they left. They suck.

Notice there are no new reviews whether positive or negative since like 2022, it is 2024 at the…read moretime of this review. I'll present the facts first: I was driving in the slow lane, picked up my phone briefly for a second (as in literally then put it down) without even activating the screen, therefore it is like any other object in that moment and then the CHP patrol car in the far left lane started tailing me for some time, pulled up to the left and then pulled in front of me, flashing the light for a second before getting off at the next exist. Interpretation: This is a guy who is itching to exercise/abuse his authority but knew he didn't have me on anything since I was not speeding, even though I didn't speak or text on the phone nor even brought it anywhere close to me, it was simply within arms reach in the passenger side seat. I think this is a psychological issue but they will not filter for people like this nor do anything about it. Every officer is different, but experience like this makes me disgusted at even addressing one with respect with the title of officer. Notice none of the Yelp listings are claimed either and there are reviews dating years back. It seems to me whether you're writing a positive or negative review what it comes down to is they don't care. It's a nice idea that a positive experience is published, but will they even see those? I also know at other times when I've called to report something the person answering sounded like I'm just a bother. Heaven forbid actual public safety is taken care of.

Thank you Brian for making a stressful situation go as smoothly as possible…read more Had to obtain a release for a vehicle that was in my name, before going to the impound yard. The officer running the front window was polite, helpful and helped make it happen. Thank you again

To make a long story short I got my car stolen today. Probably the most annoying and inconsiderate…read morething to be done. However, this situation was made ever so slightly better by officer Castanon who went above and beyond to make the process smooth and as seamless as possible. One of the best interactions I have had with law enforcement to date.

Called about the continuous brake ins and theft happening at the Hilton Garden Inn - .4 miles away…read morefrom the police department. I then tried asking how CONTINUOUS crime, .4 miles from the police station could be dismissed. Then realized that the rude, dismissive, dispatch officer could care less. Was RUDELY dismissed and told, 'Sir, crime happens everywhere'. Was automatically interrupted at every turn, by an officer who basically told me 'Too bad, so sad'. (But with an added combative, authoritarian attitude) Realized REAL quickly, I was wasting my time) If you're visiting Emeryville, have a good time, because apparently, it's the hot spot for crime. Emeryville Police? As a Marine, I respect what you do, but seriously?

Terrible customer service by city building official. Came in to pull simple over the counter…read morebuilding permit, but the permit technician was out for the day. The building official was at the counter helping a guy and asked where I drove from, after telling him I drove from Concord and would prefer not to have to come again because it's always a risk anytime you drive. He said he couldn't help me and I could not pull the permit, that I would need to drive back again tomorrow. Does the building official not know how to issue a permit?! Looks like time for some training at City of Pinole Building Dept.

Love it or leave it. Pinole. Suburban city in the middle of the East Bay. Fairly safe area…read more Mostly white middle class people and people who enjoy living around white middle class people. For some reason quite a few Phillipino folks in the area, but mostly in Hercules. Not as open-minded as San Francisco. If you dress like a San Franciscan and you come to Pinole they can tell you spend your time in SF. Pinole is pretty much full of people doing their own thing who don't care what anyone else is doing. There are some gay people living here and there, but not too many of them are out of the closet. In the evening people go jogging, bicycle riding, walk their dogs and can be found washing their cars in their driveways. You can get a good deal on a house here. Good schools, although not as good as they used to be. Good place for kids to grow up. A lot of cool people. A few rednecks. Watch out for speeding tickets. Pinole is near Berkeley, and 25 miles from SF. Pinole is normally 5 degrees warmer than SF year-round. Maybe more than that in the summer. It's not nearly as hot as Martinez or Antioch. It never snows in Pinole. Hail once or twice a year, nothing major. In a nutshell it's ok if you like to live in the suburbs. However some Black people I know are afraid to go to Pinole because they are afraid of the cops. I don't know how realistic they are being, but I thought it should be mentioned. If you are a city girl like me then you don't want to live in SF. It has more of small town feeling to it.

Thank you, RFD, for saving the day. No, not like that. I appreciate the fast and professional…read moreresponses to me and free services to the public! It was not emergency yet, though I was entering a time crunch after weeks of calling around other businesses and they were not returning messages. So, I appreciate that RFD got back to me within 24 hours, worked around my schedule, and got an appointment scheduled at the local fire station for me. Even though the first appointment got abruptly canceled because I saw them rushing away to attend to an emergency, they called back an hour later and I got another same-day appointment. Thanks!!! Both Ben and Joshua were great to work with. Oh, and please be sure to stop by my neighborhood's annual BBQs, guys, I appreciate your public service!

A great fire department with great guys who are always ready to serve their citizens with pride and…read moreintegrity, and if the need comes up, provide mutual aid to neighboring cities. As our local fire department says "when I doubt call us out!"

Another house of REAL HERO'S of Public Service. Their Badge is about Honor, Pride and Community…read moreService NOT Macho, power tripping attitude..

As a grand finale to the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) curriculum and as a refresher for…read morecurrent team members, the El Cerrito Fire, Richmond Fire, and San Pablo Police departments host a biannual "Hands on Disaster Drill" for CERT students. Although I was excited to practice the fire suppression, cribbing/lifting, disaster medical/triage, light search and rescue, and neighborhood team skills I learned in the small El Cerrito-Kensington CERT program, I wasn't sure what to expect two weeks ago when I attended the 2009 drill. However, as a multi-city effort, the drill at El Cerrito City Hall thoroughly re-enacted a real emergency allowing CERT volunteers to interact while practice life-saving techniques. I particularly enjoyed acting as a member of a triage team to administer basic first aid to volunteer victims. I also enjoyed additional training provided by the American Red Cross regarding disaster preparedness and emergency shelters. I am still floored by what could happen if a disaster hit West Contra Costa County. I am glad the local cities are partnering to increase awareness and I will be back at future drills to maintain my newly acquired skill set and perhaps volunteer to "doll up" with severed limbs and be in shock so others might be able to help me in a real emergency .