The Vagrant Patrol and The Unarmed Constituent

This man Defrauded,Beaten, Arrested, Jailed, Ticketed. Federal Witness and Homeless

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By Leslie Brinkley

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KGO) -- Walnut Creek this summer launched a new homeless patrol comprised of two police officers dedicated to following up on calls about transients. So far it's working, and other communities are looking to try something similar.

It all comes down to communication. Officers get to know the homeless by name, understanding their backstory to get them into the services and programs they need.

RELATED: Mobile hygiene unit for homeless 'CleanStart' launches in East Bay

On a ride-along, ABC7 news captured an arrest for possessing 10 grams of meth. Enough for 100 hits. It was in the possession of a homeless man living along the creek adjacent to Broadway Plaza shopping center-- he was arrested.

Officers connected with 66-year-old Wayne Malmgren who was once a guitarist. He was near the Whole Foods store in Walnut Creek with his wheelchair and several signs asking for assistance. Since his stroke, he has been homeless in Walnut Creek for a year.

Officer Domenick Clemente approached Wayne saying, "Hey Wayne-- you know the last time we spoke to you you were doing pretty well and you said you were waiting for housing so I want to find out how we can move this forward."

Malmgren said the officer's lookout for him.

RELATED: Looking for Answers: Homelessness in the Bay Area

"They make sure I don't screw up, which I can do. And trying to get me help."

Officer Clemente said, "Wayne knows he's doing really well. We're really proud of him. We're no longer getting six calls a day of a male drunk in the middle of the day lying in a crosswalk. "

Officers said 60 percent of the calls coming into Walnut Creek police are now about transients. Recently they moved out a camp on Jones Road wedged between the BART tracks and 680. There is a lot of garbage left behind that can cost tens of thousands of dollars to clean up.

Officer Gary Silva on the homeless patrol said, "The last individual I talk to on main street was from Pacheco. I said what are you doing here? He said I'm here to make money. I said how much did you make? He said $80. I said how long have you been here? He said 20 minutes. I said why did you come to Walnut Creek? He said because I can make more money here. I mean what do you say to that?"

RELATED: Fremont moves forward with homeless navigation center behind city hall

The police here say giving money can fuel drug addiction, that it's better to donate to agencies that can help the homeless like Trinity Center.

One officer said if they hold up a sign saying "anything will help" in this affluent community, they can make $40 an hour. At the holidays perhaps $100 an hour.

Check out more stories and videos about Building a Better Bay Area.

https://abc7news.com/society/homeless-patrol-making-a-difference-in-walnut-creek/5550713/

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Another story about the persons, officers and incidents connected to the Walnut Creek Police 

This one will be about parental abduction, kidnapping and possible murder of witnesses.
Source (sfgate.com) : more >>

Walnut Creek Lets Police Games Begin

Sam McManis, Chronicle Staff Writer

 Published 4:00 am PDT, Friday, June 19, 1998

1998-06-19 04:00:00 PDT Contra Costa County -- So, this cop walks into a doughnut shop and . . .

Well, fill in the punch line yourself. Those jokes have become as stale as a 3-day-old cruller. Police officers have heard them all. Cracks about their laziness, their predilection for fried and frosted dough, their bellies spilling over their holsters. Next to lawyer jokes, those quips are staples among hack comics. Truth is, though, most law enforcement officers are fit. They have to be. Starting Sunday and continuing through next Saturday, the public can judge for itself, when Contra Costa and the Tri-Valley host the 30th California Summer Police Games. Open to any law enforcement or fire officer, the event billed as an alternative Olympics is expected to draw more than 5,000 participants competing in 50 events that test athletic ability and specific job skills.

Concord is the host city, but events will take place at venues as far west as Contra Costa College in San Pablo, as far south as Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton and as far east as Deer Valley High in Antioch. With as many as 25,000 visitors expected, including the athletes, it should mean big crowds at many of the events -- and long lines at the doughnut shops.

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with doughnuts," said Neil Stratton, a retired Walnut Creek police captain who is the director of the games, which are hosted by Contra Costa. "Doughnuts are good, although they may not be good for you. I know a lot of officers who like doughnuts. But we also have some world-class athletes who do a lot more than eat doughnuts."

Those officers will compete in a variety of events, including swimming, track and field, tug-of-war, water-skiing, trap shooting and hard-tip darts. One of the more intriguing competitions is the "Toughest Cop Alive," which involves eight events in a single day: a 5K run, 100-yard dash, 100-yard swim, the shot put, bench press, upper body rope climb, pull-ups and an obstacle course.

There also is a police dog competition, testing obedience and agility, and an obstacle course race, in which Concord's two canine cops, Rico and Mikey, will compete.

There also is a special narcotics sniffing division for the dogs. That division will be closed to the public, according to Concord police officer Dan Moore, who is organizing the canine events. All other events, featuring officers on two or four legs, are free.

"It's the only (competition) I know of where the athletes pay and the spectators get in free," Stratton says.

It has been that way since 1967 when Duke Nyhus, the deputy chief of the San Diego Police Department, organized the first California Police Games in Long Beach to benefit youth and anti-drug programs. It began with 15 sports and 500 competitors and has grown steadily since. Now it is the second largest event for police and fire officials in the world, behind only the biannual World Games.

The Police Games serves as more than just a physical outlet, according to Stratton. It's a way to network.

"Before I retired, I had all sorts of contact all over the state with people I met through the Games," Stratton says. "It makes a big difference when you're working on a case and you have to call another department and you deal with somebody you've competed against. You get more cooperation. You're not just another cop wanting a favor. I've traveled all over the world with members of the LAPD, for instance."

Cops may be collegial outside of the competition but, once the games begin, it's fierce. Most police officers train for the Games year- round. For the 56-year-old Stratton, a master's swimmer, retirement means he doesn't have to cram in his workouts between police shifts.

"I no longer have to get to the pool at 5:30 (a.m.) to swim," he said. "I can concentrate on it more."

Stratton won five gold medals in his age group at last year's Police Games in Fresno and was part of a 50-meter breaststroke relay team that won the world title. Though he's had considerable success, Stratton quickly adds, "I'm no professional or anything."

True, but others who will compete have been elite athletes or even professionals. Former Olympic shot putter John Powell, for instance, formerly worked for the San Jose Police Department after his competitive days were over, and he dominated the Police Games for a several years.

"Just in swimming alone," Stratton says, "we have some guys who swam in the NCAAs last year. We've had people who, given the choice between pro sports and a more secure career in law enforcement, have chosen public service. But they still get to compete."

---

POLICE GAMES

The California Police Games will begin Sunday throughout Contra Costa County. All competitons are free. Here is a list for selected sports. For a complete list, call the Contra Costa Police Athletic Association at (925) 827-1998.

-- Boxing: Richmond Auditorium and Concord Pavilion, 6:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, Friday.

-- Road Race: St. Mary's College, Sunday, 7 a.m.

-- Soccer: Central Park, San Ramon, Sunday-Friday, 8 a.m.

-- Softball (men's senior): Willow Pass Park, Concord, Thursday-Saturday, 8 a.m.

-- Toughest Cop Alive: Alhambra High School, Monday-Wednesday, 7 a.m.

-- Track and Field: Contra Costa College, Thursday-Saturday, 7 a.m.

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Captain Neil Stratton of Walnut Creek Police Department

The Captains Wife

His wife disappears, his step children vanish and the Contra Costa DA accepts the goodbye letter as fact.

Captain Neil Stratton

Elizabeth Stratton vanished, her car found at the Sacramento Airport but she is married to Neil Stratton of the Walnut Creek Police Department. The same city where San Francisco Officer Lester Garnier was found dead in 1988 located at the Ross Stores parking lot.

• Neil Stratton former Walnut Creek Police Captain.

A dead straight connection to the 1988 murder of San Francisco Officer Lester Garnier and likely responsible for whereabouts of his wife missing since 1997. 

• Neil Stratton
•  2nd degree connection2nd
• Neil has a account

President at Contra Costa Police Athletic Association

• Concord, California 
• 60 connections 
• Contact info

• Retired
• Cal State, Hayward, University of Virginia, Cal Poly, Pomona.

Research Portal

'

Highlights

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  1 Mutual Connection

  
  

  You and Neil both know Paul Adler

Experience

Major Retired

Company Name Retired

Dates EmployedJun 2018 – Present

Employment Duration1 yr 2 mos

LocationConcord, Californiai

/div>

Co-Founder, Board Member, Executive Director, and President over the years

Company NameContra Costa Kops For Kids

Dates EmployedApr 1991 – Jun 2018

Employment Duration27 yrs 3 mos

LocationConcord, CA

Currently a Civil Grand Juror for Contra Costa County

Company Name Retired, Walnut Creek Police, Cal State,East Bay, & Contra Costa Kops For Kids

Dates Employed Sep 1963 – Jun 2018

Employment Duration54 yrs 10 mos

LocationContra Costa County, California

Kops for Kids is going out of business effective 30 June 2019.

Education

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  Cal State, Hayward, University of Virginia, Cal Poly, Pomona.

  Degree NameBA, MPA, MS

  Field Of StudyBA Political Science, MPA, Master of Science in Management

  Dates attended or expected graduation1962 – 1988

   

me	Job Title/Employer/Pension	Pension	Benefits	Disability	Years of Service	Year of Retirement	Total pension & benefits amount
Neil R Stratton	Employer: CITY OF WALNUT CREEK Pension: CalPERS, 2018	$104,166.00	Not provided	N/A	32.85	1995	$104,166.00
Neil R Stratton	Employer: CITY OF WALNUT CREEK Pension: CalPERS, 2017	$100,618.56	Not provided	N/A	32.69	1995	$100,618.56
Neil R Stratton	Employer: CITY OF WALNUT CREEK Pension: CalPERS, 2016	$99,463.04	Not provided	N/A	32.69	1995	$99,463.04
Neil R Stratton	Employer: CITY OF WALNUT CREEK Pension: CalPERS, 2015	$97,513.56	Not provided	N/A	32.6	1995	$97,513.56
Neil R Stratton	Title: N/A Employer: CITY OF WALNUT CREEK Pension: CalPERS, 2014	$96,228.84	Not provided	N/A	32.69	1995	$96,228.84
NEIL R STRATTON	Title: N/A Employer: CITY OF WALNUT CREEK Pension: CalPERS, 2013	$94,342.32	Not provided	N/A	32.69	1995	$94,342.32
NEIL R STRATTON	Title: N/A Employer: CITY OF WALNUT CREEK Pension: CalPERS, 2012	$92,496.12	Not provided	N/A	32.69	1995	$92,496.12

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Media for Pete Bennett | Aired September 14, 2002 - 13:00 ET

Pete Bennett appearing on CNNNext in 2002

During 2001, Bennett was contracted to SBCGlobal beginning in June 2001 which ended abruptly just after 9/11 when his computer issued computer was wiped by a computer virus

Pete Bennett - CNNnext 

Intel Plans for Future; Spy Planes Help U.S. Troops in Afghanistan; Old Wooden Pencil Gets New Competition

Aired September 14, 2002 - 13:00   ET source

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HATTORI (voice-over): These days, computer programmer Pete Bennett is building boats for his kids instead of software.

PETE BENNETT, COMPUTER PROGRAMMER: Well, I was a cabinetmaker for 15 years.

HATTORI: But after more than a decade in high tech, this year Bennett has worked on just one software project so far, a victim of the economic slowdown and, he says, an immigration program that's making the job market even worst.

BENNETT: The American citizens are getting hurt. The H1-B workers are getting hurt. And something needs to be done to straighten this thing out -- and quit.

HATTORI: Bennett believes the federal H1-B visa program, which allows nearly 200,000 skilled workers a year into the U.S., is unnecessary and being abused.

HATTORI (on camera): Bottom line, are H1-B visa holders taking jobs that American citizens could be filling?

BENNETT: That's the general consensus among my peers, and myself.

HATTORI: He's not alone. An organization representing nearly 250,000 high-tech professionals has written to Congress. They want to know why Americans are getting laid off while workers from abroad continue to work. The H1-B program was supposed to give skilled overseas workers jobs when qualified Americans cannot be found. The visas were initially capped at 65,000 in 1998, but Congress upped it to 195,000 last year. HATTORI: In fact, perhaps because of the U.S. economic slump, H1-B applications are down dramatically, 48 percent fewer so far this year compared to last. But critics say the decline is not keeping pace with layoffs here in the U.S.

Norm Matloff is a professor at the University of California at Davis, who has studied hiring practices at high-tech companies.

NORM MATLOFF, UNIV. OF CALIFORNIA-DAVIS: What Congress ought to do is just cancel the whole H1-B program. And in its place put a very small program with very strong protections, and without the loopholes they have now.

HATTORI: Loopholes that, critics say, for example, let companies hire H1-B visa workers at lesser paying positions than the jobs they actually perform.

MATLOFF: There is tailoring the job requirements, so that only the foreign national -- you know, that's the only person on the whole planet that would qualify because you've deliberately set it up that way.

HATTORI: Mahesh Nagaranjaiah, who heads up a Silicon Valley organization that counsels many H1-B visa holders says they're missing the bigger picture -- U.S. jobs are being exported anyway.

MAHESH MAGARAJAIAH, H1-B VISA ADVOCATE: I don't think American companies need to find loopholes in the H1-B programs, but they are sending work back to other countries like India, Russia, Israel, China, and other places, where the work can be done at a lot cheaper cost.

HATTORI: The industry also cites a dwindling pool of qualified graduates in U.S. schools.

HARRIS MILLER, INFORMATION TECH. ASSN. OF AMERICA: Half of all graduate students in the math and science programs are foreign students. When a company is looking for the best and brightest, particularly people with advanced degrees, master degrees and Ph.D.s, frequently, many of those candidates are born abroad.

BENNETT: You got any friends at Technical that have been laid off...

HATTORI: Still, that hasn't stopped Pete Bennett who takes his anti-H1-B campaign anywhere people will listen in hopes of saving any jobs he can.

BENNETT: These people are deserving American citizens, and they deserve the opportunity to be employed. And it's a tragedy the way the jobs have been manipulated.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HATTORI: Now you might get the idea that every software programmer in the world wants to work in Silicon Valley. But some of the high-tech workers and entrepreneurs who moved from Asia to California are heading home. Kristie Lu Stout reports on the two-way flow of talent across the Pacific.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

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Election Crimes

When Pete Bennett attempted to run for City Council of Walnut Creek he was escorted from City Hall.  Oh Well! 

Bennett had all of his nomination papers signed, completed and ready for filing. 

See comments about the Election Fraud.

Election Crimes

In democratic societies like the United States, the voting process is a means by which citizens hold their government accountable; conflicts are channeled into resolutions and power transfers peacefully. Our system of representative government works only when honest ballots are not diluted by fraudulent ballots. The FBI, through its Public Corruption Unit, has an important but limited role in ensuring fair and free elections. Election crimes become federal cases when:

• The ballot includes one or more federal candidates;
• The crime involves an election official abusing his duties;
• The crime pertains to fraudulent voter registration;
• Voters are not U.S. citizens.

Federal election crimes fall into three broad categories—campaign finance crimes, voter/ballot fraud, and civil rights violations.

Campaign finance

• A person gives more than $4,600 to a federal candidate (various limits apply for donations to and from committees and groups);
• A donor asks a friend to give money to a federal candidate, promising to reimburse the friend; the friend makes the donation and the real donor reimburses him;
• A corporation gives corporate money to a federal candidate;
• A person who is neither a citizen nor a green card holder gives money to a federal, state, or local candidate.

Civil rights violations

• Someone threatens a voter with physical or economic harm unless the voter casts his ballot in a particular way;
• Someone tries to prevent qualified voters from getting to the polls in a federal election;
• A scheme exists to prevent minorities from voting.

Voter/ballot fraud

• A voter intentionally gives false information when registering to vote;
• A voter receives money or something of value in exchange for voting in a federal election or registering to vote;
• Someone votes more than once in a federal election;
• An election official corrupts his or her office to benefit a candidate or party (e.g., lets unqualified voters cast ballots).

What is NOT a federal election crime:

• Giving voters a ride to the polls;
• Offering voters a stamp to mail an absentee ballot;
• Giving voters time off to vote;
• Violating state campaign finance laws;
• Distributing inaccurate campaign literature;
• Campaigning too close to the polls;
• Trying to convince an opponent to withdraw from a race.

If you think an election crime is occurring, call the election crimes coordinator at your local FBI office.

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