Millbrae standoff was extreme policing

Lewis allegedly has a few firearms in the home and Millbrae police have been called to the residence in the past on other complaints.

It appeared Lewis crossed the line this time, though, as Millbrae police called for backup.

And backup they got. The county SWAT team and cops from neighboring towns descended on Chadbourne Avenue in a massive display of force. Some neighbors were evacuated and the total number of cops and firefighters on the scene during the standoff reached about 70.

But Lewis just stayed in his home and early Wednesday morning police quietly left the scene after issuing the man a restraining order.

Lewis' wife and son also reportedlyly entered the home after the restraining order was issued.

The show of force would suggest Lewis was an extremely dangerous person. I know if I lived on Chadbourne Avenue and I saw SWAT teams at Lewis' home I would get the impression the man was dangerous.

But maybe Lewis is not so dangerous. So far no charges have been filed against the man. And the family's willingness to re-enter the home following the standoff shows that Lewis' wife and son were not that fearful for their own safety.

Why such a big show of force to issue a simple restraining order?

On Wednesday, Millbrae police Capt. Mike Grogan could not give the Daily Journal a reason for keeping officers at the scene for 20 hours.

Without a police chief, Grogan is Millbrae's highest ranking police officer and in charge of making critical decisions.

Currently the Millbrae Police Department is trying to fend off a takeover plan by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. Millbrae's force has dwindled over the years due to a decreasing budget and the department can currently only provide for very basic police services. The department's K-9, traffic and investigations unit was gutted to meet budget constraints and the Sheriff's Office contends it can provide better policing at a cheaper rate.

Perhaps the show of force was a way to impress Millbrae residents with the county's greater ability to protect and serve the public.

In the end though, after television and newspaper coverage splashed images of SWAT team members patrolling Chadbourne Avenue, it seems the show of force was completely unnecessary. Basically the cops were paid to stand around and do nothing - not the wisest way to spend money. Not to mention the fear brought on to residents on Chadbourne Avenue, who now must grapple with the idea that their neighbor may be armed and dangerous.

One would hope police brass would consider all of their options before scaring an entire neighborhood into thinking one of its residents is so violent and dangerous that it takes a SWAT team and up to 70 cops to take him down.

But, perhaps, this decision highlights a whole host of other poor decisions that has gotten the Millbrae Police Department in the situation it's in now - fighting for its proverbial life.

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Down the road in Burlingame another public safety issue has divided the city for more than a year now - how to fund school crossing guards. The Burlingame Elementary School District, suffering a major deficit, cut crossing guards from its budget last year prompting Safeway and a citizens group to raise the $64,000 needed to fund the program. The issue became highly politicized and some council members were criticized for not wanting to fund school crossing guards.

As the school year winds down the district is faced with, once again, the daunting task of finding a way to ensure kids' safety as they walk to and from school next year.

With three council seats up for grabs in the upcoming November election, the issue is likely to spur debate on whether the city should help fund the program.

But, it shouldn't.

The Burlingame Elementary School District is solely responsible for funding crossing guards at its schools. It is not an issue the City Council should have to consider.

If the district thinks school crossing guards are so important then it must find a way to carve out the $64,000 needed in its multi-million dollar budget to fund the program.

The district should not ask the city for handouts and politicize the issue. No one opposes child safety.

If Safeway and Citizens for a Better Burlingame want to fund the program again, that's fine. But keep the city out of it.

Bill Silverfarb's column runs every Friday. He can be reached by e-mail: silverfarb@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105. What do you think of this column? Send a letter to the editor:letters@smdailyjournal.com.