The rumor running around Niles is that a man was assaulted at the Florence Sunday night, transported to a trauma center and passed away. Fremont PD has remained silent on this. I'm not sure why we as taxpayers are paying for a full time Public Information Officer when she is unwilling or unable to inform the public of serious events happening in our town. Here is what we know:
Fact: (from radio traffic)- Engine 52 responded to the area of the Florence at 8:54 Sunday night, for a 39 year old male, unconscious and breathing. Paramedic Plus unit 4212 was dispatched code 3 and advised by the fire captain that the patient had a head injury. Ambulance arrived at 9:04. A firefighter was transported with the ambulance to Eden Hospital. The fire captain requested permission from the battalion chief at about 9:12 to drive to Eden to pick up the firefighter, which was granted. I did not hear a request for Fremont PD to be dispatched to the scene. Fremont PD detectives were at Eden Hospital early Monday afternoon.
Fact: (observed) - Police vehicles and crime scene tape were observed in front of the Florence around noon Monday.
Rumor: Assault victim's name Thad, a patron of the Florence, who lived upstairs.
Rumor: The victim died at Eden Hospital.
Rumor: The Florence is full of dueling biker gangs that the new owner cannot control.
So this is what happens when facts are not brought out early by your local police department: rumors fly. The PIO will say the detectives don't want any info released as it will jeopardize the investigation. They always say that. The new Chief touts "transparency" but then keeps crime info hidden from the public. I think 36 hours after a crime is way too long to have to wait. For a city of 200,000 +, we deserve a better flow of information.
Well said and thank you for the details and stating what is “rumor” & “fact”. I agree, I understand why PD won’t share any information. At least let the community know if we are safe or BOLO for someone. I think their definition of “transparency” is different from the dictionary. Maybe we should send them a dictionary with the word highlighted.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hotrod for the nice comments. I can't figure out why PD wasn't called in initially unless the paramedics thought the guy just fell down and hit his head. Someone at the hospital the next day (coroner?) must have said "these injuries are not consistent with a fall".
ReplyDeleteI can confirm that the statements are true, including at least the first 2 rumors. I did not know that PD was not dispatched, but if true I cannot say why, as the attack was brutal and it was apparent that it was not from a fall.
DeleteThanks anonymous for the good info. This is a mystery on several fronts.
DeleteYou’re welcome. I agree. Unless I found shares we won’t understand why the events happened like it did.
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