COMMENTARY: Under Paso Robles’ wild’n’crazy “Big Tint”

September 24, 2008

By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE

A businessman seeking equal justice is learning that tinted vehicle windows, tinted law enforcement, and tinted truth has put him squarely in the path of conflict with Paso Robles’ dancing police chief, Lisa Solomon.

Last week, the Paso Robles businessman was dining at a local eatery when he noticed a police patrol car pausing several times near his parked van. When the man left the scene, he Paso Robles Police Officer Kevan Harder immediately pulled him over and cited him for the egregious offense of driving with an overly-tinted window.

The van’s owner, who asked to remain unnamed because of business contracts he has with the city and a fear of retaliation, makes no excuses regarding the citation. It was just a fix-it ticket, after all. That might easily have been the end of the matter, as this law makes real safety sense, helping shield peace officers from unnecessarily life-threatening situations while on duty.

Only one problem here: the business owner, a lifelong Paso Robles resident, happened to know that many local police officers’ personal vehicles also have darkly tinted windows. So, he took photographs of the automobiles. As luck would have it, some of the out-of-compliance cars belonged to high-ranking lieutenants, and one belonged to Christopher Chitty, an officer with the San Luis Obispo Police Department and husband of Chief Solomon.

So, the businessman set an appointment with Solomon to discuss apparently selective law enforcement practices. The chief stood him up.

Shortly thereafter, the man was having coffee with an UncoveredSLO reporter at a Starbuck’s when a PR police officer stopped by for a cup. The businessman asked the officer to sign off on his ticket. Then, he asked her why some police officers have darkly tinted windows on their private vehicles. The officer told the man he would have to direct that question to someone else.

The man said, “I have an appointment to talk to Lisa later today.”

At this, the officer bristled, curtly informing the man, “You don’t call her by her first name. You are being disrespectful.”

“That’s because I don’t respect her,” the businessman replied.

The officer then demanded the man provide his name. She stabbed at her shoulder-mounted two-way radio and repeated the man’s identification into the speaker.

When the reporter drove away from the coffee shop, she was briefly followed, first by a Paso Robles police motorcycle officer, and then by a patrol car.

The business owner took his story to a city council member, and just like that, Chief Solomon found time to talk. Or at least enough time to request that the man hand over those incriminating pictures. He declined. The businessman asked Solomon if she planned to cite her own officers for their unlawful vehicle windows. She said, “We are leaders, and we have to act like leaders.”

Solomon also said she had sent a memorandum Monday to her officers. The memo reportedly demanded they get their expensive tints off within 30 days and start complying with California law.

The businessman suspects Solomon included his name in the memorandum, which would place him squarely in the center of the issue and on the bad side of armed lawmen paying good money to fix their own windows. Solomon said the businessman is not named in the memorandum, but she won’t give up a copy of the order without a fight.

Earlier today, the businessman parked near the police department on his quest for a copy of Solomon’s secretive memo, and was immediately approached by Lt. Ty Lewis. The lieutenant walked across the street and ordered the businessman to move his vehicle while alleging, with a smile, a curb violation.

After he moved his van a few inches closer to the curb, the businessman stepped inside the station and asked the chief if she had also ticketed her men for tinted windows, or if they simply received a warning.

Solomon said she did not have time to ticket her own men. She accused the businessman of talking to the media about officer-tinted windows. Solomon then provided a physical description of a reporter that included the attire she was wearing at the coffee shop, and said, “I know you were at Starbuck’s talking to that woman reporter.” The chief added, “No one reads UncoveredSLO anyway.”

Solomon refused to identify the officer who took such personal and brittle umbrage at the use of the name “Lisa.” So we offer this description: “Adult female Caucasian, 30-35 years old, 5-7, 135 pounds, dark hair cropped short, last seen wearing a police uniform, carrying a big gun and a bigger attitude.”

When the businessman asked Solomon if this was about retaliation, he said she told him, “I can guarantee nothing. File a complaint.”

As a practical matter, this police chief can guarantee anything she wants when it comes to sworn officers and every other employee in her department: She is Queen Bee. She alone sets the tone for her officer’s conduct.

A police department is identifiable by its particular “culture,” which includes the face its officers present to the public, as well as the department’s established behavioral policies and procedures. And it’s always seemed to us that police officers are generally responsive when they know their chief will not tolerate certain kinds of conduct.

Asked by a reporter if department policy requires citizens to address the chief in any particular way, Solomon replied, “We have no policy on this issue.”


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By: Afriendindeed on 9/27/08

Why does is it matter if Strowbridge is the source, or not? What matters is what is true. NoMoreLies is extremely passionate in his defense of the police department, but of course we don't know who he is so his credibility might be suspect. For example, he could be Officer Chitty. Who knows?


Here are my suggestions for Dan and Karen:


First, put a moratorium on stories about the Paso Robles police department. I'd give it a rest.


Second, no more "Commentaries." You either have a news story to post, or not.


Third, no more stories based exclusively on an Anonymous source.


Four, tone down the language. You border on the sensational, i.e. referring to LS as "Paso Robles danving police chief." Be more professional and neutral in your tone.


This article reads like an old Shredder from ten years ago. Hip. Accusatory. Loaded language. I have no problem with that if that's what this site is going to be about, but you two need to decide how you're going to operate. The quality of reporting is just too inconsistent.


By: WiseGuy on 9/27/08

Since you bring it up, does anyone here have opinions as to whether Strowbridge would be a decent replacement for Hedges as sheriff?

By: NoMoreLies on 9/27/08

Until CCN releases an audio tape of the conversation you can't assume the officer wasn't professional. She can defend her boss and herself and still be professional. Many of us were raised with the expectation that we call someone MR. or Mrs. or sir or whatever. The police service is a paramilitary organization. Titles are a big thing.


However, if someone starts referring to another party by their first name…while having a formal "professional" contact. I personally think it is okay to ask if they know that person. After all Hove was referring to the Chief by her first name.


Second, of course she's going to "stab" at her microphone. He wanted her to sign off a ticket. She needs to verify information…of course there is no reference to what she said. However, I'm sure she was doing her job…verifying identity, license information, etc…


The bad thing about this who scenario is the story and the way the writer has chosen words that paints a picture in the readers mind. I'll tell you right now – unequivocally – that this female officer is nothing but respectful and professional.


Folks, question everything about any police department…its healthy and you have a right to know. However, hold these journalist to a high standard. Make them prove they don't have an agenda. Report the information and let the reader decide (without the editorials and inflammatory language). Make them show you some video or audio. Make them produce some reliable witnesses. If you can't see they enjoy painting these slanted pictures regularly, I'm sorry for that.


Lastly, I encourage you to talk to a police officer from any City. Walk up and say "hi." Ask them some questions. I'm confident you'll be pleasantly surprised at the results.

By: ThomasPaine on 9/26/08

If in fact it was all a setup then it might be classified as "cheesy", but so far there as been no proof that it was a setup.

And playing devils advocate, I would hope that setup or not that the PRPD would act above board and not become susceptible to a "setup." If all of the people involved had kept their heads and maintained a professional bearing there would be no article.

Come to think of it I have changed my mind while writing this comment. I think that situations like as written about here are a good test of how our L.E. behave in different circumstances. If the whole tinted windows episode became this discombobulated, think how things would be during a serious issue. And not just setup L.E. Council members, mayors, teachers, fire personal, etc. If everyone is doing their job then being "setup" should be a non event.

By: OsborneCox on 9/26/08

Well, I guess we all agree that there are too many cases of abusive police out there, but the incident here certainly doesn't qualify as one of them. When I worked in Hollywood, it was common to see paparazzi gather outside restaurants, try to bait celebrities into saying or doing something stupid, then run the footage of the offended celebrity on Inside Edition or any of those cheesy TV tabloid news shows that were popular back then. To use that same tactic on a web site, as is being done here, is just as cheesy — the only difference is that the TV tabloid shows never made the claim that they were being "cutting edge."


By: NoMoreLies on 9/26/08

WiseGuy – I appreciate your ability to see both sides of this debate. I agree whole heartedly with your assessment.


If these folks at CCN took the approach of simply digging and reporting I would be in full support. If the topic is inflamator by nature…so be it. However, I cannot support a group who reports with the intent to inflame

By: WiseGuy on 9/26/08

Well, I have to agree that it is a very poorly written and edited story here, considering the importance and delicacy of the subject.


I think the substance it touches upon is valid and important to consider and discuss, but the manner this tricky subject has been presented is not top notch.


Over at The Tribune, they simply ignore these stories because they don't want the hassle of doing deep reporting and don't have the editors there either who know how to help reporters and commentary writers hone their work to a fine point. And management (or something) over there seems wimpy and gutless and without focus. Journalism is limping badly on all fronts in San Luis Obispo County (and pretty much everywhere else too!)


Journalism is in a state of flux and the citizens are not being properly served by either the old or the new media.


But it is evolving and discussions like the one we are having now may be part of that evolution.


If I was running CalCoastNews I would be in a quandary as what to do first: Do I hire a top notch editor, or do I hire an advertising salesperson, or a web design expert?

By: JorgeEstrada on 9/26/08

I'm not a tint man.

By: Afriendindeed on 9/26/08

I'm not NoMoreLies or anyone else. I don't know any of the players in this story. I'm merely giving my opinion. This story would never be published in a traditional newspaper. The reporting leaves much to be desired. It's all smoke and mirrors. Little substance.

By: NoMoreLies on 9/26/08

I'm all for what you both suggest…however, blog's and posts that create a seemingly unfair and biased approach to reporting do not serve the public interest or help repair/improve confidence. I'm asking for equity in reporting and my opinion is the public won't ever be exposed to an accurate image of their officials…which is sad.

By: ThomasPaine on 9/26/08

None of the comments discount the many good things that the PRPD and all departments do. They are not all bad or all good. But increasing the public's confidence in their P.D. is always a good thing. Can't hurt.

By: WiseGuy on 9/26/08

Maybe not a "nightmare" but I think it is safe to say that Paso Robles has an escalating police/community relations problem.


There have been a wide variety of news reports that cast a poor light on the Paso police department and very little clear or satisfying response from the department.


I think it is reasonable to suggest that some form of neutral police oversight commission be considered so that complaints can be examined and addressed fairly.


This is something that should be considered for all police departments, not just Paso's.

By: NoMoreLies on 9/26/08

what is the topic now? A new set of facts have been revealed with no counter. I think this is a dead topic. Everyone's opinion about the police was never the issue according to the original commentary.

By: NoMoreLies on 9/26/08

No, that's my opinion…much like you're giving yours…it was a challenge not an insult…I'm waiting.


By: NoMoreLies on 9/26/08

Oh I almost forgot…"a public relations nightmare"


I laughing out loud (LOL) – there has been nothing bad going on..other than what is posted here….I hardly would elevate these opinion to the majority of a public opinion. I see no marching…no public outcry…I see lots and lots of people who are proud of their police officers and call for their help every day. I hear of school children and their parents sending thank you notes honoring these heros.


Oh and another point you might not know…the female officer at Starbuck's….the one entrapped by Velie and Hove…I heard she was visiting with a bunch of school aged children handing out police badges and stickers….I dont remember that making this "news" article.


Nightmare…wow you're reaching.

By: ThomasPaine on 9/26/08

PRPD does have a public relations nightmare and it would be in their own interest to increase transparency and have a thorough and unbiased complaint process. But instead of doing what seems logical to most people, they circle the wagons and become even more entrenched in their defensiveness.

nomorelies or Afriendindeed? I think that it is an excellent idea for you to get your own blog. The sooner the better.

Thank goodness for George.

By: NoMoreLies on 9/26/08

Back on topic…..


Because a disgrunteled citizen and an unscrupulous tabloid journalist create an inflamatory story does not mean any police department has a relationship problem…these types of scenarios and circumstances can be found any day of the week at any PD in any city. It just depends on how you want to spin them and who you want to believe. Just remember, there is always two sides to every story and you likely wont get the most fair and balanced opinion here.

By: NoMoreLies on 9/26/08

To Intheknow:


I've appointed myself this sites official editor. I will shine my light upon those hiding in the darkness of deceit! I don't know Afriendindeed…I merely edited his post…since I can't delete things like CCN does…I will edit and clarify where possible!!! The TRUTH is coming….BEWARE!!!! God, maybe I can get a job doing this stuff..maybe my own blog would work…

By: InTheKnow on 9/26/08

NoMoreLies and a FriendinDeed appear to be the same person. Maybe Solomon or one of her supporters? Solomon and her husband Chitty,tried to rip off the system through a bogus bankruptcy. In addition, it is a civil rights violation for the police department to pull people plates to find out her they are just because they don't like them. If I was Solomon I would be worried. The DMV keeps records. LOL

By: NoMoreLies on 9/26/08

Fixed:

I'm glad someone has ID'd Mike Hove. Don't know the man, but I have to wonder whether or not Karen and Dan ARE USING this guy to stick it to the PR police department. The more I read this article, the more concerned I am by the reporting here. UnSLO HAS a personal vendetta against Lisa!

By: Afriendindeed on 9/26/08

I'm glad someone has ID'd Mike Hove. Don't know the man, but I have to wonder whether or not Karen and Dan are being used by this guy to stick it to the PR police department. The more I read this article, the more concerned I am by the reporting here. Does UnSLO have a personal vendetta against Lisa?


By: NoMoreLies on 9/25/08

And I quote " As luck would have it, some of the out-of-compliance cars belonged to high-ranking lieutenants, and one belonged to Christopher Chitty, an officer with the San Luis Obispo Police Department and husband of Chief Solomon."

By: MyThoughts on 9/25/08

"No more lies says" writes …


"4. Viele states the Chief of Police's husband has front tinted windows. He does not and there was no offer of proof that he does – no pictures – nada."


I read the story several times and cannot find a reference to front tinted windows.


What are you talking about "No more lies"?


Whose the one telling lies?

By: NoMoreLies on 9/25/08

So, you guys want facts…here are the facts:


1. The person who got the ticket is Mike Hove a local Paso Robles auto detailer.


2. Do some investigative reporting on Hove's credibility.


3. Hove wasn't contacting the Chief of Police when he was approached by the cops on Wednesday. He was visiting Mason's auto-detailing across the street. He was parked east bound in the west bound lanes of traffic with the rear of his car 1/4 way into the street partially obstructing traffic. Apparently Mr. Hove feels if he cries loud enough he can continue to violate the law with a free pass.


3. Viele knows who the mysterious female officer originally talking to Hove is. She and Hove baited the Officer into a confrontation under the guise of having his ticket signed off. Viele and Hove showed utter disrespect to her and her boss…she defended her boss…Viele twists the words and puts them in print.


4. Viele states the Chief of Police's husband has front tinted windows. He does not and there was no offer of proof that he does – no pictures – nada.


The facts are this…citizen gets ticket…gets mad…accuses the cops of wrong doing in an attempt to get out of trouble. Local tabloid runs with a story without collecting the facts. The police don't like talking to local tabloid because they lie and twist the truth – no win situation. Limited information is given to the tabloid. The tabloid fills in the blanks and attempts to discredit honest people in an attempt to sell advertising space.


Fire away with your questions….I'm not afraid…these are the facts.

By: Countdown on 9/25/08

As far as an investigation goes, what investigation? It is because of reporting like this that investigations are launched.

What is Lisa going to do, investigate herself? Or, if there is no investigation does that mean that no impropriety took place?

If the facts ever come out and they show that this story was completely bogus then I will be on the reporter like white on rice. But until such a time I will side with the story as written.

By: Countdown on 9/25/08

I agree with the no tinted windows Osborne. I am not so sure about an agenda. It is obvious that some people will side with L.E. and some will side with the reporters until there is more proof, as it should be.

Hypothetically speaking, if I were a Police Chief in these times, I would do everything in my ability to make sure that the public had the utmost confidence in their Police Dept. I would let it be known to all officers that we work FOR the public, not against them. I would concentrate on building trust, awareness, and make my dept. as transparent as possible to assuage any questions the public may have regarding our role in the community. And when an officer made a mistake there would be no white washing or thin blue line cover up. That would be a Police Dept. to be proud of in my mind.

By: OsborneCox on 9/25/08

No tinted windows, period. Drivers have to be able to see each other. I can't stand it when I need to know if another driver is looking at me, but can't see his or her eyes. To that end, I have had three rather unusual confrontations with Paso Robles police, and on each time, the officers were professional and polite. That's not to excuse any wrongdoing that may have occurred here, but this is a blog, folks, and like most blogs it's written by people with an agenda.


By: MyThoughts on 9/25/08

To No More Lies:


Proof? Usually the truth starts with a simple set of facts and an investigation just like what HotDog said about the Watergate investigation.


I have looked at some of Velie and Blackburns past articles about Kelly Gearheart, EFI and Hurst and look how those events are shaking out. Seems to me that Velie and Blackburn were pretty much on the mark all along.


I'll bet you that a few weeks or months from now we will be saying that they were on the mark on this story too.

By: WiseGuy on 9/25/08

I think ThomasPaine's comments make a lot of good sense.

By: NoMoreLies on 9/25/08

Hot dog…why so frustrated? I think no one wants to have bad cops working in their community…and yes it is NEWS if it occurs. However, you can't suggest it is true without PROOF. Just because these Story Tellers provide a scenario doesn't make it true…yet, no one seems concerned that they never offer PROOF. Give some unslanted/biased evidence. I don't want to read a Commentary that has no substance…I don't care about anyone's commentary….as if they need to hide behind that classification to protect themselves from a defamation case.

By: ThomasPaine on 9/25/08

Actually I don't have an anti cop feeling. Just an anti abusive cop feeling. My brothers a cop and he feels the same ways as I do. My sister in law is marrying a cop and he feels the same way also. Good cops want more good cops and they don't endorse actions that would allow suspicion to fall on them.

Unfortunately L.E. is being used more to expand the "police state" than in protecting the public. Power and control.

I can't wait for when and if things return to how it was when I was a kid.

By: whoisjohngalt on 9/25/08

Um, NoSpin, no one is attacking law enforcement. We are criticizing bad behaviour and unfortunate attitudes on the part of SOME members of the PRPD. You seem to be of the opinion that police officers should be supported and encouraged no matter what they do. Many of us strenuously disagree with that point of view.


You posted a "poem", entitled "Yes Me The Lousy Cop" in an apparent attempt to characterize those of us who disagree with you as selfish, scornfull cop-haters. Nice try, but we'll not allow you to reframe the debate according to your own definition of reality. This is not about "cop-haters" vs. law enforcement; rather, it is about equal application of the law, vs. A FEW in the PRPD who think that the rules don't apply to them, and when they're called on it, use their position to make the whistleblower uncomfortable.


Thanks Dan and Karen for this commentary. It provides precisely the sort of check and balance the framers had in mind when they drafted the First Amendment.

By: hotdog on 9/25/08

Christ, what a bunch of cry babies. The articles CCN prints are true or not. Most of the whining on this blog site is from those who disagree with the politics of the news. If we have bad cops we want to know, and root them out. If not then not. Do you complainers approve of police harassment? Do you approve of unequal enforcement of the law?

I suppose many of you are too young to remember the masking tape discovered over the door latch at the Watergate Hotel, found by a rookie cop in the early seventies. After much investigation and invective against the reporters like we find here the President resigned in disgrace. At first the whole thing seemed preposterous, but look where it led. Crooks at the highest level of our government.

So, I urge the nay sayers to cool it and evaluate the articles as if they mattered-because they do! If you don't like it go somewhere else and quit littering the site with bull. You all sound like a bunch of brats that can't have more candy.

I find these articles very illuminating on current events in our county. The staff digs into stuff we would never hear about, that is what is often missing in the main stream press.

Keep it up CCN, you have oodles of interested readers. And even the whiners read you, that is obvious.


By: ThomasPaine on 9/25/08

The police are supposed to follow all kinds of rules and regulations. It doesn't mean that they all do it though.

When I called them on asking to search my car one officer became more hostile and the other officer remained calm. Just intimidation. No reason to search and I wasn't even ticketed for what they said was a failure to use my turn signal.

The sooner this kind of behavior gets nipped in the bud, the sooner the public confidence in L.E. will come back.

Following a reporter, come on.

By: ThomasPaine on 9/25/08

"God bless all in Law Enforcement." I hope not. Just the good ones.

And as long as the statistics came from such an unbiased organization such as the NLEOMF. "Violent criminals" Fancy editing going from criminals to violent criminals.

And that piece about the lousy cop has no bearing on this case. But why should facts get in the way, they haven't seemed to matter much before now.

The problem is, besides the narrow minded framing of the question, that the more people try to defend an absolute or the indefensible, the sooner they fail.

I have no reason to dispute what this reporter wrote. When I have a reason to call the reporting in question I will do so. Unfortunately it is easy to see how this can happen in today's climate.

A cop gets upset over the use of "Lisa." And then the reporter is followed. That doesn't bother you people in this ever increasing police state. My brother hates this kind of behavior as much as I do because it makes all L.E. look just as abusive. Hopefully there will be a time once again when we can tell our children not to be suspicious of the police. It sure isn't now.

By: MyThoughts on 9/25/08

To: No Spin Zone


You wrote "Can we have names please"


Give me a break! Why risk to cause any bad feelings between different police dapartments.


Do your own homework Dude! You must know some police officers who are friends, family or aquaintances that you trust to give you the straight scoop.


Show them the article and ask them for their viewpoint should all or even part of the facts in the story be true.

By: ThomasPaine on 9/25/08

20 years ago people would have been more inclined to believe the L.E. side of this story rather than a reporters. Now with the use of hand held video and cell phones the chronicling of police abuse is an easy thing to accomplish. The APD went to great lengths to hassle me and try to intimidate me when I refused their request to search my car. It was a routine traffic stop and I had nothing to hide but the police are so used to people just letting them search their cars that they were sure I was a major terrorist threat or drug kingpin.

Using my cell phone camera did not endear me with them much either.

I didn't mind them asking and they shouldn't have minded me saying no.

This type of behavior comes from the top down. When Chiefs and Sheriffs abuse the law then it just marks open season on the rest of us. And with PRPD and APD's history one would think that a Chief would bend over backwards to make sure that their officers minded their P's and Q's. I guess not.

By: ThomasPaine on 9/25/08

It is almost laughable from some using the "hearsay complaint" regarding this opinion piece when they have built their entire reputation by using "hearsay" to buttress their point of view.

What is alarming is when decent L.E. make complaints against their own department, rather than be singled out as hero's they are driven away as disloyal and trouble makers. The code to remain loyal no matter what a fellow officer or officers has done wrong is the biggest source for incidents like this to keep continuing. Decent officers soon leave leaving only the malleable and power hungry types to prey on society.

It is like with any job, there are good cops and bad cops. The system just perpetuates the rise of the bad ones.


By: WiseGuy on 9/25/08

Somebody below wrote: "criminals have no rules and would just as soon kill the cop than to deal with him/her."

Bear in mind, that someone posted this comment in response to an article about someone getting a fix-it ticket!


I don't wish to make this personal, but I do want to say that a blanket statement like that is an unhealthy, inaccurate, fear-mongering stereotype. The fact is, most criminals have NO desire to "kill" a cop.


Preaching that everyone who breaks any kind of law is intent on killing police is a gross exaggeration, the kind that helps the rogue abusive police officer to justify abuse, and pushes others to be trigger and baton happy.


For our community to function in a healthy way, we must have ethical police officers who follow the law themselves and are held accountable for their actions.


I believe a neutral police oversight commission would go a long way to helping police/community relations. It is long overdue in our community. Unfortunately many rogue law enforcement officials have consistently resisted this plan, which works so well in other communities. Unfortunately, Sheriff Pat Hedges has worked hard to stifle these community minded efforts to build a better relationship between law enforcement and the community.


By: ThomasPaine on 9/25/08

Unfortunately this is becoming a very common occurrence among police everywhere. And that oft repeated logical fallacy of doing a ride along is becoming stale as well.

Ask the peaceful protesters and reporters at the RNC how they feel about the police mentality.

Unfortunately the L.E. occupation attracts a lot of people who have no business of ever putting on a uniform. And they are not usually the sharpest pencils in the cup, by design much like the military.

This is not to malign the police who manage to remain ethical but they are becoming a dying breed. And I have a sibling who is in L.E. He feels much the same as I do.

By: whoisjohngalt on 9/25/08

I have nothing but respect for law enforcement. They do a great job of protecting and serving our community. However, when when a questionable situation arises, they should be called on it. I do not think that it's "picking on the cops" to bring up stories like this; the First Amendment was written for exactly this sort of situation.


NO public entity should be above the scrutiny of a free press.

By: MyThoughts on 9/25/08

These facts don't look so good and if they are true someone will be in hot water.


I know some police officers who have read this story and think that something doesn't smell right about the Chiefs actions.


If the police ran a check on the reporter just because she was talking to the business man who made a complaint that is not right. In fact it might be against the law.


Please don't judge all police by what is reported here. Most cops would not act like what has happened in this case …. but like my Mom says "their are always a few bad apples in every basket"

By: NoMoreLies on 9/25/08

This article is full of inaccurate "reporting", one sided, slanted, OPINIONS and chalked full of LIES. I love how none of her sources are EVER revealed. Information is NEVER verified and they are NEVER held accountable for their own aggregious behavior. This is the pot calling the kettle black with respect to integrity. The Paso Robles Police Chief and her officers have more integrity in their little fingers than anyone of these tabloid reporters. Stop CREATING news…and maybe you will gain some credibility.

By: hotdog on 9/25/08

I see some folks can't resist spouting off on unrelated subjects. Maybe they had a shattered childhood and feel like abusing us is OK. It isn't.

I think this article is very important. We are supposed to get 'Equal protection under the law', I believe it is a fundamental right of all people and guaranteed in our country. Of course it does not happen all the time, just recall our sordid 'civil right's era. No matter how small, when the cops unfairly enforce the law they are lawbreakers, and should be sanctioned.

I hope the city officials of PR of looking at this issue.

By: Paso_Guy on 9/25/08

What's your opinion?


My opinion is that this article was both an editorial and news story. In either case, it was Mickey Mouse!


By: kenfield on 9/25/08

I've directly experienced similar behavior by both the Atascadero PD recently and, to a lesser degree, the SLO PD years ago. Is there something about these local police that makes them unprofessional? What's sad is that it's self-defeating for police to be dishonest, even in small ways: it destroys community support and trust. It's Chief Wiggum and the Springfield police.

By: whoisjohngalt on 9/25/08

CalCoast, thank you for your new policy of moderating comments. Civil discussion of an issue aids in understanding it.


My initial response to reading this story was "thank God I don't live in Paso!" However, upon further reflection, I'm beginning to realize that it's not enough just to shake one's head and go on; something needs to be done about the increasingly dicey situation there in Paso Robles. Some of the police officers in that town seem to be suffering delusions of grandeur. Saying that it's "disrespectful" to call LISA by her first name is pretty silly, but when city resources are apparently used to harass this poor guy (having motorcycle officers and squad cars follow him for no good reason), it goes beyond silly and into creepy. As police chief, LISA Solomon is responsible for the prevailing culture of her department, and should be held accountable for these abuses.


Question: Is there an oversight committee that we could contact that addresses issues like abuse of power, nepotism, etc.?

By: InTheKnow on 9/25/08

To, a friend in deed,


As a one time, very short term writer; I think maybe Dan and Karen labeled it a commentary because the biz man did not want to give his name. And even though the police know who he is, I do not think they converse their fears to all city departments. Or if my sometime paranoia emerges, never mind.

By: InTheKnow on 9/25/08

To Garfield,


You called her Lisa! Have you not learned the fear of the dancing police chief and her followers. God help you. Take a bus.

By: George on 9/25/08

If you are wealthy, I mean Arnold Schwarzenegger wealthy you can have your windows as dark as you like with the awestruck envy of the constabulary.

By: knowthisatascadero on 9/25/08

Attitudes and entitlement have become the new law enforcement.

Do as I say, not as I do!

If I was ever to get in an accident with a vehicle with dark windows, I would sue them, the installer and the maker of the tint.

Tinted windows do not belong on the windshield or front side windows, period!

This is exactly why it is imperative that you make sure all of your lights work and that you follow all traffic laws.

They had rather take you out than a real criminal.

By: Garfield on 9/24/08

Lisa has forgotten that she and her officers are public servants to serve the public. The public does not serve Lisa and her officers. Lisa and her officers have been hired to enforce the law and are not above the law.


The City Council needs to remind Lisa that she and her officers are being paid by the taxpayers and of the above issues.

By: George on 9/24/08

The cell phone camera is mightier than the police baton.


By: kenfield on 9/25/08

I've directly experienced similar behavior by both the Atascadero PD recently and, to a lesser degree, the SLO PD years ago. Is there something about these local police that makes them unprofessional? What's sad is that it's self-defeating for police to be dishonest, even in small ways: it destroys community support and trust. It's Chief Wiggum and the Springfield police.

By: whoisjohngalt on 9/25/08

CalCoast, thank you for your new policy of moderating comments. Civil discussion of an issue aids in understanding it.


My initial response to reading this story was "thank God I don't live in Paso!" However, upon further reflection, I'm beginning to realize that it's not enough just to shake one's head and go on; something needs to be done about the increasingly dicey situation there in Paso Robles. Some of the police officers in that town seem to be suffering delusions of grandeur. Saying that it's "disrespectful" to call LISA by her first name is pretty silly, but when city resources are apparently used to harass this poor guy (having motorcycle officers and squad cars follow him for no good reason), it goes beyond silly and into creepy. As police chief, LISA Solomon is responsible for the prevailing culture of her department, and should be held accountable for these abuses.


Question: Is there an oversight committee that we could contact that addresses issues like abuse of power, nepotism, etc.?

By: InTheKnow on 9/25/08

To, a friend in deed,


As a one time, very short term writer; I think maybe Dan and Karen labeled it a commentary because the biz man did not want to give his name. And even though the police know who he is, I do not think they converse their fears to all city departments. Or if my sometime paranoia emerges, never mind.

By: InTheKnow on 9/25/08

To Garfield,


You called her Lisa! Have you not learned the fear of the dancing police chief and her followers. God help you. Take a bus.

By: George on 9/25/08

If you are wealthy, I mean Arnold Schwarzenegger wealthy you can have your windows as dark as you like with the awestruck envy of the constabulary.

By: knowthisatascadero on 9/25/08

Attitudes and entitlement have become the new law enforcement.

Do as I say, not as I do!

If I was ever to get in an accident with a vehicle with dark windows, I would sue them, the installer and the maker of the tint.

Tinted windows do not belong on the windshield or front side windows, period!

This is exactly why it is imperative that you make sure all of your lights work and that you follow all traffic laws.

They had rather take you out than a real criminal.

By: Garfield on 9/24/08

Lisa has forgotten that she and her officers are public servants to serve the public. The public does not serve Lisa and her officers. Lisa and her officers have been hired to enforce the law and are not above the law.


The City Council needs to remind Lisa that she and her officers are being paid by the taxpayers and of the above issues.

By: George on 9/24/08

The cell phone camera is mightier than the police baton.