PARKING LOT HAZARD
“I got off the commuter train at the Caltrain station in Morgan Hill and while making my way to the car in the parking lot, I saw a person stumble over some rebar that was sticking up through the asphalt. It appeared that a concrete parking curb had been removed, but the rebar had been left behind.
Children sometimes ride their skateboards through this area and they could literally get themselves impaled on these rods if an accident would occur.
I have already contacted the police, who referred me to the VTA, who in turn referred me to Caltrain. I believe the rebar is still presenting a danger in the parking lot.”
RED PHONE
The Morgan Hill Police Department was correct in referring you to the Valley Transit Authority, but the VTA should not have passed you on to Caltrain. The parking lot located just east of the train station is owned and operated by the VTA which can be reached at (408) 321-2300.
The Red Phone took a trip to the parking lot and could not find the condition you described in your call. All the concrete wheel stops are in place and no rebar is visible above grade. Either we are looking in the wrong spots, or your initial calls to the VTA and Caltrain did some good after all and got somebody out there to correct the situation.
Thanks, caller, for bringing this to our attention and making it just a little safer out there for all of us.
SLEEPY HEADS AT SCHOOL
“Why do Morgan Hill Elementary schools start their day so early (7:40am or so)? I have lived in many places, and usually school day starts at about 8:30am. I feel that little children who are woken up so early are not fully productive during the first hour.”
RED PHONE
Compared by mileage, the Morgan Hill Unified School District bussing area is the third largest in the state with a cumulative total of 300,000 miles logged during a single school year.
The bus routes logistically must start earlier than most districts when delivering more than 750 elementary school students, and in turn, also begin returning students bound for home at an earlier hour.
Different considerations such as these come into play in rural areas such as ours when compared to urbanized communities where neighborhoods are more compact.
POLICE BLOCKADE
“The Morgan Hill police had Elaine Court blocked off from pedestrians and traffic on the afternoon of Dec. 27. Just wondering what was going on that caused that to happen?”
RED PHONE
Community Service Officer Frank McLaughlin of the Morgan Hill Police Department informed the Red Phone that there was a “5150” police call on Elaine Court on that day. A 5150 is a report of a disturbed person in a bad situation. On this particular call, the person in question was in possession of a knife and threatening suicide. He was taken into custody and put on a 72-hour protective watch.
It is normal police procedure to close off the immediate area in cases like this for the protection of nearby residents and to contain the situation.
Compliments, concerns, complaints … the Red Phone would like to hear them all. Contact us at (408) 779-4106, ext. 206, or e-mail re******@*************es.com. Remember to leave a name and phone number when you call or e-mail. The Red Phone will not publish this information and will only use it for verification purposes.
