June 11, 1999

News not all bad for Fairfield

So Monday morning The Husband Kurt and I were wondering if the helicopters swarming overhead indicated that Travis Air Force Base had become a M*A*S*H unit or if maybe they were gearing up for a ground-troop deployment in Kosovo.

We live off Waterman Boulevard and occasionally, when world affairs heat up or there's an air show, we'll hear the sounds of extra flight paths and peek out a window to make certain what's up there is "ours."

It was only when Kurt checked traffic coverage before leaving that we realized we were close to ground zero of the I-80 arrest scene of a man alleged to have robbed the Washington Mutual Bank and whose car might have contained a bomb. If that wasn't enough, the same news report showed footage of Armijo High School's fire damage from the night before. Crime wave!

Our burg dominated several channels' news shows that night, putting us on the map and out of our usual 'twixt and 'tween San Francisco and Sacramento coordinates.

For the moment the answer to "Where Is Fairfield?" was not defined by how long it would take to travel to the City, the state capital, or the Sierra. Unfortunately, the two events that got us notoriety reflected an unfavorable image. Or did they?

As for the Armijo High fire, all we know for sure at this point is that the Fire Department quickly contained the blaze, the staff forged ahead despite the damage, and school stayed in session.

The bank robbery/freeway standoff revealed only good about our community, too. Resident Cindy Hall followed the robbery suspect and immediately relayed information to the city's dispatch line from her cell phone. Despite the fear, she was on a crime-busting mission, quitting only after the police picked up the pursuit.

But local law enforcement carried the day. The combined forces of the Fairfield police, California Highway Patrol, and a Travis Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team handled the tense situation like a Hollywood depiction of the ultimate law enforcement unit.

They were efficient and thorough enough to deter potential dangers to civilians, yet they exercised restraint well enough to derail any escalation in the suspect's reaction.

All involved did Superman proud in the fight for "truth, justice, and the American Way." Bravo!

© 1999 Cynthia Hahn