172536_CPCA_2020_Spring Magazine - Final | Page 44

Public Information Officer Michael Haobsh
“The San Mateo community shined during the COVID-19 public health crisis.
It’s tragic so many have been impacted, and we mourn beside loved ones who
lost family members to the virus... During a time when political affiliation or
socioeconomic status had no barrier from a destructive virus, it was heartwarming
and reassuring to see the outpour of support and to truly feel we were all in this
together. One City, one community - working to flatten the curve of COVID-19,
while supporting each other physically and emotionally. It was truly remarkable.”
We varied social media platforms to broadly reach our population
- from a lively TikTok production promoting Personal Protective
Equipment, to a serious message by San Mateo Police Chief Ed
Barberini asking the public to avoid complacency and reinforcing
the importance of sheltering-in-place as we approached a popular
holiday weekend. Bay Area media partners helped slingshot our posts
and videos to thousands, relaying critical information and our big ask
from our public – Stay Home, Stay Safe.
Our Media Team combed through thousands of local posts,
comments, and messages to provide intelligence to the Emergency
Operations Center, shaping future communications. Although
most of the comments were supportive toward public agencies and
between neighbors, we were able to precisely intervene when they
were not. For example, we addressed trending hateful speech against
people who were outside participating in fitness while not wearing
a mask, which was allowed (with social distancing). We were able to
provide additional education regarding wearing of masks and allow
those residents with access to private neighborhood chats as our public-safety
ambassadors.
In early May our Media Team was tasked with quickly engineering
a Star Wars “May the Fourth” themed thank-you event with for
healthcare workers at the San Mateo Medical Center. The Media
Team organized the event with Congresswoman Speier, other elected
officials and dignitaries, and public safety personnel from the cities
of San Mateo, Belmont, and Foster City. Our team led a caravan of
53 vehicles and over 70 people, all socially distanced, masked, gloved,
and armed with appreciation signs and props. McGruff the Crime
Dog traded his trench coat for a cloak and lightsaber to become
McGruff the Jedi Knight.
Chester Kunnappilly, MD – San Mateo Medical Center CEO
“From the clever theme and creative, goodie bags to the countless first responders
lined up along our driveway waving signs and clapping for our staff. It truly
touched our hearts.”
A strong multimedia program promotes transparency, humanizes the
profession, and educates the public – while keeping a finger on the
pulse of the community. Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic
has served to inform our community and provide a sense of normalcy
and connection.
44 CALIFORNIA POLICE CHIEF | www.californiapolicechiefs.org