172536_CPCA_2020_Spring Magazine - Final | Page 22

The COVID-19 Coverup By: Jennifer Gonzales Captain – Napa Police Department In an everchanging world where community members are fighting for toilet paper paired with a high level of COVID-19 pandemic fear, we found our calm in a displaced small business owner. The City of Napa has always had a hometown feel for the people who live here. Just visit us on the Fourth of July to see how we celebrate unity. Sure, we are fortunate to be a world-renowned vacation destination, but we also know that what makes our town a desirable place to be, our hardworking and engaged community. Residents know our officers by name, which is a direct result of our officers working hard to build community relationships. many other small business owners, found herself with a vacant store as she was doing her part to flatten the COVID-19 curve. Like many of her creative partners, she couldn’t sit back and watch the world struggle in this growing pandemic. She wanted to do something to help and had the skills to do so. When COVID-19 hit the San Francisco Bay Area, we quickly learned of several officers in neighboring counties who were infected. Like agencies across the nation, we were scrambling to equip our officers with adequate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). As these life protecting resources became less available, fears increased about an unknown, unseen worldwide growing pandemic. Who knew the power of a single sewing machine could become the answer to help mitigate our fears? Meet Molly Silcox, owner and operator of Nostalgia of Napa, a quaint antique and décor store in downtown Napa. She is busiest when we have a bustling downtown...or so we thought! She, like 22 CALIFORNIA POLICE CHIEF | www.californiapolicechiefs.org