Benicia Police Facebook Poem 'Missed The Mark,' Chief Admits

BENICIA, CA — Following online outcry over a Benicia Police Department Facebook post, Benicia police Chief Erik Upson vowed Tuesday in a statement that the department "will be more thoughtful" about the tone of its posts on social media. Upson was referring to a post during Christmas week announcing the apprehension of a suspect in an alleged burglary of a Rite Aid store.

According to the Benicia Police Department's Facebook page, Brian Dodson, 39, of Benicia was arrested Dec. 29 after officers responded at 2:30 a.m. to an alarm call from the rear door of the store in Solano Square.

"Inside the store, officers found Mr. Dodson attempting to pry open the pharmacy area with a hammer," Benicia PD wrote in a Facebook post that has apparently been edited since it was originally published. "He was taken into custody and admitted that he entered the store. He was arrested for burglary and for being in possession of burglary tools."

Previously, the post about Dodson’s arrest was written in poem form with a nod to the recent Christmas holiday, the Vallejo Times-Herald reported:

"'Twas the night before Christmas in Benicia’s Solano Square,' the poem began. 'A burglar was prowling, and with reckless care. …' The poem then went on to name the suspect, 39-year-old Brian Dodson, who is accused of breaking into the Rite Aid, eating ice cream, and allegedly attempting to enter the pharmacy. '(He was found with a hammer; attempting to eat ice cream landed him in the slammer,' it continued, going on to say that he got a 'one way sleigh ride' to jail.'"

Soon, community members took to the comment section of the post, calling it "unprofessional" and in "poor taste." Others said it was a "form of bullying." Many urged Benicia PD to remove the post — some even threatening a lawsuit.

"Police should be fighting against cyber bullying, not engaging in it," one person wrote.

In response to the online outcry, Upson in his statement Tuesday said that by posting the poem, the department "attempted to inject some seasonal levity into a serious situation."

"Some appreciated the humor but others did not and a number of people took offense," Upson said.

The chief acknowledged the department "missed the mark in this case." He apologized to those who "felt insulted or were offended," and said Benicia police "commit to doing better in the future."

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