Walnut Creek Violence Prompts Extra Police Patrols

WALNUT CREEK, CA — The Walnut Creek Police Department has added downtown foot patrols on Friday and Saturday nights in an effort to stem increasing violence.

Two recent incidents were highlights by police when the patrols were announced.

The first was a shooting over an unpaid restaurant bill. No one was hurt, but the escalation to violence is alarming.

According to police, "a man fired several gunshots after he and a companion tried to leave Modern China restaurant without paying for their dinner. No one was hurt, and investigators are continuing to review the information that can help identify the suspect."

In the second incident, "an altercation outside Dan’s Irish Sports Bar between a private security guard and a patron resulted in serious injuries to the patron and the security guard's arrest."

Police call the two incidents isolated, but the extra patrols are meant to put residents at ease as they enjoy Walnut Creek's downtown.

Police say that the extra officers will coincide with the busiest times for Walnut Creek dining and nightlife.

Hundreds of residents commented on a social media posting by police about the added patrols. Many people praised police for their efforts.

Tina Petersen Ling wrote, "Thank you! We love our town of WC and shouldn’t be afraid to go downtown for dinner in the evenings…We appreciate your support WCPD!"

Others called for a return to the use of Reserves and a "zero tolerance policy" for the downtown.

David Rangel wrote, "…time to bring back the Reserves to work Thursday-Sunday nights. We need them (in numbers), like in years past."

If you have any information about the Modern China shooting, the suspects left in a black Kia sedan driven by the woman. The man sitting in the passenger seat brandished a handgun and fired three shots as the car was driving away. Call Detective Hall at 925-943-5899, extension 2405 with tips that may solve this case.