FULLERTON : Police Get Hooks to Battle Crooks

A suspect takes a hostage and barricades himself inside a building fortified with bars. What should police do?

Before Tuesday, the answer would have been to sit back and wait the suspect out. But thanks to a donation from Todd Shipyards, the Police Department will now have in its arsenal a pair of 30-inch stainless steel hooks to yank bars from fortified homes.

Fullerton police commanders cannot remember having come across a fortified house in the city. But now, they say, they’re prepared. The City Council accepted the donation Tuesday. Todd Shipyards also has given hooks to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles Police Department.

“If we have to serve a warrant and the location is barred, then we remove the bars before knocking on the door,” said Sgt. Gary Flener of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau. “Then, if the person doesn’t come out, at least we already have the bars off.”

In a report to council members, Fullerton Police Chief Philip A. Goehring said the hooks will be used sparingly.

“This tactic is only employed when rapid entry is necessary to safely rescue hostages, capture suspects with a history of violent behavior and to prevent destruction of evidence in a crime,” Goehring said.

Todd production manager Michael Fernandez said the company made the hooks at the request of the Fullerton Police Department and waived the $500 charge.

“It’s just in the public interest,” Fernandez said.