I was made to feel uncomfortable sipping coffee with a friend outside Andy's Market on Saturday morning. with Two stocky police officers seated near us. Both appeared to be wearing bulletproof vests and had oversized holstered guns dangling from their sides. Part of their conversation involved weaponry. This is not what I expect in a place which labels itself as the "Peace City." Is the Sebastopol Police Department expecting an insurrection or terrorist incident to happen at or near Andy's Market? I doubt it.
After the policemen left, I asked two patrons whether they had the same objection as I did. One responded that the arming of the officers for urban warfare pointed to the growing militarization of the police.
Next time, my friend and I may have our morning coffees elsewhere.