Volunteer in Uniform: Pam Yeaw Gives to Pleasanton with Police Department Service

Chances are, if you frequent downtown Pleasanton's special events or have noticed the Pleasanton Police squad cars with “Volunteer” stickers on them, you’ve encountered longtime resident Pam Yeaw.

Yeaw, co-owner, with her husband Wayne Yeaw, of Alpha Omeaga Print & Marketing, volunteers at least 50 hours a month for the Pleasanton Police Department.

“No, you put in about 75 or 80 hours a month,” Wayne Yeaw joked during Patch’s conversation with his wife at their office this week.

Her volunteer post is one of Yeaw’s passions, which also include taking long runs in the early mornings, interacting with clients of the business she’s co-owned since the mid-1980s, and working an occasional shift at on Main Street.

“Several years ago, (then-) Chief Neal approached me and said they were going to have a volunteer program. I joined in 2007, but it really hadn’t gotten off the ground.”

After finishing the citizens academy, applying to be a volunteer and completing a thorough background check, Yeaw started on patrol.

She and other volunteers sign up for shifts to assist the department; some work on patrol, others work in administrative roles. Yeaw primarily signs up for patrol duties, for which she drives a squad car and carries a radio. Other days find her assisting with a unique Pleasanton Police program aimed at helping youths who have committed minor offenses.

“There have to be two people signed up together for each shift,” she said, adding that only in rare emergencies does the department request uniformed volunteers to help with traffic diversions or crowd management.

“We also write parking citations,” she said, adding that catching violators of handicapped parking laws gives her a great sense of serving justice. Because one of her adult sons has a severe disability, the family has experienced the frustration of finding handicapped spaces illegally occupied.

“We also work with special events on foot patrol, directing and diverting traffic,” she said, explaining that her usual spot is the corner of Peters and St. Mary’s streets.

Yeaw enjoys the interaction with the officers and detectives, and gets to know them well. Among the benefits of volunteering for the Police is that her work can help relieve officers from menial task so they can attend to more pressing work. On Monday, for example, Yeaw and her volunteer partner stayed in a patrol car with a stalled vehicle on busy Santa Rita Rd. until a tow truck could arrive.

Another perk is access to the department’s gym, where she can get in a workout while visiting with fellow volunteers or police staff.

“As a matter of fact, on Monday I went to the gym at the police department and I saw one of the detectives. He was coming in for his shift at 6:30 in the morning,” said Yeaw. “Later on, I come back to do my 10 to 3 shift on patrol and he said, ‘You’re back again! Pam, you’re here more than I am!’”

If 50 to 80 hours of volunteering per month isn’t enough, Yeaw also remains active with the Chamber of Commerce, where she served as an ambassador in 2004 and 2005.

Her widespread involvement doesn’t go unnoticed. Because much of the Yeaws’ business at Alpha Omega Print & Marketing (formerly Allegra Printing) comes from community referrals, the couple recently decided to leave a franchise arrangement and operate independently.

The business fulfills design and production and promotional projects for public and private contracts around the Tri-Valley.

“It’s never really just been Allegra or Alpha Omega,” she said. “It’s Pam and Wayne!”

On a recent visit to Pleasanton, Yeaw’s sister-in-law noticed the number of people Yeaw knows through her active participation in city happenings.

“She said, ‘What are you the Mayor?’” Yeaw said, adding that she vehemently avoids politics.

“I’m not publicly involved in issues,” she said. “I might have my opinions, but I’m not going to go out and crusade for something. That’s just not my personality.”

Yeaw revels in the work and cherishes the community where she has lived for 32 years and where she and Wayne both raised their children.

“I love this community I hope that we can stay here when and if we ever retire,” she said.