For Immediate Release
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Issued By: Lieutenant McGowan, 707-778-4325
Incident: Arrest for Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance, Violation of Probation
Report Number: 21-2411
Occurred Date: June 23, 2021
Occurred Time: 11:30 PM
Location: Petaluma SMART Train Station Depot
Suspect: James Anderson Garcia, 22-year-old, Petaluma Resident
Incident Summary
On June 23, 2021, at approximately 11:30 PM, Petaluma Police Department officers were on routine patrol when an officer heard shouting near the Petaluma Visitor's Center and SMART Train Station Depot. Shortly thereafter, the officer located James Anderson Garcia inside the elevated tea kettle (art display), which is approximately fifteen feet above the ground.
Garcia’s demeanor was erratic, and he displayed symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance. When questioned, Garcia told officers he would jump if they tried to arrest him. Officers trained in crisis intervention and hostage negation spoke with Garcia for approximately 15 minutes and Garcia agreed to climb down from the art display. Garcia was subsequently arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and violating the terms of his probation.
The Petaluma Police Department is passionate about professional development and continuous training. Petaluma Police Department officers are trained in crisis intervention, de-escalation tactics, and how to evaluate individuals under the influence of controlled substances and alcohol.
