Full Notification

The Police Department received a flood of donations after offering citizens the chance to shave Chief of Police Gary Brizzee’s head and mustache, and three local groups will do just that. The Department received a 100 can donation from Soroptimist International of Los Banos and 500 cans each from the Rotary Club and the Merced County Fair Board.

On Friday, November 14, 2014 at 1:00 p.m., Soroptimists will gather at the Police Department, 945 5th Street, to “Stop the Mustache Madness” along with representatives from the Rotary Club and Merced County Fair Board who will shave the Chief’s head.

We welcome everyone to attend, and in support of this great cause, we ask attendees to bring additional canned food donations!

“I have to admit, it’s going to be a little intimidating, but all of this food is going to help a worthy cause so my sacrifice is well worth it. What I am most impressed with is how quickly we received a response from Soroptimists, Rotarians and the Fair Board. In a couple days’ time, we collected over 1,100 food items. These organizations deserve a great deal of thanks for making this such a success. Next time though, I’m going to have to raise the stakes a bit!”
- Gary Brizzee, Chief of Police

**Original Press Release - November 7, 2014**

Stop the Mustache Madness

The Los Banos Police Department kicked off our collection of non-perishable food items at our October open house event. Since then, we’ve received many donations, but not as much as we’d hoped for. We have resorted to desperate measures to collect much needed food for our community food banks.

As some of you may know, Chief of Police Gary Brizzee began growing a retro 70’s era mustache. Many of the Chief’s close friends, colleagues and family have pleaded with him to shave it to no avail.

The Chief will shave his “salt and pepper” mustache for the first group that comes forward with 100 non-perishable food items. Any group who donates 500 non-perishable food items can have their representative shave the Chief’s well manicured, preppy hair off his head at a public location.

“That mustache is ridiculous, and it’s got to go. I am pleading with the people of Los Banos to please donate non-perishable foods for our community food banks.”
- Steve Carrigan, City Manager

Start collecting because this drive ends on December 24, 2014!

“We are not sure how smoothly this will go over with the Chief. He didn’t get the chance to review this press release before it became public. We all know the Chief’s a good sport; let’s hope Mrs. Brizzee is too.”
- Jason Hedden, Police Commander

**Original Press Release - October 1, 2014**

Giving Back to the Community

The Los Banos Police Department will be collecting non-perishable food items beginning October 15, 2014, during our open house event and continuing through the holiday season.

“We are always looking for ways to give back to the community and helping the less fortunate seems like a great way to do just that. I challenge every city employee to bring at least one food item to donate toward this food collection.”
- Gary Brizzee, Chief of Police

The Department will start collecting non-perishable food items during the open house event on October 15th, but donations will be accepted anytime up until December 24, 2014. Donations can be dropped off in the Police Department lobby at any hour.

All of the food items collected will be donated to local food banks serving our community.

If you have any questions regarding the food collection or open house events, please contact Police Services Manager Aundre Garcia at (209) 827-7070, extension 110.