The Mules had an encounter with Alameda County Sheriffs yesterday afternoon. The following is an honest accounting of that encounter.
The Mules were walking along East Castro Valley Boulevard headed to where we were going to rest for a few days. The shoulder was very wide and we were well away from traffic. We were walking against traffic as we most often do because it is the safest most times. We can see the whites of the eyes of the high-speed motorist and anticipate his or her next move.
As well, the California Office of Traffic Safety and California Highway Patrol’s pedestrian guide states: “If there is no sidewalk and you have to walk on the road, walk facing traffic. Always walk as far from traffic as possible.”
Two sheriffs passed us in their cruisers going the opposite direction. Shortly thereafter, we heard a loud shout telling the Mules to stop. We didn’t stop right away because I needed a place to tie Rosie while I would be preoccupied talking to the Sheriff. After tying Rosie to the guardrail I reached into my pocket and extracted my phone. Rose my phone to approximately eye level and took a picture of the oncoming officers.
The officer then halted his forward progress at approximately 6 ft away from myself. He immediately started asking questions and we the monks did not give answers. The officer queried the monks as to where we were from and where we were going. The Mules response was immediate and measured. We don’t answer questions.
The officer then wanted to see some ID. We told him our name and date of birth. The officer told us that they got a call that we were walking in the middle of the road. We were not and they made no claim that they saw us doing so.
The officer then asked the Monk if he had any thoughts of hurting himself or hurting somebody else. The Mules were a bit shocked as that came out of left field. It seemed to us totally out of context of the situation that we the Mules found ourselves in. Well the Mules found it necessary to close the book on this curious encounter with the Alameda County Sheriff’s department. So we told the officer we had things to do, we weren’t breaking any laws, and we will be on our way, and bid the officers farewell and told them to be safe and have a nice day and then left.
We hope you enjoyed our little story. And accept it as an honest accounting with our encounter with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department yesterday.
Ironically, back in September 6, 2017 when the Mules were passing thru Alameda County, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page shared three photos of the Mules, and wrote in their caption:
“DUBLIN, CA – For the first time since 1875, a mule was seen parked outside of an Alameda County Courthouse. Today’s fast paced world is not very mule friendly but they are the original no emission vehicle. We apologize that our new Courthouse was not mule parking equipped. You may see the Mules traveling the roads of Alameda County. So, if you ever need a place to rest, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office has plenty of delicious hay to share. To learn more about the Mules visit 3mules.com.”
The Alameda County Sheriffs that we encountered yesterday were not offering us hay.
Walking against traffic on a wide shoulder so you can see approaching drivers matches the California pedestrian guide advice you quote, and it makes the sheriff stop feel even more surprising. Appreciate the calm, detailed recounting rather than a heated rewrite of the encounter.
Walking against traffic on a wide shoulder and still getting stopped is frustrating, and quoting the CHP pedestrian guide makes it clear you were doing the safe thing. Thanks for writing such a calm, honest account of the encounter.
The mules are the most wholesome travelers ever. If I ever see them , I will greet them proudly and offer any assistance within my means. He doesn’t seem to have a message or agenda. This is left to you .
An encounter between a traveler and the sheriff[‘s personnel]! This is not unlike an old tale from the pioneering and settler days of Westward expansion.
I like to think encounters like this happened in Castro Valley back then… back when horseback was the only way to travel, when mules and wagons were the only way to haul cargo on the road, and when a sheriff was appointed to keep the peace amongst the people. Law and order were only starting to be a thing.
I made the mistake of reading the comments. These are not wholesome and well-meaning two-way conversations, just emotionally-charged opinions left for the next person to soak up.
Many things can be true at the same time:
Yes, townspeople are allowed to report their worries to the sheriff’s office. Yes, these kinds of people are also the type to assume the worst and project their fears (and frankly should have better things to do).
Yes, there are far more important issues for the police to address.
Yes, a mule traveler is an atypical sight, uncommon transportation method, and uncommon lifestyle.
Yes, people are entitled to our rights and to keep identification private.
Yes, you can be unhappy with how law enforcement workers do their job.
Yes, new (and old!) residents do not (but should!) care or know enough about Castro Valley history.
And yes, an encounter between a mule monk and the sheriff can be just be…. an incident.
Cheers
I would ask the police officer the identity of the “person who called” so you can sue them for harassment. If they decline, ask if you are free to go, if they say no, plead the fifth
For those of you who say that they were only doing their job then don’t complain when Saint Peter tells you, so is he as he sends you downward where you belong.
He the monk does not answer to anyone’s questions and it BS that he continues to be harassed. Leave the poor man alone and let him travel…obviously you are one of the previous posters problem!!!don’t like it go back to the city!!!!
Hi Mules, you walked right in front of our home and after being here 31 years it’s a sight to see a man walking a fully laden mule. I do remember horses being walked up and down Castro Valley Blvd but havnt seen them lately. I put my kids in our van and went to where you were walking and offered water and a container. You declined and we left you alone. I shared your photo on our family thread and my aunt from Berkeley sent me an article explaining who you were. She knew exactly who you were. Happy Easy travels, hope to see you around here again. We will have ice cream 😉 and water waiting for you.
People in Castro Valley seem to forget a couples things: 1) this was a farm town, specifically the largest CHICKEN FARM Town, 2) until about 2010/11, it was common to ride your horse and or mule in town, 3) this has always been a small town that people stopped by to refuel and continue on their journey.
Someone brought hype and publicity to Castro Valley. People transplanted here with their habits, entitlements, and ethnocentric driven ideologies. You know who you are. Slowly stripping this town of what made it unique. First the tickets for horseback riding or walking your horse /mule in town.
Heavens forbid! It’s a crime if you pull them out of the trailer to stretch out in between long haul trips. Someone will call and complain.
Now……someone harasses someone on a peaceful movement journey?!
36 years in this town. Father grew up here, I grew up here, seen the good and the bad. I have seen it all… This is an all time low.
If you think this is okay and performing an unlawful stop and utter fishing expedition that parallels on harassment …. You are the problem. Do yourselves a favor and move back to the CITY you left. For those of you who work in this TOWN remember it’s a town. Don’t like it? Put in a transfer with your commanding officer.
This town is definitely not made for you. We don’t need more systemic pettiness.
The amount of wrong information in previous comments is staggering but unfortunately very common in our current politically charged society. 3Mules has an interesting story that sadly gets lost in his always confrontational approach….
Omgosh the officers are doing their job! They would much rather check out the situation and make such everything was okay than be responding to a call where the mules were injured or killed. I realize this situation is unusual and not their normal but they deal with so many crazy situations and people that it’s not their job to ignore. Be respectful answer their questions politely and then be on your way. Remember the saying “ you catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar “.
Blah blah blah. He us doing nothing wrong abd did not deserve to ve stopped and questioned. Remember that next time you are stopped for no reason.
No reason NOT to answer their questions, other than to simply be difficult.
Most important reason of all….exercising your constitutional rights as a US citizen.
Exactly!
I agree when monk was minding his own business
Police have no right to harass or ID someone who’s not committing a crime. These are important constitutional rights that should be protected and upheld regardless of whether you think they’re nonsensical
Why does everyone need to know everything about anyone else? If they aren’t doing anything wrong, leave them alone to carry on.
Unfortunately today it is a fishing expedition to create excuses to cause grief for people this occurs not just to the Mules..
When you’re clearly not breaking any laws and minding your own business (as stated in the guidelines in the CHP pedestrian guide), California does not have a “Stop and Identify” statute. Unless you are driving a vehicle (which falls under Vehicle Code rules) or are formally placed under arrest, you are under no legal obligation as a pedestrian to answer questions, explain your itinerary, or hand over identification.
Surely they had moreimportant things to do . E eryone knows the 3 mules by now !!!!
It’s none of their business where he’s going or coming from. This is a free country and he didn’t break any laws. He has every right to be “difficult”.
No reason to answer
Not true. Evey lawyer in the country will tell you to not answer cops questions and why. It is your right to not answer.
He the monk does not answer to anyone’s questions and it BS that he continues to be harassed. Leave the poor man alone and let him travel…obviously you are one of the previous posters problem!!!don’t like it go back to the city!!!!
East Castro Valley boulevard was part of the western terminus of the first transcontinental highway, known as the Lincoln highway, built in 1912. It was bypassed in the 1960s and the current freeway was put in.
Hopefully the Duty Sargent gets the report & it’s addressed at the next roll call. Generally the energy that’s put out gets matched, while officers have a stressful job, they knew it was so. They need to maintain professional behavior & courtesy while not technically professional is a small human kindness. Do better Sheriffs Deputies.
That’s very sad that the sheriff find it necessary to harress you when your dont nothing . I’m sorry you encountered these type of people. God speed Mules and I hope you got some needed rest
ALCO Sheriff’s CERTAINLY have bigger fish to fry…they need to use the time my taxes pay for on criminals, speeders & other offenses. Not on the harmless Monks. Ughh..it’s a bad look Alameda County!
Most of the County is closely tied to horses, cattle, goats and all kinds of other animals.