An oddly specific crime has struck one of Fremont’s most iconic landmarks
Staff Writer
On September 2nd, the Peeker Pole at the top of Mission Peak was decapitated and thrown off of the iconic Fremont mountain in what was presumably a premeditated crime. Fremont Police have restored the pole, but the offender has still not been found.
Most, if not all, of Fremont has a direct line of sight to Mission Peak, the massive mountain range to Fremont’s east. “It’s kind of just got some sentimental value,” said Dhruv Patki (11). “I was five years old when I did it for the first time.” The Peeker Pole is situated at the top and has several sighting tubes that visitors can look through to see areas of Fremont.
“I was pretty upset because the pole is kind of like that main signifier. If you think Mission Peak, you think that pole,” said Patki upon hearing that the pole was decapitated. “Hearing that it was taken, stolen, kind of felt like vandalism, [which] made me a little upset.” Soham Gokha (9) said. “We were very surprised.”
Very few people knew about the theft. “I don’t think a lot of people know about it,” stated Patki. “As far as the general public is concerned, I can’t see much of a response.”
In order to prevent similar occurrences, Gokha said, “Put some cameras, find out who did it.” Patki said, “There should be security measures to the extent that we need to protect the landmarks of Fremont, but at the same time, by installing security measures, we might damage what is sacred in nature.”
The reason for this crime is unclear. The pole is made of metal and is at the end of a 2-hour climb. “I get the suspicion that it was just a stupid teenage rebellion type thing,” said Patki. “You know, people getting upset with society, so they tried to do something that will get people’s attention.” Gokha said, “What reason is there to cut the pole? What’s the point?”
As for what this means for the community, Patki said, “People are a little shaken up by it because they kind of feel that this is that one part of Fremont where there’s nothing going to happen, but it was kind of a reality check for people that hate crime does exist everywhere.”
Caption: The pole before and after the crime. Fremont police have already restored the pole, however the offender has yet to be found. “People are a little upset that one of those key landmarks of Fremont has been taken away. Again, there’s not much any one person can do about it,” said Patki. (PC: Eric Calande)
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