Brentwood resident Allison Jacobs, the UC Berkeley cop whose instincts helped break the 18-year-old Jaycee Dugard kidnapping case, was presented a key to the city by Mayor Bob Taylor Tuesday.

“This hit America; it really hit America,” Taylor said to an overflow crowd of locals, motorcycle escort riders and television cameras during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. With wars and bad economic news dominating headlines these days, Taylor said, Jacobs’ actions not only represented good police work, they “helped bring America closer together.”

Jacobs also received a bouquet of flowers as well as a proclamation from Congressman Jerry McNerney, which was read into the Congressional Record this week.

“Allison Jacobs’ and (co-worker) Lisa Campbell’s intuition, combined with an effective utilization of their training, saved innocent people from further harm, led to the removal of a dangerous person from our streets, and reunited a family torn apart by a deranged criminal,” McNerney wrote in a speech read Tuesday by field representative Exodie Roe. “I have the highest regard and admiration for their actions and am proud to represent such an outstanding officer.”

“I’m completely humbled and honored for what I feel was me just doing my job,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs received an escort to the meeting from the veterans of the Warriors Watch Riders, and slipped away quickly following the presentation. Friend Melissa Kruppa, however, stayed around longer, and said she doesn’t think what Jacobs has done has sunk in yet.

“I don’t think she gets it that she’s a hero,” Kruppa said. “She’s still in cop mode. Sometimes I almost want to smack her and say, ‘Look around; take it all in.’”

Taylor said Brentwood is a family-oriented place where “you don’t mess with our kids,” and that Jacobs’ actions illustrate that.

“Our town is a family, and you’re part of that family,” he said. “I feel humbled as mayor to honor you.”

Taylor said that the key given to Jacobs (“I don’t know what it opens,” he cracked) is the second key to the city given out in the city’s history. The first went to long-time resident and volunteer Jeanne Adams.