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'Do not take it out on those folks' | PG&E crews take brunt of public outrage during power shutoff

Amid the tension of power shutoffs, a photo of a PG&E worker has gone viral reminding communities to respect the workers in the truck who have families of their own.

AUBURN, California — As thousands of PG&E customers remain without power, frustration continues to grow among those still in the dark.

On Thursday, PG&E'S CEO Bill Johnson pleaded for customers to not let their anger out on the field crews.

RELATED: PG&E Shutoff Latest: As crews work to restore power, PG&E CEO vows company will ‘do better’

"We’ve had employees shot at, punched, used profanity,” Johnson said during a news conference.

Amid the tension, a picture of a PG&E worker holding a baby has gone viral on social media. Katie Barbier, who's married to a PG&E employee told ABC10 she wanted to remind the community to respect the men and women working in the blue trucks. 

"I wanted people to see past the uniform, the hardhat, the logo. I wanted them to see that they are dads, husbands, wives – they’re people." Barbier explained. "So, we need to be kind to these people. They are just trying to give you back your electricity."

In Oroville, police increased security after the PG&E office was egged by an angry customer who they say left a threatening note.

Credit: Orlando Carmona

The California Highway Patrol is also investigating an incident involving a worker whose truck was shot while driving on I-5.

RELATED: Authorities searching for person who shot at marked PG&E vehicle in Colusa County

"If you’re upset about this event – do not take it out on those folks," Johnson said. "We have thousands of men and women – literally thousands – out there right now working tirelessly to restore power."

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