The Examiner reports today that city officials are considering “shutting down parks overnight and allowing cops to jail chronic trespassers.”

Unlike most major parks in metropolitan areas, Golden Gate Park does not close. It’s legal to be in the park at any hour, but you can’t sleep there. Despite it being illegal to camp in the park, it does little to deter homeless encampments. And police don’t have many options other than to issue citations to campers which are usually dismissed in traffic court. Mayor Newsom met a homeless man with 52 citations to his name who continues to call the park home.

A summer of violent incidents in the park has drawn attention, once again, to the homeless problem and potential safety issues for park patrons. On July 1, three people were attacked by dogs that belonged to homeless campers (who were never identified). A few days later on July 4th, a man was stabbed near the Conservatory of Flowers. And just this week, a homeless man was beaten to death near Kezar Stadium.

Most parks in other cities are closed from 10pm to 6am, which if applied to Golden Gate Park, would give police the authority to arrest campers for trespassing during overnight hours. So far the idea is just in the discussion phase, as are other ideas to beef up patrols overall during nighttime hours in the city.

What do you think? Is closing Golden Gate Park in the late night hours the right solution? Would it matter to you if it was technically off limits from 10pm until 6am?

Sarah B.

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of August 27, 2010. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN RICHARD CORREIA’S MESSAGE
If you have any information concerning the person(s) who have been vandalizing trees and roses in Golden Gate Park please call Richmond Station Lieutenant Mark Mahoney at 666-8042. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call our tip line at 668-7387 and leave a voice mail.

During the past week, there were 25 traffic accidents 7 involving injuries. There were 9 citations issued for driving without a license or driving on a suspended license. There were 4 arrests for driving under the influence.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 08/19/10 at 1:40pm, officers responded to a call of a stabbing on the unit block of Point Lobos. The suspect, who had been previously warned not to come into the store due to numerous disruptions, had returned. An employee saw him standing in the aisle and told him that he wasn’t supposed to be there. The suspect had a small knife in his hand and stabbed the clerk in the arm. The suspect was holding several items that belonged to the store including a backpack and a six pack of drinks. The suspect then told the injured clerk that he was entitled to the drinks and placed them in the backpack and walked out the door. Officers searched the area and located the suspect several blocks away. During the investigation officers spoke with a woman who had been washing her car outside of her home nearby. She told the officers she saw the suspect place the knife in the bucket she was using and continue walking down the street. The 30 year old male was charged with robbery, aggravated assault and possession of stolen property.

On 08/20/10 at 5:25pm officers responded to a call of a shoplifter on the unit block of Clement Street. The officers detained a suspect in front of the store. The store owner informed the officers that the suspect had come in and took a bottle of alcohol and admitted that he had no way to pay for the item. The suspect, a 26 year old male was wanted for a parole violation.

On 08/20/10 between 7:15pm and 9:00pm a home was burglarized on the 300 block of Willard North. The suspect may have entered by discovering a hidden key. The suspect took jewelry, a bicycle, laptops and a cell phone. The residence was processed for fingerprints and a suspect was identified. A department wide informational teletype was issued and on 08/22/10 and the suspect was located by officers in the Northern Police District. The 43 year old male was charged with burglary and violation of parole.

On 08/24/10 at 1:30am, officers responded to a call of a male with a gun inside a bar on the 400 block of Clement Street. Officers met with the callers in front of the establishment who told them that one of the customers inside was armed with a handgun. The victim reported to the officers that a short time earlier when he was inside the bar, the suspect was rolling a marijuana cigarette. The victim asked the suspect if he could buy marijuana from him and gave the suspect $50.00. After accepting the victim’s money the suspect refused to give him the marijuana. The victim confronted the suspect who then raised up his shirt and exposed a handgun that was tucked into his waistband. The victim ran out and called the police. Officers located the suspect and detained him. A gun was not located but he was in possession of various forms of narcotics. The 29 year old male was charged with narcotic violations.

On 08/2/10 at 4:40am officers responded to the 1800 block of Divisadero on a report of a burglary that had just occurred. Witnesses reported that he saw a male break the large plate glass window of a business and take numerous pairs of glasses from the display. The suspect then walked west on Bush Street . Numerous officers searched the area and the suspect was located in the area of Post and Baker. The 53 year old male was charged with burglary and violation of parole.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
Between 08/21/10 at 11:30pm and 08/22/10 at 6:00am on the 200 block of 23rd Avenue, a suspect gained entry into a business by climbing through an unlocked window above the front door. The suspect took a computer and cash from the register.

If you’re a bush or tree in or near Golden Gate Park, you better watch your back.

After dozens of trees were cut down in Golden Gate Park and three beds in the park’s Rose Garden were nearly destroyed, another incident occurred close by last week.

The Chronicle reports that according to Recreation and Park Department spokesman Elton Pon, nine newly planted bushes on Park Presidio Boulevard near Fulton Street were severed at their base.

Whether these incidents are the work of one vandal or several different ones is unknown. But neighbors are understandably troubled by the senseless acts.

“So now, in stead of patrolling to protect ourselves from the people hiding in the bushes, we have to protect the bushes themselves!” wrote one neighbor in an online discussion group.

SFAppeal reports that police are staking out potential targets 24 hours a day with undercover and uniformed cops patrolling more than 40 hot spots in the park.

UPDATE (August 26, 2:38pm): The vandal strikes again? The Chronicle reports that three redwoods were found slashed in Doughboy Meadow earlier this week.

Sarah B.

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of August 13, 2010. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN RICHARD CORREIA’S MESSAGE
Auto thefts continue to occur in areas of the Richmond District west of 34th Avenue. Thieves target mid-1990’s vintage Honda Accords, Honda Civics and Toyota Camrys. The number of vehicles stolen average about 17 per month. If you own such a vehicle you should take precautions such as garaging your vehicle or using an ignition or steering lock. If you see anyone behaving suspiciously in your neighborhood please call 911 immediately.

During the past week, there were 27 traffic accidents 7 involving injuries. There were 4 citations issued for driving without a license or driving on a suspended license. There were 2 arrests for driving under the influence.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 8/9/10 at 12:42 am a caller notified police about a homeless encampment set up in the area of Lyon Street at
Sutter Street . When officers arrived they found a man sleeping inside of a garbage storage unit. After questioning and identifying the man officers determined he was on probation and had a warrant for his arrest from Berkeley . Officers arrested and booked the man for the warrant.

On 08/12/10 at 1:42 am an employee got into a verbal argument with a manager at a business on 3800 block of
Geary Blvd. The employee had quit but refused to leave the establishment. After arriving at the business officers noticed that the employee, who was standing outside the front door of the business, was intoxicated. The officers attempted to escort the man away from the door however, the employee refused. After challenging the officers to fight, the man was taken into custody and charged with resisting, obstructing and delaying a peace officer.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 8/7/10 at 1:30 pm a man returned to his vehicle parked on the 1400 block of Balboa and noticed that the
convertible top of the car was cut. When he looked inside the car he saw that the seats had been removed from his car. Someone had attempted to break into the vehicle six months earlier at the same location.

On 8/7/10 at 7:00 pm a suspect walked into a store on the 3400 block of Geary Blvd and attempted to purchase
numerous items using fraudulent credit cards. A clerk in the store recognized the suspect as a person who has used fraudulent credit cards to buy items in the past. The clerk told the suspect he was calling the police and after a brief argument, the suspect fled the store.

On 8/11/10 three suspects attacked a man in his home on the 2300 block of Clement. While the victim was lying in his bedroom, the suspects entered, stuck the victim several times and fled. The suspects and the victim are acquainted with one another. The victim was treated at a local hospital and released.

On 08/12, between 8:00am and 6:30pm on the 800 block of 48th Avenue a suspect gained entry into a residence by prying open the front door. The suspect took a laptop.

The story continues to develop about a woman who was running a rent deposit scam on an outer Richmond District apartment rental at 5631 California.

As more victims come forward, it appears that Rachel Smith may have stolen rent deposits from over 20 people. Smith would show potential renters the apartment, have them sign a lease and then take a deposit for as much as $5,600. Smith would then create an excuse shortly thereafter as to why she couldn’t let them move in right away. Then, she would disappear, not returning phone calls or emails. Authorities estimate she stole nearly $100,000 from her victims.

A new website has popped up, scammedbysmith.com, in an effort to organize victims for a meetup next week. It is being run by two of her victims, known only as Mat and Harper. Mat notes on the website that the building owner was also scammed by Smith – she skipped out without paying her July rent.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim of Smith’s rent deposit scam is instructed to call Inspector John Monroe at 553-1936.

Smith was arrested this week but after posting bail, skipped town with a U-HAUL in tow according to SFist. Police have released her photo and are asking anyone with information on Smith’s whereabouts to call the SFPD at 553-1521.

Why this woman was allowed to post bail and not considered a flight risk is a total mystery to me.

Sarah B.

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of July 23, 2010. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN RICHARD CORREIA’S MESSAGE
On August 3, 2010 between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM Richmond Station will participate in National Night Out by offering tours of the Station. Please stop by for a tour, light refreshments, and meet the Officers.

During the past week, there were 15 traffic accidents 4 involving injuries. There were 4 citations issued for driving without a license or driving on a suspended license. There were 2 arrests for driving under the influence.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 07/18/10 at 6:45 pm, an officer was at the intersection of Washington and Divisidero conducting traffic enforcement. The officer witnessed a traffic collision in which a motorized scooter was stopped at the intersection and was rear-ended by a passenger vehicle. The officer approached both parties to see if they were in need of any medical attention. Upon doing so, both parties involved denied injury, however, the officer noticed the smell of alcohol coming from the driver of the passenger car. Upon further investigation, the driver of the car was found to be driving with a suspended license and driving under the influence of alcohol. The driver was charged with both offenses.

On 07/20/10 at 7:30 am, an off-duty officer noticed a male subject riding a bicycle in the area of Edward Street and Arguello Boulevard. The subject got off of the bicycle and locked it to a street sign on Edward Street. Moments later, the off-duty officer saw the subject enter an open garage on the 600 block of Arguello and exit with a different bicycle. Recognizing the activity as suspicious, the off-duty officer notified Richmond patrol units who responded to the scene to investigate. Once officers arrived at the scene and located the subject, the chase was on! The subject fled on foot through Rossi Park, making it as far as the 900 block of Anza before officers apprehended him. The bicycle was recovered and identified by the owner as stolen. Along with the bicycle, officers recovered numerous other items later identified as stolen property. The suspect was arrested for burglary.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 07/19/10 at 9:30 am the owner of a vehicle parked on the 5300 block of Geary found his car’s windshield shattered. The car had been parked there since 8:00 am the previous day. Lying next to the vehicle was a brick, believed to be the object used to damage the vehicle’s windshield.

On 07/18/10, a woman reported that her purse stolen while grocery shopping. She had placed her purse in her cart and covered it with her coat. The victim left her cart for a moment while shopping and returned to find that her purse had been stolen.

On 07/21/10 at 2:15 am a man was awakened inside his home on Pacific Avenue when he heard the sound of a door opening. Seconds later, a light turned on and footsteps were heard. As the resident called 911, he heard the garage door open and then close. The suspect appeared to have gained entrance into the home by prying open a side door. No items were discovered missing following the incident.

SFAppeal reports this morning that a woman has been arrested recently for allegedly scamming $20,000 from potential apartment renters.

Rachel Marie Smith was placing ads to rent her Richmond District apartment on Craigslist. After seeing the apartment, located in a building on the 5300 block of California, victims would sign the lease and leave a deposit for the apartment – as much as $5,600.

Shortly thereafter, Smith would inform the renters that she learned her mother had cancer, so she would not be vacating the apartment for at least another month. It was at that point that Smith would disappear, not returning calls or the hefty deposits.

The latest victim, a 22 year old woman, reported the incident to police on July 19 after learning a co-worker had signed a lease and provided a deposit down for the exact same apartment.

Prosecutors have charged Smith with eight counts each of grand theft and obtaining money under false pretenses, in connection with four alleged victims, according to district attorney’s office spokeswoman Erica Derryck.

Sarah B.

The next time you or a neighbor experiences a car break-in or home burglary, it may not be the men and women in blue that respond to your police call. It could be a “civilian investigator” that is part of the SFPD’s new pilot program that will kick off in January.

Designed to take some of the load off of sworn police officers, civilian investigators will be trained to respond to nonviolent crimes. They’ll gather evidence, conduct interviews, and photograph crime scenes.

The pilot program, which will train just 15 civilian investigators citywide, is designed to speed up response times, reduce costs and free up regular police officers to respond more quickly to violent crimes. Civilian investigators are expected to be stationed at just a couple of the city’s ten district stations.

After a recommendation from new Police Chief George Gascon, the pilot program was approved by the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors at a cost of just under $1 million. The program projects that civilian investigators will cost half as much as a regular police officer.

If the time is now for you to come out of your bat cave and help the SFPD fight crime, you can apply to be a civilian investigator. Just visit a SFPD station house for an application – the closest to us is the Richmond District Police Station at 461 6th Avenue near Geary.

Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility. And the obligation to help your favorite blogger get out of their parking tickets.

Sarah B.

[via ABC7, SFAppeal]