[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of January 7, 2011. To be added to the station’s mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]
CAPTAIN RICHARD CORREIA’S MESSAGE
Police officers regularly remind folks to not leave any property visible in the passenger compartment their cars. We know that this is the best way to prevent your car from being “boosted” (burglarized).
This week we arrested an individual who spends some part of each day searching for vehicles to burglarize. He consented to being interviewed by our inspectors and admitted responsibility for his most recent crime. He did not stop with just a confession and continued to sing. Our inspectors sought to know a bit more about his rational, criminal techniques and why he chose to offend in the Richmond District. Fancying himself as an experienced professional, he said that he liked older model vehicles because he could make entry without breaking a window, a way of entry he considered indicative of the neophyte. Why the Richmond ? Because our cars contain the “best stuff”. Plenty of items of high value with good potential for resale. Moreover, he likes the level of foot traffic in the Richmond, which he describes as low in many areas of the District.
So, when you are leaving your car be mindful of the opportunist that might be attracted to your car because of some item, such as a cell phone, IPAD, purse or piece of luggage that you have left visible. Add to your considerations the fact that each day some criminal(s) choose our neighborhoods to commit crimes after doing a risk/benefit analysis. We can remove the benefit part of the equation—please don’t leave any personal property visible in the passenger compartment of your car.
There are a number of other things that you can do to prevent this type of crime and I encourage you to visit SFSAFE.org and review the crime prevention material posted there.
Our next Police Community Forum is on January 18, 2010 at 7:00 Pm at Richmond Station. In addition to discussing public safety and crime prevention issues, we will be giving a tour of the station.
During the past week in the District there were 19 traffic accidents 6 involving injuries. There were 4 citations issued for driving without a license or driving on a suspended license. There was 1 arrest for driving under the influence.
NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 12/31/10 at 12:20am officers observed a male standing at the front door of a business on the 4600 block of Geary. The male was intoxicated and bothering patrons trying to enter the business. The subject was known to the officers from prior contacts. Officers stopped to talk to him and noticed that he had an open bottle of liquor in his jacket pocket. As the officers advised the suspect that he was not allowed to have an open container out in public they took the bottle from the suspect. The suspect then grabbed the officer’s arm and kicked him in the knee. The officer took the suspect to the ground and the suspect continued fighting with the officer. The 44 year old male was detained and charged with assault on an officer and open container in public.
On 12/31/10 at 11:16pm officers observed two males on the corner of 21st Avenue and Geary. One of the males was sitting on a planter box and the other was standing directly in front of him. When the male who was standing saw the officers he leaned in towards the second male. As officers approached one of the subjects walked away and blended in with a large group. The male sitting on the planter box was intoxicated and began acting nervous and kept putting his hands in his pockets even after being told several times by the officers not to do so. Fearing the subject may be concealing something in his pocket; the officers controlled the suspect’s wrist and took his hand from his pocket. It was determined that the suspect had a small amount of marijuana in the pocket. The suspect looked to his left and right and began to run. He was detained by the officers a short distance away and they asked why he ran over a small amount of marijuana. The suspect admitted to having other types of narcotics in his possession. The 20 year old male was charged with narcotic violations, resisting arrest and a probation violation.
On 01/01/11 at 2:00am, officers were monitoring the crowds in the area of rd Avenue and Geary for the New Years celebration. They observed a male walk into the middle of the intersection crossing from the north side of Geary towards the south. Traffic traveling east and west on Geary had the green light and the male was told to get back onto the curb. The male looked at the officers cursed at them and continued to walk in the middle of intersection almost being struck by several cars. The officers had to stop traffic and again told the male to get back to the curb and he ignored them and ran across to the south side of the street. The officers stopped the male who continued to swear at them and threatened to kill them. Once the officers were finally able to place him into handcuffs, one of the officers went back across the street to get the patrol vehicle and drive it over to the suspect’s location. The suspect continued struggling with the officer who was still with him and from a prone position was able to swing his legs up and kick the officer in the head. The 27 year old male was charged with aggravated assault, threats to an officer, resisting arrest and being drunk in public. The officer was treated at the emergency hospital and released. He returned to duty that night.
NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
Between 12/30/10 at 11am and 01/01/11 at 4:30pm on the 2800 block of Jackson a suspect entered into a residence and took jewelry and a camera. There were no signs of forced entry.
Between 12/30/10 at 11am and 01/03/11 4:30pm on the 2800 block of Pine Street a suspect entered into a residence and took three laptops, a camera, game systems and a watch. There were no signs of forced entry.
Between 01/01/11 at 5:30pm and 01/03/11 at 10:40am on the 2700 block of Bush Street a suspect gained entry into a residence and took several computers and cameras. There were no signs of forced entry.
I really hope Richard Correia is working on a novel.