Police Blotter – January 27, 2012

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of January 27, 2012. To be added to the station’s mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN ERIC VINTERO’S MESSAGE
Traffic Concerns
Traffic safety is a very high priority for the Officers at Richmond Station. I value all of the e-mails regarding locations in the District where individuals are violating traffic laws, and I take your concerns very seriously. We have experienced several serious traffic collisions this week, especially on Fulton Street . Officers are deployed to locations around the district based on the analysis of motor vehicle collision data and community input. This week I analyzed the data for over 300 traffic accidents which occurred in 2011. The three main corridors where accidents occurred were:

1) Geary Boulevard
2) Fulton Street
3) Park Presidio Boulevard

The primary collision factor for the majority of these accidents was unsafe speed (speeding).

Yesterday, Officers at Richmond Station conducted a pedestrian decoy operation at Fulton and 37th Avenue and Geary Boulevard @ 22nd Avenue . 35 citations were issued to drivers who failed to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. There were two arrests for persons driving on a suspended license. In addition, radar speed trailers have been strategically placed on Fulton Avenue and on Point Lobos Ave. Richmond Station Officers will continue to conduct weekly pedestrian and radar sting operations at various problematic locations in an effort to reduce collisions and improve community safety. Please drive carefully and be mindful of all traffic control devices, speed limits, and of pedestrians and bicyclists on the roadways. With the rainy season finally here, it’s also a good time to conduct a vehicle light and safety inspection. Please ensure that all of your vehicle lights are in proper working order, tires have proper tread, and that the windshield wipers are not worn out. All of these factors make your vehicle more noticeable and improve your safety on the road.

The next Richmond District community meeting will be held at Richmond Station on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 7pm.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 01/23 at 11:15am, plainclothes officers were in the area of 38th and Geary Bl when they observed a male from
previous arrests and knew he was on probation. The officers stopped to speak to him and conduct a probation search. In the suspect’s backpack they found a computer monitor and 2 video surveillance cameras. They also located a large amount of methamphetamine. The 38 year old male was charged with probation and narcotics violations.

On 01/25 at 12:50am, officers were in the area of 38th Ave and Fulton and observed a vehicle traveling east on
Fulton . As the officers turned onto Fulton from 38th Ave , the vehicle made an abrupt left turn onto 35th without signaling. The officers conducted a traffic stop and the driver of the vehicle immediately exited saying he was lost. When the officer asked the driver to sit, the driver began to walk away while removing his jacket. The officers detained the male and had the female passenger exit the vehicle. The officer illuminated the interior of the vehicle and saw a large Ziploc baggie containing a large amount of cocaine, packaged for sales and cash. The 27 year old male was charged with various narcotic violations.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
Between 01/22, 10:15am and 01/23, 7am on the 5900 block of California St, a suspect entered a rear garden area and entered an unlocked storage area. The suspect attempted to gain access into a locked container but was unsuccessful. The suspect then entered the rear of the business by a side door. The suspect opened the cash register but there was no money inside.

Between 01/22, 8pm and 01/23, 7:30am on the 2000 block of Baker, a suspect gained entry into a garage and took 2 bicycles. The garage door may have been malfunctioning.

Between 01/23, 11pm and 01/24, 9am on the 3500 block of Balboa, a suspect gained entry into a restaurant by smashing the glass panel on the front door. The suspect took cash from the register.

On 01/24 at 10am, 3 female suspects entered a clothing store all carrying bags. They stuffed the bags with clothes from the racks and ran out the door. The suspects were described as females in their early 20’s, one wearing a purple knit hat and one with a hooded black windbreaker with the interior lining of the hood being white.

On 01/25 at 4:35am, a male was walking by the bus stop on Fulton near 16th Ave. He observed what he believed marijuana inside a torn garbage bag on the sidewalk. The officers responded and located the bag and estimated the weight to be about two pounds. The marijuana was sent to the lab for destruction.

On 01/25, between 8:30am and 9:30pm on the 2900 block of California St, a suspect gained entry into an apartment by forcing open a rear door. The suspect took jewelry and two laptops,

On 01/26 at 12:30am, a caller was reporting that he had observed a female spray painting the side of a truck. The caller heard the sound of a spray can being shaken and saw the suspect standing with another male. The caller asked the woman if she had a spray can and she said “no.” They both walked away and the caller then observed her spraying the side of a truck. The caller stopped her and called the police. The 18 year old was charged with vandalism and possession of graffiti tools.