Lieutenant s Corner The Revolving Door Submitted by Lieutenant Garret Tom On Friday, May 18, 2007 Officer Edwin Gaffud responded to The Office Max at 1750 Harrison St. where the store manager met him. The manager told Officer Gaffud that the suspect comes into his store once a week to steal merchandise and the manager has to chase him out of the store every week. On this date the store manager confronted the suspect. The suspect crossed his arms to his chest area and knocked the manager out of the way. Several employees came to the aid of the store manager and the suspect reached into his right waist area and told the employees of The Office Max that was going to grab his gun. The employees rightly so, were in fear for their lives and ran away from the suspect to avoid being shot. The suspect escaped on foot. Sgt. Ian Furminger was on patrol and stopped the suspect at 13 th and Mission Streets. The suspect was found with stolen merchandise from the store. A computer check revealed an arrest warrant for 666 Penal Code, which is theft with a prior conviction. The suspect was also on probation for narcotics and burglary. The suspect was booked on various theft and warrant charges. What I like to discuss here is that these street thugs and career criminals blatantly violate the law here in San Francisco and know there will be no sanctions. As a result, there are no changes in their behavior. This might be a shock to you but its not to any San Francisco Police Officer. This particular suspect was arrested for 50 felonies (serious crimes punishable by state prison more than a year) and 27 misdemeanors (crimes punishable less than one year in the county jail). This is only his San Francisco Criminal Record. I am not talking about arrests in other jurisdictions. He also has stay-away orders from two other businesses but all he has to do is go to another business like Office Max or the corner mom and pop and terrorize them. I recently attended a Law Enforcement Symposium at The University of San Francisco hosted by the head of Criminal Justice at U.S.F., Former Police Chief / Dr. Anthony Ribera. Numerous Police Chiefs around the country were in attendance. One of the issues discussed was how in San Francisco for every 100 people who are arrested for felonies 3% go to state prison. In Oakland the number is 12%, in nearby San Mateo County the number jumps to 18%. In Los Angeles the numbers were 38% and in San Diego 41% of the criminals arrested for felonies went to state prison.
Former Mayor and Police Chief Frank Jordan also attended and spoke at the symposium. He said he was deeply concerned about the way San Francisco has politicized the police department. He said let the Police run the department not certain politicians and other special interest groups who are looking out for their own interest and not the best interest of the citizens of San Francisco. The quality of life issues are very important to the neighborhoods. If these laws are enforced and prosecuted the crime rate for more serious crimes would come down dramatically. It s the Broken Windows Theory. If a building on the block does not fix its broken windows, suddenly there s graffiti, then comes drug dealing, and prostitution. But if the windows are repaired immediately and graffiti is painted over and broken streetlights are repaired and people are held responsible for petty crimes such as drinking on your doorsteps and littering and defecating in front of your house. The neighborhood will get better. It was proven in New York when Mayor Guiliani enforced those quality of life issues. Remember the criminal who violates serious crimes also violates less serious crimes. But they must be held accountable for their actions. Without sanctions there is no change in behavior. I believe in second chances but let s be reasonable. Additionally, the Lieutenant's Report Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Heroin for Sale On 5/20/07 Mission Station undercover officers responded to 16 th and Mission a call of two people arguing over drugs. Officers located one of the suspects in front of 1984 Mission St. and the officers identified themselves as S.F.P.D. The suspect was about to enter his car when he threw a plastic bag of heroin onto the passenger seat. The officers immediately placed the suspect into handcuffs and found a loaded handgun, a bulletproof vest, a scale for weighing heroin, and more heroin inside the suspect s car. The suspect is currently on probation for selling drugs.
Robbery, W/Force, Assault, Aggravated, W/Force, Stolen Cell Phone On 5/15/07, at 2040hrs. the victim was walking in front of 867 Capp Street when he was approached by two gangsters. One of the suspects grabbed the victim s cell phone from his hand and the two suspects started punching and kicking the victim as he fell to the ground. One of the suspects held the victim down on the floor while the other suspect took the victim s wallet from his inside jacket pocket. Officers Greiner and Moody saw the victim bleeding from the nose. The officers took the victim in the patrol car and searched the area. They found the suspects at 24 th and South Van Ness. The suspects were detained after the victim positively identified the culprits. Officers recovered the stolen cell phone from one of the suspects and the victim positively identified the phone as his. The suspects were booked for robbery, aggravated assault, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy. Possession Stun Gun on School Grounds. On 5-16-07 at 450 Church St., a twelve-year-old pupil went to class with the smell of marijuana on his person. The alert teacher sent him to the dean s office and a search of the student s backpack found a stun gun and marker in the student s possession. Student was sent to juvenile probation officer. Cocaine, Base/Rock Offense, Loitering Where Narcotics are Sold. On 5-16-07, 0941hrs. Officer Stancombe was patrolling on his bicycle in the area of 17 th and Mission when he saw the suspect remove rock cocaine from a plastic container. Officer Stancombe stopped the suspect and placed him under arrest. The suspect was arrested on 2/14/07 and 3/4/07 on Mission Street for drug related arrests. The suspect said he just served 30 days in jail and he was just released. Suspect was booked again for drug charges and also booked for violating parole. Fire Report, Death Report, Aided Case, Injured Person On 5-18-07, 0155hrs. Mission Station Officers responded to 5 Woodward St. to assist the San Francisco Fire Department. Upon
arrival the officers noticed a six-unit building was engulfed in flames. At 0215hrs. SFFD announced the fire had become a 3-alarm fire. Due to the severity of the fire a MUNI bus responded to serve as a temporary shelter for the tenants until the Red Cross arrived. Unfortunately the fire resulted in one fatality and one person was in the hospital listed in critical condition at this time. The fire is under investigation at this time. Please check your smoke alarms in your homes! Assault, Aggravated, On Police Officers, with weapon, Malicious Mischief, Resisting Arrest, Causing Injury On 5-17-07 1152hrs. A crazed man in his 30 s was walking on Valencia and 22 nd Street yelling and screaming. The suspect started throwing numerous beer bottles at the large restaurant windows belonging to Boogaloos Restaurant. Glass was spraying and shattering all over patrons, food and the premise while patrons scrabbled to get out of the way. The restaurant was full with patrons as this was the lunch hour. Mission Station Officers responded to the scene and the suspect threw a stool and a garbage can at the officers. Officers wrestled the suspect to the ground and one officer suffered bite marks from the suspect. Four officers suffered minor injuries during the melee. The suspect was booked into the county jail where he received psychiatric help. Four officers responded to the hospital to receive medical help. Upcoming Events Saturday, June 2, 2007, San Francisco Day and Night Challenge, Douglass Playground, Douglass and Clipper from Sat. 11:am to Sunday 11:00am. Saturday, June 9, 2007 Earth Day Festival @ Mission Dolores Park, Dolores and 19 th streets. 11:00am to 11pm
Saturday, June 9, 2007 Neighborhood Whole-Community Dialogue 25 th St. between Mission and Bartlett. Non-profit, grass-roots project aimed at bringing all elements of the neighborhood together to share hopes and visions for the neighborhood. http://june9.sfnan.org Saturday, June 23 rd 2007, Dyke March- Pink Saturday Market and Castro 6:30pm Neighborhood Parks Council council@sfnpc.org is conducting a Rating Restrooms survey. A Task force is gathering data to improve maintenance, hygiene, safety and security of Park Restrooms. Go online to take the survey. On-Line Reporting The Department now has an on-line reporting system for the following crimes: Lost Property Theft Vandalism Vehicle Tampering Vehicle Burglary Harassing Phone Calls Using this system allows you to submit a report at your convenience and immediately print a copy of your report. Additional information is available at the Police Department s website www.sfgov.org/site/police Contact Numbers Mission Station: 558-5400 Abandoned Vehicles: 553-9817
Mission Station: 558-5400 Abandoned Vehicles: 553-9817 DPT Dispatch: 553-1200 DPW Street Cleaning: 28-clean Graffiti Hotline: 241-wash Mobile Assistance Patrol (MAP): 431-7400 Pothole Repair: 695-2100 Street Signs (missing/damaged): 554-9780 Street Lighting: 554-0730 Supervisor Dufty 554-6968 Staffers: Rachelle McManus Boe Hayward Supervisor Ammiano 554-5144 Staffers: Angela Calvillo Zach Tuller Miscellaneous SFPD Recruiting The SFPD continues to actively recruit police officers. Each of you knows someone who would make a GREAT San Francisco Police Officer. Please encourage that person to apply. Upcoming Test Dates: Tues. May 08 at 0800hrs at Bill Graham Center Tues. June 19 at 0800hrs at Bill Graham Center Tues. July 17 at 0800hrs. at Bill Graham Center Contact the SFPD Recruitment Unit at (415)401-4692 for information on what you need to bring and what you will be tested on.
PAL Law Enforcement Cadet Program The San Francisco Police Activities League is currently accepting applications for their Cadet program. Applicants must be between the ages of 14 and 20, maintain a scholastic GPA of at least 2.0, and be able to pass a background investigation. The Cadet Program emphasizes career opportunities in law enforcement, life skills, citizenship, character education, and provides leadership experience. Contact Officer Matthew Balzarini for additional information is available @ (415) 401-4781.