Community | June 12, 2009 | 3 comments

Central District Newsletter-June 12, 2009

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Central District Newsletter

Captain James I. Dudley
June 12, 2009

“Arm yourself….with knowledge!”

Captain’s Comments

This coming weekend is the North Beach Festival from Columbus and Grant to Washington Square Park, Saturday and Sunday from 10AM-6 PM.
Police Commission Meeting in the Central District
The SFPD Police Commission, Chief Fong and the Command Staff will convene the Police Commission meeting on June 24, 2009 at 6 PM in the Central District at the Portsmouth Square Community Room at Washington and Kearny Streets. There will be limited parking, so please use public transportation. There will be a review of the district, police operations and a chance to ask questions or comment to the Chief or Commission.
Someone asked me last week, after reading my last newsletter, if it really made sense to arrest people in possession of marijuana. The answer is not so simple, except to say that the “Compassionate Marijuana Use Law” was meant for medicinal marijuana use. In the case reported here, three young men were in the enterprise of obtaining the product, packaging it for individual sale on the street, in Chinatown, undoubtedly to youngsters or anyone else with the cash to make a purchase. Last year, then Central Station Lieutenant Dave Smith made a car stop of an individual near the Broadway Tunnel with several pounds of marijuana and a handgun. Despite this and a similar arrest in another part of town with dope and a gun, the suspect was involved in a fatal shooting of a hostage and himself in a neighboring county. Have no doubt, serious crime has been associated to the illegal marijuana industry.
When the topic comes up, two issues are always mentioned. “Isn’t marijuana legal in San Francisco?” The short answer is no. California voters approved medicinal marijuana to be in possession of those also in possession of a medical marijuana card issued by the Department of Public Health. In San Francisco, we went a step further with legislation stating that “Marijuana enforcement is the lowest priority of the SFPD.” That said, marijuana arrests continue to be made and rightfully so. Although we don’t have officers actually out looking to make marijuana arrests, sometimes the offenses approach us. Twice in the past weeks, for instance, suspects have approached undercover officers to sell them “weed” on the street. In a case last year, Lt. Al Yee and I were removing campers from Pioneer Park at Coit Tower when the suspect opened his pouch of several bags of marijuana while pulling out identification. The second issue relates to “successful” marijuana legalization in Europe. Several years ago I did a paper on Amsterdam’s marijuana ‘coffee shops’ and their decline and associated crime issues. In my opinion, they are far from successful. There are several such studies on the Net and if you are interested, I suggest you take a look at them.
“Collect Your Prize!” Scam Over the past several weeks, we have heard from several individuals who say they have been contacted to put money up front to collect a prize at a public place later on in the week. Several people were conned into doing just that. Remember to be wary of the something for nothing schemes and even the something for something schemes. All of the fraudulent trick and device ‘cons’ have something in common: they look to exploit individuals hopeful to win or otherwise get something free or for little return. Hang up on telemarketers and shred and toss unsolicited similar mail as well.
Graffiti vandals have scarred North Beach and Chinatown recently. Please call 911 if you see acts of graffiti or other vandalism in progress. Use 311 to report the mess to get it cleaned up asap. There is a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of graffiti vandals of up to $250.
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3 comments // Central District Newsletter-June 12, 2009

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    • Page Four-Continuing;

      6/6/09 0430 AM Robbery / Force Francisco/ Taylor
      Officers Christopher Ritter and Donn Peterson were on patrol when they were flagged down by a man who stated he was just robbed two suspects at Francisco / Taylor Sts. The victim stated that one suspect asked him for change for $5. When the victim told him he did not have any change, the suspects punched him several times in the face, breaking his glasses. The victim stated another suspect went in his pockets and took his cell phone, California ID and $20. The officers responded to the area and located several individuals on the corner. Officer Ritter saw one Latin male walk away from the group. The officer saw the suspect drop something on the ground. The suspect was detained a block away. The officers located a black cell phone, which belonged to the victim. The victim could not identify the suspects. The male suspect was booked for possession of stolen property.

      6/6/2009 11:15 PM Arson 556 Jones St
      Officers Christopher Ritter and Ryan McArthur responded to the above location on a report of an arsonist being held by Sergeant Arlin Vanderbilt. The SFFD was on scene. Witnesses had reported that they observed a white female starting fires on the sidewalk with cardboard and wood. The suspect was booked at County Jail.

      6/7/2009 9:23 PM Disturbing Peace, Intoxicated 100 Jefferson
      Officer Thomas Cunnane was assigned to the Fisherman’s Wharf area. While on Foot patrol, Officer Cunnane observed a black male drinking from a bottle of Listerine. As the officer approached, the male began swearing obscenities at the officer for no reason.
      The male later told the officer that he was drinking the Listerine because he lost a tooth two years ago. The subject was booked at County Jail.

      6/7/2009 0258 AM Prostitution, Loitering Larkin / California
      Officers Thomas McWilliams and Brandon Thompson were on patrol when they observed a white female standing on the corner flagging vehicles as they were passing by. The officer recognized the female from previous contacts for prostitution related activity. When the officers approached the female, she attempted to hide. The suspect then said’ I guess you have to arrest me’ and put her hands behind her back. The suspects were booked for a continuing offense of loitering for the purpose of prostitution.

      Central Station Resource List

      EMERGENCY: 911
      Non-Emergency: 553-0123
      Cell phone 911: 553-8090
      Customer Service Center: 311
      Central Station: 315-2400
      Web: www.sfgov.org/police
      Captain James I. Dudley 315-2480 james.dudley@sfgov.org
      Anonymous Tip-Line 392-2623 SAFE 553-1984 www.sfsafe.org
      Graffiti Abatement 278-9454
      Graffiti Fax 278-9456 .
      Central Events: 315-2440 Sergeant John Colla
      Central Permits: 315-2423 Officer Scott Gaines
      Code Abatement: 315-2417 Sgt. Mark Hernandez
      Deputy City Attorney: 554-3820 Jill Cannon
      Dept. Parking & Traffic: 553-1943
      DPW: 695-2020 Dispatch
      Quality of Life Liaison: 315-2400 Officer Kim Koltzoff
      Homeless Issues: 315-2400 Off. Jay Shastri or Cathy Daly
      Chinatown Beat: 315-2400 Off. Leon Sorhondo & Stewart Ng- Days
      Off. Sam Yuen - Nights
      Union Square Beat: 315-2400 Officer Carl Payne & Tom Cunnane- Days
      Officer Ed Carew- Nights
      Wharf Beat: 315-2400 Officer Noel DeLeon & Bob Merino-Days
      Officer Tom Costello & Kevin Richins-Nts
      North Beach 315-2400 Officer Mark Alvarez & Mike Kangrga- Nts
      Officer Fred Crisp & Jim Deignan
      Community Liaison: 421-6443x16 Tel-Hi- Danika Choe

      Call 3-1-1/TTY: 415-701-2323. If outside of San Francisco, call 415-701-2311/TTY: 415-701-2323 to reach any of the following: Abandoned Vehicles----DPT Dispatch ----DPW Street Cleaning-----Graffiti Hotline--Mobile Assistance Patrol (MAP)-----Pothole Repair----Street Signs (missing/damaged)---Street Lighting, etc.
      311 Goes ONLINE! Log on now on the sfgov.org website to lodge complaints.

    • 2 years ago
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    • Page Three-Continuing;

      6/3/09 3:30 AM O’Farrell and Hyde Crack Cocaine Offense
      Plainclothes officers Matt Sullivan and Paul Wilgus observed one suspect showing another a handful of suspected crack cocaine. As the officers approached, another man shouted “Police!” The suspect attempted to swallow the drugs but was apprehended and 6 rocks of the drug were recovered. Later that evening at Post and Hyde, Officers Sullivan and John Murphy interrupted a sale of suspected methamphetamine in a car on the street. The suspects were arrested; narcotics and cash were seized as evidence.

      6/3/09 8 PM 400 block of Union Street Auto Burglary Arrest/Marijuana
      Officers Chris Anderson and Greg Skaug responded to Grant and Vallejo on a call of people chasing a young Asian male. The officers determined that the suspect broke into a vehicle on the street, although it was not clear if he intended to steal from it or take the car itself. While fleeing, the suspect threw a small container with three bags of suspected marijuana inside of it. The suspect was determined to be a minor and was cited to a guardian.

      6/5/2009 3:27 AM Prostitution Arrest Bush / Hyde
      Officers Thomas McWilliams and Brandon Thompson were on patrol in the area of Pine / Hyde. This area has been receiving numerous complaints for prostitution related activity. The officers saw two women standing on the corner attempting to flag down passing cars. Another patrol unit passed by and advised the officers that they have admonished one of the women in the past for loitering for the purpose of prostitution.

      6/5/2009 4:12 PM Burglary, Forgery Pier 39
      Officers Thomas Costello and Gregory Skaug responded to Pier 39 on a report of a burglary and forgery attempt. The officers were met by the security. The security officer stated that one of the stores in Pier 39 stated that a fraudulent traveler’s check was just passed to the store. At that time, the victim stated ‘there he is, right there’. When the security officers started to walk up to the black male, he started running through Pier 39 and threw his wallet into the bay. The security officers caught the suspect and recovered the wallet from the water. The wallet contained several stolen credit cards, false identification and fake travelers’ checks. The suspect was taken to Central Station and booked on several felony charges.

      6/5/2009 4:00 PM Marijuana, Transporting 300 Blk Pine St
      Officers Martin Garay and William O’Brien responded to the FedEx at the above location. The employee stated that a customer came in and wanted to send a package to Houston, Tx. After the customer left, the employee remembered him from a prior incident, where he tried to ship marijuana. The employee opened the box in front of the officers where 8 lbs of marijuana was inside.

      6/6/2009 0307 Prostitution, Loitering Pine / Larkin
      Officers Brandon Thompson and Thomas were on patrol in the area of Pine / Larkin when they observed a black female with a very short skirt attempting to conceal herself between parked vehicles. The officers detained the female. She admitted she was out working for prostitution. The officers cited and released her.

    • 2 years ago
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    • Page Two-Continuing;

      Broadway Corridor
      ==================================
      Friday June 5, 2009
      ==================================
      Felony Arrests 0
      Misdemeanor Arrests 1
      Drunk Related Arrests 10
      Moving Citations 25
      Parking Citations 25
      Vehicles Towed 8

      ==================================
      Saturday June 6, 2009
      ==================================
      Felony Arrests 1
      Misdemeanor Arrests 4
      Drunk Related Arrests 4
      Moving Citations 38
      Parking Citations 22
      Vehicles Towed 11
      ==================================

      6/6/09 at 11:45 PM 1300 block of Grant Ave Aggravated Assault
      A fight between four women in a bar resulted in serious injuries. The women from Oakland, San Mateo, Pleasant Hill and Alta Loma were detained and medical aid was summoned.

      6/7/09 at 12:15 AM 400 block of Broadway Aggravated Assault
      A serious assault occurred inside a club with several men and women involved. Reasons why the fracas occurred vary. At least ne individual was hit over the head with a bottle and others were injured from glass debris. Suspects and victims were from El Cerrito, Brentwood, Oakland and Castro Valley. Copies of both reports will be sent to the Entertainment Commission for action.

      6/6/2009 0207 AM Resisting Arrest, intoxicated Broadway/ Kearny
      Officers Brandon Thompson and Thomas McWilliams responded to the Broadway Corridor to assist another officer. Upon arrival they observed a black male yelling and swearing at the officer. The subject’s friends tried to calm him down to no avail. The officers could see that the subject was clearly intoxicated. After several attempts to calm the subject, the officers advised him that he was going to be detained for public intoxication. The subject began swearing more, and resisted arrest. He was finally taken into custody and transported to county Jail for resisting and intoxicated in public.
      SAFE stands for Safety Awareness For Everyone and it is a valuable crime prevention organization. Grab and Run Shoplifters have been active of late, especially near our retail areas of the district. Plainclothes officers have made good arrests at locations where patterns of the thefts have occurred. Merchants can help yourselves by being alert, greeting patrons and by checking out the SAFE website for tips on loss prevention. SAFE can also do a security survey and report on businesses and homes. Check them out at www.sfsafe.org .
      Reward! Check out the www.sfgov.org/police website for rewards for Homicide information, Graffiti information and when giving tips on illegal guns in San Francisco. Rewards are enumerated from $250 for Graffiti to $1,000 for guns to and up to $10,000 or more for information leading to the arrest on some homicides.

      Crimes of Note:
      5/30/09 1 AM 500 block of Jackson St. Cocaine Offense
      Officers Thomas McWilliams and Brandon Thompson observed two men snorting suspected cocaine on the street. The suspects attempted to flee but were apprehended. Suspects hailed from Santa Clara and Rohernert Park.

      6/2/09 2:30 AM Grant/Green Auto Burglary Arrest
      Officers Matt Sullivan, Nelson Yu and Angel Lozano responded to the area of a car break in and detained four individuals, later identified as the same who used a tool to enter the car. The suspects from San Leandro and San Mateo were also found in possession of Burglary tools, ammunition a collapsible baton and clothing.

    • 2 years ago
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