Central District Newsletter-August 11, 2009

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7/30/09 Noon 800 block of Sutter Auto Burglary/Arrest
Officer Pete McLaughlin observed two men wrestling with a woman near a public parking garage and stopped to investigate. The officer sorted out that employees of the garage caught the woman in the act of breaking into a vehicle of a customer known to them. They attempted to hold onto the woman for police as she struggled to run away from the scene. The woman from SF was also found to be in possession of “crack” pipes, used for smoking crack cocaine.

7/30/09 1:40 PM 1000 block of Sutter Assault on Police with Sword
Residents of a hotel called police to say that a 29 year old white male resident was seen walking the halls with a Samurai Sword and “talking crazy.” Officers Charles August and Kim Koltzoff responded with other officers and took the suspect into custody with some resistance. The suspect dug his nails into the hand of another officer before he was restrained. The suspect was also found to have a set of ‘brass knuckles’ in his pocket.

7/31/09 11 AM Clay/Waverly Elder Abuse/Assault
A local resident harassed and attacked his landlord over several days with an assault that led to the suspect’s arrest which included the Elder Abuse charge because of their age differences. The suspect was found to be carrying a large knife at the time of his arrest, which led to an additional charge.

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 Pete McLaughlin & 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.

Megan’s Law Website Access:
The general public can find out information on sexual predators on line by going to the DOJ website: www.meganslaw.ca.gov or at the SFPD link at www.sfgov.org/police. You may check specific names or zip codes to locate those listed in the database.

Join the SFPD: www.sfgov.org/police

The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice is launching a new safety blog to keep people in San Francisco safe and informed. The blog draws together reports and updates from the City’s many public safety partners. This includes weekly updates from the SFPD’s 10 district station Captains. These reports summarize activity in each district and explain how each district Captain is deploying his or her officers in response. Make sure you check out www.sfpublicsafety.blogspot.com

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Broadway Corridor
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Friday July 31, 2009
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Felony Arrests 0
Misdemeanor Arrests 2
Drunk Related Arrests 4
Moving Citations 62
Parking Citations 8
Vehicles Towed 9

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Saturday August 1, 2009
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Felony Arrests 0
Misdemeanor Arrests 12
Drunk Related Arrests 1
Moving Citations 92
Parking Citations 22
Vehicles Towed 28
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Club Violence: A club on the 500 block of Broadway has been brought to the Entertainment Commission for a review of their business plan and security plan recently. DPW has been very helpful in curtailing their patio permit, halting use after 10 PM.
On 7/31/09 at 1:36 AM Officers Michael Bushnell, John Murphy, Martin Garay and Sgt. Mark Hernandez responded to quell a large fight among patrons of the club outside on the sidewalk. Club security said the large crowd was engaged in a verbal argument. An off duty Oakland Police Officer on scene told the officers that one suspect, seen running in circles holding his waist area was seen to have a handgun in his waistband. As the officers approached, someone yelled, “Run, Police!” The suspect looked at the officers and took off running. The suspect discarded the gun as he ran but both he and the gun were recovered and booked at Central Station. The gun was held for CSI and was discovered to be reported stolen. The report was sent to the EC for immediate follow up.
8/1/09 at midnight on the 600 block of Sutter Street, several intoxicated club goers were involved in a fight inside a club. Club security broke up the fight, but it resumed outside on the street. The suspect, described as a Hispanic male, 26-27 years old, 5’6” 205 pounds wearing a black shirt, dark pants, with tattoos on his shirt and arms, stabbed the victim, a 21 year old black male from Arkansas.

8/1/09, at1:48 AM at 300 block of Bay Street. Officers Josh Tiumalu and Vien Lam observed a large fight in front of a club and observed a suspect punch a club employee in the face, knocking him into a fire station valve. The victim collapsed to the street and the officers gave chase, finally arresting the 22 year old suspect from Oakland.

Crimes of Note:
7/28/09 10:30 PM 100 block of Grant Ave Strong Arm Robbery
Officers John Murphy and Ryan Jones responded to a strong arm robbery that had just occurred at Geary and Grant Ave. The victim explained to Tenderloin Officers Burke and Toomey that he was tackled and assaulted by 4 teenaged black males who went through his pockets and took his property. Officers canvassed the area and located the suspects near 8th and Market. Two of the suspects were identified and the distinctive Ipod and case were recovered from the suspects clothing. Great response and follow up work by these officers.

7/29/09 2 AM 300 block of Francisco Vehicle Arson
Officers responded to the scene where the SFFD was putting out two parked vehicles that had been lit on fire. The two victims were on scene and said they had been at a club on Bay Street when the fires occurred. A witness saw two male figures of unknown race running from the scene as the fires started.

7/29/09 6 PM Bay/Van Ness Auto Burglary /Arrest
Officers Rene Nielsen, Nico Discenza and John Shanahan took a white male parolee into custody with stolen property from a parked vehicle a few blocks away. An alert witness observed the suspect from SF use a screwdriver to break into the car and remove the contents, a laptop and valuable medical supplies from the car. The witness called 911, stayed on the line and gave dispatch an excellent description and travel route of the suspect. The suspect was also charged with a parole violation.

Ok I need to comment on this post since there will be a special article on Vehicle Theft. I do not recommend anyone to install car alarms that blast the neighborhood with noise. The Police Department have somehow been lobbied by the car alarm industry and the law in this regard gives more rights to a machine than to humans to curb with public nuisances when the alarm falsely goes off harassing everyone around it. Be aware that California Law allow residents to brake into your car and disconnect the electrical system without braking the law. You will end up to pay for the window and tow. So it is better to install a "switch" or the club as they call it.

CALIFORNIA CODES

CIVIL CODE

SECTION 3479-3484

3479. Anything which is injurious to health, including, but not limited to, the illegal sale of controlled substances, or is indecent or offensive to the senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property, so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property, or unlawfully obstructs the free passage or use, in the customary manner, of any navigable lake, or river, bay, stream, canal, or basin, or any public park, square, street, or highway, is a nuisance.

3480. Section Thirty-four Hundred and Eighty. A public nuisance is one which affects at the same time an entire community or neighborhood, or any considerable number of persons, although the extent of the annoyance or damage inflicted upon individuals may be unequal.

SECTION 3501-3503

3502. A person injured by a private nuisance may abate it by removing, or, if necessary, destroying the thing which constitutes the nuisance, without committing a breach of the peace, or doing unnecessary injury.

Therefore do not angry, stalk or harass the neighbors and save some money by taking off your noisy alarm and install a switch or that club thing.

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8/7/09 1:15 PM Embarcadero center Burglary/Bike
Officer Tom Costello observed a 21 year old Fremont man take a bicycle from the Embarcadero Center garage and arrested him. The officer recovered a duffle bag with bolt cutters, other tools and narcotics paraphernalia. The bicycle was recovered and stored for the owner.

8/8/09 at 9:37 PM Francisco and Taylor Streets Assault w/Gun
Witnesses told police that at 9:30 PM, they observed a group of several young black juveniles ‘boxing’ or ‘play fighting’ in the street. As the fights escalated, one 15-20 year old black male suspect, 5’10” 150 wearing a black jacket, black pants and dread locks, pulled a handgun and fired at the juvenile victim, hitting him in the abdomen. The victim was transported to SFGH for treatment of the ‘non-life threatening’ wound. The CSI and Investigations Bureau responded to collect evidence and to conduct the investigation.

8/8/09 5:30 PM 1400 Grant Ave. Unregistered Sex Offender
North Beach Beat Officer Milan Kangrga observed a transient arguing with a local merchant, using loud and profane language. The 43 year old white male suspect fled as the officer approached. Determined, the officer followed the suspect to Washington Square Park and detained the man. After attempting to further evade the officer with false identification, he was determined to be a sex offender who had failed to register, as per the law. The suspect was booked for the violation.

Auto Burglary is a commonly committed non-violent crime in the district-
The second week of July was a bad week for auto boosts. In all, there were 16 laptop computers taken, 14 backpacks and purses, 9 GPS systems and 7 Ipods. I am bewildered why people would continue to leave such valuables in plain sight in their parked and unattended vehicles. Auto boosting is done most often by individuals grazing an area, walking along rows of parked cars in garages or on the street with an eye out for exposed, valuable property. The act of breaking the window and grabbing the property takes literally less than one minute to complete. Most property is taken and turned around for sale on the street or through other means such as on the Internet. I encourage you to take some precautionary measures to keep from being an auto burglary victim:
• Always park in a well lit or well travelled spot.
• Take all valuables with you or lock them out of sight in the trunk. If you know ahead of time that you will be stopping, put the items in the trunk before arriving at your destination. Some crooks have been known to watch for the transfer to the trunk when selecting targets.
• Remove all charging cords and cradles from view. (For Ipods, cell phones, GPS, etc.)
• Do not leave change, cds or sunglasses in view if possible.
• Use an alarm system, steering wheel locking device and use locks on all external accessories such as bicycles, skis, roof racks etc.
Call Police to report suspicious activity

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Club Violence:
8/8/09 at 12:50 AM on the 400 block of Broadway, a man inside a club was seen by officers bleeding from a cut next to his eye. The man said he attempted to break up a fight inside the club when he was hit in the face by an Asian male 25-30 years, 5’5, 180 pounds with a shaved head and black and white striped shirt.
15 minutes later, inside the same club, two or more young women (early 20’s) assaulted a 23 year old woman for unknown reasons, punching her in the face several times. All were said to be ejected by club security, where the assault continued outside a side entrance. Officers Taft and Lee responded and interrupted the assault, taking the main aggressor into custody. An ambulance was summoned to the scene to treat both suspect and victim. Copies of these reports were forwarded to the Entertainment Commission for a review of security conditions.

Crimes of Note:
8/4/09 3:22 PM Grant/Geary Streets Grab and Run Robbery
A 20 year old black male adult dressed in a black tuxedo stepped into a jewelry store after casing it. He asked to try on a watch worth over $50,000 and once putting it on his wrist, he immediately ran from the store. Despite having an elaborate escape plan via the Union Square Garage and Macy’s, he was doggedly pursued by security officers, the store clerk and Beat Officer Carl Payne , who spotted t he commotion. In the end, the suspect from L.A. was caught, still wearing the wristwatch. Several officers and security personnel should be commended for their efforts.

8/5/09 Midnight Pine/Larkin Prostitution
Officers John Murphy and Paul Wilgus worked plainclothes in the area of high incidents of prostitution when they noticed a well known 19 year old prostitute attempting to flag down men in cars. The woman was booked because of her recent activity in the area.

8/6/09 7:21 Pm Northpoint/Larkin Graffiti Arrest
While on duty in a marked radio car, Officers Warren Lee and Rene Nielsen observed 2 20 year olds from Santa Rosa marking a wall with felt pens. The two were transported to Central Station and cited for the vandalism.

8/6/09 10:33 PM Post/Stockton Burglary/Commercial
Officers Gary Moriyama responded to a burglary alarm at a large sportswear store that was closed. Alarm company reps said they heard a suspect inside, despite no apparent visible point of entry outside. Officers Vien Lam, Winston Seto, Ed Carew and John Shannahan held a perimeter as k-9 Officer Alexis Brunner and “Crocker” searched the premises. A short time later, a 56 year old transient was captured with 36 items worth thousands of dollars. The suspect admitted that he gained entry from an adjoining club.

8/6/09 7:30 PM Aquatic Park Buildings Graffiti Arrests
Officers Jose Mora and Martin Garay responded to the Aquatic Park area on a call of several juveniles ‘tagging’ buildings. When they arrived, they saw over a dozen juveniles with several tools and painting instrumentalities. In all, a dozen were detained, with 5 arrested for vandalism.

8/7/09 4:39 AM Broadway Tunnel Vandalism/Graffiti
Officers Paul Wilgus and Ryan McArthur were dispatched to the Broadway Tunnel where they observed a 24 year old white male from SF spray painting a wall. The man said “I was crossing out someone who crossed out my work.” The suspect and an array of materials were booked at Central Station. The suspect was also found to have 18 postal box keys and was reported to the US Postal Service as well.

Since we all missed the last posting on the August 4 Newsletter. I'll will post both date. Today first and on the bottom the stats and news for the SFPD - Central August 4th Newsletter.