Criminology // Current TV

Central District Newsletter - July 8, 2008

Central District Newsletter Captain James I. Dudley July 8, 2008 Captain’s... more

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Central District Newsletter - July 01, 2008

Captain’s Comments

As July 4th approaches, please remember a few things:

∑ Fireworks are illegal in San Francisco. Every year the SFFD responds to fires caused by illegal fireworks. Bottle rockets and fireworks that propel an object into the air cause fires to rooftops or flammable things likes like fields or other structures. Even seemingly innocuous items like sparklers can cause severe burns to small hands. Of course, the emergency rooms are frequented by those who didn’t quite throw the fireworks fast enough, or by those unfortunate to be near the ‘landing zone.’

∑ Every year we also hear gunshots along with the fireworks. Needless to say, shooting a firearm in San Francisco is also illegal. The old adage, “What goes up must come down” certainly applies to bullets. Some geniuses think shooting a gun into the air, but over the years, we have responded to calls of those injured by the bullets that cannot escape gravity.

∑ Along with this years public fireworks display in the Bay, it also happens to be a Friday night in San Francisco. Activities span from Aquatic Park to Pier 39 and beyond, into the Southern District. Entertainment will begin at 2 PM and fireworks will begin at 9:30 PM at the end of Muni Pier and from a barge at the end of Piers 39 and 45. There will surely be traffic jams along the bay so please take public transportation or walk to any events in the area. Have a Safe and Sane 4th!

(Editor’s note- On Saturday afternoon at 2:30 PM, Sgt. Ed Garcia was on foot patrol walking through Portsmouth Square when he spied three juveniles sitting on a bench in the park. At one end of the bench sat a canvas bag full of illegal fireworks, including 16 Roman Candles, 600 missiles, forty four “M-80’s” and 2 “m-100’s”. These are pretty serious illegal fireworks that fall into the high explosives territory. Due to the nature and volume of the collection, the SFPD Bomb Disposal Unit was summoned to take charge of the property for destruction).

Last week, Sgt. Mark Hernandez broke up a fireworks sales ring under the Bush Street arch at Grant. On 6/28/08 at 8 PM Officer Jonathan Tong cited a 19 year old for discharging and selling fireworks on the 900 block of Grant Ave. On 6/29/08 at 6:45 PM, Officer Tong made another arrest for sales on Waverly Alley. That amount too, called for disposal by our Bomb Squad.
Captain’s Comments As July 4th approaches, please remember a few things:... more

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Central District Newsletter - June 24, 2008

Central District Newsletter
Captain James I. Dudley
June 24, 2008

Captain’s Comments

Summer is officially here.
No one wants to be “their brother’s keeper” but it certainly helps when it comes to crime. I am not advocating everyone to be nosey when it comes to their neighbor, but let’s employ the “buddy system” this summer. Historically, it is a time when burglary and general theft goes up on the crime charts. School is out, the weather tends to warm up a bit and people leave their doors and windows open. Let’s make the district one big Neighborhood Watch Group. That means we get to know our neighbors, we look out for each other, we pick up any piled up mail or newspapers with their permission. We call the police when something looks suspicious. If it involves a suspect, call 911 and let the dispatcher sort it out.

Nine years ago, I was the Captain of the Juvenile and Family Services Division. It was there that I learned that juvenile related crime and child abuse cases goes way down. At first I thought how great it was to have a summer break from all of those awful cases. It didn’t take long to realize that schools were the place where things were reported to police. The number of incidents of child abuse and juvenile crime didn’t actually go down; those crimes just weren’t being reported by the people who saw our kids everyday. Schools are mandatory reporters, as mandated by law. Let’s all become our own mandatory reporter as well. If we see a kid that is abused or neglected or a victim of crime, let’s call it in. We will all be better for it.

As July 4th approaches, please remember a few things. Fireworks are illegal in San Francisco. There will surely be traffic jams along the bay so please take public transportation or walk to any events in the area. Have a Safe and Sane 4th!

Broadway Corridor
Friday June 20, 2008: Saturday June 21, 2008:
Felony arrests made 0 Felony arrests 0
Misdemeanor arrests made 1 Misdemeanor arrests made 1
Drunk related arrests made 1 Drunk related arrests made 1
Moving citations 6 Moving citations 31
Parking citations issued 18 Parking citations issued 18
Towed vehicles 5 Towed vehicles 13

Traffic Company Enforcement: Five Traffic motorcycle Officers assisted. The SF Sheriff’s Department assisted in crowd control on both evenings. On Saturday night the CHP was in the district to conduct an Operation Impact enforcement program. They always provide great support and tend to calm traffic and the crowds by their presence.
Central District Newsletter Captain James I. Dudley June 24, 2008 Captain’s... more

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Oakland Motorcycle Cops Stir Controversy with Loud Pipes

Monday June 16, 2008: Civilians are usually the ones getting attention for loud... more

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Resident Says Loud Music a Big Problem

Monday, June 16, 2008 Resident says loud music a big problem By Mike Reddell Bay... more

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Salem neighbors making noise about loud motorcycles

SALEM — There are days when Alicia Hart claims to endure the earsplitting rumble... more

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Elkhart Looks to Quiet Mufflers, Music

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/19981669.html by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)... more

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Central District Newsletter - June 17, 2008

Central District Newsletter Captain James I. Dudley June 17, 2008... more

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Budapest searches for green solution

Authorities in Budapest consider initiatives to reduce the city's air pollution.... more

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Stamps could mark the nightspot

Jun 13, 2008, by David Smith, The Examiner The recommendation is the latest move... more

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Central District Newsletter - June 10, 2008

Central District Newsletter;
Captain James I. Dudley;
June 10, 2008;

Captain’s Comments

The Broken Windows Theory, (revisited). By now, as an avid reader of this newsletter, you are aware of the James Q. Wilson and George Kelling paper on addressing crime at its lowest level to have impact on larger, more serious crime and disorder. The theory is simple, this is my liberal interpretation:

They looked at a large abandoned building in an industrial section of a city and shortly after it was evacuated, it was still intact. Soon, passing kids knocked out a window or two and the allure was too much for others. In a short time, after testing the waters and seeing that no one objected, all the windows were broken out. The area soon became a dumping ground. The authors surmised that if you keep an area well kept and showed that there was care and concern for it, others would respect that and were reticent to disrespect it.

Recently, one of our best beat officers was threatened with a complaint by a citizen and a government official. The man was told by the beat officer not to rummage around in a City trash can. The man protested that he was collecting cans and bottles for recycling. Area residents and merchants long complained that such “dumpster diving” was creating a mess in the area. Some had gone extra lengths by bringing in cans early and by putting locks and cables on private trash cans. We did a little research and found that the beat officer was 100% correct in his enforcement. The City has a contract with local recyclers at homes, businesses and even City sidewalk trash receptacles. They alone have authority to collect the materials. It may seem like a small thing, but we have had streets, corners and alleys become a nightmare of trash and garbage from just such activity.

Example two in the Broken Windows Theory is our long fight against crime and bad behavior in the Broadway area. I would estimate 90% or better of the businesses in the area operate on a good neighbor system of keeping their establishments clean, well lit and under good management. One of the biggest complaints from businesses under our scrutiny is: “It’s not our fault, it’s these roaming bands of guys who hang out on our streets and in front of our clubs that cause all the trouble.” When we looked at the overall picture of the problems in the area, we used the SARA model of Problem Solving. We Scanned the problems, Analyzed the data, Responded with enforcement operations and strategies and we continue to Assess the situation. We know for certain that despite continued police enforcement, the problem will not clear up unless it is followed up with a consequence of some kind. For that, we need help from the District Attorney, ABC and Entertainment Commission.
Central District Newsletter; Captain James I. Dudley; June 10, 2008;... more

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Central District Newsletter - June 3, 2008

Central District Newsletter
Captain James I. Dudley
June 3, 2008

Captain’s Comments

Beware the Scam!
There are several ways to skin a cat. There are also several ways to become a victim of a theft by scam or fraud. Recently, a business in the district was the victim of a laptop theft by means of a suspect acting as an electrician. The suspect even went so far as to dime some lights in the office that he was stealing from so that if he was caught, he’d have a credible alibi.

We have seen various variations of this. Usually an individual is a thief of opportunity. In a commercial business they will walk unheeded looking for small electronics from cell phones to Ipods to laptops. They will generally leave when confronted but will take the path of least resistance, avoiding contact with others.

Some other popular scams:

“The Bump and Lift.” It can happen almost in any crowded place, but we have received reports of the occurrence aboard MUNI. The victim will be standing aboard a crowded bus or trolley car when someone bumps into them from the front. As they react, by catching the person or shielding themselves, the second suspect will lift their wallet or purse from behind.

The “Utility Worker Burglars.” A year ago we had several incidents of this type of crime but we have been free of this for several months. I have heard of several incidents occurring in the Richmond and Taraval Districts and south of our City. Two or more men dressed in work clothes or overalls come knocking at your door saying they want to check your utility, (water, gas, phone, electricity). One suspect goes and flushes a toilet with you or switches appliances on and off while his confederates ransack closets and drawers for jewelry and cash. Some of the imposters go as far as wearing hard hats, reflective vests and drive a van or truck. Legitimate utility workers carry identification and will present it when requested.

“3 Card Monty” This well organized scam usually targets tourists. It is an old con game where the suspect does a card trick or uses three bottle tops to slide around on a board or table with a small red ball beneath one of them. They will let you win cash from them but insist you play until you start to place higher wagers. The game is impossible to win. The suspect hides the ball with his palm and thumbs and lifts the foam ball from all three tops. They usually work with a “shill” or “plant” in the audience who will walk away

Part OneCentral District Newsletter Captain James I. Dudley June 3, 2008... more