Supervisor Carmen Chu: Utility Scam, Pedestrian Safety
Captain Paul Chignell of the Taraval Police Station alerted my office about numerous communities around the Bay Area that have been plagued with cases where individuals pose as employees of PG&E or other utility companies. The suspects enter victims' homes and commit burglaries. Recently, there have been several reports of these crimes being committed in the Sunset District.
On Jan. 15, officers from the Taraval and Richmond stations made arrests of three suspects based on surveillance of major thoroughfares and possible locations where the suspects frequented.
On Jan. 22, we held a press conference with Chignell, Sgt. Steve Quon, and David Chan from SF SAFE to inform our residents of public safety precautions they can take to avoid becoming victims and to commend officers Oshita, Biggs, Carrasco, Fergus and Dharmani - whose fine work led to the arrest of the suspects.
Some safety tips are:
• Always verify whether a utility worker is actually from PG&E or SFPUC
(water). The PG&E hotline is (800) 743-5000 (24-hour service) and the SFPUC
hotline is (415) 554-3444;
• Utility meters are visible from outside the house - meter readers are
never allowed inside the house without an arranged appointment with the resident;
• Meter readers always carry photo IDs. Residents can ask to see the photo
ID if ever in doubt;
• Be a good neighbor and report any suspicious activity around your neighborhood
to the police department;
• For any emergency requiring immediate police service, do not hesitate
to call 911.
Pedestrian Safety
In light of ongoing pedestrian safety concerns in the district, I called for
a public hearing, scheduled for February, at the SF Board of Supervisors to
better understand the city's more dangerous intersections and proactively work
on ways to improve safety conditions at these areas.
Additionally, the first phase of the 19th Avenue traffic signal upgrade project will begin next month. These much-needed upgrades will help improve pedestrian safety. The California Department of Transportation will be working in partnership with the SF County Transportation Authority and the city's Municipal Transportation Agency to replace traffic signal heads and controllers, install new pedestrian countdown signals, poles, light fixtures, curb ramps and advance stop-line striping.
Phase I intersections include: 19th Avenue/Lincoln Way; 19th Avenue/Irving Street; 19th Avenue/Judah Street; 19th Avenue/Noriega Street; 19th Avenue/Quintara Street; 19th Avenue/Taraval Street; 19th Avenue/Vicente Street; 19th Avenue/Eucalyptus Drive; 19th Avenue/Holloway Avenue; 19th Avenue/Junipero Serra Boulevard.
Office Hours
I am holding district office hours on Thursday, Feb. 14, between 8:30 - 10 a.m.
at the House of Coffee, located at 1618 Noriega St. (at 23rd Avenue). Stop by
to share suggestions or to say hello. You can also contact my office at (415)
554-7460 or chustaff@sfgov.org for questions or suggestions or to sign up for
our newsletter.
San Francisco Supervisor Carmen Chu represents District 4.