Capt. Paul Chignell: Real-life Crime Stories

As many of you know, the type of police work that we see on television or in the movies is quite different from real life, particularly in San Francisco. It is fun to watch police zap the bad guys in movies where the guys and gals in white hats always win and crime scene investigators are always available to draw a DNA sample and then the suspect is perfectly matched and a conviction garnered.

But, of course that is not the case. Sometimes officers make the perfect arrest but those of you who follow my daily e-mails delineating the crimes and arrests in the Taraval District (which encompasses the Outer Sunset, Inner Sunset, Forest Hill, Forest Hill Extension, Laguna Honda, Edgehill, Golden Gate Heights, Monterey Heights, St. Francis Wood, West Portal, Merced Manor, Ingleside Terrace, Balboa Terrace, OMI, Merced Extension, SF State, Parkmerced, Lakewood, Country Club Acres, Lakeside, Mount Davidson Manor, Ocean Avenue, Sunset Heights and other areas West of Twin Peaks) know that the best cases are made with dogged police work, luck, common sense and, most importantly, with the assistance of residents.

You are our eyes and ears and without your calls, flagging us down or giving tips, most cases would not be solved. A prime example of that was the other day when Taraval officers caught three burglars on rooftops and in backyards in the 1400 block of 37th Avenue. If the residents had not called, the suspects would have escaped. That happens all the time, whether burglaries, robberies or other more minor offenses, such as reckless drivers and graffiti suspects.

So, keep calling, even if the matter seems minor. Minor cases turn into big cases quickly. A man loitering on a corner may be the guy that is wanted on an arrest warrant for a serious case.

Thanks for your support and cooperation. We are in this together.

Capt. Paul Chignell is the commanding officer at the Taraval Police Station.