Capt. Edgar Springer: Police Beat

We have good news to report in the area of pedestrian safety. The citywide quarterly report (January ­ March 2001) for pedestrian fatalities was just released. There has been a 72 percent reduction for the first quarter this year compared to the same period last year ­ 11 in 2000 compared to 3 for the first quarter this year.

My feeling is the reduction is directly related to increased public awareness, the hard work of all involved to increase law enforcement, public education outreach, new lights, signs, crosswalks and other engineering assistance.

We have seen a slight increase in acts of graffiti. Citizen extraordinaire John Gray is still hard at work trying to stay ahead of the vandals. In fact, he caught one culprit in the act recently and held him for us.

We have had some success on the apprehension side. So far, we are averaging one arrest for every four reports of vandalism. Those that are caught are being required to perform 40-plus hours of community service painting out graffiti.

We still depend on each of you to help us with the graffiti problem. When you witness an act of graffiti, call us. Describe the individuals involved and the color and type of markers being used. Most times, we are able to connect the individuals to the act based upon the description, instruments and colors used. Quite often there are ink markings on an individual's hands or clothes.

In many cases, when the person involved is a juvenile, we will find them in possession of the illegal contraband, markers or spray cans.

N.E.R.T. at Forum
We had an outstanding turnout at the Richmond District Community/Police Forum. The featured group was N.E.R.T., the Neighborhood Emergency Response Team. The presenters were Vincent Louie from the Inner Richmond District Group and David Hirtz from the Outer Richmond District group.

Through N.E.R.T. many residents were trained in emergency search procedures, learned first aid skills, and organized with their neighbors to be ready for the "Big One" (or for the merely inconvenient one that knocks out power and other city services).

There have been some changes at the Richmond Police Station. We lost one day watch lieutenant and gained a new night watch lieutenant.

Lt. Sharon Hedges-Hiller has retired from the Richmond Station and the SF Police Department. She has been with the San Francisco police department for 20 years. Sharon served at Richmond Station as sergeant and most recently as our day watch lieutenant for the last few years. Some of you may remember her as that fast-walking lady in uniform on Geary Boulevard. Part of her morning routine would be to go on foot patrol from Sixth and Geary to 24th and Geary (sometimes on Clement Street) and back. We will miss her and will be wishing her the best of luck and health in her retirement.

We would also like to welcome our new night watch lieutenant Sharon McNally. Sharon has transferred to us from the airport bureau. She has been with the police department for approximately 20 years.

Some Other Changes
Richmond Station now has a new telephone number. The station direct line is now 666-8000. The TDY line is 666-8059.

Remember to call 911 if there is an emergency. When calling in an emergency from a cell phone in the city, call 553-8090. This is the equivalent number for 911 for cell phones in San Francisco only. If you dial 911 on your cell phone, you will be routed to a California Highway Patrol emergency dispatch center in Vallejo. The telephone companies are working to change this system.

I am looking forward to seeing you at the next Community/Police Forum ("Parking, traffic and pedestrian safety #2). The evening will be devoted to an examination of traffic calming and community improvement needed in the Richmond District. The meeting is Tuesday, May 15, at 7 p.m., at the Richmond Police Station, located at 461 Sixth Ave. Free parking is available at the Kaiser Hospital parking lot.