Residents Honored; Crime Down Except Aggravated Assaults

Eight Richmond District residents were honored at the monthly meeting of the SF Police Commission on Wednesday, Aug. 22, at the Richmond Police Station.

Brian Pangan, a SF Recreation and Park Department supervisor who oversees the Golden Gate Park Panhandle, was recognized for his team's efforts to clean homeless encampments in the park and deal with leftover trash and sanitary issues. (See Capt. Edgar Springer's column page 4.)

Other good Samaritans awarded certificates were Ezra Roan, Marcos DaSilva and Allana Greenham and her two daughters, for their intrepid efforts in thwarting a purse snatcher who struck at the corner of 17th Avenue and Geary Boulevard. Due to their efforts, the robbers were arrested and the purse safely returned.

Guolin Yu and his daughter Julie were also given certificates of honor for their fearless entry into a burning apartment building to save the life of an 80-year-old man who was unable to evacuate the premises.

"It takes citizen participation as shown by these courageous individuals to help us keep the district safe," said Capt. Edgar Springer, commanding officer at the Richmond Police Station.

The meeting was attended by police commissioners Sidney Chan, president; Connie Perry, vice president; Wayne Friday, commissioner; and Lt. Edward Geeter, secretary. There were also some staff members from the Richmond Station, who summarized the geography of the district and demographic makeup of the area.

Crime in the Richmond is down in most categories from last year, with the exception of aggravated assaults, which are up 62 percent, and motor vehicle thefts, which remained even at 40 incidents.

Springer also reported that new traffic signals are going up on Geary Boulevard at Fourth, Seventh, 12th and 19th avenues. New stop signs will be installed on Balboa Street at Third and 22nd avenues, Lake Street at Third Avenue and Anza Street and 11th Avenue.

The captain also reported that cameras to catch red-light runners are going up on Park Presidio Avenue at Geary Boulevards and Fulton and Lake streets.

Some bad news was also reported at the commission's Richmond District meeting. There have been two traffic fatalities in the district. Officers continue to enforce "Driving Under the Influence" violations in an effort to improve public safety.

Some complaints and concerns were also filed by citizens at the meeting. They included a call to crack-down on speeders on Geary Boulevard, a need for more motorcycle cops (to help enforce traffic violations), double parking and driveway parking near Clement Street.