Capt. Marsha Ashe: Police Beat

The officers of the San Francisco Police Department, particularly in the Richmond District, mourn the loss of Sgt. Craig Neufeld, who was killed May 13 in an off-duty car crash.

Sergeant Neufeld, better known as "Neuf," came to the Richmond after he was promoted to sergeant. He approached his work-night with such diligence that most nights passed without incident. While most of us were asleep, he and the officers he supervised cruised the streets to insure we stayed safe.

Neufeld's family honored his wishes for a private service. However, his mother and brothers asked to meet the men and women he worked with and to tour the district, which they had heard a lot about. This was arranged quickly since they came in from out of state. Even so, every officer on the night watch came in. Many came on their own, off-duty, to share a little bit about working with Neufeld and about the district.

His mother, a study of grace and beauty, even in such sorrow, tried to summarize her experience in the district and with the officers.

"Wonderful is just too strange a word to use in these circumstances, but it's the only word that comes to mind," she said.

I write about this for two reasons. First, the obvious one of trying to explain why some of our citizens have commented that everyone seemed to be so sad recently. Yes, we have been sad.

In police work, perhaps more than other professions, losing an active-duty member resonates throughout the department and leaves anyone who worked with or knew Neufeld bereaved.

The other reason is to voice appreciation for the businesses and individuals who offered their assistance and condolences. Of particular note were the Gazebo Florist and the Cliff House Restaurant.

May is a hard time to grieve. The flowers promised in April bloom, the weather heats up and life continues. Many people think an officer's day or night is filled with grim details. Actually, our days can be kind of light-hearted, in spite of the grim realities we have to face. In late May such a day occurred when Sgt. Peter Dacre and I responded to a complaint of men drinking in the bushes along Park Presidio Boulevard. Dacre began to drive up onto the horse path when I blurted out "Whoa now! There's a turtle on the path! A turtle?" Thus we had the completely enjoyable experience of meeting "Corky," the Richmond District's very own tortoise.

Dacre, a more diligent cop than I, did rouse a few inebriates from the bush while I chatted with Corky's gracious owner. It would be nice if I could tie in some safety tip, a la Aesop's Fables, about walking very large tortoises along bridle paths, but I can't. This is just a vivid example of an "only in the Richmond" and "only in a police officer's day's work" experience.

Just as life goes on, so did the month and the city's annual events. These included the Bay to Breakers, which happened in spite of torrential rains. One person, with a clear understanding of the proposed city budget, called to express concern over the number of officers provided for the event. In the Richmond District alone we deployed more than 40 officers for the Bay to Breakers. Clearly this inquiry was well placed.

None of these officers were removed from uniformed patrol, which remains our highest priority. In fact, almost all the officers who worked the event were off-duty and paid by event sponsors.

Another citizen complained about street closures generated by the event. Unfortunately, I don't have as tidy an answer for this understandable complaint. I can say we try to minimize the negative effects on surrounding neighborhoods as much as possible. And, yes, I know that regardless of how hard the officers try to "minimize the negative effect" it is never enough.

Some planned events will have only very positive effects on the district. These include the Community/Police Forum in June. June's meeting will be a two-hour symposium on safety related issues with the elderly. Because this topic has generated a lot of interest in the past, we will meet at 3 p.m., June 18, in the Community Room at the Richmond Station (461 Sixth Ave.).

Another exciting event will be a "first ever" happening during which the community and officers at the Richmond Police District will participate in the National Night Out. This nationwide event will be on Tuesday, Aug. 6 and will include a barbecue and open house at the station. Next month's column will be devoted to talking more about the event. Until then - stay safe.

Capt. Marsha Ashe is the commanding officer at the Richmond District Police Station.