Capt. Sandra Tong: Police Beat

Safe Shopper Program
The Richmond Station has implemented the Safe Shopper Program again this year. From Thanksgiving to Christmas there will be extra officers on foot beats in the district's most congested business areas, which become even more congested with holiday shoppers. The goal of this additional staffing is to prevent crimes of opportunity through increased visibility and to relieve traffic-related problems by enforcing applicable traffic codes, such as handicap ramp/space, bus zone and double-parking violations, etc.

November Meeting/Meals on Wheels
The November community meeting was a success with several members from the community discussing what programs are available to seniors and persons with disabilities. Chris Colwick, chair of the Richmond District Advisory Council (DAC), presented information on the Meals on Wheels program. The mission of Meals on Wheels is to:

· Provide the nutrition component that will allow San Francisco seniors to remain in their homes for as long as appropriate;

· Foster independent living with dignity in the homebound senior population.

The program is available to San Francisco residents who are at least 60 years old, with a demonstrated need for the service (inability to shop, cook or otherwise prepare meals). If you or anyone you know could benefit from this program, contact Meals on Wheels at 1375 Fairfax Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124 or call them at (415) 920-1111.

Holiday Potluck
December's community meeting will be a potluck Christmas celebration at the Richmond Station on Dec. 16, at 6:30 p.m. Please join us for some holiday cheer. In addition to bringing a treat or beverage to share with the group, if you want to bring a Christmas ornament there will be a Christmas tree that will need trimming during the festivities.

Officer-of-the-Month
Every month the SFPD recognizes an officer from one of the 10 district stations as an example of professionalism and dedication. I am proud to announce that Richmond Station's officer-of-the-month is officer Lorie Brophy.

Brophy has been with the police department for 21 years. Many of you may be familiar with her as she is a second-generation native of the Richmond District who has worked as a patrol officer in the Richmond for approximately 20 years.

Although Brophy is regularly assigned as the school car officer, she handles calls for service all over the district, setting an example of courtesy, dedication to service and professionalism. After 21 years, Brophy is still one of the most active officers at Richmond Station. Congratulations officer Lorie Brophy on being SFPD's December 2003 officer-of-the-month.

Pit Bull Shot by Richmond Sergeant in Golden Gate Park
On Sunday, Nov. 23, at approximately 12:45 p.m., a mounted officer was patrolling inside Golden Gate Park when he saw a woman walking a pit bull off-leash. Sergeant Dave Herrera of the mounted unit admonished the woman to re-leash her dog. The dog, later identified as "Nettie," became agitated and began attacking the horse, "AAA Andy."

The horse got spooked and threw Herrera to the ground. The dog's owner, Anastasia Kiafter, was kicked in the face by the horse as she tried to control her pet. The horse then took off at a gallop westbound on John F. Kennedy Drive.

Richmond Station Sergeant Peter Dacre responded to the mounted unit's call for assistance. He found the horse in the area of Eighth Avenue and JFK Drive. A SF Recreation and Park Department employee, along with a park visitor, were trying to control the horse by holding onto its reins.

Suddenly, the dog renewed its attack on the horse, which was already suffering from dog bite wounds. Dacre, concerned for the well being of everyone involved, fired two rounds from his department-issued firearm, wounding the animal, which ran into the brush for shelter. Fortunately, everyone involved in this incident is recovering.

Capt. Sandra Tong is the commanding officer at the Richmond Police Station.