Capt. Sandra Tong: Electronic Newsletter

In October, the Richmond Police Station began sending out a weekly electronic newsletter to community members who have notified us that they wanted to receive it. So far, there are approximately 20 people who have notified us of their interest in receiving the newsletter and have provided us with their e-mail address. The newsletter currently contains crime incidents from the previous week, crime trends affecting the Richmond, arrests made by Richmond officers and relevant upcoming events. If anyone is interested in being added to our e-mail list, or if you have any announcements regarding events or meetings in the district, please send an e-mail to Richmond Station at the following address: sfpd_richmond_station@ci.sf.ca.us. If you don't have access to e-mail, you can pick up a copy of the newsletter at the Richmond Station, located at 461 Sixth Ave.

Outstanding Arrest
On Oct. 14, at 2:45 p.m., Richmond Station plainclothes officers Troy Carrasco and John Fergus were patrolling the area of Washington and Spruce streets when they saw an adult male riding a bicycle at a high rate of speed on the sidewalk. The officers also noticed that the backpack that the speeding bicyclist had on appeared extraordinarily laden. They attempted to make contact with the suspicious bicyclist, but he fled into the Presidio with one of the officers pursuing him on foot.

Inside the Presidio, the bicyclist fell off the bicycle, but attempted to evade the officers again, this time on foot. However, the officers were able to catch him and, after a brief struggle, in which the suspect continued to physically resist the officers, he was subdued and taken into custody. The officers conducted an investigation and discovered that the suspect had just stolen the bicycle from a residential garage in the 3500 block of Clay Street. The suspect's backpack contained bolt cutters and other burglary tools. The suspect was arrested on burglary and theft charges. The recovered bicycle was worth several thousand dollars. 

Bicycle Theft Prevention
The following SF Police Department (SFPD) Crime Prevention Bulletin was issued to provide information to citizens that may help protect them from becoming a victim of bicycle theft.

To protect your personal property, engrave your California driver's license or I.D. card number in an inconspicuous place where an officer can locate the number. (Don't use the area under the seat as seats can easily be removed and replaced.)

Keep a record of the serial number. This number is entered into a statewide stolen property database. (Don't confuse the serial number with manufacturer's model numbers. Think of your bicycle serial number as similar to a vehicle identification number on a car.)

Take a color photograph of the bicycle and retain it along with the serial number and other purchase records.

Keep in mind that all bicycle locks are not foolproof.

Additionally, many bicycle thefts occur from apartment building garages. It is important, especially in buildings with shared garages, that bicycles are secured in the event that garage doors are inadvertently left unsecured.

If your bicycle is stolen, report the theft quickly to the SFPD by going to your local police station with your serial number, driver's license or I.D. number, photograph and purchase receipt. Keep a record of the case number you are issued by the department.

CrimeMaps Website
Crime statistics for the city and county of San Francisco are available via the Internet. This program was launched a couple of months ago to allow the public to access criminal and non-criminal police incidents reported to the department. You can check out the website by going to: sfgov.org/site/police_index.asp  and then clicking on the CrimeMaps icon.

Community Meeting
The November Community/Police Forum will be held at the Richmond Station on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. Nicamer Tolentino from the SF Department of Public Health will give a presentation on drunk driving prevention. This information is especially pertinent for the upcoming holiday season.

I want to wish all of you a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. If you are traveling to visit friends and family over the long holiday weekend, please drive carefully.

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