Capt. Sandra Tong: Happy New Year, stay safe

Happy New Year to all of you. On behalf of the officers at the Richmond Station, we wish you a happy, healthy and safe 2006!

On Nov. 30, the SF Police Commission meeting was hosted by the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco. The following are some crime statistics (comparison 2004 to 2005) that I presented to the Police Commission:

* Overall, Part I crimes declined by 7 percent;

* Traffic collisions increased by 6 percent;

* Traffic collisions involving pedestrians increased by 7 percent;

* Traffic collisions involving fatalities declined by 67 percent.

Part I crimes include the following: homicide, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, arson, burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft.

Crime increased in two categories, aggravated assaults, by 3 percent, and burglary, by 10 percent.

The increase in reported burglaries is of concern, so here are the following 10 best tips, provided by SF SAFE, for residential security:

* Keep doors and windows locked when away from the home. Approximately half of all residential burglaries are made via unforced entries. To lock a door or window, make sure it is held tightly in place and does not budge when pushed, pulled or lifted. Even if a window is open for ventilation, (no more than three inches), it should be locked tight to prevent being opened wider. In addition to being equipped with good locks, a door and doorjamb should be of sound construction;

* Garage security - disconnect any exterior electronic key switches or electronic number pads that open your garage door and use either a remote control opener or a key;

* Bikes in a locked garage need to be locked securely to a sturdy bike rack or stationary structure. Most storage lockers are designed for storing non-valuables. A secure storage compartment has sturdy walls, doors and locks like those in the entryway of a building;

*A locked vehicle in a locked garage does not keep valuables secure. Remove valuables from the vehicle;

*Keep the property in good repair and appearance as much as possible. Good maintenance enhances the look of good security. Maintain visibility;

* Mark your valuables for identification and recovery. Keep an up-to-date inventory of your valuables, including serial numbers, photographs and a physical description of each item. Learn about the Operation Identification Program by contacting SF SAFE;

* Install a 180-degree wide-angle door viewer on your front door and look before opening it;

* Be alert when answering unsolicited visitors and callers. Do not provide entry or information to people until you have determined who they are and why you should provide access;

* Consider having an alarm system installed as a back-up to the physical and personal security measures you have taken. Obtain estimates from at least three companies before purchasing a system;

*Join or establish a SAFE Neighborhood Watch on your block to network and plan a crime prevention strategy for your area. Contact SAFE at 553-1984 for more information.

The Traffic Company of the SF Police Department, SF Department of Parking and Traffic, SF Department of Health and California State Automobile Association are collaborating on "Operation Safe Streets." "Safe Streets" is focusing on pedestrian safety and safe speed compliance through a public awareness campaign and targeted traffic enforcement. There have been three public awareness events and more than 965 citations issued since August.

There have been citizen inquiries regarding the enforcement program, especially the pedestrian decoy program. The primary focus of the pedestrian decoy program is to raise the awareness of motorists regarding 21950(a) of the Vehicle Code, the Pedestrian Right of Way at Crosswalks. The law states that when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, the motorist must yield. During the enforcement programs, the traffic officers are trained to use their judgement in evaluating the letter of the law. The officers acting as pedestrian decoys do not entrap motorists by stopping in the crosswalk or waving the driver through.

The enforcement program also includes pedestrian violations for jaywalking and crossing on a red light. The intention of "Operation Safe Streets" is to make our district safer.

Incident on Clement St:

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, at approximately 6:50 p.m. our plainclothes officers were involved in an incident at Sixth Avenue and Clement Street. The officers had observed a white Cadillac that was reported stolen and were waiting for the assistance of a marked patrol unit when the Cadillac pulled into a parking stall at 310 Sixth Ave.

The officers cautiously approached the stolen vehicle and attempted to detain the driver. The driver didn't comply, however, and backed up and struck an unmarked police car that was positioned about 10 to 12 feet behind the stolen vehicle.

In his attempt to elude the officers, the driver repeated rammed the police vehicle. He was able to move it and escaped by driving on the sidewalk up Sixth Avenue to Clement Street. Fortunately the officers narrowly escaped being struck by the vehicle and no bystanders were injured.

The police department's General Works Inspectors quickly identified the driver, issued a warrant and arrested the driver for aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of a stolen vehicle and various criminal offenses.

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