Capt. Sandra Tong: Get the Treats, Stay Safe

Greetings to all!

It has been a busy month in our district. Unfortunately, we have had three unrelated and very unfortunate homicides in the last two months. All three homicides are active investigations being undertaken by the Homicide Detail.

The first homicide occurred in mid-August, at 19th Avenue and California Street, and was not a random act of violence, but an isolated incident.

The second homicide occurred in Golden Gate Park in the early morning hours to a male who was sleeping near the Shakespeare Garden.

The third homicide, which occurred in late September, was at Third Avenue and Geary Boulevard, where a 19-year-old male was stabbed during a parking altercation. Tenderloin officers, based on the vehicle's description, made an arrest after the incident. Although an arrest was made, homicide inspectors are still actively looking for any witnesses.

If any citizen has information regarding any of these three homicides, please contact the Homicide Detail at (415) 553-1145 or call the anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444.

There is no identified crime pattern to the homicides. Nevertheless, our officers are increasing a patrol presence throughout the district.

If you are concerned regarding safety in your neighborhood, please consider organizing a neighborhood watch group. You can contact SF Safe at (415) 673-SAFE and they will assist you in the organizational process. If you have any other concerns or inquiries, send an e-mail to SFPDRichmondStation@sfgov.org.

Halloween Approaching
Halloween is coming and the holiday will be filled with surprises, excitement and enjoyment! However, roughly four times as many children are injured or killed while walking on Halloween evening compared with other evenings of the year.

Many Halloween-related injuries can be prevented if parents and guardians follow these safety tips:

• An adult should accompany children;

• Go to houses that are well lit and never enter someone's home;

• Encourage children to walk from house to house, instead of running;

• Walk on the sidewalk and not in the street;

• Cross the street only at the corners and not between parked vehicles;

• Remain visible by wearing light colored or reflective costumes;

• Use a flashlight to light your way and remain visible to traffic;

• Consider using face paint instead of a mask, which can obstruct a child's vision;

• Avoid wearing long, baggy or loose clothing or oversized shoes to prevent tripping and falling.

Adults should inspect treats prior to allowing children to enjoy their candy. Do not eat candy if the package is already open and remember, small and hard pieces of candy can be a choking hazard for young children.

Daylight savings will change on Oct. 29, so please remember it will be darker during commute hours. Please slow down and watch for pedestrians. Pedestrians should wear bright clothing or carry reflective equipment for higher visibility.

Many of you may have noticed that the police department's traffic company has been conducting pedestrian right of way operations along Geary Boulevard because motorists do not yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk at uncontrolled intersections. The enforcement operation is an educational campaign.

Here are some additional pedestrian safety tips to keep in mind at Halloween and all through the year:

• Cross the street only at intersections. Do not jaywalk;

• Use marked crosswalks where available;

• Make eye contact with drivers when crossing busy streets and continue to watch for traffic the entire time you are in the crosswalk;

• Always check for turning vehicles before stepping off the curb;

• Always look for signs that a car is about to move and never walk behind a vehicle that is backing up;

• Watch out for entrances to parking lots and driveways;

• While at an intersection, wait for the "walk" indicator but continue to be alert to traffic at all times. A flashing "Do not walk" signal means that a pedestrian should not start to cross the roadway because there is probably not enough time left to cross safely. However, any pedestrian who has partially completed their crossing should finish or proceed to a safety island;

• Always hold your child's hand and never allow a child under 10 to cross the street alone.

Targeting Vehicle Violations
The SF Police Department has been targeting the Richmond District for vehicle violations. The traffic unit has cited several hundred motorists along Geary Boulevard for red light violations, speeding, stop sign violations, and, especially, failing to yield to pedestrians.

Some additional tips for motorists:

• Pedestrians can be very hard to see so you must keep a lookout and slow down if you can not see clearly;

• Stop for pedestrians who are in a crosswalk, even if it is not marked;

• When you stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, stop well back so drivers in the other lanes can also see the pedestrian in time to stop;

• Cars stopped in the street may be stopped to allow the pedestrian to cross. Do not pass if there is any doubt;

• Do not assume that a pedestrian sees you or that they will act predictably. They may be unfamiliar with how to cross the street safely, not paying attention, or they may be physically or mentally impaired;

• Be especially attentive around schools and in neighborhoods where children are present.

The next Community/Police Forum will be held on Oct. 17, at 1 p.m., at the Richmond Police Station. The guest speaker has not been confirmed.

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