Capt. Sandra Tong: Police Beat

As we finish celebrating Labor Day, this symbolizes the unofficial end of summer. The fall semester begins for schools and our normal school routine begins. Please remember the traffic on the road will increase, as well as foot traffic throughout the neighborhood, especially around the schools. Slow down and exercise good traffic safety throughout the district.

This month I'd like to use my column to share with you two outstanding arrests that your officers made in August. On a daily basis, I commend my officers for their service to the community, but every once in awhile, I think it's important to share stories of their outstanding work with you.

On Aug. 6, a woman was sexually assaulted on a dirt trail in Golden Gate Park, near 23rd Avenue and Fulton Street. The attacker approached the victim from behind and pushed her to the ground in dense foliage. We immediately increased patrols in the area and worked with Inspector Cordes from the Sexual Assault Detail to obtain a composite sketch of the suspect. A day after we began distributing sketches of the attacker and less than a week after the first incident, our officers made an arrest.

On Aug. 11, Taraval Station police officers responded to a sexual assault on Lincoln Way, just outside Golden Gate Park. Officer Les Tom of Richmond Station heard the description of the attacker and immediately recognized this as possibly the same attacker from the previous week. Tom responded to the Lincoln Way location and assumed the investigation of the assault.

Officers from the Richmond, Taraval and Honda Tactical Units responded to Golden Gate Park to search for the suspect. Sgt. Furminger was searching the Speedway Meadow area when he located a victim, who reported another indecent exposure incident. The victim's description of the suspect matched the description of the person Furminger was looking for.

Furminger was searching the foliage and tree-lined hillside on the south side of Speedway Meadows when he observed the suspect attempting to hide to elude arrest. Furminger took the suspect into custody without incident and a thorough investigation was conducted.

Additionally, Officer Bob Cheung located and interviewed two other victims of indecent exposure. Cordes responded to Richmond Station and continued his investigation. A search on officer Gary Mendribil's computer revealed the suspect's previous criminal history in a neighboring county. This information assisted Cordes in his investigation, which determined that the suspect in custody was responsible for the Aug. 6 sexual assault. The suspect was booked for various felonies and misdemeanor offenses.

The officers involved in the arrest of the suspect worked diligently to make the arrest and to work together as a team to piece together the parts of the crime.

Update on Traffic Disaster
As reported by the media recently, on Tuesday, Aug. 29, a male from Fremont drove to San Francisco and began assaulting pedestrians with his vehicle. The male driver had hit numerous pedestrians in the Northern Police District, then continued into the Richmond District on his road rage rampage.

As numerous emergency calls were reported on California Street and officers responded to render aid to many of the victims, the police dispatcher was providing valuable information to Richmond officers. Officer Manny Solano was responding to the area of Pine and Divisadero streets to search for the driver when he observed the SUV on Collins Street and Euclid Avenue. Solano observed the front end damage and broken windshield on the driver's SUV, as well as the driver matching the description of previously dispatched information.

Solano notified the dispatcher of his location and attempted a traffic stop on the driver. The driver of the SUV did not stop. Solano followed the SUV for approximately 5 or 6 blocks. As the driver proceeded northbound on Spruce Street from Mayfair Drive, he struck another vehicle and continued to flee. Sgt. Steve Zimmerman was responding to assist Solano when he turned southbound on Spruce from California.

Now, Solano and Zimmerman had the SUV blocked from the front and rear. The driver of the SUV had no where to go so he positioned his vehicle as to drive up onto the sidewalk. The driver backed up and rammed Solano's vehicle, but Solano quickly exited his vehicle and took the driver into custody with the assistance of Zimmerman.

Solano and Zimmerman did an outstanding job of stopping this extremely dangerous driver. They demonstrated excellent police work and outstanding bravery, as it was unknown if the driver was in possession of any firearms or dangerous weapons. It is the efforts of these fine officers and the citizens of this city, working together as a team, that has made the Richmond District a safer place for all of us.

Public Safety Tips in Neighborhood Parks
San Francisco's neighborhood parks are highly regarded for their naturally beautiful landscapes, open space and accessibility to public events and attractions throughout the year. Parks are safely utilized by thousands of pedestrians, runners, cyclists and motorists for the purpose of leisure, recreation and entertainment.

But the natural surroundings of a park can easily hide "opportunist" crimes. The following tips can improve your safety in the park:
• Safety in numbers - If possible, travel with a friend;
• Choose walking, running and bike routes that are well lit;
• Avoid traveling on isolated routes and dirt paths near bushes and dense foliage;
• Be aware of your surroundings and look and listen for any suspicious activity. Keep your distance from strangers. If you feel threatened, take immediate action by running in the opposite direction and calling out for help.

The next Community Police Forum is scheduled for Sept. 19, at 7 p.m., at the Richmond Police Station's Community Room. Our guest speaker will be Helen Zverina of SF Department of Public Health's Environmental Health Section. She will discuss issues regarding pest control, mold prevention, and mosquito control and prevention.

The annual memorial Mass sponsored by the San Francisco Fire and Police Department will be held at San Monica's Church, located at 470 24th Ave., on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend to honor departed firefighters and police officers. Capt.

Sandra Tong is the commanding officer at the Richmond Station.