Capt. Sandra Tong: Police Beat

Greetings to all!

May is a busy month with citywide and district events, such as Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Bike to Work Day and Bay to Breakers.

My ongoing community-policing project in the district is "traffic safety."

Richmond Station has partnered with the SF Recreation and Park Department, Municipal Transit Agency (MTA), San Francisco SAFE, California Automobile Association (AAA), SF Bicycle Coalition and the Senior Action Network (SAN) to organize a bicycle safety campaign in the district in late May and June.

On May 17, Bike to Work Day will unofficially mark our campaign when we join with the SF Bicycle Coalition and city officials to encourage everyone to ride their bike and support the two-wheeled way. In our district, a concern by many residents is that bicyclists, motorists and pedestrians don't obey the laws, respect one another and safely share the roadway.

One example is when bicyclists ride on the sidewalk, especially along merchant corridors. Beginning May 17, beat officers, patrol officers and residents will be passing out bicycle safety flyers as part of our bicycle safety campaign. The handy flyer will provide safety tips for bicyclists and motorists and include violations of the law. You may come by Richmond Station to pick up flyers in the lobby.

On Wednesday, May 30, the Senior Action Network (SAN) will sponsor the Richmond District "Sidewalks are for Pedestrians" campaign at 12:30 p.m. at Arguello and Geary boulevards. The district bicycle education campaign will coincide with a kick-off event, followed by a month of bicycle and traffic enforcement.

The kick-off event is a Kids Bike Fair, which will be held on Saturday, June 2, at Cabrillo Playground, located on 38th Avenue between Cabrillo and Fulton streets, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The free event includes a bike rodeo, helmet fitting and giveaway, minor bike repairs, face painting, raffle and bicycle safety information provided by our collaborative partners.

Richmond Station officers will trade their uniforms for aprons for a barbecue lunch. The event is co-sponsored by the San Francisco Police Officers Association. I invite all of you to participate in our bicycle safety campaign and to remember, "traffic safety begins with you," so follow the rules of the road whether you drive, bike or walk.

The next Police Community Relations Forum will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 7 p.m. at the Richmond Station's community room. The guest speaker will be from the District Attorney's office, who will discuss the prosecution of crimes.

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