Capt. Richard Corriea: Police Beat

Residential Burglaries
There has been a statistical spike in burglaries in the last 90 days in the Outer Richmond District. Of 61 burglaries we are investigating, 41 occurred in the area located between Park Presidio Boulevard and 36th Avenue. These have been daytime burglaries where doors were kicked in or smashed with a heavy tool. Many of the residences that were burglarized were first floor in-law apartments and other units where doors were obstructed from the view of passersbys.

Since most daytime burglaries are discovered when folks arrive home, it is difficult to determine exactly what time the crimes took place. That said, the reporting time data suggests to us that the burglars are making entry during the late morning and early afternoon hours, when folks are most likely to be away from home. Property lost in these burglaries has mostly been small valuables, including computers, video games and small sums of money.

If you see anybody behaving suspiciously in your neighborhood please call us immediately. If you notice the same individual loitering about your neighborhood over several days, that is suspicious activity and you should call us. Burglars will sometimes watch an area to learn the patterns of residents in order to identify homes where the residents are away. Our officers will respond quickly and determine whether or not the suspicious person(s) presents a risk to your safety or security.

If you believe a crime is in progress or one seems likely to occur you should call 911 immediately. It is common for people to think that they are overreacting but I really want you to trust your instincts and call. I would rather have officers respond and determine that a "suspicious" person is engaged in legal activity than to have officers respond later to take a burglary report.

Many of us worry and stress over the risk of being burglarized. We get light switch timers and leave radios on while we are away from home and put alarm company stickers on our windows. We always turn off the porch light when we leave in the morning and pick up the free newspapers that have accumulated on the door mat or on the sidewalk, lest we give clues that we are not home. I am mindful that some readers may find my comments cause for additional worry but please find some comfort in knowing that your risk of being burglarized is very low.

Burglars are generally opportunists who look for weaknesses in a home's security to exploit to gain entry. Weaknesses include poorly secured doors and windows, inferior locks and access points that are obstructed by trees and fences. If you remedy those weaknesses, you can reduce your risk and also reduce your worry.

To learn more about home security please visit SF SAFE's website (www.sfsafe.org) and review its burglary prevention literature. You can also call SFSAFE at 553-1984 to schedule a free on-site home security assessment.

I have one bit of anecdotal information I want to share with you. In 31 years in law enforcementI have never taken a burglary report at a home where a healthy dog with a run of the house resided. My hunch is that when a burglar rings a doorbell in search of an opportunity and hears the sound of sniffing at the foot of the door, or barking, they look for better opportunities. Generally, burglars are not looking for adventure or complexity; rather they are looking for poorly secured doors or open windows at a temporarily unoccupied home.

In response to this increase in burglaries, Richmond Station plainclothes officers will be in the affected areas as part of our station's Operation Safe Abode. Their activities will include surveillance, patrols focused in particular areas and looking at histories of criminals known to have committed burglaries in the Richmond District previously. Working together we can capture the individuals committing burglaries in our neighborhoods. You can leave an anonymous tip on our station's voice mail by calling (415) 668-7387.

Police Community Advisory Board Traffic Safety Event
As of the end of October, there have been 255 injury automobile accidents reported in the Richmond District, an increase of 10 percent over this same period last year. Last year by this time we had received 232 reports.

Property damage reports are nearly flat with 87 reported so far this year versus 84 last year. I am sure that there are many more non-injury accidents that are not reported to the police. For the period ending in October, officers at Richmond Station have arrested 100 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol. City wide, there have been 538 arrests.

On Saturday Nov. 13, officers and members of Richmond Station's Police Community Advisory Board (PCAB) conducted a traffic safety event. We gathered at the intersection of Arguello Boulevard and Lake Street to distribute traffic safety literature to motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. The board selected that location because of its rather complicated traffic control signage and the timing of the traffic signals. In addition, the station has received complaints concerning motorists and bicyclists rolling though the stop signs at Second Avenue and those on Arguello. The area has a significant amount of bicycle, pedestrian and motor-vehicle traffic.

We provided more than 150 people with traffic safety literature created by PCAB members. The intent was to remind our community that traffic safety is an important concern and that the PCAB will be keeping at the forefront of its policing agenda for the district. If you would like to join the PCAB, please give me a call or send me an e-mail.

Safety During the Winter Holidays
Officers will be deployed throughout the holidays at high-risk traffic locations in an effort to keep our streets safe, especially during the morning and afternoon commutes. Also, as part of the Police Department's annual "Safe Shoppers" program we are increasing foot patrols in several commercial areas in the district. The officers will be deployed daily until the first week of January.

Finally, kudos to George Washington High School's football team for its inspiring 36-6 victory over Balboa High School in the 87th annual Turkey Day Game at Kezar Stadium on Thanksgiving Day. My son and I joined fellow Eagles from many generations to cheer the team on. Go Eagles!

Please drive safely and have a safe and wonderful holiday season.

We will not be having a Police Community Forum in December. Our next meeting will be held on Jan. 17, 2011. If you have any ideas for topics or speakers in the New Year, please let me know.

Capt. Richard Corriea is the commanding officer at the Richmond Station.