The residents of Park Merced have experienced a significant increase of burglaries on the Park Merced property. In the month of April, the Taraval district had 39 incidents of burglary. Approximately half of the total number of these burglaries occurred around the Park Merced area. Most of the residents who have fallen victim to the burglaries are students who reside with roommates. The victims were leaving their front doors unlocked and leaving electronics (laptops and tablets) easily accessible in the living area. We are seeing a crime trend in which suspects are simply checking for locked doors. If the door is unlocked, the suspect makes entry into the residence and takes a quick scan of the living room area for electronics. Once the electronic is located, the suspect quickly leaves the residence undetected. In many of the cases, the victim will report they heard the front door open but believed that it was a roommate returning home. When they hear the door again, they then leave their bedroom area to discover that their electronics had been stolen.
As of May 15th, there were 33 burglaries in the Taraval district, 20 were located in the Park Merced area with 16 of the Park Merced cases being hot prowl burglaries. It is important to know that burglary suspects communicate with each other. Once word gets out of a target rich location, it is predictable that burglaries will increase. Due to the fact, most of the cases around Park Merced are unlawful entries vs. a forced entry, it is important the residents keep their doors locked at all times. When electronics are not in use, secure them in a location of your residence that is not easily accessible to a suspect. The same can be said for purses and backpacks. I strongly recommend in a residence with roommates, that a note be left on the interior of the door reminding each other to lock the door.
As the Commanding Officer of Taraval Station, I have assigned this issue as a priority for the officer’s daily mission with an increase of uniform visibility. Our Taraval Station Investigations Team (SIT) and the Taraval Neighborhood Team (TNT) are working in partnership to identify and apprehend suspects. We have active investigations occurring but we need the help of the residents to play a role in their neighborhood’s safety. We have also been working closely with the Park Merced management team and security, to get the word out to residents and to collect video evidence for the ongoing investigations. My staff has created flyers to alert residents of the increase we are seeing and steps the residents can take to prevent themselves from being victimized. These flyers will be handed out door to door by the officers of Taraval station. If you receive or see a flyer and have questions, please contact me at Taraval police station. If you see a suspect checking doors around your residence, please call 911 and give a full description of the suspect.
Arrest made: In response to the recent burglary series in the Park Merced area, the Taraval Neighborhood Team (TNT) and Taraval Station Investigations Team (SIT) have been diligent in their efforts to identify and apprehend the suspects who are victimizing the Park Merced residents. Last week their diligence paid off when they arrested one of the suspects responsible and also obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s residence. The members of TNT were able to recover a stolen wallet that was taken during a burglary. They also recovered a large amount of US currency and obtained a confession from the suspect. As the commanding officer of Taraval Station, I am incredibly proud the officer’s commitment to the community and their relentless efforts to identify and apprehend suspects. This arrest is only one example of many active investigations being handled by TNT and I am confident we will see more arrests in the near future.
Another hot topic for many residents are the amount of theft from auto cases we continue to experience. In recent weeks, we have seen an increase along the lower Lincoln corridor, the Great Highway area and around SFSU. While apprehending suspects who break into cars can be challenging, the officers of Taraval Station in partnership with residents did exactly that! On May 18, 2017 residents called 911 to report a subject that was possibly “casing cars” in the area of 24th Ave and Ortega. The residents were able to supply a detailed description and officers quickly responded. As the officers arrived on scene, armed with the suspect’s description, they began a thorough search of the area. While searching the area, Officer Carroll observed the described suspect attempting to shatter the window of a vehicle. Officer Carroll took the suspect into custody, who had in his possession a window punch and his hand was bloody. The actions of the responding officers did not end with the suspect’s apprehension. Fellow officers searched the area for additional victim vehicles. In doing so, they located 5 additional vehicles broken into in the immediate area with trace evidence. In this case, the suspect was booked on 5 counts of auto burglary and one count of attempted burglary. Both the residents and the officers should be commended for this arrest. It was through their partnership that a suspect was arrested and no doubt their actions prevented further car break ins in the area! Please remember, do not to leave anything in your vehicle. Whether you are parking your vehicle over night or just for a few minutes as you run an errand, if you leave items visible in your vehicle there is a high likelihood you too will fall victim to these thieves.
Last night I had the honor of attending a follow up meeting in the OMI. This meeting provided an opportunity for city agencies to discuss measures that had been completed to strengthen the safety in the OMI amidst a growing concern over violence in the area of Plymouth and Broad. For those who attended, it was a time to interact with each other as discussions were held in break out groups. The discussions focused on public safety, neighborhood safety and engagement and services provided to the neighborhood. It was great to see so many residents participating and especially good to see many of our monolingual residents voicing their concerns and opinions. Special Thanks to Jackie Battle of the Minnie Lovie Center, Sara Burton of SFSafe, Sandra Zuniga of SF Fix-It program and to all the community members who participated in meeting planning. My hope for the community is that through engagement, we can continue to develop trusting relationships as we all strive for improved safety throughout our neighborhoods. This summer we will be participating in community engagement events throughout the district. We look forward to a great summer with all of you!
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date fall as Police Week. On May 18th, in honor of the many law enforcement officers and specifically Taraval officers, the Taraval Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB) and the SF Police Credit Union hosted “Taraval Officer Appreciation Day” at Taraval Station. It was a wonderful opportunity for officers to share a meal with each other, along with the members of the CPAB, representatives from the SFPCU and members of the SFPD Command Staff (Asst Chief Chaplin and Commander Ann Mannix). Special Thanks to the Mayor’s Office, Supervisor Safai, Supervisor Tang, Supervisor Yee and Darlene Hong (SFPCU) for taking the time to show your appreciation to the men and women of Taraval Station. The event could not have been successful without the thoughtfulness and commitment by all the members of the Taraval CPAB. With my deepest gratitude, Thank You John Zwolinski, Mary and Al Harris, John Hughes, Elise Stupi, Marc Christensen, Chris Brinker, David Takashima and Charles Head.
Congratulations to Officer Kevin Downs who received the distinct honor of being acknowledged as the Officer of the Year by the Bay Area Law Enforcement Emerald Society. On Saturday, May 20th, an awards banquet was held at the Irish Cultural Center. It was my pleasure to witness Officer Downs humbly accept the award as he was surrounded by his family, close friends and fellow officers of Taraval Station. Words cannot express how proud and grateful we are to have Officer Downs working by our side.
In an effort to bridge the gap of communication with our monolingual residents, both Cantonese and Mandarin speaking, Taraval has established an anonymous tip line for the community. It is important, that all the members of the community have the ability to communicate with us here at Taraval Station. Certified interpreters are always available for the community but we have recognized that some members of the community are still hesitant to contact us and we wanted to make sure to offer a line of communication in which a resident can feel free to call us. The tip line is not monitored 24 hours a day and should not be used as a replacement for 911 or non-emergency 415.553.0123. Taraval Anonymous Tip Line 415.566.0115
As always, in closing, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly with any concerns, questions or suggestions you may have. Please contact me at Taraval Station 415.759.3100 or email me at Denise.flaherty@sfgov.org
Park Merced的居民在Park Merced物業遭到爆竊的案件大幅增加，在4月，Taraval警區有39宗爆竊案，接近一半案件發生在Park Merced地區，大部份住戶淪為受害人的都是與室友同住的學生，受害人沒有鎖上大門，及隨意在客廳範圍放置電子產品（如手提電腦和平板電腦）。我們看到 有一種趨勢，就是疑犯通常查看大門有否上鎖，如果大門沒有鎖上，疑犯會進入住宅迅速掃描客廳中的電子產品，一旦看到有電子產品，便立即在不為人知情況下竊 取及迅速離開。在很多個案中，受害人表示聽到有人開門時以為室友回來，當再次聽到門聲時從睡房出來查看，便發現物品被竊。
單 在5月15日，Taraval警區有33宗爆竊案，20宗發生在Park Merced，當中16宗是住戶在家潛入爆竊。要知道，爆竊犯是互通消息的，當有人通報某個地區是下手對象，可以預見爆竊案便會上升，基於大部份發生在 Park Merced的爆竊案是賊人潛入而非破門入屋，住戶時刻鎖好門戶是非常重要，不需要使用的電子產品要存放在一個不易為賊人拿到的地方，同樣，手袋和背包也 如是。我強烈建議有室友的住戶，在大門內側貼上便條，提醒各人要鎖門。
作為Taraval警察分局的指揮官，我已將爆竊 案定為警員每日工作的優先處理任務，及增加軍裝警員巡邏，Taraval調查小隊（SIT）及Taraval鄰里小隊（TNT）正聯手確定及逮捕疑犯，我 們正積極調查，但我們需要市民幫忙在社區安全扮演重要角色。我們也正與Park Merced管理及保安組緊密合作提醒居民，及搜集防盜鏡頭拍到的視頻。我的同僚製作了一些單張提醒住戶有關爆竊案上升及居民可以採取預防爆竊的措施。 Taraval警員會挨家逐戶派發單張，如果你們收到單張後有任何問題，歡迎與我聯絡；如果你們發現疑犯在你的住所附近查看鄰居門戶，請立即致電911及 描述疑犯特徵。
成功破案：鑑於Park Merced區連串爆竊案，TNT及SIT小隊努力不懈追緝涉案賊人，上星期，他們的努力換回成果：成功拘捕一名疑犯及取得搜查令搜查疑犯住處，TNT成 員起回一個失竊的錢包、大量美金，疑犯並承認罪行。作為Taraval警察分局指揮官，對於警員向社區的承諾及鍥而不捨追緝匪徒的精神，我感到非常驕傲， 這宗破案是TNT調查眾多案件其中之一，我有信心於可見未來會拘捕更多疑犯。
另一熱門話題是我們仍見到一定數字的汽車爆 竊案，近數星期，在Lincoln走廊下段，Great Highway地區及三藩市州立大學一帶均有上升情況，雖然拘捕汽車爆竊案賊人是有難度，但憑Taraval警察分局及居民合作卻能湊效！在2017年5 月18日，有居民致電911報告發現可疑人物在24大道及Ortega疑似查看汽車，報案人詳細描述疑犯特徵，警方亦迅速到場，徹底搜查附近一帶。期 間，Carroll警員發現一名符合描述的疑犯正試圖擊碎一部汽車的玻璃，於是上前拘捕疑犯，並從疑犯身上起獲一個用於擊碎汽車玻璃的工具，疑犯手部並流 血。成功拘捕疑犯並不代表工作完成，其他增援警員繼續搜查該地區，發現附近另有5部車也有被爆竊跡象。在這案件中，疑犯因涉嫌5項汽車爆竊及1項企圖爆竊 罪名而被拘押，報案的居民及現場警員均應記一功。透過警民合作將疑犯拘捕，亦毫無疑問防止該區更多車輛遭殃！請記著：不要在車上留下任何東西，無論是泊車 一整晚或只是數分鐘，如果留任何物品在車內，你極可能成為下一個受害人。
昨晚，我有幸出席OMI的跟進社區會議，這個會 議是鑑於Plymouth及Broad發生令人關注的暴力事件，讓政府部門與社區討論改善治安及說明已完成的對策，出席者透過分組互動，集中討論公共安 全、鄰區安全、社區參與及有甚麼服務提供給鄰區。很高興見到很多居民到來，尤其是很多華裔民眾踴躍發表意見及對治安的關注。特別要多謝Minnie Lovie康樂中心的Jackie Battle、三藩市防止罪案資源中心的Sarah Burton、三藩市Fix-it計劃的Sandra Zuniga及所有參與的社區成員。我期望通過參與，可以繼續發展互信關係，因為我們都是努力改善社區安全，期望大家可以歡度夏天。
在 1962年，甘迺迪總統簽署了一項公告，將5月15日定為執法人員紀念日，而當日所在的整個星期是警員周。今年5月18日，為表揚Taraval警察分局 的警員，Taraval社區警察諮詢委員會（CPAB）及三藩市警察信用合作社在Taraval分局內聯合舉辦了「Taraval警員感謝日」，警員可以 與CPAB成員、三藩市警察信用合作社代表、三藩市警察局高層（助理警察局長Chaplin及指揮官Ann Mannix）共享美食。特別要多謝市長辦公室、市參事安世輝、市參事湯凱蒂、市參事余鼎昂、三藩市警察信用合作社的Darlene Hong撥冗支持，更要多謝CPAB全體成員，如果沒有他們，這次活動不會如此成功，我特別希望在此感謝John Zwolinski、Mary 及Al Harris、John Hughes、Elise Stupi、Marc Christensen、Chris Brinker、David Takashima 及 Charles Head。
恭喜警員Kevin Downs榮獲灣區執法人員翡翠協會頒發的年度最佳警員奬！在5月20日星期六，頒獎盛會在愛爾蘭文化中心舉行，很高興見到Downs警員在家人、摯友及 Taraval警察分局同僚簇擁下謙遜地接受獎項，能與Downs警員共事的自豪及感激之情溢於言表。
為了與說廣東話及 普通話的華裔民眾建立溝通橋樑，Taraval警察分局設立了匿名舉報熱線。讓社區所有成員與Taraval分局溝通非常重要，雖然市民報案時一定可以得 到獲認證的翻譯提供協助，但我們也察覺到有些市民可能仍會猶豫，為確保市民免除憂慮，我們設立了Taraval警察分局匿名舉報熱 線：415-566-0115。但如是緊急求助仍是要致電911，或非緊急求助則撥打415-553-0123。
最後，一如以往，我歡迎大家直接聯絡我，提出您的關注、問題及建議，可致電Taraval警察分局415-759-3100，或電郵Denise.flaherty@sfgov.org。