Capt. Keith Sanford: Traffic Safety Enforcement

Last year, Taraval Station officers issued 6,389 citations to motorists in the Sunset and Parkside districts who violated traffic laws. These statistics do not include the number of citations issued by our SFPD Traffic Company’s solo motorcycle officers who patrol our district additionally under the management of Capt. Greg Corrales.

My attendance at community meetings throughout the district has brought to my attention a number of complaints from motorists and pedestrians, which include drivers who speed and fail to stop at stop signs and red lights and pedestrians who violate right-of-way laws.

During 2003, there were 10 traffic fatalities (five pedestrian and five vehicular) in the Sunset and Parkside districts. Because of those fatalities, we targeted specific corridors in the district that were problematic, resulting in the reduction of traffic fatalities during 2004 to a single pedestrian death.

During 2004, San Francisco supervisors Fiona Ma and Sean Elsbernd, former supervisor Tony Hall, and Assemblyman Leland Yee worked with the SF Department of Parking and Traffic and the mayor’s office to formulate a traffic-calming plan which has reduced vehicle and pedestrian collisions.

Representatives from the various city agencies involved in the effort have prepared a media presentation for safety awareness, education and enforcement in our district. It is expected to be shown in mid-March.

In 2005, we’re again working on our efforts to make motorists and pedestrians aware of the laws; instituting traffic calming measures, such as count down crosswalk lights at major intersections; new reflective signs and the brighter painting of crosswalks; and speed trailers being stationed in high-traffic areas.

Because of concerns from the community, we have had enforcement operations on Brotherhood Way, Lake Merced Boulevard, 19th Avenue, Sunset Boulevard, Lincoln Way and several other locations.

San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong, Deputy Chief Greg Suhr and Commander D. Shinn have implemented a new traffic enforcement plan that assigns two motorcycle officers to each of the city’s 10 district police stations. On March 12, Officer Regina Berrigan will be the first motorcycle officer assigned to the Taraval Police Station. Our second motorcycle officer is to be assigned upon the completion of training.

Berrigan will have the responsibility of issuing citations to violators in specific targeted areas and to respond to vehicle accidents in the Sunset. She is the first female officer to be assigned to the traffic company, making this is a historic event, not only for the Taraval District but also for the SF Police Department. We look forward to having Regina as part of the Taraval Police Station’s traffic enforcement team.

Currently, we staff two traffic cars on the day watch and one traffic car on the night watch to enforce the traffic laws. As well, we have sector cars issuing citations during their daily assignments, which are supplemented with officers from the traffic division.

Susan Suval, of the Sunset District Neighborhood Coalition, is currently working with Taraval Police Station on a pedestrian safety program for the Sunset and Parkside districts. Suval is looking forward to having members of the community participate in her program to make pedestrians and motorists aware of the need to be safe while walking or operating a vehicle on our streets.

This month our guest speakers at the Police Community Relations Forum will discuss Traffic Safety Measures and Awareness, as well as participation, with a representative from the P.U.C., on March 15, at 7 p.m., at Taraval Police Station (2345 24th Ave.)

Capt. Keith Sanford is the commanding officer at the Taraval Police Station.

Capt. Keith Sanford: Be Safe This Holiday Season

During the month of November, the officers at the Taraval Police Station were involved in a number of community events and responded to numerous calls for service. The November arrest statistics are: 40 felony arrests; 38 misdemeanor arrests; and four traffic-related arrests (not including arrest citations issued). Our Taraval Police Station officers have issued more than 5,600 traffic citations year-to-date in the Sunset District. Our officers participated in a number of community clean ups, Project SAFE events and Thanksgiving turkey distributions. The SF Deputy Sheriff’s Association’s President D. Wong and executive director of Operation Dream, M. Slade, Safeway and Albertson’s were instrumental in providing turkeys for our Thanksgiving events. The organizations will also be participating in a Christmas Toy Drive. For more information about the drive, call (415) 218-8912 or (415) 255-6088. Due to a recent series of vehicle thefts in the district, we are working with the department’s auto detail in an enforcement operation to reduce thefts and arrest the criminals. It is recommended that you obtain security devices to deter any attempts of theft of your vehicle. The SFPD has a vehicle theft recovery rate in the 90 percent range. A recent trend of criminals presenting counterfeit $100 bills to merchants in the district has our officers and our fraud detail seeking information on the suspects. The criminals bleach a $5 bill and replace the number with $100 markings. The marking pen validates the bills as being legal tender; however, if you hold the bill to the light, a picture of Abraham Lincoln appears. Our most recent suspect description is a black male, 26 or 27 years old, six-foot tall, 160 pounds with black hair. This is the holiday season, so be careful and safety conscious. If you’re shopping: • Have the 24 hour service numbers of your credit cards, bank and cell phones available to cancel with the specific institution if they’re lost or stolen; • Keep credit cards, cash etc. in your pockets rather than your wallet or purse; • Watch for individuals who might attempt to steal items from your department store bags that you receive after purchase; • Park your vehicle in well-lighted areas and if you park in lots with attendants, only give them your ignition key (not the complete key chain with all your keys attached); • After completing your shopping, put items in your vehicle and leave. Criminals watch your actions and they’ll break into unoccupied vehicles that have newly purchased gifts in the trunk or on the seats. Our Safe Shoppers program has been implemented for the holidays. If you need its assistance, call (415) 553-0123 (non-emergency) or 911 (emergency). In all major shopping areas, teams of two police officers, in uniform, are available to assist you. You can also call our SFPD (emergency number) via your cell phone at (415) 553-8090. If you re interested in receiving our weekly e-mail newsletter, e-mail me with your request to be placed on the list at:  keith.sanford@sfgov.org. Capt. Keith Sanford is the commanding officer at the Taraval Police Station.

 

Capt. Keith Sanford: Keeping Safe for the Holidays

The holiday season is rapidly coming upon us and, as a result, we in the community must prepare ourselves.

Halloween will dictate our awareness of children being outside in the evening hours, trick or treating in costumes while walking around the Sunset District. We must make certain our kids are safe while they are out at night by having a guardian or parent accompany the kids to and from events and while being safety conscious while walking in and out of traffic.

If you’re operating motor vehicles, maintain a keen eye on the streets for kids running into traffic. It would be wise to drive a bit slower during the holidays! If you have any questions about the safety of candy, call the police department’s Halloween Candy Hotline at (800) 433-1200.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, it is essential to maintain our sobriety and avoid opportunities for crime by being alert. Keep personal possessions in pockets (cash, credit and identification cards, etc), not in purses or where they are visible to others.

Gifts and packages should be placed in areas of your vehicle that are not visible to public view. Shopping or attending events with one or two additional people would be wise, for the purpose of designated drivers and being safe in numbers.

The current total of traffic citations issued year-to-date is 4,800-plus. In October, through Oct. 26, there were 87 arrests made (58 felonies and 29 misdemeanors).

The SF Department of Parking and Traffic says it will begin using “speed display trailers” at the intersections of Ninth Avenue and Junipero Serra Boulevard and Irving Street and 19th Avenue in early November. The trailers will display the speeds of passing vehicles as well as giving the posted speed limit. The trailers will be used as a traffic-calming measure. It is part of a traffic education program being sponsored by supervisors Fiona Ma and Sean Elsbernd, working with Assemblyman Leland Yee.

A string of armed robberies in the district have had similar patterns. The suspect, who wears dark clothes and brandishes a handgun in the crimes, is a black male between 20 and 30 years old, weighing from 140 pounds to 165 pounds, and standing between five-foot-six-inches and five-foot-nine-inches tall.

The suspect approaches the victim from behind, usually when the victim is exiting his or her vehicle, and demands the victim’s property. The suspect then flees on foot.

A second individual committing armed robberies in the district has been described as a black male, between 30 and 40 years old, weighing from 180 pounds to 230 pounds, and standing between six-foot and six-foot-two-inches tall. He also wears dark clothing and carries a dark-colored handgun. All of the victims have been alone when the crimes occurred.

Our patrol unit, plainclothes team and the robbery unit are actively searching for these criminals. Attempt to travel with friends or family when you’re outside your homes. If you have any information, please notify the SF Police Department.

The concerns of trash and homeless issues throughout the district have brought city departments together to attempt to resolve the problems. Specifically, the area around Lake Merced was brought to our attention because there has been the illegal dumping of trash and construction materials all around the lake, as well as safety concerns. Various city departments are working with Taraval Police Station personnel to clean up the lake and make it more secure.

The current situation at at the fraternity house located at 1226 36th Ave. is still a focal point for the city attorney’s office and the police department. We’re working with the landlord for a long-term resolution.

Working with the members of the OMI Merchants Association and the OMI-Neighbors in Action organizations, we have been fortunate to get the Ocean Avenue beat officer back as of late October. Officer J. Drilon is the new beat officer, who will be on foot and bicycle patrol in the area working with the merchants and the community to resolve concerns. Drilon has been actively involved in graffiti abatement. He’ll be a vital resource for the community.

At the Taraval Police Community Relations Forum on Oct. 19, we were honored to have both Assemblyman Yee and Supervisor Ma in attendance.  Yee and Ma presented awards of recognition to L. Walden and J. Reilly for their commitment to the City by helping to keep our Sunset District crime free, safe and clean. Walden and Reilly also received commendations from Chief of Police Heather Fong for their excellent work.

The recent first annual LaPlaya Block Party held Oct. 23 was a success, with some 150 – 200 attendees. Free BBQ, drinks, candy, balloons, music, a kid’s jumping castle and a pumpkin patch were frequented by all. The rain did not halt the festivities as Ma dedicated the LaPlaya Mini Park to Pat and Buffy MaGuire and Sev Sarkissian, from Yee’s office, presented a certificate of recognition.

We look forward to the second annual LaPlaya Festival next October, in celebration of the community’s ability to change the district to a safe, clean and family-oriented neighborhood.

The Police Community Relations Forum Meeting will be held at the Taraval Police Station, located at 2345 24th Ave., on Nov. 16, at 7 p.m.

Capt. Keith Sanford is the commanding officer at the Taraval Police Station.