Wednesday, November 17, 2010

CAR BREAK-IN UPDATE!

Here’s some welcome news from the Park Police Station Newsletter covering incidents that happened last Friday (the 12th).

”First block of Anza Vista Ave. 1:55 am Auto Burglary - Arrest Made.

A resident called to report a parked car with a broken window. Officers Jackson and Wong found the car, but could not locate the owner. They remained in the neighborhood. The same resident called again when he saw a man enter the car and rummage through its contents. The resident confronted the man when he tried the handles to the resident's vehicle. The burglar fled and the police were called.

Officers Jackson and Wong recognized the description of the thief as a convicted burglar who lived on the 700 block of Lyon Street. They searched the area and found the 53 year old man carrying a gym bag containing shoes and clothing at Lyon Street and Golden Gate Avenue. They detained the man and the Anza Vista resident identified him as the burglar. The burglar was
arrested and the bag was seized. A pick up truck with a broken window and a similar gym bag was found on the first block of Anza Vista Avenue, too.

Sergeant Remedios took over the case later in the day and located the owners of the vehicles with the broken windows. One of the men reported his gym bag and its contents missing. Both men gave formal statements and the
case went forward. The burglar was on parole for a similar crime (he had been released from prison in July 2010) and a parole hold was placed on the man (meaning that he cannot be released on bail or on his own recognizance). Case 101050665”


This was a great job by the Police Officers and the resident who took the initiative to call the Police even though the first car wasn't his. That’s the way to be proactive against these thieves.

The suspect’s description sounds like the same person that was arrested last year in a car break-in at Anzavista and Terra Vista where an envelop containing cash was taken. After that arrest, there was a noticeable decrease in break-ins around our area. Hopefully, we'll have a similar result this time as well.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Anza Vista Neighborhood Association Newsletter 11-11-10

NIKE REUSE A SHOE Campaign
This Saturday, November 13th is the final day of the NIKE REUSE-A-SHOE Campaign. Please drop your old running shoes in the bin at 57 Barcelona Ave between 10:00 am and Noon so that Nike can grind them up and turn them into resurfacing materials for schools and Recreational Centers.

AUTO BREAK-INS
There was another break-in of a van parked overnight last Tuesday at the corner of Anzavista and Terra Vista Avenues. I also noticed fresh glass this morning at the corner of Anzavista and Baker.

Jim Grossman, who attended the community meeting at Park Police Station Tuesday night, reports that our new Police Captain, Captain Denis O’Leary, stressed that all vehicle break-ins need to be reported so that he can get a full understanding of what’s going on up here and react accordingly. There is an easy-to-use, on-line reporting facility at:

http://www.sf-police.org/index.aspx?page=778

Please remember not to leave anything on your seats or even on the floor in your vehicles regardless of whether it’s day or night. And always call 553-0123 if you notice anyone behaving suspiciously in our area particularly if they’re looking into car windows or entryways. It’s important that you call immediately while the person is still here so you can provide an adequate description and direction the person is taking. If you do see an actual crime in progress or other activity that, in your mind, poses a threat, call 9-1-1.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS AT PARK STATION
Community meetings at Park Police Station, which often include interesting guest speakers, are held on the second Tuesday of every month and are a great vehicle for getting up to date on what’s been happening in our general area. Park Station is located at 1899 Waller Street off Stanyan in the old Kezar complex.

If you’d like to receive a copy of Park Station’s Newsletter, send an email request to Captain O’Leary at denis.o’leary@sfgov.org.

BURNED OUT STREET LAMPS
One way to be proactive in preventing car break-ins is to keep our streets lighted. There’s been at least five burned out street lights that I’ve been aware of over the last couple of months and it’s really easy for us to get those bulbs replaced. Just call 3-1-1 and the operator will notify the department responsible for replacing the burned out bulbs and give you a tracking number.

Each lamp post has a number stenciled on a metal plate partway up the light pole which identifies the specific pole but really all you need to get the process moving is the nearest street address. Normally bulbs are replaced within 48 hours.

Thom Dempster and Iris Woo have been kind enough to call in outages, even when they’re not on their own street, but we all should be more responsive in reporting outages that are right in front our own residences.

Please call me if you have any questions.