Capt. Richard Corriea: Police Beat

As I sit down to write this article, it is a balmy 75 degrees outside the Richmond Police Station. Normally, the third week of January is not the time of year that folks in our district rush out to their local store to buy a tube of sun block! However, it is the time of year when government agencies compare year-to-year statistics, and such is true in police work.

Let me share with you some numbers that you may find useful. In 2007, there were 19 driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) arrests in the Richmond District. The number of arrests by Richmond Station officers increased significantly in 2008.

Last year, we arrested 61 motorists for DUI, an increase of more than 220 percent from the previous year. Each of the arrests may have prevented a vehicle-related injury or fatality.

The Richmond ranks second from the top in the City in vehicle collisions that resulted in injuries. There were 299 collisions in the district in which someone was injured. There were 17 traffic fatalities citywide in 2008; with four of those occurring in the Richmond. Richmond Station officers issued 6,999 citations for moving violations in 2007 and 12,739 in 2008, an increase of 82 percent year to year.

There were 323 burglaries in the district last year, one more than in 2007. If you see anyone suspicious in your neighborhood, please call the police immediately. Officers are well trained to discern those individuals with legitimate business from those possibly involved in criminal activity. Remember, most residential burglaries are committed in the daytime hours and no force is used to gain entry.

I encourage you to contact San Francisco Safety Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) to learn how you can prevent your home from being burglarized. Telephone SAFE at (415) 553-1984 or visit its Web site at http://sfsafe.org. If you are interested in seeing other crime stats please visit www.sfgov.org and navigate to the SF Police Department's home page, where you will find a link to CrimeMaps.

Our officers were very busy during the month of December 2008. They handled 5,333 calls, an increase of 929 more than December 2007. Our most urgent calls were classified as priority "A" emergencies. Priority "B" calls are urgent but not emergencies, and all other calls are classified as Priority "C." Richmond's December 2008 numbers broke down as follows: 253 Priority A calls, 730 Priority B calls and 4,350 Priority C calls.

Many of you may recall that during the afternoon of December 29, 2008, two individuals were attacked and stabbed at Sixth Avenue and Geary Boulevard. One suspect has been arrested in connection with that crime. He is still in custody and remains charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. His bail is $2 million.Ê

Richmond Station distributes an e-mail newsletter every Friday. It contains information about recent crimes, arrests and upcoming events in the district. If you want to be added to the list, e-mail sf pd.richmond.station@sfgov.org. You may also visit http://richmondforum.word press.com to see our Web site, where the newsletter is posted.

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