District crime stats, an update on quality-of-life issues, a report from an undercover officer, and an overview of investigative operations were all on the docket at last Monday night's monthly SFPD Park Station community meeting, held at the Park Branch Library on Page Street. 

During the 90-minute discussion, station Capt. John Sanford, Jr. and his staff addressed a moderately-sized group on topics ranging from drug busts to the recent officer-involved shooting of Mario Woods in the Bayview. 

Sanford started the session by praising several officers who responded to a November 12th report of a stolen Amazon package along the Haight Street corridor. After confronting a suspect who was allegedly in possession of a stolen parcel and a folding knife, the officers engaged in an extended foot pursuit. After the suspect was taken into custody, a bystander reportedly tipped police to a semiautomatic handgun discarded by the suspect during the chase.

Photo: Walter Thompson/Hoodline

Lt. Mike Nelson, a commander on the station's night watch, shared some top-level statistics for Park District. In 2015 so far, 440 vehicles have been stolen, an increase from 406 at the same time last year. As discussed many times already, Park District vehicle break-ins have been on the rise: 979 have been reported so far in 2015, compared to 740 in 2014. Nelson said that many boosted vehicles end up in eastern neighborhoods, near Van Ness or along Division.

Most car burglars are "transients and Travelers," said Nelson, noting that most of the break-ins in tourist areas are gang-related activity. "I would also attribute the rise in this area to Proposition 47," he said, referring to the 2014 ballot initiative that downgraded several nonviolent offenses into misdemeanors.

As of November 30th, 92 robberies have been reported within the district; Nelson said a large percentage of those were phone thefts, and advised attendees to exercise caution when using their devices on the street or on public transit.

Turning to traffic enforcement, Nelson said Park District officers issued 433 citations during the month of November, including 21 given to bicyclists as part of the renewed stop-sign crackdown along the Wiggle. Nelson said that officers continue to prioritize citations related to the citywide Focus on the Five initiative; 130 stop-sign tickets and 9 red-light violators were cited.

Photo: Jessica Druck/Flickr

Before discussing quality-of-life issues along Haight Street, Sanford said he has "redeployed personnel" to create a nighttime outreach unit, consisting of two officers. "It's a very tough job, and it takes some motivated and dedicated officers to do that," he noted as he introduced Officer Daniel O'Neill, who's part of the overnight team that patrols Buena Vista Park and Golden Gate Park for illegal campsites. "The majority of our nights are spent looking out for homeless encampments," O'Neill explained. 

Sgt. Joe Salazar was assigned to Park Station in October, where he's been leading a street-crimes unit that runs undercover operations that largely target narcotics sales. "An undercover buy-and-bust is a relatively simple operation that requires a lot of resources," said Salazar.

As part of an ongoing 90-day enforcement effort targeting quality-of-life crimes along Haight, Salazar and other officers have made 21 narcotics arrests in the past month. "No one's going to jail for these," said Salazar, who noted that "about 99 percent" of his cases are pled out by defendants. In return, they're likely to receive a few years of probation and a 150-yard stay-away order that prevents them from returning to old hangouts.

Haight Street, August 2015. (Photo: Jeff Few/Flickr)

Even though police use marked bills and obtain drug evidence in each buy-bust case, Salazar encouraged residents to send impact statements to judges and district attorneys, to encourage harsher penalties for convicted offenders. "It's important that they know what your expectations are," he said, adding that perps are more likely to go jail when "we've had great tips from people."

In a recent case, officers seized 3-4 ounces of methamphetamine after receiving a tip with photos from a resident. "It was very important that we got that tip," said Salazar. Sanford added that he's worked with neighborhood groups to collect impact letters related to quality-of-life prosecutions.

Despite the arrests, parts of the Upper Haight still see open-air drug deals, Salazar and Sanford acknowledged. In one case, a suspect tried to sell Sanford some marijuana while he was walking to dinner. "That can't be happening," Sanford said.

Salazar said the presence of armed security guards at the McDonald's near Stanyan and Haight might have a calming effect, but that "McDonald's hasn't helped us enforce any laws."

Photo: Todd Lapin/Flickr

Inspector William Siebert gave attendees an overview of Park Station's investigation team, a unit that reviews cases that are handed off to the District Attorney's office. Because so much evidence is required to convict an alleged criminal, "if we can't solve the case, it's not worth assigning."

"Park is a lot better now" than it used to be when it comes to building cases, and Siebert said that's largely due to technology. As an example, he mentioned a recent case where residents recorded video of a costumed suspect in Duboce Triangle who became known as "the wig prowler." After circulating the video, an officer assigned to the Tenderloin recognized the perp, "right down to the wig and footy pajamas," said Siebert. A search revealed that the suspect was in possession of three gold coins, recently reported stolen in a home burglary.

"Video is always good," said Siebert, "but a good thing to have are witnesses."

#BreakingNews SFPD has arrested a wig wearing prowler who's been casing Castro and Noe Valley neighborhoods. pic.twitter.com/8mG1WaGuuH

— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) November 30, 2015

Attendees gave officers a round of applause for the station's recent focus on policing the Haight Street corridor, but a few asked whether problems would return after the 90-day enforcement period ends. Sanford said time-limited enforcement helps set community expectations for "acceptable behavior," and that police will continue to keep an eye on quality-of-life issues after the crackdown ends.

In response to a question about the fatal shooting of Mario Woods in the Bayview last week, Sanford said SFPD is reviewing its use-of-force policy, "which will be a topic of community input." In upcoming weeks, officers at Park Station will receive body cameras, as well as training in the use of ballistic shields, Sanford added.

Before the meeting ended, Sanford introduced attendees to the station's new Community Liaison Officer, Joann Walker. Each day, Sanford said he and Walker review emails and other messages from residents, with tips or complaints prioritized and assigned for investigation. To reach Walker directly, email joann [DOT] walker [AT] sfgov.org.

Park District's next monthly meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12th, 2016 at 6pm. It will be held in the station's community room at 1899 Waller St.