Welcome to this month's iteration of the Upper Haight's crime and mayhem recap. (Here's July's edition, in case you missed it.)
While July saw KKK flyers (and anti-KKK flyers), meth discovered in a private home, and downed trees, August has been comparatively quiet. The month kicked off with National Night Out, an annual public gathering on the first Tuesday in August that aims to reduce crime by strengthening relationships between officers and the community members.
More than 1,000 people attended Park Station's National Night Out event, with performances by the dancers at Fei Tian Academy, the Bay Area Hoopers, and a roving magician. After the festivities, Park Station took to its weekly newsletter to express its gratitude.
"We thank the many businesses in the area that contributed gift certificates to help us purchase the food for this non-city-funded event, including Friends of Duboce Park. We thank the many volunteers that helped us set-up and take down the event, including the Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association, Friends of Duboce Park, and Taking it to the Streets San Francisco. We also thank those businesses that contributed prizes for our free raffle; all a big hit with adults and children alike!
Lastly, Park Station Police is especially grateful for the positive feedback that you shared with us about National Night Out and working with San Francisco law enforcement, in addition to the many wonderful notes of appreciation; it means so much to us."
At this month's Park Station community meeting, Captain Sanford reported that crime has been down overall. Incidents of car break-ins, stolen cars, robberies, burglaries, break-ins, and hot-prowl burglaries are all down compared to last year.
SFPD is seeking help in identifying three suspects who entered Fromm Hall at the University of San Francisco, punched two students in the face, and stole a laptop, cell phone, and backpack late last month. The investigation remains ongoing, and the SFPD asks anyone with information about the suspects or the crime to call Park Station at (415) 242-3088 or the anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444.
August yielded 27 burglaries, mostly of cars, as well as one report of a cell phone theft, one robbery, and two incidents of battery. One battery happened last week at Haight & Belvedere at 4am, in which a man with a knife demanded a victim to give up his belongings as he was getting out of his car.
There were also several reports of fraud this month, including two reports of credit card fraud, and one incident of someone using a false name to open "several accounts" with Chase bank. After the victim discovered his name was being used to open fake accounts, he reported it to the police.
Also on the fraud front, someone tried to buy a car using eBay gift cards. Here's how Park Station described it in their August 5th newsletter: "Victim filed a report of money being taken through eBay gift cards. Victim desired to buy a car, eBay cards as requested as form of payment, but has yet to receive the car they bought. The incident is under investigation."
Next month's Park Station community meeting will be held on September 13th at 6pm in the community room at Park Station (1899 Waller St.)
If you've got any additional crime and mayhem to report in the neighborhood, don't forget to send us a tip here.
