Between November and December of 2016, homicides rose 125 percent across the city, but they dropped 50 percent in the Northern District. Aggravated assaults were unchanged citywide but in our northern neighborhoods were up 40 percent. Burglaries were also up citywide (10 percent) with a small drop in the Northern District (3 percent). Otherwise, the news was largely positive on the crime front: Other categories reported by Northern Station were either unchanged or declined.
The following are some crime stats from November to December 2016 for the city as a whole and for the Northern District respectively: rape (-62 percent, -60 percent), robbery (unchanged, -31 percent), auto thefts (-13 percent, unchanged), theft from vehicles (-21 percent, -12 percent), arson (-55 percent, -100 percent), and “other theft” (-18 percent, -11 percent).
In other news: The rollout of body cameras to the local police force continues. As of Feb. 9, 1,654 officers have been trained and deployed with cameras, according to the San Francisco Police Department. Those officers can be found in every district station, along with specialized and investigative units.
Body cameras — along with the still-absent Tasers — are a response to public concern over police-involved shootings and the inevitable conflicting statements of suspects and officers. The SFPD says it “is confident that as we complete department-wide implementation of body-worn cameras, both officers and the community will benefit from this valuable resource. Body worn cameras will result in increased transparency, improve police accountability with the public, increase the public’s trust in officers, and protect officers from unjustified complaints of misconduct.”
The crimes described below are only a small snapshot of what the police officers of Northern Station are doing. For a more comprehensive list, visit sf-police.org; under Compstat, select the link to Crimemaps.
STAY AWAY
Nov. 10, 11:20 p.m.
Jones Street (at Market)
While searching for a wanted domestic violence suspect, uniformed patrol officers spotted two males who were pushing and yelling at each other on the street corner. They stopped and detained the men, who continued to yell and attempt to fight. They were separated, and the officers ran computer checks on them. Neither had any outstanding warrants, but one had a “stay-away” order for the area of Jones and Market Streets. That suspect was transported to Northern Station.
The two never divulged the reason for their fight, and neither wanted to press charges.
CAR Burglarized
Dec. 12, 4:44 p.m.
3301 Lyon Street
Members of the street crimes unit were conducting an auto burglary operation in the rear parking lot of the Palace of Fine Arts due to the large number of auto burglaries in that area. The criminals are lured there by the valuable items that unwitting tourists leave in their locked vehicles.
One of the officers observed an adult male looking into the windows of numerous parked vehicles; the suspect was observed trying unsuccessfully to shatter the rear window of a BMW. He left and then returned and was observed looking into a black van. The suspect shattered the front driver’s side window and entered the vehicle; he had his torso inside the vehicle and was rummaging through it. The officers were able to take him into custody without incident.
During an arrest search of the suspect, a window punch was found in his pants pocket; a window punch is commonly used to break windows. Methamphetamine was also found, and a computer check showed that he was on felony probation for stolen property; there was an outstanding warrant for him. He was booked at County Jail.
SIDEWALK ARREST
Dec. 15, 1:10 a.m.
Hemlock Street (at Polk)
Officers on patrol spotted a male subject on a sidewalk whom they recognized from prior contacts; the officer knew he had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for his arrest for vandalism. They stopped and detained the suspect, and he was later booked at County Jail.
ASSAULT AND AGGRAVATION
Dec. 17, 2:17 a.m.
600 block, Linden Street
Officers were dispatched to respond to a report of a stabbing, and the suspect had fled on foot toward Fillmore and MacAllister Streets. They officers located two female victims with stab wounds to their abdomens; both were transported to San Francisco General Hospital for treatment. They later told the police that they were standing in a parking lot when the suspect walked up and started to talk with them. They got into an argument and the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the two women.
Officers located evidence at the scene, including a folding knife, a pair of white Adidas shoes, a jacket, and condoms. The suspect was soon located — sans shirt and shoes. He was booked at County Jail.
THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US
Dec. 19, 9:10 p.m.
Octavia Street (at Washington)
Police were alerted to the presence of a trespasser, who was being chased on foot by a 911 caller. The building’s security guard told the officers that he saw the suspect walking around the interior of the property and then sit on a bench; when the guard told the suspect he had to leave, the suspect refused and said he was waiting for his girlfriend.
When the guard repeated the request, the man started walking away and eventually running as the guard chased him. He jumped over a stone wall, fence, and hedges, while the guard continued to pursue.
Police were able to locate the suspect; he lacked proper identification and was transported to Northern Station, where he was cleared of any warrants and was cited and released.
