Summer is pretty much a memory and fall is off to a busy start in Richmond!  The sampling of calls and activities described below that RPD personnel have been involved in gives you an idea of the diversity and challenges we face as a department in addressing community and resident needs.  Please let me know if you have any questions or would like additional information about any of the items described below. 

Regards,

Chief Chris Magnus

Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, 8:00 a.m., 3300 block of Clearfield--Officer Parker responded to the 3300 block of Clearfield after numerous residents reported vehicle break-ins.  While conducting the preliminary investigation, Officer Parker learned that neighbors had seen an adult in his mid-late 20s meandering in the area a short time before her arrival.  Officer Parker advised CSI Andretich of this, at which time he recalled seeing a male matching the description sitting in front of a nearby church.  The male was in possession of four duffle bags.  Officer Andretich returned to the location he’d seen the suspect, but the male had left--leaving the bags behind.  A search of the bags revealed property belonging to all seven victims.  Officer Parker is attempting to ascertain the identity of the suspect so a warrant can be authored.

Saturday, Sept  10, 2011, 12:20 a.m., 600 block of 16th St.--Richmond Police officers respond to a disturbance call at the above address.  Upon arrival, officers witnessed several males run from the front porch area of the residence.  Officer Macrenato saw the suspect on the side of the residence “ducking” under the porch.  He ordered him to come out, and heard a “thump”.  After the suspect was secured, an immediate check of the area yielded a small caliber pistol.  The suspect admitted that he was a gang member and was taken into custody.

Friday, Sept. 9, 2011, 8:15 p.m., 400 block of Harbour Way--The PD received a call from State Parole Agent Porter.  Porter advised that a 58 year-old suspect living in the area was wanted for a parole violation.  Agent Porter responded to the station and briefed Team 7 RPD officers.  Three officers, along with Agent Porter, responded to the above address and arrested the suspect without incident.

Friday, Sept. 9, 2011, 10:30 a.m.--School personnel from a local elementary school called advising that a 10 year-old had failed to arrive at school.  When the juvenile’s mother was notified, she immediately became concerned because she last saw her son at approximately 7:30 a.m., riding his scooter toward a bus stop approximately two miles away.  During a follow-up interview, it was believed the child may have experienced suicidal tendencies after children teased him due to learning disabilities.  RPD personnel spent the better part of the day canvassing the area and interviewing family/friends.  Sergeant Dickerson and Detective Abetkov assisted with the investigation and follow-up.
At approximately 2:45p.m., the mother’s employer called advising that her son had just arrived at her workplace.  Apparently the child had decided to skip school and ride his scooter from Richmond to her workplace in a nearby city.  He was uninjured. CPS was notified and a referral was completed.

Friday, Sept. 9, 2011, 3:45 p.m., 600 block of Florida Ave.--Officers Loucas and Walker were on routine patrol when they observed an adult male walking away from a residence known for narcotic sales.  As the officers were preparing to make contact, the 36 year-old suspect began stuffing something down the front of his pants.  Contact was made, at which time it was determined that the suspect was on active parole.  A pat- search of the suspect revealed two plastic baggies containing marijuana and crystal meth.  The suspect was arrested and booked for the above offenses.  A Parole Hold was placed on him.

Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011, 1:15 p.m., 36th St. near Esmond Ave.--Officers were dispatched to the area of 18th and Barrett Ave., near the entrance of BART, for a report of male brandishing a firearm from a vehicle.  The victim stated that he was threatened by a male driving a Cadillac Escalade and the vehicle had since fled the area.  This information was also broadcast to BART PD, who were patrolling in the area.  A BART police officer located and followed the suspect vehicle to the area of 36th/Esmond Ave., where cover was requested as the vehicle was stopped.  The vehicle was occupied by three males and after further investigation it was determined that a 21 year-old occupant of the vehicle was in possession of a .9mm handgun.  This suspect had a criminal history with a felony conviction. 
            The victim was transported to the scene for an “in-field show”, however, he failed to identify any of the occupants of the Escalade.  The 21 year-old suspect was arrested for the gun crime and the other two males were released at the scene.

Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011, 1:00 p.m.--Officer Hoffman conducted a traffic stop on a black Cadillac with no license plates.  He contacted the driver who admitted to driving with a suspended license.  Officer Hoffman conducted an inventory search of the car prior to towing it and located 14 rocks of cocaine and 8 MDMA pills.  The driver also had $760 cash in his possession.  The 22 year-old suspect was arrested for possession for sales and booked into RPD Jail without incident.

Weekend of Sept. 10, 2011—The Department’s Crime Prevention Unit worked with Crescent Park Apartments and EAH Housing on the Straight A’s Program project that was started a year ago by south-side Officer Gary Lewis.  Most of the students in the program are from Stege Elementary School.
            The Straight A Program is an academic incentive and engagement program that focuses on children living in Crescent Park, grades K-12.  Students are required to submit their report cards every session to EAH and RPD, maintain good attendance, improve their grades over a period of time, and demonstrate good behavior both in school and within the Crescent Park community.  Students who meet these criteria participate in special incentive program offered by the Police Department.  This summer, this included a college tour to UC Berkeley, an Oakland A’s game sponsored by KTVU, a trip to Six Flags, school supplies, parent orientations, and special awards assemblies acknowledging the accomplishments of the students.  Currently, nearly one third of the school age children living within Crescent Park are enrolled in the Straight “A” Program.
            This weekend, EAH teamed up with Healthy Communities to sign-up students and their families for the second part of the Straight A Program—tutorial opportunities for students to improve their grade-level mastery of various subjects.

Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, 1:50 p.m., S. 15th and Maine Ave.--Officer Odegaard was patrolling in this area in response to complaints from residents about drug dealing in the area.  He conducted a traffic enforcement stop at S.15th/Maine Ave. on a vehicle occupied by three individuals.  While attempting to search the 26 year-old front seat passenger, this individual fled from Officer Odegaard on foot, but was subsequently caught at S. 16th and Maine Ave.  The suspect was taken into custody and after a further investigative search of the vehicle, a .40cal. handgun was discovered under the front passenger seat.  The suspect admitted to possessing the handgun in addition to possessing the rock cocaine found on his person.  A second suspect was found in possession of marijuana packaged for sale.  Both suspects were booked into the RPD Jail.

Quick Code Enforcement Follow-up:  At a community meeting on Sept. 6th, sponsored by ACCE, dealing with foreclosure issues and blight, a resident who lives in the northern portion of the Iron Triangle complained about safety and dumping issues associated with the area around Duboce St. near the railroad tracks.  The resident suggested a fence be installed in the area to protect children and reduce crime.  Code Enforcement Supervisor Tingle followed up the next day with Union Pacific Railroad and the railroad is working with the City to install a fence at this location.

Monday, Sept. 5, 2011, 2:45 a.m., 400 block of 23rd St.--Officers were on routine patrol when they observed several suspicious persons walking together. Officers watched the group until they committed a crime--then officers made contact with them.  Upon contacting the subjects, officers noticed that one subject had a bulge in his jacket.  When asked if he had a gun, the subject was “speechless.” A 38 year-old was arrested and transported to the Richmond City Jail where he was booked.  The suspect’s chrome 9mm semi-automatic handgun was booked into evidence. Officer Harris authored the preliminary investigation.

Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011,  9:10 p.m., S. 7th St. & Ohio Ave.--CCTV Officer Lewis observed a suspicious person in a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot at the store.  Officer Lewis was able to use the CCTV camera to obtain a license plate number, and when he conducted a registration check on the car, he learned the vehicle had been reported stolen.  Officer Lewis notified dispatchers, who then sent officers to the scene. A 36 year-old female suspect was detained, then identified during an in-field show-up, as the driver of the reported stolen vehicle.  The suspect was arrested and transported to the Richmond City Jail where she was booked for vehicle theft and several outstanding warrants.  Officer Vallerga authored the preliminary investigation.

Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011, 1:10 p.m., 500 block of Alamo Ave.--Officers responded to calls from the public about a street fight involving six people armed with pipes and pieces of wood.  A CHP helicopter arrived overhead within minutes and reported a group of ten people fighting with bats and approximately 80 onlookers watching the fight.  The helicopter officers then observed a car strike a pedestrian as it fled from the scene.  RPD officers arrived on scene and had to use a Taser, batons, and OC spray to stop the fight.  CCCSO deputies and San Pablo PD responded to assist with crowd control while RPD officers completed their investigation. RPD officers learned the fight was a family dispute that had been going on for the past 10 years.  The fight involved seven females who fought with a knife, pipes and sticks. The suspect’s injuries were minor (cuts/abrasions) and the combatant who was struck by the vehicle declined medical treatment.   Officer Mendler conducted the preliminary investigation and Acting-Sergeant Clark completed the administrative memorandum. 

Sat., Sept. 3, 2011, 2:50 a.m., 500 block of 17th St.—Officers responded to a call of a residential burglary in progress.  The complainant reported that an unknown male was knocking on her door and attempting to open her window.  When officers arrived, they observed an intoxicated 37 year-old male climbing on the roof of the residence.  After he was given numerous commands to get off of the roof, the suspect finally climbed down and told officers that the complainant was his relative.  It was later determined that the suspect was unwanted at the residence.  It was also determined that due to his level of intoxication, the suspect was unable to care for himself.  The suspect was arrested for being drunk in public and transported to the Richmond City Jail, where he was booked.  Officer Caine authored the preliminary investigation.

Community Engagement Highlights:
·       Chief Magnus continues to participate in the Community Corrections Partnership meetings held by the Contra Costa County Probation Dept. to implement the corrections realignment process in Contra Costa County.  A community meeting on this process will be held in Richmond on Thursday, Sept. 22nd from 7-9 p.m. at the City Council Chambers.
·       Captain Anthony Williams continues to coordinate the law enforcement component of the Ceasefire program being implemented in Richmond.  A meeting with local clergy leadership, coordinated by CCISCO, was held on Saturday, Sept. 10th at City Hall, to discuss how the local faith-based community can participate in the Ceasefire effort.  Rev. Jeffrey Brown of the Boston 10-Point Coalition was the keynote speaker.  Captain Williams, Deputy Chief Brown, Chief Magnus, and Det. Hauschild were all present for the program.
·       The Police Department participated in a community meeting sponsored by ACCE at the Nevin Center on Sept. 6th to discuss foreclosure and blight abatement issues.
·       The Department participated in an event highlighting the activities of a non-profit organization “K to College” on Sept. 8th.  K to College provides school supplies and dental kits for low-income students at several Contra Costa and Alameda County schools, including several schools in Richmond.  For more information about this impressive program, go to www.ktocollege.org.
·       Multiple members of the Department participated in the Annual North & East Neighborhood Picnic on Saturday, Sept. 10th.  A K-9 demonstration was part of the program.   The event was well attended.

 

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