Crimefighting online in San Rafael (from the Marin IJ)
www.crimereports.com
San Rafael and Novato police are offering a new online service that makes police activity, crime and statistical information available to the community via the Internet. CrimeReports.com, a Utah-based company that provides free online mapping and analysis of recent police activity in neighborhoods, debuted last month in San Rafael. "It's so much more user friendly and easy to navigate and does a whole host of things our former system did not," San Rafael police spokeswoman Margo Rohrbacher said. Presented on Google maps, the free system serves up dates, times and descriptions of reported incidents in street block numbers. Vacation home checks are not displayed. The information is not in real time, and appears between 24 to 48 hours after an incident. The program also allows residents to sign up for customized e-mail crime alerts for activity occurring in certain neighborhoods or within a certain distance from an address. San Rafael is one of 21 police departments in the Bay Area and more than 300 departments nationwide to sign up for the service, which costs the department $199 per month.
ON THE NET More information about CrimeReports, www.crimereports.com, and a link can be found on the San Rafael Police Department's web site at www.srpd.org. A link also is available on the city's Web page at www.cityofsanrafael.org
SRPD Beat officers Fall/Winter 2009
Sun. - Weds. 5am-5pm - Sergeant Cron; Officer LaPlante
Thurs. - Sun. 5am - 5pm - Sergeant Bean; Officer Hornstein
Sun. - Weds. 5pm - 5am - Sergeant Aguilar; Officer Officer Diaz
Thurs. - Sun. 5pm - 5am - Sergeant Clary; Officer Larkey
If you want to contact a beat officer - call the SFPD: 485-3000
To see a list of incidents in Bret Hart, Click HERE to go to the SRPD website.
Community Policing Update
October 6, 2009
Solicitations
The San Rafael Police have received a few inquiries about solicitors, particularly in the Peacock Gap area and Dominican area. The stories are similar where a young man comes to the door claiming to be the son of a neighbor selling something. At times he is friendly (mostly to women) and at times belligerent. It is unknown if this is the same subject each time, but regardless, here are a few tips to keep in mind when a solicitor knocks on your door:
- Always keep your door locked, and ask who it is or look through a peek hole. If you are not comfortable, do not open the door.
- Ask to see a photo ID and a permit. If they work for a legitimate company, they will have both.
- Do not give any information that you would not normally provide to a stranger (credit card numbers, ID info).
- If you feel the subject is suspicious, call the police immediately at 485-3000 and give a description of the subject and any vehicle description and direction of travel.
On Sunday, September 13th at 12:19 a.m., San Rafael Police responded to a report of a prowler in the 200 block of Linden Lane. The female resident reported that she went out to the garage to do laundry, opened the side garage door, and heard a male’s voice greeting her from the side yard. The female resident immediately closed the door and called 9-1-1. The suspect was heard only, and no description was provided by the resident.
On Sunday, September 13th at 03:11 a.m., San Rafael Police responded to a second report of a prowler at an apartment located at 1747 Lincoln Avenue. The female resident reported that an unknown suspect cut the screen to her bedroom window located on the ground level. Officers responded to the scene and completed a search of the area. The resident was asleep in her bed and heard the sound of her screen being cut. The resident did not see the suspect, and was unable to provide a description.
On Sunday, September 27 at 10:10 p.m., officers responded to the apartment building at 216 Marin St. on the report of a possible prowler. The victim reported looking through her blinds and seeing a male subject looking at her through the window. Upon seeing the victim, the subject fled. It appears the subject cut the window screen and pushed the window open in an attempt to possibly gain entry into the residence. The subject is described as a Hispanic or dark skinned male, with black hair.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call San Rafael Police at 415.485.3000 or Crime Stoppers at 800.222.TIPS(8477). This phone number will accommodate all languages. Callers can remain anonymous and may earn a possible reward. Tips can also be made online at www.bayareacrimestoppers.com
SRPD Officers attend Gerstle Park Homeowners Association Annual Picnic
On Sunday, September 20th, Sergeant Vergara and Officer Leslie O’Toole attended the annual Gerstle Park Homeowners’ Association picnic at Gerstle Park. During the picnic, Sergeant Vergara and Officer O’Toole discussed our COP’s program with the current GPHOA President Bob Beyea. They also discussed ways that our department and the HOA might better communicate. Mr. Beyea was very interested in having a representative from our department attend a future homeowners’ association meeting.
Citizen Police Academy
The 22nd class of the San Rafael Citizen Police Academy started on September 24, 2009. The course is 9 weeks long and includes a tour of the Police Department, sections on dispatch, records, patrol procedure, SWAT, hostage negotiation team, Ranger and marine patrol, criminal law, traffic, Youth Services Bureau, Investigations, gang enforcement, drugs, prostitution, Police chaplains, mental health, domestic violence, CSI and volunteering. The courses are all taught by members of the department. This year the Police Department applied for a grant from the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Byrne JAG Public Safety grant of $109,195 will provide the funding for eight academies over the next four years. The next class begins February 17, 2010. Applications are available on-line at www.srpd.org. Apply early as the class is limited to 30 people.
Peggy C. Ruge Community Policing/Alarm Permits
San Rafael Police
Desk: 415.485.3114 Fax: 415.485.3044
Peggy.Ruge@srpd.org
| veg_mgmnt_map.pdf |
San Rafael Fire Department
Vegetation Management Program
Dear Bret Harte Homeowner,
The San Rafael Fire Department and the City of San Rafael have adopted a year-round Vegetation Management Program along with specific Vegetation Management Requirements for neighborhood areas determined to be at high risk of a wildland fire. Property owners in Wildland-Urban Interface, like the Bret Harte area, are required to create 100-feet of Defensible Space around structures. (However, each property owner is only required to conduct vegetation management to their own property line).
It is important for you to understand that this program is not voluntary. Participation is required for all property owners in order to protect the entire neighborhood. One only has to reflect back on recent wild fires in the Oakland Hills, the Mount Vision Fire in Inverness, Malibu, Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara to understand why this issue has become so critical. Please keep in mind that the inaction of just a few property owners can endanger everyone else.
Enforcement actions will begin in 2009. Properties that have not created Defensible Space within 100-feet of all structures (this includes neighboring structures) will be issued a Pre-citation. Continuing non-compliance of vegetation management requirements will lead to a Citation Fine and continuing enforcement action.
In this packet you will find educational materials. We will be conducting free property evaluations by request, and will seek to provide clean-up assistance where possible. Our Vegetation Management is a year-round multi-year program – no longer just a seasonal effort!
Free Property Evaluations
The San Rafael Fire Department will be in your neighborhood conducting free property evaluations. If you would like advice on creating your Defensible Space, please call 485-3488 or e-mail Anna Seslar at anna.seslar@cityofsanrafael.org to schedule an appointment.
The Fire Department also has a “hotline” available for any vegetation management questions or concerns that you may have. Call this number 415-721-2875 and leave a message.
Bret Harte Neighborhood Contact: Nigel Faulkner 415 298-2485,
E: nfaulkner@fhallen.com
Sincerely,
Bradley R. Mark – Fire Captain Specialist
San Rafael Fire Department Vegetation Management Program
From a BH Neighbor, We have been living on Meadow Ave for 15 years. We have a son who is autistic. His name is Vee-Liam OunEkLap. He is 10 years old. Lately he has been running away from home in the late afternoons. My husband, Ben and I have a restaurant and we work a lot. He stays home with his grandma in the evening and after school. On Feb 25th, we found him at the market on Woodland Ave. A few days ago, a neighbor saw him on Irwin. We would like to ask our Bret Harte neighbors to look out for him too. If anyone ever sees him alone, please keep him safe and call us right away. Our cell #s are 302-9877 (Maly), 847-5524 (Ben), Bangkok Thai Express (work) 453-3350. These numbers are also attached to his shoes.In a mean-time we are looking into a wristband with GPS system. Or if any one knows what tracking device would be best to find him, please give us any advice you may have. We are very concerned and frightened.
Thank you.Maly Ouneklap