Tuesday, December 23rd, 2014
Holiday Safety Tips
The holidays are a special and
joyous time of year. It is also a time when the citizens need to be alert to
the possibility of crime. The City of
San Francisco and the San Francisco
Police Department encourages all citizens and visitors to the City to take
simple precautions to ensure a safe and happy holiday season.
The holiday season is always a
special time of year. It is also a time when busy people become careless and
vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. We can never be too careful, too
prepared or too aware. Please share this information with family, friends and
neighbors. The San Francisco Police
Department wishes you a safe, happy and peaceful holiday season.
Driving
- Avoid driving alone or at night.
- Keep all car doors locked and windows closed while in or out of your car. Set your alarm or use an anti-theft device.
- If you must shop at night, park in a well lit area.
- Avoid parking next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with tinted windows.
- Park as close as you can to your destination and take notice of where you parked.
- Never leave your car unoccupied with the motor running or with children inside.
- Do not leave packages or valuables on the seat of your car. This creates a temptation for thieves. If you must leave something in the car, lock it in the trunk or put it out of sight.
- Be sure to locate your keys prior to going to your car.
- Keep a secure hold on your purse, handbag and parcels. Do not put them down or on top of the car in order to open the door.
- When approaching or leaving your vehicle, be aware of your surroundings.
- Do not approach your car alone if there are suspicious people in the area.
- Ask mall or store security for an escort before leaving your shopping location.
Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
- If you must use an ATM, choose one that is located inside a bank, mall, or well lit location. Withdraw only the amount of cash you need.
- Protect your PIN by shielding the ATM keypad from anyone who is standing near you.
- Do not throw your ATM receipt away at the ATM location.
Children
- Teach children to immediately inform you if a stranger is bothering them.
- If possible, leave small children at home with a trusted babysitter.
- Teach your child to go to a store clerk and ask for help in case your child is separated from you.
- Teach children to stay close to you at all times while shopping.
- Never allow children to make unaccompanied trips to the restroom.
- Children should never be allowed to go to the car alone and they should never be left alone in the car.
- Teach children their full name, address and telephone number to give to police officers or mall security.
Shopping
- Shop during the daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.
- Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
- Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible.
- Always carry your California Driver License or Identification Card along with necessary cash, checks and/or a credit card that you expect to use.
- Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
- Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.
- Keep cash in your front pocket.
- Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused.
- Keep a record of all your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
- Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation terminals, bus stops, on buses and other rapid transit.
- Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, "con-artists" may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
At
Home
- Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.
- When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
- Indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer.
- Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
- Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.
- When setting up a Christmas tree or other holiday display, make sure doors and passageways are clear inside your home.
Strangers at Your Door
- Be aware that criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts.
- It is not uncommon for criminals to take advantage of the generosity of people during the holiday season by soliciting donations door-to-door for charitable causes although no charity is involved.
- Ask for their identification, and find out how the donated funds will be used. If you are not satisfied, do not donate.
- Donate to a recognized charitable organization.
Arrests:
No Incidents to Report.
Serious Incidents:
6:12am 800 Blk Chenery Robbery
A man walking to the Glen Park BART station was robbed of
his belongings by armed suspects. The victim told Ingleside Officer Anderson
that he had just parked his car on Elk Street and was walking down Chenery when
he heard what he thought was a jogger behind him. When he stepped to the side
to let the jogger run by he felt someone tugging at his briefcase. The victim
turned around and was confronted by a robber, wearing a “Hoodie”, and pointing
a pistol at his forehead. The robber mumbled, “Give me your bag” and the victim
surrendered his briefcase while raising his hands in the air. The suspect,
along with an accomplice, started walking backward to escape all the while
pointing the gun at their victim. The victim then pulled out his cell phone and
started dialing “911”. The suspects,
noticing the victim on the phone, ran back and instructed him to give them his
phone. He did. Then he ran away and called police. The loss was his briefcase,
Ipad, and identification. Report number: 141077130
7:35pm 500
Blk Wilde
Robbery
Ingleside Officers Tsang and Chew responded to a robbery
where the victim suffered serious injuries. She told the officers that she was
walking home from the bus stop at Mansell and Hamilton Streets when she was
suddenly pushed to the ground by a suspect who ran up behind her. The robber
then grabbed her purse and escaped eastbound on Wilde Avenue. The victim
suffered severe lacerations to her face from the fall. The loss was a purse
containing her wallet, identification, credit card, and cash. She was taken to
Kaiser Hospital for treatment. Later that evening, the victim’s purse was
recovered in South San Francisco. Report number: 141079249
Vehicle and Other Incidents:
12:35am Treat/25th Recovered
Vehicle
6:55am Unit Blk Justin Stolen License Plate
6:58am 200 Blk Justin Recovered Vehicle
7:00am 800 Blk Ellsworth Stolen Vehicle
9:20am Mission/Persia Hit and Run
2:20pm 200 Blk Naples Theft
from Building
3:20pm Mission/Ocean Theft
3:25pm 500 Blk Portola Theft from Building
4:47pm 100 Blk Raymond Stolen Vehicle
4:53pm Unit Blk Oneida Recovered Vehicle
5:47pm 100 Blk Teddy Stolen License Plate
6:42pm Unit
Blk Crescent Burglary
Burglaries with suspect description:
No Incidents to Report.
