Community Awareness
The SFPD Taraval Station and Parkmerced Resident Services have collaborated to provide the following information to increase the safety of your home and your community.
We, the members of the San Francisco Police Department, are committed to excellence in law enforcement and are dedicated to the people, traditions and diversity of our City. In order to protect life and property, prevent crime and reduce the fear of crime, we will provide service with understanding, response with compassion, performance with integrity and law enforcement with vision.
SFPD Taraval Station
415-759-3100 | www.taraval.org | SFPDTaravalStation@sfgov.org
9-1-1 Police, Fire & Medical
Available 24/7
Is there a danger to life, property or the environment? Is there a crime in progress? Is someone having a medical emergency and needs immediate assistance? Is there a fire?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, immediately call 9-1-1.
3-1-1 City Services & Info
Available 24/7
Police reports for crimes not in progress such as: auto burglaries, petty theft, vandalism, report graffiti, potholes, abandoned vehicles, or blocked driveways, garbage and recycling services, street and park maintenance, property tax payments, birth certificates, marriage licenses.
To file a report online, visit sanfranciscopolice.org/reports
Police Non-Emergency Assistance Available 24/7
Noise complaints, loitering, citizen standby, wellness checks, Text a Tip: 847411 (Tip 411)
Business Registration: 415-553-0123
SFPD Tip Line: 415-566-0115
Anonymous Tip-Line: 415-575-4444
Chinese Tip Line: 415-315-2435
Scam Hotline: 415-553-9219
Graffiti Abatement: 415-850-6951
Parking & Traffic: 415-553-1943
DPW Dispatch: 415-695-2020
S.A.F.E.: 415-553-1984
Home and Vehicle Considerations
vehicle theft prevention tips
• Keep track of your keys.
• Secure your vehicle.
• Don’t keep valuables in your vehicle.
• Use a physical anti-theft device.
• Don’t leave your car running unattended.
• Use tech-based auto recovery tools.
prevent theft from a vehicle
• Lock your doors and close the windows.
• A thief may break in for non-valuable items.
• Arm your vehicle alarm.
Burglary prevention tips
• Call SFPD when you see something suspicious.
• Keep your vacation dates off social media.
• Lock all doors and windows.
• Utilize blinds and curtains to obscure belongings.
Newsletters:
www.taraval.org
Email benny.lew@sfgov.org to subscribe to the Captain’s Newsletter.
SFSafe.org
We offer a range of free safety services to the residents of San Francisco. Subscribe to a monthly newsletter at sfsafe.org/newsletter.
Package Tips
Track your deliveries
Retrieve your item as soon as it’s delivered. Most delivery services offer tracking information or even send you delivery notices and alerts. Limit the amount of time your package is left outside. Consider asking a neighbor to grab the package.
signature required option
Opt for a signature requirement upon delivery. Your package will not be delivered unless you’re there to receive it in person. If you’re expecting an item that’s particularly valuable, this can be a smart way to ensure it gets to you safely.
Secure Delivery Location
Many delivery services allow you to route your package to a location where it’ll be securely held until you can pick it up. FedEx allows redirect deliveries to Walgreens, while Amazon Prime members can send to an Amazon Locker.
Lockable Delivery Box
Invest in a package storage box to ensure your items aren’t left out in the open when they arrive. These lockable, lidded containers can hold multiple parcels and offer protection from thieves as well as inclement weather. Fill out the “delivery instructions” section so the driver knows where the box is located and how to operate it.
Security camera
Outdoor security cameras can alert you to a delivery, and record theft. Systems can be equipped with motion sensors, notification system, and two-way audio capabilities. You can give the delivery instructions—or alert a potential thief that they’re on camera. You’ll have a recording for police.
Team up with neighbors
Work with your neighbors to look out for strangers in the neighborhood and keep an eye on deliveries at each other’s homes. Neighborhood social media groups and community apps like Nextdoor can help with this.
Beware of Scams
Fake Check Scams
Consumers paid with phony checks for work or for items they’re trying to sell, instructed to wire money back to buyer.
Prizes/Sweepstakes/Free Gifts
Requests for payment to claim fictitious prizes, lottery winnings, or gifts.
Recovery/Refund Companies
Scammers contact victims and claim the consumer owes money on a fictitious debt or to help recover money lost in a previous scam.
Advance Fee Loans, Credit Arrangers
False promises of business or personal loans, even if credit is bad, for a fee upfront.
Phishing/Spoofing
Emails pretending to be from a well-known source ask consumers to enter or confirm personal information.
Computers: Equipment and Software
Scammers claim to offer “technical support” for computer problems and charge a fee to fix a nonexistent problem.
Scholarships/Grants
For a fee, a “search company” offers to conduct customized search for scholarships or grants for students. Scammers take money and run or provide a worthless list.
Friendship & Sweetheart Swindles
Con artist nurtures an online relationship, builds trust, and convinces victim to send money.
Charities
Scammers contact victims claiming to represent non-existent charities (or real charities they don’t actually work for) and ask for donations.
Suspicious Activity
Suspicious activity is any observed behavior that could indicate a crime-related incident has been committed, or about to be committed. Unusual items or situations: A vehicle is parked in an odd location, a package or luggage is unattended, a window/door is open that is usually closed, or other out-of-the-ordinary situations occur.
Examples of Suspicious Activity:
• An individual peering into vehicles, to try, and locate any valuables left unattended.
• An individual trying door handles to vehicles, and/or residences to gain access to the vehicle and/ or residence.
• An individual checking front doors of residences to locate any unattended packages or individuals following delivery trucks to see where the truck is dropping off packages.
• Please dial 911 to report crimes in progress, suspicious activity or for life threatening emergencies. If it is not an emergency, dial (415) 553-0123.
Homeless Outreach and Outreach to Drug Users:
Taraval Station has two officers that coordinate with city agencies to provide outreach and assistance to rehabilitate those who are dependent on illegal drugs and outreach to homeless individuals to connect them with resources and support.
Foot Patrols:
Taraval Station has 3 foot beat locations. These officers are assigned to Irving Street, West Portal Avenue and Ocean Avenue.
How to report an emergency
& describe a suspect
When you are faced with an emergency and call 9-1-1, be prepared clear and concise with the pertinant information. Where the incident is happening and what is occurring, for example “I’m at 1234 Market Street and I’ve just been robbed”. Tell the operator if you are in immediate danger or are being threatened. As long as it is safe, stay on the line and answer the operator’s questions. Describe each suspect separately from head to toe (see how to describe a suspect below).If it’s safe, take a photo of the suspect, vehicle and license plate number. Make notes on any of the characteristics you can remember from the list below:
• Race (White, Black, Native American, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander)
• Sex (Male, Female)
• Age
• Height
• Weight
• Hair (Color, length, texture)
• Eyes, glasses
• Complexion and facial hair (smooth skin, blemishes, mustache, beard)
• Build (slight/heavy)
• Gait (limp, distinctive stride)
• Clothing (type and color, logos or brand names, shoes, jewelry, accessories)
• Weapon (type of weapon, used by the suspect: rifle, shotgun, automatic, revolver, knife)
• Remarks (note anything suspect says, accent or any names used)
• Escape (vehicle, on foot, license plate number, year, make, model, color, what direction)