SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - A major strategy adjustment — the most significant change in the last four years, according to the San Francisco Police Department — is being made in an effort to address violent crime in The City, which last year recorded the highest homicide rate in more than a decade.

The plan, unveiled Wednesday night before The City’s Police Commission, concentrates police resources in the five geographic areas of San Francisco that have seen the most violent crime in recent years: Bayview-Hunters Point, the Mission, the Western Addition, the Tenderloin and Visitacion Valley.

In the past, the department has solely targeted individuals or groups believed to be responsible for a majority of the crimes, according to Cmdr. Kevin Cashman, who recently took over the field operations bureau of the department.

The new strategy will schedule officers from the SWAT team, narcotics division, gang task force and traffic — as well as state and federal agencies — to patrol the zones on a rotating basis. Officers will focus on drug busts, traffic stops and probation or warrant checks.

“Our zone-based strategy is a well thought-out, focused and determined attempt to place enforcement resources in the most needed areas, at the most appropriate times,” San Francisco police Chief Heather Fong told The Examiner on Thursday.

Violent crime is “extremely concentrated” in San Francisco according to a 2006 Harvard study cited by police that claims 45 percent to 50 percent of the violent crime in San Francisco occurs in less than 2 percent of the neighborhoods. The Bayview district, which tallied a quarter of the 98 homicides in 2007, will see the most presence, with three separate subzones.

Officers will not “randomly saturate neighborhoods” and there is no intention of straying from the more traditional tactic of targeting high-risk individuals, Cashman said. In the last three weeks, investigators put together a list of 60 offenders who are on a “need to be in jail list.” Fifteen are already in custody.

While the department is still hundreds of officers short of its charter-mandated force of 1,971 officers, Cashman said the new strategy will be based on redeployment and won’t strain resources.

Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, whose district covers Bayview-Hunters Point, told The Examiner on Thursday that she hopes the strategy doesn’t lead to profiling residents.

“It’s like a campaign where you focus on certain areas, but at the same time the police have to follow certain procedures,” Maxwell said. “They can’t just patrol the streets and harass any black man they see.”

The plan is worth a try, said Supervisor Tom Ammiano, whose district includes the Mission, where police say violent crime is on the rise.

“When there’s a crisis in certain areas, police should provide relief,” Ammiano said.

bbegin@examiner.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

10:27 AM MST on Tue., May. 6, 2008 re: "Marina district robber sets his sights on the dough"

Beretta Team said:
The important thing is that nobody was hurt. The incident shook us all up and as a result we've installed additional measures of security. It's a shame that we were one of the recent restaurants to be targeted in this recent string of robberies. We're working with SFPD to review the camera footage and hopefully we'll be able to identify the criminal. It's important to understand that this kind of thing can happen to any restaurant, bank, bookstore or any merchant that exchanges money. Beretta is dedicated to being a neighborhood restaurant where everyone can enjoy great food and delicious drinks in a safe and comfortable environment and we won't sit by and let the criminal acts of one individual compromise our pledge to the neighborhood. Finally and most importantly, we'd like to thank our customers for the way they handled the incident. Everyone remained very calm and collective- nobody tried to act as the "hero," and as a result nobody was hurt. Thank you for your supp

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5:21 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 29, 2008 re: "Gunfire in The City staying below radar"

Carl said:
anybody read the article in the sf examiner the other day about sfpd having poor community relations? Hopefully the lack of calls to 911 regarding gun shots will be a wake up call to sfpd. maybe not.

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2:24 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 29, 2008 re: "Gunfire in The City staying below radar"

billy said:
well no kidding...we who actually live in SF have known this for a long time and the mayor, the PD chief, and the DA are totally incompetent and ignoring any possible solutions. Newson is increasing his staff and cutting police academy classes. He opposed foot patrols..he's never in town!! This guy is cut from the same cloth as Bush and he's just as incompetent at adressing these serious problems. Expect NO change while these folks run things.

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8:47 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 29, 2008 re: "Gunfire in The City staying below radar"

L. Amiot said:
These ShotSpotters are gimics. Chicago has used them to a disappointing end for years now. The technology is expensive and does not get to the root of the problem. People, police officers, on the ground, walking and talking to people in the neighbirhood, building trust and building relationships will be much more successful. Neighbors know who the shooters are. Getting neighborhood people to trust the system and take ownership of the neighborhood problems takes skilled police officers who care, and others who care to make a difference. Not cameras mounted on poles. Leadership, Mr. Newsom. Learn it, Get it, Use it.

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7:00 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 24, 2008 re: "Felon accused of bank heists faces 65 years"

Examiner Reader said:
All bank robberies are Federal crimes. All bank robbers belong in Federal, not State prisons.

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1:06 PM MST on Mon., Apr. 21, 2008 re: "Hells Angels member arrested on assault charges"

Examiner Reader said:
Like Pacifica police have anything else better to do? Plus, this artical makes it sound like anyone who rides a Harley is part of the H.A????? I ride...but I'm not part of the H.A......

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7:05 PM MST on Mon., Apr. 14, 2008 re: "Hells Angels member arrested on assault charges"

Tatiana said:
To the Writer of this Article: You should really get your story and facts correct before writing FALSE Accusations!!!!

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10:16 AM MST on Mon., Apr. 14, 2008 re: "Hells Angels member arrested on assault charges"

Examiner Reader said:
To all of you idiots who actually believe the crap that you read in this newspaper...maybe someone should actually do their homework. They would find out that this article is completely altered to sell more papers.

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7:38 PM MST on Sun., Apr. 13, 2008 re: "Hells Angels member arrested on assault charges"

Mike said:
family orientated hells angels LOL your a sick low life child molesting support member of the scumbag hells angels. what crime have the hells angels not done to women and children? I think the hells angels have done every disgusting thing a man can do to women and children your a very sick man Rudy. Tell me Rudy how do you feel about Daves computer full of child porn. and that sick wack job thompson the sex offender and in my eyes a child murder. Ten hells anels in the paper this year out of a few hundred and Rudy thinks they are family entertaiment. you sick dog

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7:03 PM MST on Sun., Apr. 13, 2008 re: "Hells Angels member arrested on assault charges"

Rudy said:
Anybody who has actually been around the Hells Angels knows that they are family oriented, good people. I was recently at a blood drive - yes, that's right, for charity - that the Hell's Angels sponsored. Doesn't sound like murderers and rapists to me. You people believe too much of what you read.

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6:00 PM MST on Sun., Apr. 13, 2008 re: "Hells Angels member arrested on assault charges"

Mike said:
I have read about 10 hells angels members over the past year arrested for rape molestation and murdering women and children.There is only a few hundred of these chicken heads in the USA sothats a large percent this year very large. they are a disgusting gang of foul fithy freaks they even write 666 on their gang jackets means fff foul filthy freaks

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8:40 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 11, 2008 re: "Hells Angels member arrested on assault charges"

hells angels said:
The Guilt is on the hells Angels Gang they hand pick each member thats why they have so many members that support the members that get busted raping molesting and murdering women and children.One of the other comments I read in an other paper said there are only a few hundred hells angels in the country they seem to have far to many members get busted for molesting and murdering women and children. How many get away with it and how many make deals with the court that the newspaper does not pickup.They the hells angels are a disgusting gang of odd looking men with strange and disgusting habits.I think it help to identify them by that funny looking chicken head gang emblem they wear.I don't want no chicken heads around me. they got guffy faces and guffy bodies I don't want no chicken heads around me.

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6:59 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 11, 2008 re: "Hells Angels member arrested on assault charges"

Sant Cruz Supporter said:
Of all the guys I know in that club, I've never known one to bring harm to women or children. Or for that matter, be anything less than a gentlemen. Even if they are rowdy ones. The guilt is on the offender. Not the patch.

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6:43 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 11, 2008 re: "Hells Angels member arrested on assault charges"

hells angels said:
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 Regional digest Hells Angel faces rape charges WEBSTER -- An Auburn man who is a member of the Hells Angels motorcycle club is facing two charges of committing statutory rape of a child in 2004 and 2005 in Webster. Russell Sinkis, 36, of 45 Oxford St., allegedly had sex with a 14-year-old girl in Webster, state police assigned to the Worcester district attorney�s office said. The girl is a family friend who was hired by Mr. Sinkis to be a baby sitter for his two children, according to a police report by Trooper Nicholas Nason. The girl told state police Mr. Sinkis engaged in oral sex with her during the spring of 2004 in a wooded area of Webster. They allegedly also had sexual intercourse multiple times at his then-residence at 8 Summit St., Webster, until 2005, when she stopped talking to him, the report said. The girl said Mr. Sinkis knew her age, and her mother and boyfriend also knew of the relationship, the report stated.

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6:25 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 11, 2008 re: "Hells Angels member arrested on assault charges"

hells angels said:
This is the 6th hells angels member I have read about in the papers over the last year for crimes against women and children. the hells angels are a lowlife gang of trash that hand pick each member after a long period of getting to know each person before they are memmbers. I guess the hells angels are looking for men that rape molest and murder women and children

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5:06 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 11, 2008 re: "Hells Angels member arrested on assault charges"

Examiner Reader Timi Myers said:
This article is ridiculous.What do the Hells Angels have to do with this guys personal issues with woman?Think about it.Just because I have issues with men it doesn't make my family a bunch of man haters.

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8:26 PM MST on Sat., Apr. 5, 2008 re: "Previously released suspect in arson back behind bars"

Examiner Reader said:
Maybe, the Pacifica police need to keep a better eye on that kingpin that they have living over there in Pacifica. Maybe, they just might catch him before he keeps sending gang idiots out to other cities to kill and rob.

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9:27 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 4, 2008 re: "Violent, property crimes down in 2007"

Examiner Reader said:
Seems that over 6,000 reported crimes in one city is extremely high. Maybe, the police should start placing plain clothes officers all around the city on a continuous basis. Thus, changing from a mode of reactive to proactive.

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9:23 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 4, 2008 re: "Ex-police officer who crossed the line bound for jail"

Examiner Reader said:
Well now, this must explain why so little crime in the city of Pacifica. Maybe, this officer should not be sent to jail at all. Seems strange that gang bangers get off with a warning, but this policeman has to go to jail, hmmmm.

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3:13 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 1, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

Examiner Reader said:
Hmm what can I say? If we want a safe community to live in then we all have to pull through and help each other as a community. Relying on the city government and the CITY police will not get us anywhere. I think Neighborhood watch programs are good and maybe we should also install surveillance cameras and lit up dark areas of our community? If that doesn't work maybe become our own "delta force"commandos and do the job ourselves!!!! I am just so sick of the violent crimes in SAn Francisco, no wonder so many people are leaving this place what a tragedy!!!

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6:35 PM MST on Wed., Mar. 19, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

L. Amiot said:
As always, a lack of leadership and accountability in the top eschelons. Nothing has improved in the past 4 years. On the contrary. If EVERYONE wants safe streets, why aren't they safe? We get what we vote for.

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6:27 AM MST on Wed., Mar. 19, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

Examiner Reader said:
Folks, the person who calls itself "Examiner needs new editor" is just a flunkie cop wannabe called a "patrol special". No police powers, no powers of arrest, no nothing. They are a disaffected bunch who hate cops that take issue with their shenanigans, claiming it's all about them being a perceived threat to cop's overtime. Crybabies the lot of them.

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10:35 PM MST on Tue., Mar. 18, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

Jail them all said:
60 people that need to be in jail? The entire Board of Sups The Mayor and his Staff SFPD Command Staff That would be a great start, then go after the gang members.

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10:32 PM MST on Tue., Mar. 18, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

Examiner needs new editor said:
Hey 'A SF Cops Perspective' quit crying. You make a ton of money to sit on your but and do nothing. But you have such an excellent leader in Chief Heather Fong. Remember 99 murders last year was a good thing right SFPD (something to be proud of). I bet you don't even work the streets but are in the Hall stuck in records or some other worthless task that should be privatized putting more cops on the streets. No wonder families are leaving San Francisco like rats from a sinking ship. You probobly make over $150,000.00 between your OT and 10B and then have the nerve to complain about anything. I bet you don't even live in the City, most of you lazy SFPD don't which is why you really don't care and abate everything rather than doing your jobs (remember the Choir debacle). START DOING YOUR JOB NOW LIKE YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING FROM THE START!

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6:40 PM MST on Tue., Mar. 18, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

Seven said:
sicko, Sophie Maxwell has already said she is concerned about profiling. I imagine if people actually start getting arrested, she'll scream more loudly.

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4:04 PM MST on Tue., Mar. 18, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

sickofrisco said:
The concept of actually focusing efforts on crime-ridden areas as well as targeting those most likely to commit crimes must seem like a novel concept to San Franciscand. How long until the usual liberal groups start screaming that this is "profiling" and shut the whole thing down?

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9:09 PM MST on Sun., Mar. 16, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

Examiner Reader said:
Remarkably, none of the commentariat has addressed the notion of the Police Department creating a list of persons "who should be in jail". If these persons have arrest warrants, by all means. However, it seems that the P.D. is creating a list of those who they deem dangerous. Is such a list subject to Sunshine Ordinance disclosure request? Where is the defense Bar demanding to see this list? What's the criteria for being on this list? Does inclusion on this list make one subject to the possibility that a zealous officer, eager to please the P.D. hierarchy will stretch the bounds of law or fact to produce the arrest and the desired result of landing the named person in jail? What ever happened to responsible, that is not beholden to those SFPD members who feed you information and therefore are not taken to task for questionable policy statements, journalism? I'm an active member of SFPD and you should be ashamed.

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3:07 PM MST on Sun., Mar. 16, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

A SF Cops Perspective said:
All you have to do is read Maxwell's statement about racial profiling and you will know that this strategy will not work! We are constantly being called racists, thugs, etc. The majority of crime is in and committed by blacks. Not a racists statement, just a statistical fact. We can't control socialial/economic problems in society, only criminal problems. BUT, as soon as we focus on the criminals (which WILL be primarily young black men) the so called "community leaders" like Maxwell and the alphabet groups like the ACLU, OCC and the NAACP will cry foul and demand action be taken against the cops who were told "reduce crime". So, most cops will just drive around, avoid enforcing laws when the suspects are young black men, and more importantly avoid the inevitable complaints of racial profiling/brutality, which even if false (80% of complaints against cops are false/not proven) can prevent promotions and assignments to specialized units. Until real change comes, nothing changes

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11:01 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 14, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

Sonoman said:
Interesting that it is indeed a racial problem. I live in Ashbury heights. there are exactly 2 black guys in my hood. That is bad. Yet I feel it is safe for my wife to walk around at night. I care more about her safety than 100's of others equal rights. Until average joe like me is willing to stand up and say that there is something wrong the black peninsula that is Hunters Point- nothing will change. In poor economic times it is only going to get worse.

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10:17 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 14, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

Examiner Reader said:
Hopefully, the SFPD will be able to get a task force together to get all of this crime and criminals stopped and/or at least reduced.

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10:04 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 14, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

l read the Examiner said:
The Cops in San Fran have to fight crime and city hall! Somebody ought to take a look at what Denver has done. Double digit crime reduction in the last year and a Democrat mayor to boot! "Broken Windows" policing works! I guess the problem is you might offend someone in San Fran if you arrest them for committing a crime.

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9:08 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 14, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

Examiner Reader said:
So how come South of Market is not included?

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7:38 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 14, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

Examiner Reader said:
The cops will go after these vermin like they always do, but will the DA cooperate? A pretty, biracial female who blames guns for crime is the liberal dream DA. I honestly don't see a rise in felony charges being filed by her office. Look at the zones. All black and Hispanic people, just like the people currently going through the system. She will not add to the already embarassing amount of "people of color" who populate our jails, even though most never go to prison. The cops are trying, God bless 'em, but if the DA doesn't file on the criminals then we're back to square one. Weird, isn't it? Part 1 crime (violent crimes) are committed mostly by black suspects with Hispanics next. The DA, being liberal and empathetic to the "plight" of "minorities" strives to keep these thugs out of prison through slap-on-the-wrist punishments. Once they do some local jail time or community service, they're back to their 'hoods committing more and more crimes. Liberal guilt allows it to go on.

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7:25 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 14, 2008 re: "Police focus on crime-prone areas"

Examiner Reader said:
It's about effen time -- now let's see if they pull over mostly respectable people for minor traffic violations (seems to be what usually happens) or if they actually are out there all night when this stuff usually happens.

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11:37 PM MST on Thu., Mar. 6, 2008 re: "South City police arrest alleged teen vandal"

Examiner Reader said:
i think that if you guys only have like a spot for chidlren to go nd "tag" on then they wouldnt be tagging all over the place.

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8:27 AM MST on Mon., Mar. 3, 2008 re: "Hotel employee arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting guest"

Examiner Reader said:
This is just crazy i mean a person is not safe anywhwere i mean what kind of person would do such a thing he is a monster and i hope these hotels will do a more extensive back ground check for the safety of there guest this is horrible

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5:39 AM MST on Mon., Mar. 3, 2008 re: "Hotel employee arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting guest"

CHUCK said:
My sympathy for the victim. Let's hope that the alleged rapist is prosecuted to the fullest.

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9:26 AM MST on Tue., Feb. 12, 2008 re: "Violent, property crimes down in 2007"

Tyronne Fatsengalla said:
Impossible cooking the books again to make City Hall look good. There is no reasonable explanantion how any Department can reduce the number of rapes, aggravated assaults,and or arsons. The rainy cold weather easily could have been One (1) of many variables. The District Attorney and the SFPD can't take credit. Ask the Officers in the field, the men and women out there everyday--a completely different answer..

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