Contact City Hall About Problematic Video Surveillance Law

April 11, 2019 Joel Engardio

San Francisco residents concerned about crime and safety should contact their district supervisor at City Hall and urge them to re-think a proposed law that could severely restrict the ability to stop crime with video surveillance. Read more for background info on the law, a suggested message to supervisors and a list of every supervisor’s email address.

Video Surveillance Legislation Needs Re-Thinking

April 11, 2019 Joel Engardio

This open letter to members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors expresses concerns about proposed video surveillance legislation. The law will significantly limit the ability of law enforcement to fight crime with video cameras and could have unintended consequences that make us less safe. The letter includes suggested amendments.

SFPD Still Struggling with Statistics, Transparency

April 3, 2019 Joel Engardio

Unlike many cities around the country San Francisco does not publish homicide or assault clearance statistics on a regular basis. This information should be posted yearly on the SFPD website, readily accessible website as “Crime Trends.” It’s impossible to hold our public servants accountable without reliable, publicly available information.

San Francisco's Queen of Car Break-in Prosecution

March 29, 2019 Joel Engardio

Shirin Oloumi, a prosecutor for the San Francisco District Attorney's office known as the "Queen of Car Burglaries." Photo by Yalonda M. James.

To scores of city residents, Shirin Oloumi is known reverentially as the Queen of Car Break-ins. No, it’s not because she smashes car windows and swipes backpacks with abandon. It’s because she prosecutes the guys who do.

San Francisco’s Safety and Freedom Imbalance

March 5, 2019 Joel Engardio

Fighting Big Brother and Big Tech might feel good when privacy is a concern. But a proposed law to ban facial recognition and severely impede San Francisco’s use of security cameras is full of unintended consequences that won’t keep us safe or free. Stop Crime SF guest OpEd published in the San Francisco Chronicle.

San Francisco Chipping Away At Auto Break-In Epidemic — But Don’t Tell That to These Newlyweds

February 14, 2019 Joel Engardio

Surveillance video shows a bride and groom standing next to their burglarized rental car on Jan. 28, 2019 near the tiled steps at 16th Avenue and Moraga Street. The newlyweds were visiting San Francisco from Asia.

Newlyweds and tourists from Asia had their car broken into and luggage stolen as they posed for photos on the mosaic steps near 16th Avenue and Moraga Street in the Sunset District. The theft was just one of roughly 60 auto break-ins that happen every day in San Francisco.

Duboce Triangle Works with Stop Crime SF on Police Accountability Legislation

January 26, 2019 Joel Engardio

Duboce Triangle homes

Unlike many cities around the country San Francisco does not publish homicide or assault clearance statistics on a regular basis. This information should posted yearly by January 31, and readily accessible on the SFPD website as “Crime Trends.” We would like to see the information be easy to read and access and copy, with links and downloadable, copy-ready files.

SF Can’t Fight Crime With Spaghetti Bowl of Data

January 20, 2019 Joel Engardio

San Francisco lacks a fully interconnected criminal justice computer database that shares information in real time. Sheriff’s deputies must still review paper instructions from the court. Photo by Kevin Hume.

If a defendant is re-arrested awaiting a court appearance, the sheriff needs to know. Yet she often doesn’t because San Francisco lacks a fully interconnected criminal justice database that shares information in real time. After 20 years and tens of millions spent, will City Hall ever get it to work?

Yes, We Install Security Cameras Too!

January 2, 2019 Joel Engardio

Stop Crime SF board member Nancy Tung installs a security camera on the home of a public school teacher concerned about criminal activity in her neighborhood.

When a public school teacher who lives in the Bayview expressed concern about drug deals and illegal dumping outside her home, Stop Crime SF board member Nancy Tung offered to raise the funds for a security camera — and installed it herself. The availability of lower cost home camera systems is a great way to fight neighborhood crime.

Stop Crime SF Backs State Law to Fight Vehicle Break-in Epidemic

November 27, 2018 Joel Engardio

Stop Crime SF board member Libby Dodd speaks at a press conference featuring State Senator Scott Wiener, District Attorney George Gascon, Supervisor Vallie Brown and San Francisco Police Chief William Scott.

Stop Crime SF is backing a proposed state law by Senator Scott Wiener to close a legal loophole that makes it difficult to prosecute car break-ins. San Francisco is experiencing a car break-in epidemic and this common sense change in the law will give prosecutors the tool they need to put criminals out of business.

Serial Auto Burglar Gets Prison Time After Judge Rethinks Deal Seen As Lenient

October 4, 2018 Joel Engardio

Defendant Deshawn Patton and Judge Christopher Hite.

Stop Crime SF and our Court Watch program was featured in the San Francisco Chronicle when one of San Francisco’s most prolific car burglars was finally sentenced to state prison in a case we followed. Our advocacy had an impact. Before Stop Crime SF got involved and before the media started paying attention to this case, the judge was planning to let the defendant off on probation (even after he had been arrested for new crimes while already on probation). The latest FBI crime statistics show San Francisco ranks #1 in property crime in the nation. Stop Crime SF has a Court Watch program to ensure that judges take crime seriously in San Francisco. Thanks to the San Francisco Chronicle for covering this case and mentioning the work of Stop Crime SF.

CBS Channel 2 Features Stop Crime SF September 2018

September 28, 2018 Joel Engardio

Stop Crime SF is a group of San Franciscans working together to reduce and prevent crime in our neighborhoods while holding public officials and the criminal justice system accountable.

Join stop crime sf

Who's Watching the Judges?

August 30, 2018 Joel Engardio

Smashed glass on curbs and sidewalks is the new normal in San Francisco with tens of thousands of car break-ins reported annually. Our criminal justice system needs the right incentives for offenders to change their behavior. Lawbreakers need to know they will be held accountable if they violate the terms of probation. And judges need to know citizens are watching. Read our full OpEd published in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Second chances? How about 11? SF judge takes property crime leniency to new level

August 10, 2018 Joel Engardio

Defendant Deshawn Patton and Judge Christopher Hite.

Stop Crime SF and our Court Watch program was featured in the San Francisco Chronicle. Columnist Heather Knight highlighted the egregious case of a repeat offender and lenient judge we had long been following.

Crime Forum with District Attorney George Gascon

June 29, 2018 Joel Engardio

District Attorney George Gascon and Stop Crime SF board member Nancy Tung discuss the impact of Prop 47 and San Francisco's property crime problem before a full house in the SHARP community room.

You Think Crime Is Bad Now? Judicial Election Could Make It Worse

May 29, 2018 Joel Engardio

Four incumbent judges (top row) are being challenged in the June 5 election by four criminal defense attorneys (bottom row).

So you think crime is bad now? San Francisco’s epidemic of car break-ins and home burglaries could get worse after the June 5 election — if voters approve a judicial coup attempt by four criminal defense attorneys. They want to “change our justice system from the inside out,” and not for the better if you are a potential victim. San Francisco's courts are already too soft. Retain the incumbent judges if you don't want to see even more property crimes.

DA George Gascon Defends Prosecution Record at Crime Forum

May 3, 2018 Joel Engardio

District Attorney George Gascon and police Captain Robert Yick discuss the property crime epidemic in San Francisco with Stop Crime SF vice president Joel Engardio

District Attorney George Gascon and police Captain Robert Yick discuss the property crime epidemic in San Francisco with Stop Crime SF vice president Joel Engardio on a public safety panel. Solving this complex problem will require every part of the criminal justice system working hard together. Gascon answered many engaging questions from the Westside audience.

Proposed Police Budget Needs Support

April 20, 2018 Joel Engardio

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott

An open letter to the supervisors on City Hall's Budget and Finance Committee requesting support for Police Chief Bill Scott's 2018-19 budget.

Mayor Farrell: Please Fund the Police for Success

March 28, 2018 Joel Engardio

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott and Mayor Mark Farrell

Open letter to Mayor Farrell — San Franciscans need you to address the daily nightmare we face with record-high property crime and car-break ins. As you determine the city's budget, please fund our police department for success. Community policing alone is not the solution. Please remember the need for centralized investigative capability when funding the SFPD.