As usual Lou, you are spot on! Please continue speaking the only truth I have read in years written about what goes on behind closed doors in the criminal justice system.
Lou, any chance you can address the elephant in the room regarding staffing at the SFPD?
I just read an article in the examiner which emphasized the lack of staffing in the fire department and it supplied some scary numbers regarding their understaffing. I believe the staffing emergency at the SFPD is at least 3 times worse!
Lou, your report is very accurate. I noted that the crime rate is much higher than what is actually reported. And although the SFDA bares some of the responsibility, I would say the overall accountability falls on SFPD. They are the first responders, they (police) need to do their job, irrespective of what SFDA does. Too many SFPD officers use the DA as excuse not to do their job. Find the victims who been turned off by SF officers who lack empathy. Let’s put all facts out.
However, Prop 47 legally prevents police officers from arresting shoplifters of merchandise under $950. A civilian witness must make a citizen’s arrest, and then SFPD issues the thief a citation on a traffic ticket. The civilian potentially loses a day of work to go to court and is civilly exposed for a false arrest.
By law, SFPD cannot arrest shoplifters. The citizen has to make a citizen's arrest.
By law, SFPD must accept the citizen's arrest.
Thus, I am not sure how you are blaming SFPD. Are you saying SFPD should tell the store owners they should make more citizen's arrests?
Prior to Prop 47, SFPD could have charged a shoplifter with felony burglary, but that was eliminate putting 100% of the onus on the store owners and employees.
Great article Lou. Keep doing what you are doing, voters aren't stupid they see what's going on.
Outstanding analysis and article. I guess common sense is so common until you pointed out the obvious… shoplifting decreased…not a chance
As usual Lou, you are spot on! Please continue speaking the only truth I have read in years written about what goes on behind closed doors in the criminal justice system.
Lou, any chance you can address the elephant in the room regarding staffing at the SFPD?
I just read an article in the examiner which emphasized the lack of staffing in the fire department and it supplied some scary numbers regarding their understaffing. I believe the staffing emergency at the SFPD is at least 3 times worse!
Keep up the great work!
Lou, your report is very accurate. I noted that the crime rate is much higher than what is actually reported. And although the SFDA bares some of the responsibility, I would say the overall accountability falls on SFPD. They are the first responders, they (police) need to do their job, irrespective of what SFDA does. Too many SFPD officers use the DA as excuse not to do their job. Find the victims who been turned off by SF officers who lack empathy. Let’s put all facts out.
Nico,
Thank you for reading my article.
Did you see this paragraph:
However, Prop 47 legally prevents police officers from arresting shoplifters of merchandise under $950. A civilian witness must make a citizen’s arrest, and then SFPD issues the thief a citation on a traffic ticket. The civilian potentially loses a day of work to go to court and is civilly exposed for a false arrest.
By law, SFPD cannot arrest shoplifters. The citizen has to make a citizen's arrest.
By law, SFPD must accept the citizen's arrest.
Thus, I am not sure how you are blaming SFPD. Are you saying SFPD should tell the store owners they should make more citizen's arrests?
Prior to Prop 47, SFPD could have charged a shoplifter with felony burglary, but that was eliminate putting 100% of the onus on the store owners and employees.