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Q.
What if all the merchants don't join in? Or most of the neighbors? Why should I help support a program that helps them out too, and they don't have to pay?
 A.
Good
question! First, please remember that no one will be paying any amount
that they don't voluntarily choose to pay and can pay, when they join
the program. Second, remember that subscribers receive more, not the
same, benefits than do non-subscribers. Subscribers now receive
emergency call services, and in the near future after we expand our
subscriber base, will be receiving individual escort and vacation home
check services upon request. That being said, the entire Village will
in fact, benefit from the patrol program paid for by some. But is that
so bad, or bad enough to keep you from joining in to help us expand and
improve safety over time?
Consider the example of another Glen Park community improvement
program, the Glen Park Volunteers. A few neighbors meet periodically to
clean up trash and pull weeds in the park. Some plant flowers or trees.
None are paid for their service. In fact, each volunteer "pays" with
their time and effort to provide this service. And we all know that for
many folks, time IS money! None of the volunteers who think this is an
important community improvement program for them to work on, have held
back or withdrawn simply because their neighbors or the merchants are
not pitching in. Yet merchants who have contributed nothing, can walk
down to the park and enjoy a clean environment. Any neighbor can do the
same.
Therefore, who would rationally argue that the volunteers should cease
their efforts to clean up our park until the entire neighborhood
pitches in and helps? What about volunteers who write for and edit the
Glen Park News which is distributed to over 2000 homes. No one pays for
that newspaper, and it is published by part of the budget of the
Association that has only about 200 members. Our paper is an effective
and convenient way to keep ourselves informed about local issues that
affect our safety, health, and well being as residents, and a way for
merchants to be featured and become known.
Shouldn't all those who help others be complimented for caring enough
that they step forward and help when they can on a project that makes
sense to them, to improve our overall quality of life for everyone
living and working in Glen Park? Likewise, shouldn't others--and you,
if you join us--be complimented for caring enough about our safety and
the overall well-being of life for everyone living in Glen Park, that
they step forward and contribute a small amount of money or time to the
patrol program (time on the Steering Committee, and to raise
administrative funds and help with other program needs), even if all GP
folks will not do the same?
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Q.
I have heard stories about how
'wannabe'
rent-a-cops have injured or even killed innocent people from an excess
of zeal or as a result of poor qualifications. Are we at risk in Glen
Park?
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 A. You may be referring to security
guards licensed by the State Dept. of Consumer Affairs, a
very different kind of program from the SF Patrol Special
program. Some security guards serve safely and effectively
if they are well-trained and their employing firm is
responsible--and some do not. For two years in the late
1970s I served as Staff Attorney for the State Department of
Consumer Affairs bureau that regulated and disciplined
security guards and firms. I helped draft the first set of
statewide regulations expanding and defining minimal
firearms qualifications. I prosecuted license revocations
when offending guards violated state regulations, or their
employers did. Security guards did not originally even have
to have high school educations, nor any firearms training,
as dangerous as that sounds. Because we could only achieve
minimal
qualifications at that time, security guards have been known then
-- as well as now, to shoot themselves in the foot and even
sometimes to injure those whom they are hired to protect. Although
many were responsible, conscientious individuals who were
effectively prepared and trained for their duties, others were
'wannabe' frustrated cops who could not make the grade to become a
full-fledged police Officer.
The
Patrol Special employs police Officers who are well vetted and trained
and presently supported by our Police Commissioner Theresa Sparks.
Security guards don't report to Capt. Lazar but to the boss of
their security guard firm, nor do they report to the community they
serve, nor are they police Officers. Patrol Special Officers are
exceedingly well qualified to carry weapons and know the law well,
often assisting SFPD Officers with arrests and investigations as an
adjunct to them and not as a replacement. Thus, they are often welcomed
by SFPD beat Officers. Any
human being can be subject to darker forces or mental illness -- even
SFPD police Officers can sometimes go astray. We all know about
the Serpicos of the world, or the occasional policeman who
brutally attacks his wife. Compare those rare exceptions to the grave
challenge Glen Park faces to come up with what Glen Park resident
Officer Mike Walsh called "transformative" long-term solutions to
crime. We can do our best to carefully discover, control, and minimize
risk of harm in the following ways: by obtaining full and complete
information about available program opportunities, by carefully vetting
those who will serve us, and by choosing the best programs to serve the
widest possible community interest in Glen Park.
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Q.
I'm not sure that I like the idea of Glen Park looking like an armed camp. Is this such a good idea?
A.
The SF Patrol Specials may be viewed as peace ambassadors to and for
Glen Park, giving us a say in how we shape our community without
settling for sometimes disappointing or diminished service from public
agencies and servants. As our community and city grow, so will our
challenges (estimations of 50 million in the Bay Area by 2020): more
people equal more issues. Look how 15 new condominiums above the
new Canyon Market replaced our old market and parking lot. Witness the
current discussion about replacing the BART parking lot with even more
condominiums! Viewing our police services with an "us versus them"
mentality looks backwards to the 60s and Hippie times, while the Patrol
Specials look forward to working in a partnership of respectful equals
with us to build a new model in Glen Park, joining merchants and
residents in an effort to ensure the peace and security. This approach
seems particularly timely and appropriate. Many of us feel that Glen
Park is a very special place, a tightly-knit community and village with
a heart -- our chosen place to live, work, raise our families, and in
which to retire. Many of us have lived here for years and years. Yet
some of us now wonder if we even have the choice to remain the way we
have been, and stay oblivious to what has been happening over the past
months and years to encroach on our safety and peace of mind. Might it
not be better to face reality now and not later when we may have even
larger problems?
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Q.
I don't want this program to focus on
any particular group or age such as youth, or engage in discriminatory
treatment such as profiling. What assurance can you give me about that
matter?
 A.
Clearly, no one will or should be singled out or concerned,
except those intent upon or perpetrating mischief or illegal
activities or direct threats of same in Glen Park. Officer
Molina (in charge of the undercover agents in the district) of
the Ingleside Police Dept. can be contacted for
further information about the specific nature of crimes and
alleged gang activities or groups and individual perpetrators
appearing in Glen Park and elsewhere.
Crime stats provided by Capt. Lazar will give further
information when the victims report details. That information
verifies in part, that there is at least some unfortunate
evidence that we have been suffering from antisocial acts of
certain gangs and/or groups of youth, as well as mischief by
individuals. December '08 crime stats from the Ingleside
station indicate recent focus on property thefts of
opportunity, including iPods or cell phones taken from
distracted victims, often by perpetrators working in pairs.
Let's all stay vigilant and aware of our surroundings!
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Q.
I'm fairly interested in this program but not quite convinced about joining yet.
Can I join later?
A.
Yes! We wish we had convinced you of the efficacy of this
tried-and-true community safety program, however, we want you to
understand all details you need before joining. Thus, we hold fun and
informative Village Informational Socials from time to time in
neighbor's homes for you to learn more. There you will meet Officer Cal
who is very informative and interesting as he discusses his 30-year
long experience with the program and various communities served
throughout the City. If you see him in uniform patrolling our Village
streets, feel free to walk up to him, introduce yourself, and ask the
questions you have. He will carry Subscription Agreements with him and
can provide one to you at that time. Thanks for considering joining in,
and we hope you soon do!
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