As the City Council extended the life of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force another three years, Richmond police officers went to work as always, responding to domestic violence calls (often involving a firearm or other weapon), thefts, carjackings, homicides, DUIs, hit and runs, shootings, and more.

Contrary to what many members of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force would have us believe, officers are not riding around looking for black and brown people to abuse, and they are entirely capable of handling mental health issues without violence.

The low esteem with which many members of the  Reimagining Public Safety Task Force and five of seven City Council members hold the police is taking its toll. Just a couple of days ago, Captain Al Walle wrote on Facebook, “On October 10, 2021, two dayshift beats went unfilled for half a day because officers that were forced over from the graveyard shift had exceeded the maximum amount of overtime hours they were allowed to work. If you’ve recently experienced a long wait time for services, please be aware the police department struggles to maintain minimum staffing levels on a daily basis and officers are frequently forced to work overtime just to maintain minimum staffing levels. In exit interviews, officers overwhelmingly state their reason for leaving to other agencies is the perceived lack of support due to the reallocation of resources from the police department and better pay/benefits at other departments.”

I have extracted entries from Capt. Walle’s Facebook page below to show how busy the Richmond police have been just the first ten days of this month.

• On October 11, 2021, detectives arrested a man in the 1900 block of Virginia Avenue who was wanted for the October 9th homicide that occurred in the 4100 block of Florida Avenue.
• On October 11, 2021 at 3:04 AM, officers responded to 17th Street/Visalia Avenue for a report of a man and woman stealing catalytic converters from two cars. Officers detained the suspects without incident, discovered they arrived in a stolen car and were on probation for theft.

• On October 10, 2021 at 9:15 PM, officers responded to an apartment complex in the 2200 block of Nevin Avenue after a man lit a fire inside a laundry room. Officers located the suspect urinating on the exterior of the building and sent him to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation
• On October 10, 2021 at 9:12 PM, officers responded to a Southern District residence after a woman reported her ex-husband was in her backyard in violation of a restraining order. The suspect fled prior to officers arriving on scene.
• On October 10, 2021 at 3:59 PM, officers were dispatched to a Hilltop residence for a report of a stabbing. A teenager reported that his mother stabbed him in the hand with a kitchen knife while arguing over household chores. He also stated it was not the first time being stabbed by his mother. The suspect was arrested without incident.
• On October 10, 2021 at 2:19 PM, officers responded to the 3300 block of Klose Way for a strong arm robbery. A woman reported that she was robbed by three females wearing masks but recognized their voices as belonging to her cousins. The victim believed she was robbed in retaliation for her ex-boyfriend getting her cousins pregnant and giving them STDs.
• On October 10, 2021, two dayshift beats went unfilled for half a day because officers that were forced over from the graveyard shift had exceeded the maximum amount of overtime hours they were allowed to work. If you’ve recently experienced a long wait time for services, please be aware the police department struggles to maintain minimum staffing levels on a daily basis and officers are frequently forced to work overtime just to maintain minimum staffing levels. In exit interviews, officers overwhelmingly state their reason for leaving to other agencies is the perceived lack of support due to the reallocation of resources from the police department and better pay/benefits at other departments.
• n October 10, 2021 at 2:40 AM, officers responded to the 900 block of 23rd Street for a carjacking. A motorist and his two female companions were in a food truck parking lot when they were approached by two catcalling men. The motorist told the men to stop and they pulled the females out of the vehicle and drove away with him. The suspects drove to the 1600 block of Esmond Avenue, assaulted him, and threw him out of the car. The suspects fled in the victim’s car and he was transported to the hospital for treatment of serious facial injuries.
• On October 10, 2021 at 1:30 AM, officers responded to Stege Avenue/South Street for a DUI crash. An officer asked the motorist for identification and the suspect reached for a pistol in his center console. A cover officer on the passenger side of the car challenged the suspect at gunpoint to drop the gun while the other officer dragged the suspect out of the vehicle. The suspect resisted handcuffing until sufficient body strikes were delivered to gain compliance. A loaded 9mm pistol was recovered from the vehicle.
• On October 10, 2021 at 12:52 AM, officers were dispatched to S. 39th Street/Cutting Boulevard for a woman in distress. Officers located a woman with a bloody face, black eyes, and torn clothing. The woman said her ex-boyfriend assaulted her and she was transported to the hospital for treatment.
• On October 9, 2021 at 11:16 PM, officers responded to a Central District residence for a report of domestic violence. The caller reported that her boyfriend was drunk, attempted to dismantle their cable box, and slapped her when she tried to stop him. The suspect was arrested without incident.
• On October 9, 2021 at 9:12 PM, officers responded to a Southern District residence for a report of domestic violence and were advised that a woman was screaming and getting beaten while on the phone with dispatch. The suspect was arrested for felony domestic violence without incident.
• On October 9, 2021 at 1:40 PM, officers responded to the 100 block of 20th Street for a parking dispute. A woman was enraged that a man had blocked her in with his car so she pepper-sprayed him. The man responded by jumping on the hood of the woman’s car and causing major damage. Both motorists were arrested.
• On October 9, 2021 at 7:30 AM, officers responded to a Central District residence for a report of domestic violence. The caller reported her ex-boyfriend was visiting their son and assaulted her when she refused his sexual advances. The suspect threatened to kill the victim and fled the scene.

• On October 9, 2021 at 3 AM, a man reported that he was smoking a cigarette in his car in the 2000 block of Macdonald Avenue when a passerby demanded all his property, including his car keys, and drove away in his car. At 12:54 PM, a San Pablo PD officer stopped the suspect at 23rd Street/Standard Avenue and arrested him without incident.
• On October 9, 2021 at 3:57 AM, officers responded to the 4100 block of Florida Avenue for a shooting and found a man who was mortally wounded. Despite lifesaving efforts by medical personnel, the man died at the scene.

• On October 9, 2021 at 1:30 AM, officers responded to 23rd Street/Lowell Avenue for a public disturbance along with a ShotSpotter activation at the same location. Officers contacted two brothers and subsequently arrested them for unlawfully discharging a firearm and possessing a ghost gun.
• On October 9, 2021 at 12:36 AM, officers responded to an Iron Triangle residence for a report of domestic violence. A woman was visiting her ex-boyfriend and child when they began to argue, resulting in the man shoving the woman into a wall and dragging her out of the residence. The suspect was arrested without incident.
• On October 8, 2021 at 11:53 PM, an officer investigated a suspicious vehicle at 24th Street/Preble Avenue and arrested the motorist for auto theft.
• On October 8, 2021 at 7:17 PM, officers responded to the 2900 block of Rheem Avenue for an injury accident and arrested a motorist for DUI with a .22 BAC.
• On October 8, 2021 at 4:14 PM, officers responded to the 2000 block of Virginia Avenue after a caller reported an unknown man jumped over a fence into his yard and hid in the trunk of his car that was parked in the garage. When officers arrived on scene, the owner started his car to open the trunk and the man jumped into the driver’s seat and crashed the car into the garage wall. Officers subsequently detained the man without incident and sent him to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
• On October 8, 2021 at 3:56 AM, an officer conducted a security check at the N. Castro homeless encampment and arrested a man for an outstanding warrant for making criminal threats and firearm possession.
• On October 8, 2021 at 1:46 AM, an officer conducted a traffic stop at S. 31st Street/Center Avenue and arrested the motorist for an outstanding domestic violence warrant.
• On October 8, 2021 at 1:35 AM, an officer investigated a suspicious car at Bissell Avenue/Civic Center Street and arrested the motorist for outstanding warrants for animal cruelty and DUI.
• On October 7, 2021 at 11:12 PM, Hercules PD officers pursued a stolen car into the city and arrested the suspect at McBryde Avenue/Lassen Street with the assistance of RPD officers.
• On October 7, 2021, dayshift officers utilized their training day to conduct a tow operation and impounded 26 abandoned cars throughout the city.
• On October 7, 2021 at 9 AM, officers responded to the North Castro homeless encampment for a report of a man stealing parts from a vehicle. The suspect was arrested without incident
• On October 7, 2021 at 12:49 AM, officers responded to 22nd Street/Macdonald Avenue after a caller reported two men stealing a catalytic converter from a Prius. The two suspects were arrested without incident and charged with grand theft, conspiracy, and probation violation. One suspect was on probation for auto theft and the other suspect was on probation for grand theft.
• On October 6, 2021 at 11:41 PM, officers responded to S. 6th Street/Virginia Avenue after a woman reported that her husband assaulted her boyfriend. The suspect was arrested for felony battery and having a loaded firearm in his vehicle.
• On October 6, 2021 at 8:28 PM, Sheriff's Office deputies advised they were pursuing a car that was involved in an earlier North Richmond shooting. The suspect vehicle crashed on Cuthbertson Court and four men fled from the vehicle. Officers searched the area with a police canine and police drone, subsequently locating three suspects and four discarded firearms. The fourth suspect eluded capture.
• On October 6, 2021 at 6:56 PM, an officer saw a car speed past him on Harbour Way at 70 mph and stop at Kaiser Hospital. A passenger in the vehicle had gunshot injuries and said he was shot at 5th Street/Market Avenue. Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the hospital to assume the investigation.
• On October 6, 2021 at 9:03 AM, a gas station in the 5500 block of Central Avenue reported the business had been burglarized overnight after the night clerk forgot to lock the front door. Surveillance video recorded three suspects stealing cigarettes, lighters, and candy.
• On October 6, 2021 at 12:54 AM, officers assisted sheriffs office deputies and El Cerrito PD officers in pursuing a carjacked vehicle that drove through Richmond. The suspect crashed in El Cerrito and was apprehended by an ECPD canine after he fled from the vehicle.
• On October 5, 2021 at 9:39 PM, officers responded to the 2500 block of Emeric Avenue for a felony assault. Two neighbors yelled at a passing motorist to slow down and the driver stopped and attacked them with a box cutter. The victims sustained minor injuries and the suspect was arrested for felony assault and DUI.
• On October 5, 2021 at 6:13 PM, officers responded to a Belding Woods residence for a report of domestic violence after a woman punched her ex-girlfriend in the mouth and attempted to run her over with her car. The victim jumped out of the way and the suspect crashed into a building. The suspect abandoned her car and walked away from the scene.
• On October 5, 2021 at 5:48 PM, officers responded to 3rd Street/Macdonald Avenue for an auto v. pedestrian accident. The pedestrian had minor injuries and was transported to the hospital in stable condition.
• On October 5, 2021 at 5:42 PM, officers responded to Park Central Street/Hilltop Drive for an injury accident and both motorists declined medical treatment.
  On October 5, 2021 at 3:23 PM, officers responded to Auto Plaza/Blume Drive for an injury accident. A motorist sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital in stable condition.
• On October 5, 2021 at 10:05 AM, officers responded to the 3200 block of Pierce Street for a purse snatch. A woman reported that she was seated in her car at a shopping center when a man opened her passenger door and stole her purse from the front seat. The suspect was a Black male with stocky build wearing a black gator mask, dark grey hoodie, black pants, and black shoes. The suspect fled in a waiting newer model Range Rover with dark tinted windows and chrome rims.
• On October 5, 2021 at 11:46 AM, officers responded to Vernon Avenue/Fred Jackson Way for a report of a man brandishing a firearm. The suspect discarded a firearm when officers arrived on scene and fled into the block. Officers utilized a drone, helicopter, and police canine in an attempt to locate the suspect but he eluded capture.
• On October 5, 2021 at 11:43 AM, officers responded to S. 23rd Street/Cutting Boulevard for a report of domestic violence. A couple were arguing over child custody and a woman struck her ex-boyfriend in the face with a bottle of orange juice. The suspect was arrested without incident.
• On October 5, 2021 at 4:15 AM, officers responded to the 900 block of 23rd Street for an armed robbery. A store clerk said a man made a purchase and robbed him at gunpoint upon opening the cash register. The suspect was described as a Hispanic or White male wearing a face mask, 6’, heavyset, wearing a black sweater, blue jeans, and tan crocks.
• On October 4, 2021 at 11:39 PM, officers responded to the 2700 block of Groom Drive after a motorist crashed into a wall at Hilltop Park and walked away from the scene.
• On October 4, 2021 at 8:18 PM, officers responded to a Southern District residence after a man assaulted his girlfriend because he suspected she was using drugs.
• On October 4, 2021 at 7:44 PM, officers responded to a Hilltop residence for a report of domestic violence. A woman reported that her ex-boyfriend arrived unannounced to visit their daughter and assaulted her upon learning she had a new boyfriend.
• On October 4, 2021 at 7:08 PM, officers responded to the 1600 block of Lincoln Avenue for a hit and run accident after an elderly motorist left the scene. Officers contacted the 70 year old driver at his Belding Woods residence and learned that he left the scene because he felt threatened by a hostile crowd that formed after the accident. The suspect was not arrested and the case will be referred to the DA office for review.
• On October 4, 2021 at 6:45 PM, an officer conducted a traffic stop at 30th Street/Barrett Avenue and smelled the strong odor of burnt marijuana in the car. The motorist refused to comply with the officers commands during the car stop, resisted handcuffing, and was arrested after a brief struggle.
• On October 4, 2021 at 3:25 PM, officers responded to Kaiser Hospital after a patient disclosed she was a victim of domestic violence. Officers transported the victim to the Family Justice Center where she received assistance from domestic violence advocates and detectives assumed the investigation.
• On October 4, 2021 at 7:18 AM, officers responded to Carlson Boulevard/Bayview Avenue after a motorist fell asleep and crashed into a light pole. The motorist was arrested without incident for an Alameda County probation violation warrant.
• On October 4, 2021 at 1:54 AM, officers responded to a Southern District residence for a family disturbance. A woman reported her baby’s father was banging on her door while demanding entry, threatened to shoot any men seen at her residence, and fired a gun into the air as he left.
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  On October 4, 2021 at 12:50 AM, officers responded to a roving sideshow of 60 cars at 1st Street/Macdonald Avenue, Fred Jackson Way/Market Avenue, and San Pablo Avenue/Solano Avenue. Officers received a ShotSpotter notification on San Pablo Avenue and saw an Audi and Jeep flee the scene. RPD officers pursued the Audi to Emeryville and CHP officers pursued the Jeep to Sacramento where the motorists were arrested without incident.

• On October 3, 2021 at 11:55 PM, officers responded to a North & East residence for a report of domestic violence after a man shoved his girlfriend into a wall. The suspect was arrested without incident.
• On October 3, 2021 at 2:38 PM, an officer conducted a traffic stop at Richmond Parkway/Hensley Street and arrested the motorist for auto theft. The suspect was cite-released at the scene due to the county’s COVID-19 emergency bail schedule.
• On October 3, 2021 at 2:13 PM, officers responded to Point Richmond after a resident reported her neighbor was harassing her in violation of a restraining order. The suspect was arrested without incident.
• On October 2, 2021 at 10:43 AM, officers responded to the 1300 block of Fred Jackson Way for a ShotSpotter activation and found a car that had crashed into a residence. The motorist said he was being chased by another car, crashed into the house, and the occupants of the car shot him as he fled from his vehicle. The victim was transported to a local trauma center in stable condition.
• On October 2, 2021 at 12:23 PM, officers responded to the 2000 block of Lincoln Avenue after a man pointed a rifle at his neighbor. Officers surrounded the suspect’s residence and saw him exit the back door and hide an AR-15 rifle in the backyard. The suspect was detained without incident and during a protective sweep of the house officers found additional firearms in plain view. Detectives responded to the scene to obtain a search warrant so they could conduct a search of the residence for additional evidence.
• On October 2, 2021 at 9:40 AM, officers responded to the 300 block of S. 35th Street for a ShotSpotter activation of 3 rounds. Officers located bullet casings at the scene and witnesses reported seeing a man firing a handgun from a passing white vehicle. There was no evidence of anything having been struck by gunfire.
• On October 1, 2021 at 5:44 PM, a man drove his adult son to the police department seeking mental health treatment. Officers located the son screaming from his father’s car and throwing items into the parking lot. The son was under the influence of narcotics and having a psychotic episode. Otcpt0obert9o6 311 0na1t 6g:ag1ort910u PfM3  · 
• Early Thursday morning, the RPD Communications Center received a ShotSpotter activation registering seven (7) rounds in the 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. Officer Hodges and his K-9 partner Gunnar, patrolling the right place at the right time, saw a car quickly speeding away from the neighborhood shortly after the ShotSpotter activation. As Officer Hodges attempted to catch up to the car, the vehicle increased its speed and fled from Officer Hodges and K-9 Gunnar. Officer Hodges then saw the driver throw out an AR-15 style rifle magazine from the car window, shortly before crashing into a nearby parked car. The driver quickly ditched his car and began running away. Despite Officer Hodges’ and K-9 Gunnar’s commands to stop, the suspect decided to ignore their warnings and continued to flee on foot. Ultimately, the suspect was quickly taken into custody, with the help of K-9 Gunnar. Within the suspect’s car, RPD officers found a fully loaded AR-15 rifle and a loaded handgun, along with a bulletproof vest! Responding RPD officers also found evidence of a shooting at the scene of the ShotSpotter activation, where multiple ammunition casings were collected, and a victim was later contacted with non-life threatening injuries. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries, before being booked at the RPD jail for a multitude of firearms-related charges.  Richmond PD is committed to protecting our community by maintaining a proactive approach to prevent and deter crime! Excellent work, Officer Hodges and K-9 Gunnar! He was detained without incident and sent to the hospital for a mental health evaluation.