Good news/Bad news

Police arrest suspect in Richmond rape

By Karl Fischer
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

RICHMOND - Police this afternoon arrested a man suspected of accosting a mother pushing a stroller on a path near Hilltop mall and raping her earlier this week.

Someone identified the suspect from a sketch released by police after the Wednesday assault, police Lt. Enos Johnson said.

The suspect, whom police did not immediately identify, was spotted about 2:45 p.m. on or near the same walking path where the attack occurred, Johnson said. Officers arrested him on suspicion of rape and brought him to the Hall of Justice for questioning.

The victim, a woman in her mid-30s, was attacked about 3:30 p.m. The rapist approached her on the path and, when close, put a six-inch hunting knife to her throat and forced her to walk off the path, leaving her 6-month-old child in the stroller on the path, police said.

The path, near Research and Lakeside drives, leads through a brushy area near a small, manmade lake with a fountain, surrounded by apartment buildings.

The child was not hurt.

Reach Karl Fischer at 510-262-2728 or kfischer@cctimes.com.

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COMMUNITY DIGEST

Richmond - KILLING IS CITY'S 42ND OF YEAR: One man was killed and another injured by a shooting Friday evening in a Richmond recreation center parking lot.

Neighbors called 911 at 5:45 p.m. with reports of hearing gunfire in the Parchester Village neighborhood. Police found one victim lying on the ground in the 900 block of Williams Drive. He died shortly after being transferred to a local hospital, Richmond Lt. Enos Johnson said.

The other victim, who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, was found by police inside the recreation center, where he went inside to escape the gunfire. Paramedics transported him to a local hospital.

Police were not identifying either of the victims except to say they are both in their mid-20s.

The killing is Richmond's 42nd homicide of the year , the city's highest annual total since 1994.

-- Kimberly S. Wetzel

Richmond - VICTIM NAMED IN HOMICIDE CASE: The Contra Costa Coroner's Office released the name of a man shot to death Thursday in the 1300 block of Burbeck Avenue: Raimon Williams, 27.

Williams lived near where he died, friends said. About 2:50 p.m., a gold-colored Honda Accord or similar car drove past as he stood on the sidewalk, and someone inside shot him. The killing was the 41st this year in Richmond.

Police ask anyone with information about the shooting to call Detective Esteban Barragan at 510-231-3053 or the anonymous tip line at 510-232-TIPS (232-8477).

-- Karl Fischer

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Congratulations to RPD for that apprehension. Still plenty to do, however.

Tazer's thoughts for the day: What sort of support is RPD getting from the city's elected officials in this period of transition (and criticism/controversy)? What's the morale like among the rank and file? How is all of that affecting operations? Positively? Negatively?

Meanwhile, the grassroots violence prevention movement marches on without city hall...but then that's nothing new.

Freaky Friday

Two crimes to cover. Possibly three...

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Shooting puts 2006 city death toll at 41
RICHMOND: 27-year-old man killed in drive-by, police say

By Karl Fischer
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

Someone shot and killed a man on Burbeck Avenue on Thursday afternoon, pushing Richmond's homicide total to 41 in 2006, a 12-year high.

Police did not identify the 27-year-old victim because his family had not been notified.

The victim stood in the driveway to a four-plex in the 1300 block of Burbeck Avenue about 2:50 p.m. when a gold Honda Accord or similar car drove past and at least one person inside began shooting, police Lt. Mark Gagan said.

"He really was a good dude," said Lynitra Battle, who knew the victim. "It seemed like it had been quiet in Richmond for a while, but since they shut down the Tent Cities, it's all gone back."

Battle referred to the grass-roots Tent City peace protests in September and October, when people camped in high-crime spots around the city in an effort to deter street violence.

Battle's son heard the shooting Thursday and ran from their home around the corner to help the victim, who died at the scene. She said the victim lived in the area, part of the Belding Woods neighborhood.

Detectives pieced together details of the shooting from various witness accounts in the hours after the attack. The gunmen sprayed the area around the victim, striking vehicles and buildings but no other people.

The car apparently drove west on Burbeck when the shooter first fired at the victim, then made a U-turn and drove back past him, Detective Sgt. Lee Hendricsen said. The gunmen might have shot at the victim again as they left, Hendricsen said.

Detectives pursued leads in the case Thursday evening.

The department called in patrol officers who normally work in the Belding Woods area to circulate Thursday night.

"These officers are more familiar with the neighborhood and the people who live there. Residents may be more comfortable talking to them," Gagan said.

Last year, police investigated 40 homicides, the city's highest total since there were 52 in 1994.

Reach Karl Fischer at 510-262-2728 or kfischer@cctimes.com.

HOW TO HELP

Police ask anyone with information about Thursday's killing to call Detective Esteban Barragan at 510-231-3053 or the anonymous tip line at 510-232-TIPS (8477).

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A while back, a commenter basically said that Tent City was a sham. The Tazer disagrees with that sentiment, but within that comment could be a kernel of truth. TC seems to have just put a lid on the problem, not really solving anything. Perhaps there needs to be another encampment, but this time with some goals in mind besides simply pausing the killing. A summit of sorts to see to it that violent crime is being properly addressed by the city of Richmond's elected officials, maybe?

Speaking of whom, anything from elected officials on this matter? We're heading into a new year with a new mayor, and all the Tazer can remember hearing from McLaughlin is that things are going to change and things are going to be different...but nothing specific. To paraphrase old Uncle Tazer: "Wish into one hand and [spit] in the other. See which one fills up faster."

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Police seek leads to find rapist

By Karl Fischer
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

A stranger attacked a woman pushing a stroller on a path near Richmond's Hilltop Mall, forced her into a secluded spot and raped her Wednesday afternoon, police said.

The search for the attacker lasted well into the evening, but police found no suspect. The department released a sketch of the man Thursday and asked the public for help finding him.

"We have not had anything like this recently," Detective Sgt. Brian Dickinson said Thursday. "(Officers) are going back today to canvass some of the apartment buildings in the area and do more follow-up."

The victim, a woman in her mid-30s, was walking on a foot path near Boulder Court, a roadway stub near Research and Lakeside drives, about 3:30 p.m. with her 6-month-old child. The path leads through a brushy area near a small, manmade lake with a fountain, surrounded by apartment buildings.

The rapist approached her on the path and, when close, put a 6-inch hunting knife to her throat and forced her to walk off the path, leaving her child in the stroller on the path, Dickinson said.

They went a short distance to a spot hidden from the path, and the man sexually assaulted the victim. The child was not hurt.

The victim described the rapist as a white man with brown eyes and medium-length, wavy brown hair, 5-foot-8 or 5-foot-9, and weighing about 165 pounds.. At the time of the attack, he wore a three-quarters-length black leather jacket, a black shirt, blue jeans and black tennis shoes.

The rapist left on foot after the assault. The victim took her child and quickly went to a nearby apartment, where she called 911.

Police showed the victim pictures of Megan's Law registrants who live locally, and they talked to others in the area around the time of the attack, but so far have no leads on the man's identity.

Reach Karl Fischer at 510-262-2728 or kfischer@cctimes.com.

HOW TO HELP:

Police ask anyone with information about Wednesday's sexual assault to call Detective Pat Davis at 510-620-6541, Detective Sgt. Brian Dickerson at 510-620-6668 or the police department's anonymous tip line at 510-232-TIPS.

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For anyone and everyone in Tazerville -- man, woman, AND child -- you have to be careful out there. We won't second-guess this woman, but when in doubt, don't. Safety isn't about shortcuts or niceties. There's nothing wrong with taking the long, visible way home, and your mom was onto something when she told you not to talk to strangers. Ladies, we know you want to be independent and walk by yourselves. Gents, don't let that happen if you can help it. Everybody, go with somebody if you can, but if you can't tell your friends and family where you're going and when to expect you.

Meanwhile, everyone be on the lookout in the Hilltop area.

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From today's Times letters section...

A way forward

Thank you for the articles describing Richmond's sad problem of deadly gun violence.

The causes are complex. Ending poverty and restoring hope are top priorities. The bank robber, Willie Sutton, made it clear: Go where the money is.

In Richmond, the money is in Chevron's coffers. Chevron spent some of it helping to defeat Measure T, which would have taxed the corporation $8 million annually. Let's give Chevron another chance to act as a caring neighbor.

The city and Chevron can form a mutually beneficial partnership, turning Richmond into a model city and Chevron into a model corporation. We can re-introduce Measure T and use the money to bring peace to Richmond.

Imagine training our at-risk youths to weatherize and solar roof our homes. The youths would learn important skills and homeowners would have lower utility bills. There would be less pollution and less climate change, a necessity if we are to avoid a global catastrophe.

Using oil-industry profits to develop clean sources of energy is a sensible approach. Richmond can lead the campaign to prevent climate change while ending gun violence and developing green jobs for our at-risk youths.

Jeff Ritterman
Richmond

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Question #1: Since when is it the business of the city of Richmond to use tax money to teach home improvement to children?

But more important will be Question #2: Anybody from Richmond recall the name "Jeff Ritterman"?

The Tazer remembers Dr. Ritterman, Kaiser Richmond's chief of cardiology, quite well. How? He left a couple answering messages for the Tazer on behalf of Gayle McLaughlin and Jim Jenkins before Election Day.

So, back to Question #1. Maybe if the Greens weren't so interested in imposing tall taxes on businesses, a solar energy installation company might open up shop in Richmond that would be willing to train new hires. But of course, that's not nearly as sexy as playing Robin Hood.

Seriously, despite that Willie Sutton's autobiography claims against the quote, you have to love it when Ritterman carries on the myth that Sutton said he robbed banks because that's where the money is. By extension, Greens "rob" businesses with taxes because they wouldn't get it otherwise. Even if they don't know what it is, the Greens understand the ABCs of ABC: Activity-Based Costing.

Products and services are assigned values based on a variety of factors, including tangible costs such as the price of materials and labor. However, it's possible to assign subjective values. For instance, let's say you don't like petroleum. You could arbitrarily decide low values on it and declare profits forfeit...via taxes.

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And an op-ed from today's Times...

Seems like sour grapes

WHEN CHRIS MAGNUS took over as Richmond police chief nearly a year ago, we predicted that he would run into opposition from an entrenched hierarchy grown all-too comfortable with the status quo.

People who are used to coasting in their jobs don't take too kindly to someone coming in telling them they're going to have to get off of their posteriors and start producing results. Then, demoting or transferring them when they don't.

Yet even we are surprised at the level to which some disgruntled Richmond Police Department managers seem willing to go, apparently to get back at Magnus for disrupting their cushy situations.

Six police captains and lieutenants are threatening to sue the city, claiming Magnus has fostered racism within the department. Their attorney claims that Magnus told one of his clients to "dance, jigaboo, dance" in front of other white officers. A charge Magnus says is an outright lie.

Standing in front of the Hall of Justice, attorney Christopher Dolan said that racism had affected his clients' abilities to do their jobs.

Let's forget, for a moment, that the job wasn't getting done before Magnus got here.

These are serious charges and we would urge City Manager Bill Lindsay, as he has said he would, to conduct a thorough and complete investigation.

Still, we can't help but be suspicious, based on what we know of the hardly inspiring police work that was done prior to Magnus' arrival.

Here's what we do know. Under the new Magnus regime, captains could no longer lounge around the department pretending to be busy with mundane tasks.

Magnus appointed two deputy chiefs to handle administration, creating a layer above the rank of captain.

Every captain suddenly had responsibility for a specific area of the city. That meant hitting the streets, along with the patrol officers, and coming up with strategies for reducing crime in the targeted zone. Kind of like a general commanding his troops.

The theory being that slackers would have nowhere to hide, exposed by the poor crime stats in their areas.

Richmond residents who are beside themselves over soaring homicide rates and runaway street crime were happy with the sweeping changes.

They felt as if finally, someone within the city was making a serious attempt to tackle what has become an epidemic of young black men killing young black men.

Magnus' regular appearances at crime scenes during the wee hours and his visits to victims' bereaved family members, convinced residents that he was a hands-on chief who wasn't going to sit in his department tower.

Based on their own experience, many residents and community leaders find the allegations of racism preposterous.

So do we. From here, the charges look more like sour grapes.

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And once again, the Tazer's condensed version from Wednesday: "Magnus has had a great deal on his plate with much more yet to digest, and he seems to be the most effective police chief Richmond has seen in a long while. The changes he's instituted/planned to institute probably aren't sitting well with everyone. We're not saying that's any kind of motivation...just mentioning possibilities..."

Fingerpointing Wednesday

We're not quite sure what to make of this...

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Cops accuse chief of racial discrimination

Six members of the Richmond Police Department's command staff have told the city they plan to sue over alleged racial discrimination by Chief Chris Magnus.

The officers, all black men, claimed in state documents filed last month that Magnus harassed, denied promotion and retaliated against them over their "race, association with other minorities, and opposing racism and race-based conduct in the department and by my chief, deputy chief and others."

Richmond officials received legal notice Monday that the officers -- three captains and three lieutenants -- have vacated their complaints with the state Department of Fair Employment & Housing to pursue lawsuits.

The complainants represent about one-third of the department's senior command staff: Capts. Cleveland Brown, Alec Griffin and Eugene McBride, and Lts. Michael Booker, Shawn Pickett and Arnold Threets.

Magnus, who came to Richmond from the Fargo, N.D., Police Department in January, enjoyed a long honeymoon with several community constituencies because of his perceived commitment to reforming a department widely regarded as dysfunctional, fractured and ineffective in local law enforcement circles.

-- Karl Fischer

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As important members of the media, the Tazer has had the honor of speaking with Chief Magnus in person. In our encounters, we found him skittish and perhaps OVERsensitive regarding matters such as racism, so we have our doubts about these complaints. Remember: the seriousness of a charge has no bearing on the veracity of the accusation.

Magnus has had a great deal on his plate with much more yet to digest, and he seems to be the most effective police chief Richmond has seen in a long while. The changes he's instituted/planned to institute probably aren't sitting well with everyone. We're not saying that's any kind of motivation...just mentioning possibilities...

Mangled Monday

City falls deeper into its potholes
RICHMOND: Cost to repair ailing roads soaring and problem will worsen with continued inaction

By John Geluardi
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

Unless Richmond can speed up its street repair program over the next few years, it may be cheaper to fill the potholes with $100 bills.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission has determined that Richmond has the worst streets in the Bay Area. And each year they go unrepaired, the cost to fix them soars, according to a recent Harris & Associates pavement report.

"In other words," the report says, "it is not simply 'pay today or pay tomorrow,' but rather 'pay today or pay more tomorrow.'"

Like many cities, Richmond finance officials regularly have cut road repair funding when looking for money to balance the budget. But Richmond is now sitting on a deferred maintenance bill of $94 million, and unless the city can somehow increase repair funding, that figure will skyrocket to about $200 million in 2010, Finance Director Jim Goins said.

The city has been pouring millions each year into road repair but has not been able to keep up with the deterioration, Goins said.

"We're spending $8 million this year, and next year we'll spend $9 million. After that, spending drops to $5 million for each of the next three years," Goins said. "It's simply not enough."

The city would have to spend $38.2 million annually for the next five years to stabilize rapid street deterioration, according to the pavement report. At minimum, the city should spend $25 million a year to avoid a staggering financial obligation in five years, Goins said.

The city rolled back road repair funding after Chevron changed its formula for calculating its utility tax this summer, Goins said. That recalculation is expected to reduce city revenue by an estimated $4 million a year.

A little more than half the city's 279 miles of paved roadways are in either poor or very poor condition, which means they have reached a stage where deterioration rapidly accelerates. A roadway in very poor condition has to be completely reconstructed at a cost of $68 per square foot, according to the report.

And that doesn't include vehicle wear and tear. Driving into potholes can flatten tires, knock hub caps loose and, in some cases, break an axle. There also is an insidious damage to tires and alignment, said California Automobile Association spokesman Sean Comey.

"Potholes can dramatically increase the cost of maintaining an automobile because more often than not you do a small amount of damage each time you hit one," he said. "You don't notice it, but it builds up over time."

Poorly maintained roads take a toll on the city's image and ability to attract business, said Judy Morgan, president of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce.

"It makes it harder to lease commercial space, which makes it harder to bring businesses to Richmond," she said. "If your business has a fleet of trucks, the cost to service them is going to be higher. There's also a negative impact on real estate values."

City Councilman Jim Rogers made road repairs a centerpiece of his re-election campaign this fall. He has been an advocate of redirecting redevelopment money to road repair.

The Richmond Redevelopment Agency currently has an annual budget of about $41 million, which is expected to increase over the next few years.

Critics argue that diverting redevelopment funding -- which is meant to improve infrastructure and create housing in rundown communities -- would be a violation of state law. Rogers dismisses that argument and said he is convinced that the city would be within its rights to divert some of the money to repairing roads.

"I have suggested we take $5 million a year from redevelopment," he said. "About two thirds of Richmond is in a redevelopment area, and fixing roadways is an appropriate investment of that money."

Contact John Geluardi at 510-262-2787 or at jgeluardi@cctimes.com

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It's tough for a city to have pride when it lacks street maintenance as a purpose.

Any mayor, former mayor, or mayor elect have a plan for that? Or is this just like the office of violence prevention?