Rockridge NCPC Is Looking Out for Crime and New Crime Fighters

Police gave an update Thursday night on a problem house on Kales Street where disputes from the couple that live there have created a continual disturbance for three years with neighbors witnessing the couple arguing breaking bottles and lighting bonfires in the backyard.

Neighbors have banded together to fix the problem and for the past eight months the incidents have been documented to convince the property owner to evict the problematic pair.

“It comes down to whether the property owner wants to cooperate, said Officer Robert Gerrans a problem solving officer, one of 57 assigned to the crime prevention districts.   “As long as he stays on course and it will be a continual process to get them out of there.”

The couple has been served with a notice to vacate and have been quiet since then, but the neighbors would like to see them relocate anyway, Gerrans told the 13 residents attending the Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council Meeting at the Rockridge Library.

On College Avenue nine businesses were broken into – some had their windows smashed–  this month. There’s also been an increase of shop lifting attempts, police said.

Crime prevention council co-chair Chris Jackson also said that motorists are not yielding the right of way to pedestrians on cross walks. He has witnessed a few hairy situations with people on cross walks with their children.

Gerrans said he’s on the look out for offenders. He hasn’t caught anyone in the act yet, but motorists who don’t yield to pedestrians on cross walks can expect a ticket.

“I’d like to see some of those rubberized signs that in the middle of the street that say yield to pedestrians,” said Jackson.

“Well they don’t do much on Claremont Street,” said secretary Karen Ivy with a laugh.

Taking care of College Avenue and keeping it friendly for customers and residents is a high priority for Jackson, who also serves as the representative for the merchants at the safety meeting.

“We’re the number two tax producing district second to China town.   Our district pays the taxes that help keep this whole city going,” Jackson said.

In an effort to beautify College Avenue Jackson had the city remove defunct parking meter poles removed from the street.

“It’s made a big difference in the look of the sidewalk,” he said.

Other matters addressed were an increase in burglary attempts in lower Rockridge.

A man who lives in the Colby Park neighborhood said they are the look out for a black and Asian man working together in a four-door burgundy Honda.

There is also concern about the Oakland Housing Authority property on Canning Street where daytime drug dealing activity has been witnessed.

Crime Prevention Council members are worried about residents who dial 911 from their cell phones.  This connects callers to the California Highway Patrol instead of the local emergency services.

In Oakland cell phone users should program 510-777-3211 into their phone’s speed dial and use that instead when they desire 911 services, police said.

The Rockridge crime prevention council would like to see more participation from the neighborhood.

Jackson joked about who would replace “old timers” like him when he decides it’s time to move on to other activities.

Some positions up for grabs are Director of Public Relations & Promotion, Director of Special Projects and Director of Information Technology. See the Rockridge NCPC website for contact information.