Does Retail make Emerville a Target for Criminals?

Retail has been a blessing for Emeryville’s tax base … but at what cost? A recent  2011  FBI uniform crime report lists Emeryville as having the Bay Area’s highest violent crime rate ahead of cities with violent crime reputations like Oakland and Richmond. In fact, my own experience with crime led me to pursue this blog. Is this label justified or are these numbers misleading? The issue is a complicated one for sure. Perhaps the fact that people actually report “smaller” crimes has bloated this figure (there are some areas where people don’t even bother reporting crimes because they know that no action will be taken)? I hope that by asking this question it leads to a larger discusion of the safety within our community in what appears to be a growing problem. Are there other explanations for this unfavorable ranking? What do you think?

I conducted a ten question email interview with Emeryville Police Department Crime Analyst Adrienne Robinson on how the EPD views this and what we as residents can do:

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EPD seize 400 lbs of marijuana from Pellegrini warehouse

Evening Dog-walkers and residents of Blue Star Corner couldn’t help but become a little suspicious of the corner unit of the Pelligrini Warehouse on Halleck. The evening flow of traffic and clientele indicated that this space was either being used as a band practice space … or something slightly less “innocent”. Some neighbors reportedly even noticed a distinct odor. Our suspicions were confirmed on Thursday AM as EPD vehicles staged a raid on the area seizing 400 pounds of marijuana. It’s unclear if this space was being used to actually grow or merely as a distribution center for a larger operation. The Secret News provides more details including the fact that suspected occupants claimed it was being used as a skateboard manufacturing shop when confronted. It should be noted that no reports of any violent crime or other violence have been associated with the space and it’s unclear if the product was being used for “medicinal purposes” compliant with Prop 215. | abc7news.com »

Emeryville police chief gains top state honor

Ken James, Emeryville police chief since July 1998, has been honored with the California Police Chiefs Association’s most prestigious award.
James, 60, a 37-year veteran of the department, was presented the Joe Malloy Award Wednesday at the association’s 35th annual training symposium installation banquet in Sacramento.
A statement released by the CPCA said James was honored for his “dedication and service to law enforcement” and the association.
The award, named in honor of deceased Anaheim police Chief Joe Malloy, embodies the characteristics he represented, including “professionalism, leadership, energy, and commitment to the mission of the association,” said CPCA president, Irvine police Chief Dave Maggard, in the statement. | ContraCostaTimes.com »

Emeryville police seeking kidnapping suspect

Bashar Aremu is a suspect in an attempted kidnapping on March 14.

Emeryville police have identified a man who they believe kidnapped a woman in a parking garage in the 2100 block of Powell Street (near the Hilton Garden Hotel) Wednesday night, forcing her into the trunk of her own car before she managed to escape.

Investigators have a warrant for the arrest of Bashar Aremu, 30, and are asking for the public’s help to find him. They say he is 6 feet tall, 230 pounds, speaks with an accent, and might be working as a security guard.

Police say Aremu might also have been responsible for a March 10 robbery of a woman in a nearby business, who reported a gunman grabbed her by the throat, demanded money and then forced her to disrobe and lie on the ground in the back of the store.

If you see Aremu do not approach him, call 911 immediately. If you have information regarding the above incidents contact Detective Eric White at (510) 596-3734.
SJ Mercury News »

Hostages Held Overnight In Emeryville Standoff | CBS S.F.

A suspect who held hostages overnight at the Emeryville Office Depot on Hollis St. in a botched attempt to rob the store was taken into custody Saturday morning, an Oakland police officer said. After police reviewed surveillance video from the store, an employee was also arrested for allegedly assisting the suspect … |  CBS San Francisco »