Illustration by Andrew J. Nilsen.
Mystery stories are generally concerned with who did what, when, and how.
But in this one, about the way government officials have for years covered up apparent waste, fraud, and abuse in the San Francisco Park Patrol, much of the who, what, and when is clear; the question is why.
Why does the head of the Park Patrol division tolerate that Park Ranger supervisor Thomas Tom has a second full-time job with the state of California on top of his $69,786 per year, full-time city post?
Why is it that another Park Patrol officer enjoys impunity as he allegedly skips his rounds and sleeps during his graveyard shift — and then shows up the next day to work overtime? Why does the head of the Park Patrol division not seem to mind that through questionable overtime pay this alleged sleeper doubles his annual $53,000 salary?
And why do San Francisco officials seem to go out of their way to protect the man in charge of Park Patrol, division chief Marcus Santiago?
SF Weekly has discovered evidence that Santiago manipulates overtime assignments and then divvies them up among buddies, saving some plum ones for himself. Last year, Santiago collected more than $85,000 in overtime pay on top of his $67,000 annual salary, averaging more than 70 hours of work per week, 52 weeks per year. He's been doing this year after year.
It's not as if nobody notices.
Santiago has been the target of whistleblower and other complaints.
To cover his tracks during one city inquiry, Santiago allegedly told underlings to backdate overtime paperwork according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.
Another time, Santiago reportedly responded to a request for cell phone records — which might have shown a city investigator whether or not he was lying about overtime — by claiming that he'd dropped his phone in water.
Despite investigating some of these complaints, his boss, Recreation and Parks Operations Manager Dennis Kern has protected Santiago, SF Weekly has found.
Late this summer, following an extensive investigation, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission authorized an internal report documenting the overtime allegations. The report showed evidence of discrimination against employees not in his inner circle and retaliation against complainants. It also affirmed that Santiago misled city officials on his San Francisco employment application in order to cover up that he was fired from the Oakland Police Department on allegations of misappropriating evidence and abusing people in custody. (See the Jun. 23, 2010 SF Weekly column "Reinventing the Past: The head of the park rangers has some explaining to do.")
The City Attorney's Office has negotiated a possible monetary settlement to a lawsuit related to the EEOC complaint. The complaint alleged Santiago pushed out an officer after the employee protested Santiago's handling of overtime. Two other Park Patrol employees have pending complaints before the EEOC alleging similar discrimination.
For park officials, the investigation contained little news. But it did validate complaints they had made to top officials at city agencies including Recreation and Parks, the Civil Service Commission, the Department of Human Resources, and the City Controller's Whistleblower Program.
As of mid-September, Santiago remained an employee in good standing despite the federal government's impending investigation of the two additional federal EEOC complaints. And Recreation and Parks staffers had retained a San Francisco attorney to file a separate class-action suit against the city for tolerating Santiago's behavior.
All that overtime might benefit more than just Santiago's crew. Protecting him seems to validate a system in which the Park Patrol routinely bills event promoters exorbitant rates for rangers who don't always show up. The Recreation and Park Department, under General Manager Phil Ginsburg, hopes to increase total permit fees by millions of dollars this year.
On June 12, 2010, San Francisco's Karim Mayfield knocked out Sergio del Torre in the fifth round of a boxing match at Kezar Pavilion on Stanyan Street. But that wasn't the last scuffle of the day: Afterward, young fans rushed the ring. Promoter Phil di Mauro's security staff quickly calmed things down, but di Mauro wondered, where were the four city Park Rangers he says he'd been required to hire, at a cost of $1,170, to guard the event?
Di Mauro's permit said he'd paid to have four rangers stationed for nine hours. Instead, "Two showed up right at the beginning when we were set up for the parking. Then they were gone," he said.
Marie Duca, office manager for Hard Knox Boxing Promotions, said, "They were worthless. I didn't need them to start with. They talked to each other for a little while, and they were gone."
Park rangers were assigned to guard Kezar Pavilion again in August, this time at a cage-fighting event. The head of the company hired to staff the event's 20-person security team said that in order to get a Recreation and Parks permit, event organizers had to hire Park Patrol officers as guards. Yet the officers made little effort to work with security staff.
"They're not visible. They don't coordinate with anybody. They show up, walk through it, and that's the extent of it," said the event's security supervisor, who didn't want to be named because he has to continue working with Recreation and Parks. "Frankly, it's a waste of money."
There are some dumb ass people in this dept. If you haven't read this report from genius park ranger Iris Gonzales *42, here you go! OH!!! and this report was released to KTVU that's where i found the report.... http://img406.imageshack.us/im... I don't know if I should feel bad for Ranger Gonzalez for her horrific spelling/ grammar or the poor bison that died....
Iris Gonzalez gave me an an unwarranted parking ticket, along with half the population of people in lincoln park today. She was one of the most unpleasant person I've ever met and obviously needed to meet a "quota" or something. Good to know that these corrupt people are being brought to light finally.
It's obvious from the comments below that current Park Rangers are voicing their opinions. There are two sides to every story. Unfortunately, it's very clear that the backbone of the Park Rangers lack the essential qualities required to serve the community. Can Mr. Santiago or Mr. Kern or Mr. Tom or any Ranger claim to have the qualities of integrity, honesty, and forthrightness? Are they there just to make a buck or do they want to make SF parks the best place possible for the citizens of San Francisco. Can these park employees claim in all honesty that they are there to help people by serving the community or are they there simply to make $$$$. Seems the latter. Where's the integrity, City of San Francisco? Serving the community and it's best interests are an honor. Do the right thing.
Here you go again running you mouth without knowing the fact like the last time you said that I would not be getting my job back and here I am. And I am on sick leave to deal with stress on the job, now I leave everything to God and you should do the same and mind your own business.
Here you go again running you mouth without knowing the fact like the last time you said that I would not be getting my job back and here I am. And I am on sick leave to deal with stress on the job, now I leave everything to God and you should do the same and mind your own business.
The Feds needs dump the trash out of this department. All of these pieces of garbage mentioned in this article would never make it in real law enforcement. The Chief Ranger seems like the most corrupt person with absolutely no integrity!! And Ranger Mitra you're not the smartest man out there are you? hahahah!! Blacking out your little hideout with a GPS system on you, showing you do nothing at work but sleep. OHH I've read some of these other articles about these dopes!! They think they're real cops or something? Ranger Mitra, change your name to Park Security Mitra because that's all you are!! you have no law enforcement powers at all.
Matt Smith you have the support and gratitude of many folks by your continued articles focusing on a truly bad guy. I have seen all types during my 30+ years of Military, Security, and Law Enforcement work....Santiago by-far exceeds the worst-of-the-worst. There's a reason he was never able to become a real cop..he lacks all the essential qualities. Santiago is clever at selecting a agency that does not conduct the appropriate background checks..for he would surely get disqualified. It seems Rec & Parks has put themselves in a position by hiring Santiago and now have to defend and cover for him....lest they become liable also. All the current problems going on are due to Santiago....this is what he is about...and always has been. Hopefully the media coverage will reach someone who will make things right. To the folks at Rec & Parks Santiago was not a righteous whistleblowing crusader at OHA...but a sub-standard employee who was terminated for misconduct issues. Santiago has used time and space to hide the skeletons and the memory of his misdeeds, however, once again he is under the microscope. Santiago and others will eventually learn that you can run but you can't hide from your checkered past or who you really are. Much love to Matt Smith for his work and hopefully Santiago will get his just due. I have read the words "sue" and "slander" on other comments which I find ridiculous. I for one am thankful and impressed at the accuracy of Matt's work. I go way back (pre-ranger) and know the real Santiago better than anyone, and these articles are a blessing to anyone who has had the misfortune of working with this joke.
All the dissention in this agency can be directly attributed to Marcus Santiago. Wherever this fool winds up (job) there is always drama. He is notorious for hooking up his loyal followers and burning all who don't cater to his BS. This is a simple fix....dump Santiago or he will eventually ruin the whole place. I believe even Santiago's allies gotta know he's rotten to the core and a greedy unethical person. Start a letter of no confidence against Santiago before you all get disbanded. I know you are all in hopes that Santiago can turn the place into a PD...but his reputation will make this difficult. I wish you all the best but distance yourselves from Santiago...he's bad news. Continued media exposure of Santiago is the only way to kill the beast. I urge all Rangers to look at the facts surrounding Santiago. When everything is cool on the job..all the little BS is tolerated..but once the shit hits the fan sides are drawn and past discrepancies are now ammo for both sides. In the mean-time you all end up looking unprofessional. Good leadership would prevent all this. Good luck to the ones who just want to their jobs professionally. Santiago is the type who eventually self-destructs due to greed and being a control freak.
Will this site allow me to post pictures of Ranger Mitra sleeping on the job?, in full uniform, earning his hard earned civil servant pay check... If you guys only knew what kind shenanigans occur in that god damn place!
If you have pictures of me sleeping on the job, then by all means, please post it or send it to Matt Smith. I know he will be more than happy to print or publish this for you! But if you are just stirring up this crap with accusations like Horan, then too bad, because I know and you know that those pictures you claim are not in exsistance. I KNOW WHO YOU ARE! I SPOKE WITH YOU THIS MORNING! Just wait for the BIG surprise of your life, because it will come soon!
Well Mr. Booyah! It seems you have'nt told ALL the facts! At least not all the truth to the whole matter surrounding most of them. You should really investigate the matters before speaking about them. And no you are NOT an outsider looking in. YOU are a member of the Deaprtment. and of course as we can see not a neurtral party either! Maybe you should tell of all who are there. Not just the ones YOU think made the complaint. And please don't make Idle threats of saying what wil happen if people complain you almost sound like a Dictator and what people will get if they don't follow you. Please, you hide behind the screen name and don't want people to know who YOU REALLY are then they might not believe in what you are saying. I am sure you think of yourself as a SUPERHERO for all this but really you are a SUPERZERO!!!!
AMF
Hello there BOOYAH2! It seems how offended you are with all the previous postings. Why is it that you seem to take them so personal? Is your guilty conscience getting to you? It's best if you step up like a real man and accept the truth about you! As for you claiming that there are idle threats, learn how to read these threads properly. Not one mention of any type of threat was made directly to any Ranger. The real 0 is hanging around your neck! I'm done with all this. Too much drama from the cry babies!
Why is Thomas Tom not under investigation by the Lottery law enforcement unit. His unmarked state vehicle is parked at the ranger HQ frequently. He works full time for the Rangers and full time for the Lottery. I bet his time sheets and vehicle mileage logs don't match up.
The Lottery is probably more dirty than the Rangers. That's why their Chief just got his marching orders from the Governor. Maybe the new chippie that was hired can straigten the Lottery out.
For those if you who are trying to figure out who I am, I am an outsider looking in. My facts are strong and VERY valid. It just shows you how inept other Rangers are. I've mentioned a few of your names (to include former Rangers) and you know who you are, referring to the ones that bitch, complain and cry. I will leave this alone for now. If things start to get thick again, there is a possibility, better yet...
Let's just leave it at that. This might be just the right time for heads to roll and to start "releasing" the cry babies! Let's see if these cry babies can find another job as simple as this.
BOOYAH!
Hanley Chan - Where do I know that name from???? OH YES! He's the guy who impersonated a SF cop on Judge Judy!
Typical behavior of Filipinos - I'm not surprised at them, I'm surprised they are allowed to get away with it.
Can't the Rangers just all get along? What will it take for the cry babies to stop crying and complaining about not getting their way? The Head Honcho of complaints (Will Ramil) just doesn't seem to get it. Instead, he continues and tries every which way he can to oust Marcus Santiago. Funny how when he's called to the carpet, he doesn't know a thing...Too bad Will, you're not as important as you would like to be.
In retrospect, this whole fiasco is being blown out of proportion. Perhaps if the line staff would just take the time to listen and do their jobs, none of this would be happening.
PADDOW!
It's enough to make one weep. The idea of a park patrol is not a bad one, but this gangster has seized the department in order to line his pockets and those of his cronies.
And not one mayoral candidate, not one member of the Board of Supervisors, not one member of the Parks and Recreation Commission says a word about it.
Hi all. We'd like to thank everyone for weighing on this obviously very contentious topic. As a reminder: we'll be deleting and removing any comments that accuse someone of illegal activity. Thanks for your understanding.
When Park Rangers are assigned to special events, it is required of them to patrol the area and not be stationary. How else will they be able to observe the surrounding area for incidents or let alone, trouble within the crowds?
Another problem written in the article I see is that Santiago is being accused of the overtime winding up in the pockets of his so called "favorite" employees. Why not ask the individuals who complained about overtime? These are the same individuals who approached Matt Smith in the attempt to "oust" Marcus Santiago from his position. They are always the first ones who refuse to take overtime and to help assist in covering a shift at a moment's notice when required. Those Rangers have forgotten what it states in their job description prior to accepting this job.
As for so called "leaving the event" for other duties, dispatch calls on Rangers for calls for service. It seems how soon you forget that even as a Park Ranger, Rangers have to answer calls for service, specially when the call requires the assistance of a Ranger at another location. It is interesting and how it is noted that Denny Kern praises the continued good work of Marcus Santiago and how he is able to cover shifts when Rangers call in sick, quite frequently or lie about so called "Military Drill" on the weekends and not producing orders given by the reserve unit. This is a federal law which requires the employee to submit a copy of the individual's military orders and schedule since it may require minor schedule changes and coverage for the individual away for weekend drills.
The repetitive mention of Santiago and his past. Is this what S.F Weekly's Matt Smith is interested in? Plus the constant interviews Smith has conducted with the defunct Mike Horan who claims that he was a "police officer" in New York? Horan was nothing more than just a mere dispatcher. He has always wanted to be a police officer but could not pass any of the required written examinations. Horan unfortunately feels that he should have been chosen to be the leader of the Park Rangers, hence his hatred toward Santiago. Horan has never been a supervisor!
Then you have Cheryl Koehl who went on FMLA so that she could work at USF as a Public Safety Officer. Isn't this considered a conflict of interest? During Koehl's training/probation period, she was told that she did not pass the requirements as a PSO and therefore, let go from the department. Koehl spent 2 hours in the women's restroom with the door locked, sobbing! Then she came back to work full time for the Rangers, still as a supervisor. Other employers would not stand for this. Why was she not let go for lying about her FMLA?
Here's another Ranger by the name of Avelino, who was very fortunate to come back to his job after being suspended for 10 months. Avelino was caught letting his friends and others into 49er games. And he has the audacity to complain about overtime he refuses to work? Now he's out on "Sick Leave" because his vacation request was denied temporarily due to shortage of personnel in the department. He is currently in New York, then he flies off to his home in the Dominican Republic. Gone for 2 months or so. Hmmm...and Smith didn't catch this one either?
Mr. Chico is another Ranger who went on FMLA. He took FMLA so that he could attend a Federal Academy, while still employed with the Rangers. Upon his return to work, he showed up at the Park Ranger office with gear in hand and said that he quit, knowing that he was supposed to start his shift. Chico is disgruntled because of a situation he had while detaining a 16 year old male. His inability to complete an investigation got him written up and suspended for not properly handling the incident. This is why he is upset at Park Ranger management. Did Smith bother to investigate this?
Did Smith also bother investigation Ramil caught sleeping in a patrol vehicle? It's interesting how Smith immediately focuses on a Ranger Mitra. What substantiating evidence does Smith's so called credible source have to prove Mitra's actions? I'm surprised Smith hasn't been sued yet for slander. And why is Smith concentrating on Supervisor Thomas Tom? What business is it of others if Tom does have another job? Is it because the other Rangers cannot attain the same level of employment as Tom? Wow! I've heard that some of the on call/part time Rangers have permanent jobs. They are being scrutinized and questioned. In fact, they have been a big help to Santiago and Tom for helping with shift coverage. So much for that, huh Matt Smith?
So, how much focus will Smith spend with the so called complaints by these individuals? Last but not least, Horan was paid a very decent sum of money by the City to shut him up. As it turns out, Horan still continues to babble and bad mouth the department. And as for the others, should I mention the remaining names? Not worth it. They know who they are. Just remember, what goes around, comes around...TRI-FOLD! And not to mention, these individuals may end up being sued for slander as well as the possibility of losing their jobs as a Park Ranger. Smith, your articles are redundant and old. You may want to consider being on the "Right" side of the coin on this one. BOOYAH!
Paragraph 4 / 1st sentence....The repetitive mention of Santiago and his past. This issue alone is not confined to Matt Smith and the SFWEEKLY. Until Santiago is permanently barred from any LE / security job...based on his past history of disciplinary action and misconduct while employed as such.....continued scrutiny of this scum is relevant and necessary. You make some good points, but if someone like santiago can get hired with your agency (much less a supervisor) despite his employment history only serves to discredit your organization. In other words if a guy like Santiago can get hired...anyone can. Any professional organization would have eliminated Santiago during the background check. Santiago's BS is well known in Bay Area LE circles..and the overwhelming consensus is; I CAN'T BELIEVE HE GOT A JOB. I do believe some of what you say regarding disgruntled coworkers...but that doesn't negate the fact that Santiago is foul all the way around. Until he is removed from your agency...the rest of you good employees will suffer from his presence. Good Luck...
First of all Matt Smith has a hard on for Santiago. Matt just doesn't like Ranger S. period. It shows on all of previous articles over the years. Matt isn't the best person to be listening to. He's a bit biased. Also, the people Matt has gathered for the article are ex-SFRPD employees that want retribution because of what happened when the new model came out. This happens all the time in various city departments the world over. (speaking from within the agency) In other words if you don't don't get a job or you don't like to work & do your job properly and get fired ya cry instead of fkn moving on. I can also see the problem with OT & Santiago. This is a difficult issue to deal with if you've been in the security business. A lot of times people don't show up for their shifts, or you have "problem" employees protected by Union rules. *Unions are good but at times they make it hard to get rid of bad employees* As overtime goes if a worker doesn't show up and no one else can work. Guess what? the supervisor/Manager is responsible for taking the shift. Not to mention some of the employees who were complaining of the overtime aren't the exact people you'd want with you in a 'bad' situation. So who do you send? Do you send a turd into the fray or do you send a lion? Of course you'll send the best person for the job at hand whether they happen to be Black, white, or purple. This BS on racism card is played out.
As for SFRPD raising rates and prices in the new model. WTF do you think has to happen? You make SFRPD rely on the general fund then cut them year after year what do you think will happen. SFRPD has to evolve to generate money to keep their parks & programs open. WTF do you think money grows on trees? Nothing is free today. Look at the world around us. Everybody is bitching and doing nothing to solve problems and then when several organizations ask for money to help keep them open everybody labels them as evil corporations intent on destroying the human race. Get over it people your free gravy train is over. Our budget cannot support every dam thing for free forever. That's how governments go bankrupt.
Investigative reporting? A lot of hearsay for sure coming from both parties. You can spin those EEOC complaints any way you want. You can look up records such as from Oakland PD on Marcus but they end up destroyed. Destroyed? That means i can make up anything up I want to then.
"I'd say for 75 percent of people who pay for the service, we're not providing it," said one Recreation and Parks official, who asked not to be identified. "People putting on these events are being screwed." who said this… LOL. This can be said about San Francisco Police & Fire Departments just as well. It's all a matter of opinion and not factual.
I totally agree with quite a few things you say. All subordinates can do all the time is cry! Not to mention, they're still lucky to have a job! Maybe a bitch and gripe session with patrol officers and management (this would include Denny Kern and Phil Ginsburg) might help alleviate some of the problems. I'm pretty sure both Kern and Ginsburg know who the real "problem children" are within the department.
Would it really help if management also puts these "problem children" on unpaid suspension to open up their eyes? Never hurts to try. Upper management should consider this and put out a simple memo breaking down how disciplinary actions would be used; another eye opener. Once again, you individuals know who you are! Consider yourselves luck that you're still employed. It doesn't get any better than this!
Hmmm, let me guess....your probably asian and one of Santiago's inner-circle of wanna-be's. I say this because you list Ranger security as SFRPD..(probably means San Fran Ranger Police Depart). You make some good points "nutz" but Rangers aren't cops....I don't blame you for thinking this "nutz" it's obvious that Santiago's fantasy about wanting to be a real cop has rubbed off on you. Whether you hate or love the Yago-man...he is a well documented dirty cop (wanna-be). Run "nutz" run...while you can. Santiago's favorite saying was "I don't fire people they fire themselves" which was a self fulfilling prophecy. You see my dear "nutz" Santiago has been fired many times for being a dirty dude....way before Matt Smith knew about him. In fact the stuff Matt wrote is just the tip of the iceberg. Matt is on the right track though and I feel that Santiago's days are numbered. So many people (many still cops) know the real Santiago...and will contribute facts to his final demise. Hope your post keeps Yago on your good side...cross him once and you'll be filing your own EEOC complaint....wake up and smell the tea lil "nutz"
Park Visitor AKA Marcus Santiago (or close associate), this was determined by the not-so-good composition of your post. Santiago is of Filipino/Chinese descent, and PV's post appears to be written the way someone with a language barrier would speak. Santiago has left a trail of prohibited activities at all of his former jobs. There's a reason Santiago has had so many jobs....because he always gets terminated for misconduct. Over the years he has become adept at covering his tracks to get hired elsewhere. It seems he's been able to convince Rec & Parks that he was a whistleblower at OHA, to conceal what he really is...a criminal/hustler with a badge. Once he gets the badge..he can really get dirty and hide behind the appearance of being a figure of public trust. Santiago got fired from UOP for being involved in a cable tv scam. His brother worked for comcast and illegally connected the cable for all the dentistry students. The scum then charged the students $20 bucks-a-pop. He used his position for a profit-making gig on the side. He also outfitted the UOP vehicle with door emblems that would fool people into thinking he was a regular cop. The ATF folks should look into the practice of the SF Rangers using their ID's to purchase weapons for their personal use. The Ranger's ID depicts them as sworn officers which they are not. Santiago's methods go on-and-on. I have seen cops go to jail for much less than what Santiago continues to do on a daily basis. A thief, liar, cop impersonater....yes he is all of these, but you have to admire his ability to always find a place that will allow him to wear a uniform...which he doesn't look very well in. Rec & Parks he will bring you all down.
OOOOOOOOOO come on, I though this was a news paper! Lets have some names, quote people by name, you guys are making a bunch of stuff up cause you have a problem with Phil, you keep on investigating Marcus and you keep on finding nothing. Base your stories in fact. You are not interested in the truth, only in hurting good people trying to take care of a city they love.
I hope you had a chance to read my first post. I've covered a few things in it. Hope you liked what you saw. It pretty much sums up some of the continuous ongoing complaints that have no validity to their claims.
Real World, What World are you living in...good people trying to take care of the City they Love.....Money is the name of the Game and they take all they want. You should Base your story on Facts, not what you think they are.....Sf Weekly speaks the truth and they do check their stories....I say Good for You Matt and keep it coming..
NOT TOO SURE THEY DID THIS TIME BIG GUY. WHAT EVER THE CASE RPD IS BETTER OFF WITH OUT YOU THEN IT WAS WITH YOU.
Despite your name you don't seem to live in a real world. From my end this has nothing to do with Phil. Santiago is the only one who has hurt many good folks. Apparently you don't know the facts surrounding Santiago very well. His checkered past has caught up to him once again, because he's up to his usual unethical antics. Seems to be more covering-up than investigating going on...for real
Park Visitor (or should I say Marcus): If you think you know who I am, feel free to post my name for the world to see.
I'M NOT SURE WHY MY COMMENT WAS REMOVED, AS IT CONTAINED NOTHING OFFENSIVE. SO, I'LL TRY AGAIN:
First of all, hats off to SF Weekly. Finally an article that truly begins to expose Marcus Santiago for what he is - a liar and a thief. Well written and very informative. As a native San Franciscan, it saddens me to see our leaders have done nothing to rid the community of such an incredible liability. I’ve known Marcus Santiago for over twenty years. In the early days, as an Institutional Police Officer at SF General, he was found to have been stealing City property, and was terminated without being prosecuted. This mirrored another termination as a private security guard, where he had been caught stealing from the people he was working for. He later joined the Oakland Housing Authority Police, where he disgraced his uniform on a daily basis. At the time, they really did nothing in the way of background investigations, and his best friend was an Oakland Police Reserve Sergeant (also the owner of the security company on Fairfax, as mentioned in the article). It is true Marcus was fired for stealing evidence from a stolen vehicle, as well as excessive force. He initially lied during the investigation, however later confessed after the complainant officer passed a polygraph test. A search of his home revealed a U-Haul size stash of stolen property: Light bars, siren boxes, cages for patrol cars, police radios, bullet-resistant vests, duty belts, batons, etc. All of this was found to be the property of the Oakland Police Department. Marcus was given the opportunity to resign, and not be prosecuted. He did so, and then later sued to try and get his job back. From there, he was fired from Malibu Grand Prix, were he had been impersonating a police officer to allow him to work an “off-duty” job. He was then fired from Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Safeway Security (again, still claiming to be an off-duty police officer). He had brief stints at Mills College Security and the University of the Pacific Security, before landing his position with the San Francisco Park Rangers. It shocks me that the City and County of San Francisco would either fail to conduct a pre-employment background investigation, or even worse, ignore the results. Marcus is well known in the law enforcement community as one with absolutely no integrity. He routinely falsified police reports and then laughed about it. While at OHA, be bragged about never having to fill is gas tank with his own money. He’d simply use the City gas pumps to fill-up his personal car, a police car look-a-like, complete with lights, siren, radio, etc. Marcus continues to land on his feet, no matter what happens. Not bad for a guy who has no formal education after high school, and never graduated from a police academy. To our City leaders, the ball is in your court.
"I’ve known Marcus Santiago for over twenty years". Says it all... Also, I believe you have to graduate a Academy if you work for OPD.
Where does SFNative mention Santiago working for OPD? he never did..and he never graduated from an academy. Many people have known what a scum Santiago is for over twenty years..so I don't get what you mean by "says it all". I should take into consideration that most of you ranger pukes are not very bright....if you were you wouldn't be a security city park ranger. you idiots actually disgrace the real LE Rangers.
How many jobs does Santiago have to get fired from, and how many articles have to be wriiten exposing him, and how many scandals does this unethical sorry excuse for a human being have to be involved in before he is indicted??? he seems to always fall through the bureaucratic cracks, because he has a unethical ability to pull the wool over his superiors eyes by generating revenue. In this case charging for events...reminds me of the protection racket of the old days. So Parks and Rec turns a blind eye to the massive overtime profit of Santiago's inner circle of wanna-be's, that don't even show up at the shows....as long as they get their cut also (budget increase). Places like this are ripe for Santiago to conduct his usual agenda of turning no gun Security into specialized law enforcement, and in the process make some real dough. I saw Santiago's pic in this article, which I haven't seen for years....his face is pock-marked from years of scratching his psoriasis plauged skin condition..he then disgustfully pops the dried flakes in his mouth. I figure this is his penance for a life-time of screwing people. Thank you Matt Smith for this gem-of-a-piece, you should receive every award that is applicable. You unknowingly became a hero to many by your hard and excellent work. What happened to Santiago at OHA was the classic scenario of..what-goes-around..comes-around. Parks and Rec are setting themselves up for a big fall by having Santiago on the payroll....you've been warned.
I have worked for Rec & Park for 25 years and have seen a lot of park patrol officers come and go. Some good, and some bad. There are only a few good park patrol officers left I consider to be hard working professionals, and they are not the one's within Marcus's "Inner circle". A year ago, reporter Stanley Roberts, (People behaving badly) with KRON 4 news did a segment regarding homeless in the park. In the segment he mentioned that park patrol vehicles remained idle in front of the park patrol headquarters at 811 Stanyan St. while nothing was being done to in force the homeless in the Golden Gate Park, Sharon Meadow. That is because the Head Park Patrol Officer Marcus Santiago, and members of the "Inner circle" Thomas Tom, Officer's Iris Gonzales and Eugene Hsin just sitting around the office taking care of personal business, surfing the internet, laughing, joking and having a good old time on official city time. If you go by the park patrol headquarters during normal business hours, it should be open to the public, but the doors are locked for obvious reasons. No ones patrolling the park. I remember when Officer Teddy Howard was arrested while on duty by SFPD for keeping found money (bait) during an undercover surveillance operation at Golden Gate Park. A search of his home later revealed that he was in possession of lawn mowers belonging to Rec & Park. The investigation on Officer Howard began when park tourist complained that Officer Howard issued a citation for a violation in the park and then turn around solicited the tourist into paying the fine to him. He was later convicted and sentenced to a year in county Jail. So what does the former Officer Howard and Head Park Patrol Officer Marcus Santiago with his con-cocked plan to force permit applicants to pay for park patrol services for their events? Extortion. How long will it take for City officials outside of Rec & Park to launch an independent investigation into possible fraud, misappropriation of public funds, falsifying official city documents.
Thanks Ff for your comment. I'm quite sure their are many more such as yourself that really know what the truth is. Our Parks and Rec Dept is nothing as it used to be...This City needs to and should stop the misappropriation of funds that goes on in our City Depts.
Hey, Mr SFNative why was your first comment removed? I Guess you don't want other people to find out what your dirty background and the real you come out. This also shows that. SF WEEKY only wants comments that is all negative and no truths. So what happened to freedom of speech. Like I said on my previous comment that was deleted .you turned your back on your 20yrs plus friend because he told you that you can't take your girlfriend with you at work specially in a city vehicle. And please remove that District Attorney calling card on your dashboard stop impersonating as a DA investigator coz you got disciplined there before. Why don't Mr Smith investigate what you did in your previous job. Even if Santiago is not the boss anymore, you still cannot bring your girlfriend on your job site unless you have a written permission from your WIFE....
Freedom of the press..objective neutral fact finding vs Rec & Parks upper management's practice of covering up for Santiago, because they were negligent in hiring a person with a shady background. Now in making Santiago look bad they make themselves look bad...so the cover-up continues. The SFWEEKLY and Matt Smith in particular have done the people of SF a great service by exposing the truth. The truth about Santiago is not pretty...but by the SFWEEKLY's reporting all the ugly truths about Santiago...does not mean that they just focus on the negative. If the truth is negative so be it. Keep up the good work Matt!!!
Hi all. Just a reminder: we welcome and encourage conversation on this topic. That said, please use one user name to do it. Users that post under multiple user names from one IP address -- sometimes known as "sock puppets" -- will have their comments deleted. Thank you for your understanding.
Matt Smith has done a great job exposing Marcus Santiago for what he is - a liar and a thief. NOTHING that Mr. Smith has written is personal. It's all a matter of public record. I applaud his efforts to bring this information to the public, and look forward to more investigative journalism regarding the Marcus Santiago.
Park Visitor - You have me confused with someone else. Marcus and I have NEVER been friends. I have NEVER been a Park Ranger. I am neither a retired or ex DA employee. And in my nearly three decades as a police officer, I have NEVER been the subject of a sustained internal affairs complaint. The only thing you got right was the fact that I'm married. Happily, I might add. You are obviously a supporter of Marcus. I don't knock your friendship. However, in my PERSONAL opinion, I believe Marcus needs to be prison, not a public servant. We all have our opinions. He has stolen from everyone he's ever worked for. Now he takes from the good citizens of San Francisco. Falsification of an overtime card is simple to do when you're the one approving them. Perhaps when he does go to prison, you can visit him on visiting days.
I sure hope the Feds can clean this up, yet another total mess of a situation in one of the worst run cities in America. Somebody tell me again why we give these people city jobs and pensions when they can't even do an honest days work?
To Mr SFNative, I dont know who is worse than santiago or you because you talk like you are a perfect civil service or i would say retired ex DA employee who works as a part time Park Ranger. Why dont you tell us why you were demoted from a position when you were at the District Attorney's office. Please do tell us ... Also why dont you tell everybody the reason why you are mad with your friend Mr Santiago. Is it because he told you that you cannot bring your girlfriend with you everytime you are working and even in a city vehicle. Everywere you work you always have your girlfriend in the car with her feet up on the dashboard and you sitting by your vehicle sometimes getting a back massage. And also explain to everybody why you are still displaying your District Attorney"s Office calling card on your dasboard. Are you trying to tell people that you are still with that office? What do you call that? IMPERSONATING!!!!! So were is your integrity big guy? Just because you cant do what you want you will forget the 20yrs that you were friends with Santiago. I guess you just told every friend that you have what to expect from you. Next time there is an opening, get your girlfriend to apply so that you can be with her all the time....Are'nt you still married????.
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