Bay Area Briefs

SAN FRANCISCO - A group trying to recall Supervisor Sophie Maxwell has presented about 5,000 signatures to the city's election department.

But as of Aug. 10, the city Ethics Commission had no financial disclosure on file for any group backing the recall campaign.

That has led Maxwell to suspect that some business interests have their eyes on her district - which includes the areas of Bayview-Hunters Point and Potrero Hill. The district was recently awarded a $2.25 million federal grant to fund recreation centers, health clinics and other community projects at the old Hunters Point Naval Shipyard.

"It's not about me," Maxwell said. "There's a lot of money that has come into the Bayview, and when money's involved, people's motivations get skewed."

Critics say Maxwell hasn't done enough to address the district's high homicide rate and environmental concerns among other issues.

One of the recall's main supporters is Mel Washington, president of the Black Chamber of Commerce. He said he spent about $1,000 on the initiative. The signatures were filed with the city on July 19.

The elections department has until Aug. 19 to check the validation of the signatures. More than 4,000 are needed to force a recall election, which most likely would take place in January. The petitioners missed the deadline to qualify for the Nov. 2 ballot.

Community group

buys cell phones for police

OAKLAND - A community anti-crime group has purchased cell phones for the cash-strapped North Oakland Crime Reduction Teampolice.

The Oakland Police Department recently eliminated mobile phones for most beat officers for budget reasons.

"Considering the challenging financial constraints that OPD is working with, I think that the idea of individuals and organizations funding specific critical tools for OPD makes a lot of sense," said John Cascio, who led the effort.

The phone will be carried by whichever officer is on duty. The Crime Reduction Team, is responsible for focusing on long-term crime problems.

"It's a great idea, and I really appreciate it," Chief Richard Word said. "I'm sorry they had to do that out of their own pockets. But I think it is a good idea for community groups who are working with police to eliminate specific problems" such as drug dealers on certain corners.

The cell phone numbers will not be released to the general public but will be shared with community groups or crime victims who are on the lookout for specific suspects or activities, said Lt. Lawrence Green.

South Bay county inundated

with West Nile virus calls

SANTA CLARA - County vector control officials say they have been swamped with phone calls from residents worried that dead birds they are finding could be infected with West Nile virus.

The agency confirmed the county's first case of a bird infected with West Nile virus on July 21.

On Tuesday, the Santa Clara County Vector Control District hosted a public demonstration on how to safely handle dead birds. County officials caution residents not to panic if they find a dead bird in their yard. They said birds die from many causes unrelated to West Nile virus

The species most susceptible to West Nile virus are crows, ravens, magpies, jays, sparrows, finches and birds of prey. West Nile virus does not affect pigeons, chickens, doves or ducks.

If city officials have not been picked up the carcass by 3 p.m. on the day it was reported, the resident can go ahead and dispose of it. Vector control officials suggest handling the carcass with gloves, a shovel, or a plastic bag and discard it in a covered trash can.

About 1 percent of people become seriously ill from the virus, which is spread by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds. Most people who are infected never become ill, but about 20 percent suffer flulike symptoms.

More than 100 Californians have contracted the virus this year, while federal authorities reported 400 people had been infected nationwide as of last week.

San Jose CIO facing criminal probe

SAN JOSE - The city's former Chief information officer is facing a criminal probe.

San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis acknowledged Tuesday that his department's High Tech Crimes Unit has been conducting an extensive probe into possible electronic eavesdropping by Wandzia Grycz, the city's chief information officer who resigned under pressure Sunday, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

Some city officials believe Grycz may have intercepted e-mails between City Auditor Gerald Silva and City Attorney Rick Doyle, who were conducting an investigation of irregularities surrounding the networking contract she had overseen.