Charles Barca on Operation Zebra

KPIX-TV News footage from April 18, 1974 featuring a press conference in which SFPD Chief of Inspectors Charles Barca describes how the department intends to conduct itself during a manhunt being called "Operation Zebra", searching for those responsible for what were dubbed the Zebra murders in San Francisco. He states that officers have been instructed to use: "The utmost courtesy and thoughfulness" and emphasizes: "There will absolutely be no indescriminate stopping and searching of pedestrians or occupants of vehicles." Note that on On April 25, 1974, U.S. District Judge Alfonso Zirpoli issued a court order ruling that the searches unconstitutionally violated the rights of young black men, and said officers must have probable cause. Opening graphic designed by Carrie Hawks.

Note: this color reversal print was scanned in 4K (4096 x 2970) using our Lasergraphics ScanStation film scanner, in April 2024.