precita.org

Resident's comments on Friday morning's shooting at 26th and Folsom

2008-08-22T14:54:00.001-07:00

There have been a couple interesting comments from local residents posted on SFGate in relation to their 2 sentence article about Friday (8/22/08 at 12:05am) morning's shooting at 26th and Folsom.

captian_maxxx posted a message on SFGate.com:

Last night at about 12:05 am I almost had a heart attack. The shooting was unbelievably loud and resounding followed by a calm and eerie silence. I thought at first it was more fireworks. I carefully peeked out the window scared to see and not see what was happening. The cops were there before anyone could call them. They were trying in vain to help the guy who was shot three times.

sf_mission_res posted a message on SFGate.com:

I live at 26th and Folsom and ran outside with my neighbor to speak with the police to find out what happened after hearing the gunshots. While pleasantly surprised that they showed up, they wouldn't even let us know that a shooting took place and yelled at us to leave the area. I politely pleaded that they provide us information since we were not only scared, our kids were freaking out. Refusing to leave until we got an answer, one of the officers started to push me and threatened to arrest me for standing on the street. So funny because there are no less than 100 undocumented "day laborers" and drunks on this corner every morning. And straight from the mouth of the Mission District captain at the police meetings I diligently attend "We can't arrest someone just for standing on the street or corner". I and the neighborhood groups I'm involved with, have been begging the city and police department to do something on this block, as it is out of control. So pathetic - so sad.

If you were an eyewitness to this event, or close by and have more to add, please leave a comment and let us know more!

Thursday night / Friday morning shooting at Folsom and 26th [Updated]

2008-08-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

Cbs5.com is reporting a shooting at Folsom and 26th, 12:05am Friday morning: "When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was taken to San Francisco General Hospital where he died"

UPDATE: SFgate is reporting that the victim was 47-year-old Samuel Mitchell of San Francisco, and that there have been no reports of an arrest.

26th Street is turning out to be a pretty unsafe street in the Mission. According the the SF Crime Blog, there have been five previous homicides on or near 26th in the last 18 months:

26th and Mission Streets, 11:35 p.m., January 7, 2008

South Van Ness Ave. between 25th and 26th Streets, 6:45 p.m., February 8, 2008

3000 block of Harrison Street (at 26th), 9:30 p.m., April 30th, 2008

Folsom and 25th Streets, October 11, 2007

26th and Harrison Streets, May 2, 2007

Oakes Children's center report

2008-08-21T18:28:00.001-07:00

[Thanks to MMC for this report!]

I attended the Oakes Children's Center Community meeting on August 15th, and I left with a very good impression of the program and the staff.

I was worried about what it would be like to have another school here again. The high school that was here last created some problems, specifically, crazy gridlock on Treat Avenue in the morning and afternoon when parents dropped off and picked up their kids and couldn't turn around on the street, and also a problem of trash and graffiti. The people that ran the school were very unresponsive.

The Oakes people seemed really nice and professional, and assured all the neighbors that attended that their door was always open to us for any questions or comments. They are very happy to be moving to an area with such nice weather after being in the Sunset. There were a couple of parents there and they were really happy with the school and the staff and told some touching stories about how Oakes has helped their kids.

Here are some more notes I took... but keep in mind these may not totally be accurate due to me trying to type and listen, so feel free to contact the school if you have any questions!

15 students total at present, up to 25 kids maybe in the future

aprox. 31 staff members

Kids always supervised.

Pick up/drop off: 4 buses a day, (2 morning, 2 evening) all kids ride buses, buses will offload on Folsom or drive through. Aides on the bus. Some small number of kids might come in the afternoon for counseling sessions.

Ages of kids: 5-14

Hours: Morning till around 6pm. No weekends, 11 months school.

Funding: by SF Deptartment of Public Health and SFUSD

They got a long lease

3 classes k-2, 3-4, 5-8

Referrals come from school district

Education and mental health services

They have after school groups (from other schools) "outpatient" therapy, group sessions, autistic or developmentally delayed, in a small van. 5 groups with 5 kids each.

They are happy to have people serve on their Board of Directors, and you do not need any special qualifications to serve.

Cesar Chavez Community Design Workshop

2008-08-19T16:32:00.001-07:00

The second installment of the Cesar Chavez Community Design Workshop happens this Tuesday, August 26, 6-7:30pm at Leonard Flynn Elementary School, 3125 Cesar Chavez Street.

Next week, please join us for the 2nd Cesar Chavez Street Design workshop. Staff will present two design alternatives for Cesar Chavez Street based on feedback from the first community workshop in May.

The project's goals are to:

Make Cesar Chavez Street a safer place for people by improving crossings, widening sidewalks, and enhancing lighting;

Redesign Cesar Chavez Street with high quality landscaping, gracious trees, pedestrian lighting, and other design treatments;

Reconnect the neighborhood by making Cesar Chavez Street a destination, rather than a divide;

Improve the area’s natural ecology by integrating stormwater design elements into the street;

Improve bicycle connections and safety in both directions;

Ensure that traffic doesn’t spill over into surrounding neighborhoods.

Attempted Armed Robbery Monday night? (Updated)

2008-08-13T15:40:00.000-07:00

From the Police Blotter:

August 11, 2008 Precita Ave. & Harrison St. Attempted Armed Robbery: Gun

A 21 year old Oakland man found himself surrounded by four men as he walked to his car [update: which was parked just west of the Leonard Flynn School on the north side of Precita -in the dark area under the trees]. One of the men demanded his cell phone and the man refused to surrender it. The victim was knocked to the ground and struck over the head with a handgun. The four fled without taking anything from the victim. The victim heard a shot fired as the perpetrators ran away.

It sounds like there is far more story to this "event" than is being posted in the police blotter. Anyone know more about what's going on here? It's also unclear of which side of the park this was on. If you noticed a group of four men loitering around the park, can you describe them? Please post a comment if you can.

Oakes Children's Center moving into old Immaculate Conception school building

2008-08-13T00:12:00.001-07:00

Flyers have been distributed in on Treat about the Oakes Children's Center, which is moving into 1550 Treat, the old Immaculate Conception School (which was formerly housing Metro Arts High School).

Some information on Oakes:

The mission of Oakes Children's Center is to help developmentally delayed and emotionally disturbed children develop the independence and self-awareness necessary to live and continue learning in the least restrictive setting possible within their local community.

Oakes will move into the new location on August 20th.

Their website has more information on services provided by Oakes Children's Center.

There will be a community meeting on Friday, August 15, from 4 to 5:30 PM at the school (1550 Treat) with representatives from San Francisco Department of Public Health and Oakes School staff to introduce the school and answer questions neighbors may have.

Unfortunately, this meeting happens during the time that many people are at work.

If you need more information, you can call 415 564-2310.

Park Sprinklers

2008-08-12T23:34:00.001-07:00

If you see the park sprinklers malfunctioning, that is, if they're going off in the middle of the day, or they're spraying out into the street, etc; please call 311 and report it.

We have found that 311 will act faster on issues reported by more than one person. It only takes a minute to call 311, and you can do so anonymously if you wish.

Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema in Precita Park, Sunday, August 31

2008-08-12T23:27:00.001-07:00

Once again, Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema will have a free screening in Precita Park on Sunday, August 31. Music in the Park begins at 5pm, and you'll have a chance to meet the filmmakers starting at 6pm.
The screening by Youth Filmworks begins at 7:30pm

A few more details:

Picnics are encouraged. No alcohol (or drugs). No barbecues please. Concessions including hot and cold beverages, snacks, desserts will be for sale at screening sites by our community partners.

Please help keep the screening areas and our neighborhood clean — we ask that you remove your own trash and utilize recycling containers located throughout the parks.

Bernal Heights Water Pipeline update

2008-08-05T14:49:00.000-07:00

Bernal Heights Pipeline - (Putnam, Nebraska, Powhattan, Alabama, Ripley Streets) Construction Update from

SFWATER.ORG:

Crews are currently are pressure testing the pipeline at Putnam, Nebraska and Powhattan. Upon passing all pressure tests crews will begin restoring the roadway. Crew are awaiting the arrival of the last pipe segment to complete the work at Alabama & Ripley. Some parking has been temporarily removed at Alabama & Ripley and traffic patterns have slightly changed. The storing of some materials and equipment is located at Powhattan & Nebraska and also at Bernal Heights Boulevard near Bradford Street.

Work Hours : Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The target completion date for this project is August 2008.

Construction on Nebraska street above Cortland:

Pipes waiting for installation on Ripley at Alabama:

Safeway on Mission Armed Robbery

2008-08-01T12:08:00.001-07:00

July 31st, 10:20 pm 3300 block of Mission St. Armed Robbery - Gun

A grocery store clerk found a 20 to 35 year old black male standing behind him with a gun in his hand demanding money from the clerk's register. The clerk complied and the robber fled on foot from the store. Inspector Boes from the Robbery Detail took over the case.

Home Burglary on Folsom near Bessie

2008-07-15T16:33:00.001-07:00

Residential Burglary on July 11th at between 8:40 and 9:15 am on the 3200 block of Folsom St. No forced entry. iPod and laptop computer taken.

Remember to keep all your doors and windows locked, even if you're just leaving your home for 20 minutes.

Car Break-ins on Precita

2008-07-15T16:30:00.001-07:00

Friday, July 11, 2008, 2:45 am Auto Burglary on the 300 block of Precita Ave.

A resident heard her car alarm and saw a man rummaging through her car's glovebox. The man ran away and a witness pointed out his escape route to Officer Anderson and Officer Finely. They detained a man in the Mission District but no one could identify him as the thief.

There have been other reports of car breakins in the neighborhood lately. Please be vigilant and don't leave stuff in your car that will make a thief think there is something in the car.

Solar Picnic in Precita Park

2008-06-30T22:17:00.001-07:00

Come join your neighbors for a picnic in the sun, Saturday, July 12th, from 11am - 1pm in Precita Park.

Learn how solar energy can be affordable for your home or business

SolarCity has been recommended by District 9 community groups as the neighborhood aggregate solar vendor. For every solar system we buy, SolarCity will donate part of the proceeds to the Neighborhood Parks Council to upgrade our parks.

Solar Picnic precita park
• Solar Power 101 – Q&A with SolarCity to learn how federal, state, and local
credits make solar more affordable than ever for San Francisco residents

• energy efficiency and solar panel information – Provided by The
SF Department of Environment

• Free children’s art activities – Provided by Precita Mural Arts Center

• Lunch – Provided by Charlie’s Cafe

Gunshots or Fireworks

2008-06-30T10:26:00.001-07:00

This close to 4th of July, it's hard to tell if it's gunshots or fireworks you're hearing.

Gunshots are usually fired in closer succession, often 1-2 shots per second.

Monday night mugging in the park

2008-06-27T15:05:00.001-07:00

This is extremely unacceptable. We cannot let Precita Park be infiltrated by violent criminals. Be vigilant and call 911 when you see suspicious activity in the park... SFPD appreciates our neighborhood help in keeping the park crime-free.

June 23rd, 10:55 pm Precita Park Armed Robbery

A 21 year old Bernal Heights man was set upon by four suspects as he walked by Precita Park. He resisted their efforts to rob him and one of the four struck him in the head with a pistol. The robbers fled with the man's belongings.

Remember: SFPD asks you to call 911 for any immediate threat to life or property. Don't hesitate. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Bike vs. Car on Precita causes hospitalization

2008-06-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

June 26th, 1:50 pm at Precita Ave & Alabama St. Car/Bike Collision

A 32 year old Bernal Heights bicyclist was hit by a car as she crossed the street. She was taken to San Francisco General Hospital for treatment.

Please be careful when driving down Precita. There are often children, pets, bike riders and more coming out of the park from between the parked cars, which are hard to see. This goes for non-drivers as well, do your part and don't rush into the street, it's often hard to see you because of all the parked cars.

Murder near Holly Park Circle and Newman

2008-06-27T14:17:00.000-07:00

Bernal Resident murdered near Holly Park Circle and Newman: William Amrull, a 50-year old man was "shot in the stomach and killed early Thursday [June 26th] around the corner from his home. Amrull's body was found shortly before 3 a.m. on the sidewalk near Holly Park Circle and Newman Street, near Holly Park."

If you're concerned about things like this, please contact Maya Dillard-Smith, of the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice. Maya.Smith@sfgov.org, 415-554-3297. Ms. Dillard-Smith was hired to coordinate the development of a violence prevention plan for the City and County of San Francisco, but this plan has been in the works since February and hasn't been released yet.

Armed pedestrian robbery at 10 pm last night

2008-06-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

Wed, Jun 25th, 10 pm at Cortland Ave. & Elsie St. : Armed Robbery - Shot Fired

A 40 year old Bernal Heights woman was walking on Cortland Avenue when a suspect tried to pull her purse from her. She resisted and the robber fired one shot from a handgun into the ground. The suspect pulled the bag from the victim and ran south on Elsie Street.

Neighbors: let's not let this kind of thing escalate into our neighborhood. Please contact contact Supervisor Ammiano online, or call his office at 554-5144 and tell him you're concerned about the rash of violent crime in Bernal. You can also email his office directly at Tom.Ammiano@sfgov.org.

Car break-ins on Treat

2008-06-20T22:29:00.000-07:00

Thursday night, June 19th, at about 12:30 am., a car parked on the 1500 block of Treat had the window smashed and a Palm Pilot was stolen from inside the car.

We also heard another car on Treat was broken into the same night, and an iPod was stolen, and yet another car had a CD player stolen from it.

The first break-in was reported to police, but it did not show up in the published police incident log.

CHP Enforcement in Ingleside District

2008-06-19T15:46:00.001-07:00

The California Highway Patrol will assist the San Francisco Police Department in traffic and law enforcement in the Ingleside Police District on Friday, June 20th. Operation Impact will deploy a significant visual police presence to engage in various traffic enforcement operations. Operation Impact is designed to reduce traffic violations and collisions and to provide additional police presence thereby increasing the safety of residents in the community.

Sorry about the downtime

2008-06-13T12:06:00.001-07:00

Precita.org was Offline from May 20th through June 5th due to an electrical fire and outage at our web hosting provider. We're back now, and will be getting caught up on posting stories in the next few days.

Runaway Crane crashes into car on Nevada above Cortland

2008-05-31T19:13:00.000-07:00

While this isn't exactly relevant to Precita Valley, it is on the path that many of us take to get to Cortland.

Here's the story: There has been this big crane (several of them) working on the replacement Bernal Heights Pipeline water line (a large high pressure water main feeding San Francisco) that runs up Putnam, Nebraska, Powhattan and then jogs to go through a tunnel under Bernal, coming out near Alabama and Ripley Streets on the North Side. This construction has been going on a long time, and is nearing completion, hopefully Aug 2008.

Early Satuday morning, around 7am or so, they began the process of moving a large crane that's been working on the Nevada side of the tunnel entrance, to position it on the other side, which required them to drive the crane down Nevada to Cortland, and then up Nebraska to get to the other side.

But during the process of moving it, the driver lost control and it started rolling down Nevada, crushing several cars, taking out a tree and telephone pole, but luckily stopped a few feet short of crashing into any homes.

There are some spectacular photos of the carnage here, and some thumbnails below:

Stolen car on Precita

2008-05-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

A Toyota Four Runner was stolen from Precita between Treat and Harrison, Sunday, May 25th, between the hours of 1-6 am.

UPDATE 3-Jun-08: The car was recovered in Redwood City, with beer bottles and sandwich wrappers in it, and gas tank empty.

Police Blotter

2008-05-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

9:30 am, 23 May 08 1600 block of Florida St.

Attempted Robbery. A 34 year old Bernal Heights man loaded his car for a trip and left the trunk open while retrieving more items. He returned to the car to find a thief carrying off a loaded cooler. The man confronted the thief, who threatened the man with a baseball bat. The man recovered his cooler and the thief fled in a van.

Note to neighbors: we've been getting reports of more aggressive behavior from the homeless/street people and scavengers. If you come across someone going through your garbage who acts in an aggressive nature, you should call 911 to report it.

Police Blotter for May 8th

2008-05-12T16:22:00.001-07:00

May 8th, 11:30 pm 300 block of Precita Ave.

A 25 year old Hunters Point man was held by neighbors after he crashed his car into two parked vehicles. The man was drunk and tried to walk away from the scene. Officer Cuenca and Officer Baldovino arrested the man for DUI. Case # 080484543