precita.org

Please join Precita Valley Neighbors at the childrens’ playground in Precita Park.  Spring is here!  We will be weeding and cleaning up Precita park, the childrens’ playground, and the Alabama/Precita triangle.  Bring gloves.  We will supply the tools and compost bags. 

Let’s make Precita park more beautiful!

Labels: Dog park, precita, Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

Meeting notes from Saturday, February 20th 2010 SUMMARY

David Robinson (285-5957) and Demece Garepis (641-0507) Co-Chairs. Email address changes to demecegarepis@yahoo.com

SUMMARY:

1. SFPD PVN Liasion: Sergeant Lynn O’Brien is our new SFPD group liaison.

2. PRECITA PARK AGGRESSIVE DOG REPORTING: Officers John Denny and Bruce Herndon strongly recommend anyone who has been a victim of aggressive or malicious dog behavior in Precita Park to please report. If you experience aggressive or menacing dog (on or off leash) behavior, if you ask, the dog owner by law must provide you their name, address, and dog vaccination record. Please report: 1) either by phone at 553.8090 or john.denny@sfgov.org. 2) Call Park Patrol Officer Marcus Santiago 242.6391. This is the best way to stop leash or unleashed dog aggression in the park.

3. NOISY CELL PHONE POLE AT ALABAMA/MULLEN: There is a large unattractive pole mounted boxes, as well as the cell antenna which has been mounted on a steel extension at the top of the pole. For further information we visited this internet site which maps cell towers throughout SanFrancisco http://www.city-data.com/towers/cell-San-Francisco-California.html Interestingly enough, there are maps of both 21 and 51 FCC registered cell tower locations in San Francisco, with numerous antenna and multiple frequencies. However the Mullen street location is not listed, nor mapped on this site. The site does note that not all towers must be registered in the FCC database, so the maps may not include all cell tower in the area. Then we consulted a more detailed listing of cell towers found at:http://sfocellsites.com/

The 5/25/09 map shows one tower on Mullen Street, which appears to be the only cell tower within Precita Valley. Other nearby cell towers appear to be located on taller buildings on Mission Street, and St. Luke's Hospital on C. Chavez. From our quick review of at this and other discussion sites, it's obvious that not all cell tower locations can be found in one central database. While this one is labeled "T-Mobile" the author has noted that ATT shares cell antenna at numerous T-Mobile locations. Our initial impression is that this tower is situated in a location that provides line-of-sight coverage for virtually all of Precita Valley, which is why it was probably placed on this pole. We assume the cell phone provider provides fees to PGE and/or the City to operate from this location and this fills an otherwise "gap" in their service area. There may be some viable alternatives to this tower, but would require further research and discussions with the mobile providers, as well as the City. There don't appear to be any cell towers at the top of the Hill, the existing antenna on top of Bernal Hill are microwave towers for transmission from downtown skyscrapers via Bernal, to relays further down the Peninsula on San Bruno mountain. It's conceivable that cellular antenna could be relocated there, but there would be significant costs of doing so. Another idea would be to perform a more detailed topographic survey of Precita Valley, with the goal of locating antenna location not immediately adjacent to private residences, such as Bernal Heights Boulevard. Finally, the recent complaints, and this discussion have focused on the aesthetics associated with the electrical distribution boxes and their placement on telephone poles immediately in front of homes. Further research and actual monitoring may be indicated regarding electromagnetic radiation, particularly for those residents closest to the antenna at the top of the phone pole on Mullen. Since the Mayor's office has taken a public interest in radiation emissions from cell phones, perhaps someone from his office could request a radiologic survey be performed by the City's Dept. of Public Health. These measurements should be performed within the homes of those individuals living closest to the source, that is, the floor of the closest home/apartment to the antenna at the top of the pole.



4. HIDDEN STOP SIGN: DPW has been notified about the Alabama stop sign obscured by large tree: request for tree pruning and moving sign closer to street curb.

5. There was a Peralta/Mullen Mini Park Clean Up– Saturday, February 27th.

6. PRECITA PARK MAJOR CLEAN UP: MARCH 6th SAT. 9AM-NOON - JOIN US!

Labels: Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

Saturday, February 20th, 9:30am – 10:30am
Charlie’s Café Folsom/Precita

1. Our new SFPD representative Sgt. Lynn O’Brien will discuss the uptick in crimes and how to watch for casing activities and prevent future crimes.

2. There have been more aggressive dog incidents in Precita Park. Sgts. John Denny and Bruce Herndon will advise us on how to prevent aggressive dog interactions in advance and how to report them.

3. Park Improvement Grant ideas for better Precita Park maintenance and use.

4. Mullen Street Cell Tower: What we can do to determine harm and push for solution.

5. MARCH 6th SAT. 9AM-NOON: BIG PRECITA PARK CLEAN UP – JOIN US!

Labels: Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

Notes from the Precita Valley Neighbors meeting on 9-Jan-10:

1. Sergeant Lynn O’Brien is our new SFPD group liaison.  She will cover our February 13th Meeting.

2. There have been more aggressive dog incidents in Precita Park.  Officer John Denny will talk about this in our February 13th Meeting.

3. Park Improvement Grant ideas for better Precita Park maintenance and use: discussion concerning a legal fenced dog run in Precita Park.  The group discussed whether an enclosed dog run area may be safer to contain (illegal) off leash dogs than the current undivided space between (illegal) off leash dogs and people.

4. Precita Park area Caesar Chavez and Bernal Traffic Calming updates will be presented by DPW and MTA.

5. Neighbors are working with 500 Precita owner to encourage organic food store.  Prior tenant’s liquor license is suspended and will not be renewed there.

6. Neighbors are working with an environmental consultant addressing antenna installation near Alabama/Mullen, which is very noisy and was put up without notification. (more info)

7. DPW has been notified about the Alabama stop sign obscured by large tree: request for tree pruning and moving sign closer to street curb.

8. PVN is in the process of working on permitting and maintaining plants inside the new pavers adjacent to Charlie’s Café.

Labels: Dog park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

Tmobile has installed a microcell on a PG&E utility poll at Mullen and Peralta. Most people notice it not so much because of the antenna at the top of the pole, but because of all the equipment that was mounted on the pole. And as the neighbors near it say, the noise from the cooling system for the electronics is really, really loud, and it's mounted on a pole less than 8 feet from the adjacent home's front door.

The neighbors also say that there was no advanced notice that this equipment would be installed, nor any information on who was installing it.

At least Tmobile did try to address appearance issues- the equipment is all painted the same color as the telephone pole and isn't a glaring grey box. But they should be required to make something that operates almost silently. We could understand if it was a very hot day that perhaps the fans might run more loudly; but after dark when it is 50 degrees out and the fans in it are blowing away loudly. And it's making this sound 24 hours a day.

From a design perspective, this is not called for.

Hopefully, Tmobile will deal with the issues of this installation.

Tmobile Microcell Noise Issues from Team Precita on Vimeo.

Labels: Planning, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn, Zoning

Precita Valley Neighbors Meeting
Saturday, January 9th, 9:30am – 10:30am
Charlie’s Café Folsom/Precita

AGENDA:
1. Our new SFPD representative will discuss the uptick in crimes and how to watch for casing activities and prevent future crimes.

2. There have been more aggressive dog incidents in Precita Park. Discussion will include a SFPD officer familiar these interactions and how to prevent them in advance.

3. Park Improvement Grant ideas for better Precita Park maintenance and use.

4. Precita Park area Ceasar Chavez Traffic Calming updates.

Labels: Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

This is the third vehicle break-in or robbery we've heard about in the last few weeks:

August 31st, 09:51 pm 1500 block Treat
Theft from Vehicle

Officer Sugitan and Officer Barajas responded to a report of an auto-boost. The suspect was gone when the police arrived. The witness told the officers that he came out of his house to find the suspect exiting a vehicle that had been broken into. The suspect fled the scene and the witness called the police. Case number 090897259.

Please be vigilant about strangers loitering around on your street. You do not need to confront them, but if you are visible, such as watering your plants in the front yard, it will deter them.

Labels: Car Break-ins, crime, Neighborhood Watch, police blotter, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

Monday, August 31, 2009 12:55 pm
500 block Precita (Between Alabama and Florida)

Burglary Officer Chan responded to a report of a burglary. The victim said that video game consoles and a digital camera had been stolen from a locked room. The suspect had broken a window on the door to gain entry. Case number 090895021.

Labels: crime, Neighborhood Watch, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

Rusty writes:

I accidentally left my car unlocked, parked in my driveway, Friday night. Sometime after 1am, a thief rifled through my glove box and center console, and stole my GPS and phone charger (which were inside the center console). The contents were thrown all over the car. The thief also took a case of Coca Cola that I had left in the rear of the car.

We've seen other broken glass on Precita around the park. Seems like our neighborhood is being targeted by thieves again, so be on the lookout and make sure your cars are locked!

Labels: car breakings, crime, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

8/15/09 3200 Folsom St (Between evening of the 14th and morning of the 15th)

Officer Chan responded to a report of a theft. The victim said that she parked her car in front of her house on the evening of 8/14/09. When she returned to he car the next morning, she found the car on a wooden block with both of its left wheels missing. Case number 090832813.

Labels: car breakings, crime, Neighborhood Watch, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

Vicky Walker from the Bernal History Project writes:

Help us celebrate neighborhood history at the Bernal Heights History Day!

It happens on Saturday, August 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Anthony Immaculate Conception School (299 Precita at Folsom), and is sponsored by Bernal History Project and Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Admission is free and open to all, but be aware that the school entrance is not fully ADA-accessible (there is one step leading to the hall). Parking is available but limited in the streets around Precita Park as well as in the schoolyard (via entrance on Shotwell Street), but we recommend public transport, as the event is likely to be well attended.

The schedule tentatively looks like this:

• Welcome and introduction from Bernal History Project and Friends of the SFPL, Bernal branch


• Short set by singer and storyteller Nancy Schimmel


• Slideshow and talk by Terry Milne of BHP on "Activism and Open Spaces," looking at the history and establishment of our parks, open spaces, and gardens


• Q&A -- bring your Bernal-related questions


• Refreshments and a short break, after which Nancy Schimmel will play another setSlideshow and talk by author and historian Peter Wiley on "The Brothers and Sisters of Mullen Avenue," detailing family, social, and political life on that street between 1968 and 1980


• "The Living History Panel of Distinguished Old-Timers," moderated by Peter Wiley. We are looking for volunteers. Longtime Bernal residents, or those who grew up here and would like to share their stories -- please let us know if you'd like to be part of the panel. All that's required is a willingness to talk!


• Short set by Bernal's one-woman-band Jackie Jones and her musical saw and tap-dancing cat


• Following the program, Terry Milne of BHP will lead a History Walk of Precita Valley. Note: The walk does not include steep hills.

We'll have all our usual displays, posters, and scrapbooks, and BHP volunteers will be available to help with genealogical and historical research.

There will also be a raffle (proceeds benefit the Bernal Heights Library Campaign and the Bernal History Project) with lots of interesting Bernal-related prizes, including framed prints and local history books.

Bring your photos and family stories to share. We'll have a digital scanner on hand to copy your pictures and letters. Let us know if you want to be part of the Bernal Heights Archive, to be housed by the Bernal branch library (reopening in early 2010).

We look forward to seeing you at History Day!

Labels: News, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

The Precita Valley Neighbors Monthly Meeting will take place this Saturday, August 8th, 9:30am – 10:30am at
Charlie’s Deli, 3202 Folsom Street (at Precita).

AGENDA:

1. Ingleside Station PVN rep will report the rash of Precita crime and the community patrol officers for our area.

2. Weeding Childrens’ Playground – bring trowels and hand shovels – we’ll walk down there after the meeting

Labels: crime, precita, Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

Saturday, June 27th

12:10 am Robbery in Precita Park (Late Friday Night/ Saturday AM)

Officer Chan responded to a call of a street robbery with a handgun. Two victims were walking through Precita Park when they were approached by three male suspects. One suspect pulled up his shirt and displayed a handgun in his waistband. Another suspect patted down the two victims and took U.S. currency. SFPD Case #090657417

Another incident from the police blotter:

3:21 am
Vandalism on 100 block Ripley St.

Officer Chan prepared a report of an unknown suspect breaking a residential window. Case # 090657837.

6:50 pm 1500 block Hampshire St. (between Chavez and Peralta, on the edge of Precita Valley)
Robbery with Force

Officer Dominguez was dispatched to check on the welfare of a male subject lying on the ground. He met with the victim, who stated that three male suspects beat him and robbed him of his wallet. Case # 090656710.

Labels: crime, Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

Demece writes:

• We were highly impressed with our new Ingleside Commanding Officer David Lazar and with Mike Farrah from the Mayor’s Office. We also want to thank Adam Gubser, Northwest Bernal Traffic Calming Planner at the SF Metropolitan Transit Agency for his update.
  Just a short background on Captain Lazar: He used to be an officer at Ingleside and wash the Police Departments’ Liaison with Homeless Connect: he is fully experienced in the social service deliveries of the city, and how the Police Department actively engages with people in need.  He also fought for and won a Crime Analyst for the Ingleside – our 5th Lieutenant who is in charge of the overall analysis of crime occurrence.  No other station has the combination of social services and crime analysis, and we have the second largest precinct in the city.  Here is the summary of the Ingleside Staffing:
  
  There are now 122 police officers, 17 Sergeants, and 5 Lieutenants.
  
  This is more staffing than at any other time of the Ingleside Station.  Ingleside Station is now fully staffed.
   


• Ingleside Station is now implementing its strategic plan.  In Phase I Implementation, Ingleside is considering 3 major factors in working with the community: Efficiency of Response, Problem Solving of Crime Issues, and Community Engagement.  In the Community Engagement section, as of April 18th, Ingleside Station is starting an infrastructure and community implementation plan.  Simply put, the station is focused on 1) creating community engagement and problem solving 2) crime analysis which can guide enforcement strategy 3) real-time crime descriptions 4) implementation of a 5th Lieutenant as Crime Analyst who serves who directs the Resource Unit, which is made up of the School, Foot patrols, and Park Patrol sectors. Captain Lazar holds problem-solving meetings with the Resource Unit and his 5 Lieutenants weekly.
  


• Please fill out the community survey attached.  This will clearly give the Station Lieutenants feedback on what type of hot spots we have typically encountered and they can better proactively deploy resource forces. The attached pdf file text is in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
  


• Precita Valley Neighbors Meeting representative from Ingleside Station will be Sergeant Michael Redmond until he gets promoted.!:)  He or is delegate will report to all our meetings and work with us directly.
  


• Captain Lazatta coordinates the Neighborhood Watch Groups.
  


• Precita Valley Neighbors requested and received a Bike Beat: The Bike Beat officers are Officers Preston, Wilson Lewis, and Cvetovac.  Give a big shout out to them, they are community resource officers equipped to handle and provide a wide range of community service information. 
  


• Operations Outreach Officers Najarro and McCarthy are actively working with the few homeless in Precita Park to link them into housing and services.
  


• Commanding Officer David Lazar asks all residents who walk and listen to music to swap their white earplugs with a different color earplug.  This way your mp3s or ipods won’t be as easily stolen and you wont be an easy target for a minor robbery.
  


• Precita Valley Neighbors will put up a sign in the Children’s’ Playground with a complete list of playground safety rules (No Loitering, No Smoking, Adults must be Accompanied with Children, etc. similar to the McKinley School Playground sign) this month.
  


• Precita Valley Neighbors has formally requested the soon to reopen Rite Way Market to not sell alcohol after midnight.
  


• Northwest Bernal Traffic Calming Update:
  
  Adam Gubser submitted a work order to re-stripe the intersection of Coso, Bonview, and Stoneman.  Stoneman/Manchester/Shotwell neighbors may want to discuss how to configure parking and/or median tree planting at Stoneman/Folsom to calm traffic.  Please email Adam Gubser directly at Adam.Gubser@sfmta.org to set up a meeting.  Thank you Adam!
  


Labels: crime, gangs, Neighborhood Watch, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn, traffic calming



# posted by Editor @ 6/20/2009 02:50:00 PM 0 comments

Friday, 10:05pm Precita/Treat Ave - Robbery with a Gun

While walking in the above area, victim was approached by four male subjects (description of clothes, hair color, and race not released by SFPD). One of the subjects pulled out a revolver and demanded the victim's property. Victim lost his coat, ipod, headphones, and keys. Case#090562606.

Friday, 12:55am Alabama/Precita Ave - Robbery with a Gun

Vicitm stated he was approached from behind by male subject holding a handgun. The subject fled on foot with victim's wallet, cellphone, and money. Case#090559910.

Labels: crime, police blotter, Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

In a response to neighborhood complaints of traffic and pedestrian hazards at Precita and Alabama, the SF Planning Department has told us that the City will realign the crosswalk and stop signs at the south end of Precita and Alabama to maximize visibility.

Labels: Planning, Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn, traffic calming

Treat Avenue residents are up in arms about a rash of DPT ticketing Saturday (1/31/09) on their street.

While Treat Ave does have some significant parking and traffic issues (many due to the fact that it is a narrow dead end street with no turn around), Saturday's ticketing was all about what one person called "petty technicalities that wasn't harming anyone".
What we know is that at 8am Saturday morning, DPT cited over 10 cars on one block for being parked the wrong direction on the street. Because there were no apparent safety issues, many people felt this was a "revenue action" on the part of DPT. People have stated that because it was the last day of the month, that DPT may be trying to reach revenue quotas. (We're trying to contact DPT to find out more about this.)

One neighbor has left signs around asking people to complain about this by emailing Supervisor Campos' office.

Here's a letter that's been posted on the street from Barbara:



Other parking issues have been double-parking and blocking the sidewalk. DPT has repeatedly ticketing the "Tiger Beer" Bajaj Scooter Pickup (which is a motorcycle under California law) for parking on the sidewalk in front of the owner's house; and ticketing of other cars for protruding onto the sidewalk from their driveways.

Many residents have professed that protruding onto the sidewalk is acceptable if it does not interfere with with pedestrians. While some residents do park in a way that impedes the pedestrian right-of-way, those are rarely ticketed.

Double parking is a more-mixed issue. Treat is a narrow street, and sometimes double-parkers make it impossible for wide vehicle (and delivery trucks) to safely pass by them. Other times double parking makes it hard for other residents to get out of their driveways.

What do you think? Leave us a comment!

[UPDATE: this is happening in Sunnyside, Glen Park and other parts of Bernal Heights as well. DPT needs the revenue!]

Labels: Neighborhood Watch, News, parking, precita valley neighboars, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

Precita Valley Neighbors Meeting

Saturday, January 31st, 10am – 11:00am

Charlie’s Deli, 3202 Folsom Street -Folsom at Precita


This is a special continuation meeting from last weeks meeting, focusing on issues on Stoneman (neighbors want stop signs, SF traffic engineering wants bulb-outs and speed bumps):

AGENDA:

I. Stoneman Traffic Calming – Stoneman Neighbors discuss how to curb traffic speeds

II. NW Bernal Traffic Calming Requests Updates

Labels: Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn, traffic calming

There has been some strong neighborhood opposition to a building permit for a restaurant at Harrison and Precita. There has also been some support for a restaurant, so this was a lively topic at the Precita Valley Neighbors meeting last Saturday.

We were brought up to date with the history of this property: about 35 years ago, the ground floor was used as a small store, but for the last 35 years it has been used as a residence by artists Susan Cervantes (of Precita Eyes) and her late husband. The property was not used as a gallery, as alleged by the current property owners, and therefore should not be considered a commercially zoned space. (Someone stated that Cervantes never even took part in Open Studios, but the location is listed in the October 2006 Open Studio guide. [pdf]) Cervantes was evicted in 2005, and eventually came to a settlement with the building owner.

Several immediate neighbors have expressed concerns about increased traffic, parking issues as well as problems from rodents, smells and fire dangers to the surrounding homes. Others are upset at the processes the owner of the building has used to

One of the neighbors that lives one door down from the location stated that she's not opposed to having a restaurant there, but "It's chinese food, it's all fried, which is different than having a sandwich shop." This offended one of the attendees who then walked out of the meeting, saying he would vote for the restaurant just because of her statement. She then clarified and said "We don't know enough about what they're planning on putting in there to make a judgement."

After a heated discussion, it was moved that "The organization [PVN] object to the application as filed because it falsely states that the proposed restaurant space is a commercial use where as it has in fact been residential for more than 30 years, and therefore any commercial use would require rezoning." A majority of the attendees supported this.

There was much more to discuss and time had run out, so it was suggested that a second meeting happen next week to discuss the issues of traffic calming on Stoneman more.

Labels: construction, parking, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn, Zoning

At least 25 people showed up for the PVN meeting last Saturday.



Andreas Power from the San Francisco Planning Department spoke at the PVN meeting about the Cesar Chavez improvements. There have been many ongoing workshops with the extended community, and a final design has been chosen.

The features will include:

• 14’ planted median


• Regular spacing of trees on median and sidewalks. As well as the purely aesthetic and environmental benefits, trees along roads are proven to slow down traffic.


• Corner bulb extensions at most intersections increase visibility an provide a shorter street crossing distance for pedestrians.


• Pedestrian refuge areas halfway through cross-walk in the median (a safe place for a pedestrian to stop who is unable to cross the entire street in the time available)


• Pedestrian lighting


• Bike lanes


• 4 lanes of traffic with turning pockets at Bryant, Folsom and Mission


• Stormwater planters, designed to catch street runoff and not funnel all the water into the City's storm drain system

One of the issues that has come up is the removal of the left turns on Alabama and Harrison. Some neighbors are concerned that this will put more traffic onto Precita for the people who want to get to Harrison or Alabama, but other thought that drivers would just make a U-turn at the streets where permitted.

The Planning Department cited a traffic study they did that counted traffic flows and turns, and found out that a very small number of cars turn left on Alabama or Harrison, and they believe that this will cause very minimal disruption.

One other issue had come up: while funds had been set aside for this project, the State budget crisis is impacting its progress. However, there is also belief that Federal Stimulus funds will be available to fund the project in the near future.

Labels: Cesar Chavez, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn, traffic calming

Please attend the meeting of Precita Valley Neighbors this Saturday at 10am, at Charlie's Deli on Folsom and Precita.

Two important issues will be covered:

Restaurant at Harrison and Precita- a building permit has been granted for a restaurant at Harrison and Precita (398 Precita / 3200 Harrison). Several neighbors are opposed to this, others support development of this site, which is currently a blight on the neighborhood. Please come to discuss the ramifications of a restaurant here.

Stoneman Traffic Calming- there are concerns that there is traffic traveling much too fast down Stoneman, and neighbors will discuss methods to slow down traffic while not impacting available parking on the street.

Also:

Andres Power, Cesar Chavez Street Traffic Planner from the SF Planning Department will present the most current design of Cesar Chavez. There has been neighborhood concern that adding bike lanes and reducing traffic lanes will force more traffic onto Precita.

Demece Garepis will give an update on "Solar Panel District 9 Aggregate Organizing Results" and PVN's plans for the Community Matching Funds for installation of solar panels in Precita Park Children’s Playground.

Precita Valley Neighbors Monthly Meeting
Saturday, January 24th, 10am – 11:00am at the
Charlie’s Deli
3202 Folsom Street -Folsom at Precita

Labels: construction, parking, Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn, real estate, traffic calming, Zoning

This was posted in several locations on Treat Ave. It points out a growing issue with parking in the neighborhood.

Neighborhood watch meetings have suggested calling 311 to report cars that are not recognized and have been parked in the same place for more than 5 days, as they may have been stolen. But there can be negative repercussions when a neighbor who is on vacation leaves their car on the street for a week and it gets towed.



There are also problems of people double parking on Precita and blocking the full street; people visiting Precita park and parking in a manner that blocks driveways on Treat and Harrison (because they think their car is much smaller than it really is), etc. Not to mention construction vehicles that double park or block driveways.

Harrison, Norwich and Treat also have some special issues because there is no weekly street cleaning which tends to clear out cars that have been left in the same place for over a week.

What do you think should be done? Have you had issues with DPT ticketing or towing your car? What should be done about it? Please click on the comments link below, you can comment Anonymously if you wish.

Labels: Neighborhood Watch, parking, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

September 17th, 6:10 pm

Residential Burglary
500 block of Precita Ave.

Occurred between 3:30 and 5:45 pm. Forced entry via back door. Jewelry, computer, and camera taken.

Labels: crime, police blotter, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

[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.
  

Labels: News, precita valley neighboars, pvn

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.

Labels: parking, Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn, traffic calming, trees

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.

Labels: News, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

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

Labels: Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

Suspects in the recent rash of street robberies are in custody. The SFPD is asking that victims of robberies, or witnessed a robbery & can identify the suspects, please contact Inspector Danker at 553-9256.

The police & the DA need the cooperation of the community to keep dangerous criminals off the street. If you or someone you know is the victim of a crime please report it & give us the tools we need to make this a safer place to live, work, & grow.

Once again, regarding the robbery suspects, contact Inspector Danker at 415 553-9256.

Labels: crime, Neighborhood Watch, police blotter, Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

NEXT MEETING 10:00 AM SATURDAY MAY 10th – CHARLIES’S CAFÉ AT PRECITA/FOLSOM

David Robinson (285-5957) and Demece Garepis (641-0507) Co-Chairs.

AGENDA

1. John Miller, Disctrict 9 Supervisor at the Recreation and Parks Dept., has provided carpentry staff to replace the broken planks in the Childrens’ Playground, and has utilized Urban Forestry to remove the stumps in Precita Park. He will also be using the gardeners to complete the crab grass removal job we did last month in the Childrens’ Playground. The crab grass was eroding the black pads in the Playground.

2. Precita Area Crime Update and Bernal Wide Update – great response from the Ingleside Station – thanks Captain O’Leary and officers, the suspects have been caught regarding the recent chain of robberies and muggings in Glen Park/Bernal areas.

3. The Solar Picnic is delayed until the final approval is made for local San Francisco solar panel rebates. The local rebate, already funded through PG&E via the SFPUC, is clearing an approval process through the Board of Supervisors.

Labels: Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

SFGATE: Chain store allowed to move into vacant Mission District space:

"The paint store's application for a permit to open at that location, which owners sought after closing a store on Market Street, had been denied by the city's Planning Commission. The supervisors' vote overturned that decision.


In changing the commission's ruling, the supervisors also mandated that the paint store comply with a noise ordinance in the area, not allow delivery trucks to idle and plant trees and shrubs outside the business."

(Via SF Gate.)

We spoke with Supervisor Tom Ammiano's office this morning and they said that they had received a large number of calls about the hearing; and that they were pretty evenly split between those wanting a "upscale grocery store" at that location, and others supporting the paint store.

While it would be great to have a store like Rainbow, Good Life, Bi Rite or Canyon Market at that location; there have been no plans presented by any grocers to build a store at that location.

At a minimum, it will be good to have a non-vacant building at the location, as vacant buildings attract crime.

Labels: News, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn, real estate

From the police blotter: good news: they caught the guys. Bad news, some innocent bystander's van got shot up.

4:15 pm Cesar Chavez and Bryant Streets

Ingleside and Mission Station officers responded to the neighborhood on the call of shots fired. Citizens reported seeing a gunman firing shots from an SUV. The investigation brought officers to the first block of Gold Mine Drive in the Diamond Heights neighborhood. There the officers found a handgun and ammunition. Three males: a 19 year old from the Mission District, another 19 year from Diamond Heights, and a 17 year old from the mid-Market Street neighborhood, were arrested for aggravated assault and gang charges.

Labels: crime, gang, gangs, police blotter, precita, Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

Saturday, March 8th, 10am – 11:00am at the
Charlie’s Deli, 3202 Folsom Street -Folsom at Precita
 
David Robinson (415 285-5957) and Demece Garepis (415 641-0507) Co-Chairs.
 

AGENDA

I.              Talk to David Alumbaugh, the Planning Dept’s Cesar Chavez Traffic Calming Planner: Opposition to ICI Paintstore Commercial Lease at (old Hollywood Video store) 1575 South Van Ness at Chavez: Tell Mr. Alumbaugh we oppose a paint store serving commercial contractors in the middle of a residential neighborhood because it is incompatible with the existing neighborhood traffic flow.  Please email your concerns to Diego Sanchez, Planning Dept. Project Manager, at diego.sanchez(at)sfgov(dot)org by this Wednesday.
 
II.            Precita Area Crime Update – great response from the Ingleside Station – thanks Captain O’Leary and officers!
 
III.          Solar Picnic May 10th from 10-3pm in Precita Park.  Details and marketing – help plan SF’s first Green Event!

IV.          Precita Park Dog Run contacts/ideas, miscellaneous.

Labels: Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

# posted by Editor @ 3/03/2008 10:02:00 PM 1 comments

There is a neighboorhood watch for the 300 Block of Precita Avenue and the 1500 and 1600 Blocks of Treat Ave on Thursday, March 6 at 6:30 at Mona Tong's office, 326 Precita Ave.

This is our 4th meeting!

The purpose of this meeting is to join other neighbors in helping to reduce crime and improve quality of life issues in the immediate neighborhood.

We will be welcoming Captain O'Leary, the new Captain from Ingleside Station.

Please join us and invite others to help get this group underway.

Thursday, March 6 at 6:30pm SHARP at Mona Tong's office, 326 Precita Ave. The meeting will last 1 hour.

Labels: Neighborhood Watch, Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn

Precita Valley Neighbors meets 2nd Saturdays, 10 am to 11 am At Charlie’s Deli (Precita/Folsom)
CONTACTS: PVN Co-Chairpersons are David Robinson (285-5957), Gary Richmond (641-0115) and Demece Garepis (641-0507).

Feb 10th Meeting Report: (10 people Present)

TRAFFIC CALMING

Report of meeting with leadership of Cesar Chavez Puede, re: a bigger area-wide traffic study. David Robinson and Demece Garepis met with leader Fran Taylor. Judge has ordered a professional environmental study, which will result in a slower timeline. PVN and CCP will jointly support and work on this broader study, which will now include 25, 26, and Precita streets.
The talk with Adam Gubser, Bernal Area Traffic Planner was postponed. Reimbursement will be made if there are pocket expenses by the "Butterfly Garden Planter" (?)

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PROPERTY (Metro Arts School)

A probable sale of property by the Catholic Diocese for development of housing - likely condos. A Bernal Heights delegation may attempt to change the church’s mind and consider NON-PROFIT AFFORDABLE housing units. Current occupant, Metro High School vacates in the summer.

NEIGHBORHOOD BREAK-INS

SF police have said that home break-ins are usually "daytime" and through "open back doors". Car stealing rates have risen.

SOLAR-POWER DISCUSSION POSTPONED

Bruno DeMartis is a neighbor and a Solar Power Consultant, who was going to speak with us on how we can organize a bulk solar panel purchase and installation – greatly reducing individual homeowner costs. INFO: Email and Web.

SF PARKS TRUST:

PVN hasa little money in its 501c3 account, received in the past from different park awards. The San Francisco Parks Trust, has, in the past, offered its direct support for Music in the Park, Butterfly Garden, Work Days, etc. Now our account now has been moved from former host Bernal Community Center to current host SF Parks Trust, which offers more services and free activity Insurance.

FESTIVAL IN THE PARK:

The planning is about to begin for a neighborhood mid- September Friday or Saturday event. Want to work on this? Contact: drinsf@pacbell.net

GRAY HORNED OWLS:

A pair has been spotted, by different people at different times, living on the hill!

GARBAGE BINS / STORE HOURS

Some Garbage Bins are not being put back off the street after the garbage collection. It has become both a public health, and beautification problem. Also, the current Park Bins, especially in the playground area, overflow almost every week, especially on the weekend.

One store in the whole Bern al Heights area (Alabama and Precita) is open each morning until 2:00 am. The rest close at midnight, as do all the Mission Precinct similar stores. This attracts loitering, drug deal galore, noise, and other neighborhood detractors. A delegation is going to go talk with Supervisor Ammianno, asking his help in getting some help in dealing with the issue.

Labels: Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn