The handrail on 48th Avenue at Balboa. The circled area is where a portion was sawed off on Thursday afternoon.

In May of last year, after urging from residents and Supervisor Eric Mar, the DPW installed a new handrail alongside some very steep stairs on 48th Avenue at Balboa.

The railing had been wiped out by a truck with runaway brakes a few years back. After an elderly resident fell and injured herself on the hill, neighbor Gabriel Lampert went on a personal crusade to get the handrail replaced. With help from Supervisor Mar’s office, the DPW stepped up and replaced it.

But as they say, no good deed goes unpunished. Gabriel returned home on Thursday afternoon to find that a portion of the handrail had been sawed off by vandals.

“Skateboarders had been out here often mumbling to themselves that the segment impeded their best jumps, so I’m guessing that’s who did this,” Gabriel told us.

The vandals removed the top portion of the longest stretch of the handrail.

Certainly not the crime of the century, but a shame to see something that many worked hard on be so carelessly vandalized.

Sarah B.

Patient, hungry patrons look on as the staff at Good Luck Dim Sum on Clement replenishes. Photo by Cameron Wu.

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of January 27, 2012. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN ERIC VINTERO’S MESSAGE
Traffic Concerns
Traffic safety is a very high priority for the Officers at Richmond Station. I value all of the e-mails regarding locations in the District where individuals are violating traffic laws, and I take your concerns very seriously. We have experienced several serious traffic collisions this week, especially on Fulton Street . Officers are deployed to locations around the district based on the analysis of motor vehicle collision data and community input. This week I analyzed the data for over 300 traffic accidents which occurred in 2011. The three main corridors where accidents occurred were:

1) Geary Boulevard
2) Fulton Street
3) Park Presidio Boulevard

The primary collision factor for the majority of these accidents was unsafe speed (speeding).

Yesterday, Officers at Richmond Station conducted a pedestrian decoy operation at Fulton and 37th Avenue and Geary Boulevard @ 22nd Avenue . 35 citations were issued to drivers who failed to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. There were two arrests for persons driving on a suspended license. In addition, radar speed trailers have been strategically placed on Fulton Avenue and on Point Lobos Ave. Richmond Station Officers will continue to conduct weekly pedestrian and radar sting operations at various problematic locations in an effort to reduce collisions and improve community safety. Please drive carefully and be mindful of all traffic control devices, speed limits, and of pedestrians and bicyclists on the roadways. With the rainy season finally here, it’s also a good time to conduct a vehicle light and safety inspection. Please ensure that all of your vehicle lights are in proper working order, tires have proper tread, and that the windshield wipers are not worn out. All of these factors make your vehicle more noticeable and improve your safety on the road.

The next Richmond District community meeting will be held at Richmond Station on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 7pm.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 01/23 at 11:15am, plainclothes officers were in the area of 38th and Geary Bl when they observed a male from
previous arrests and knew he was on probation. The officers stopped to speak to him and conduct a probation search. In the suspect’s backpack they found a computer monitor and 2 video surveillance cameras. They also located a large amount of methamphetamine. The 38 year old male was charged with probation and narcotics violations.

On 01/25 at 12:50am, officers were in the area of 38th Ave and Fulton and observed a vehicle traveling east on
Fulton . As the officers turned onto Fulton from 38th Ave , the vehicle made an abrupt left turn onto 35th without signaling. The officers conducted a traffic stop and the driver of the vehicle immediately exited saying he was lost. When the officer asked the driver to sit, the driver began to walk away while removing his jacket. The officers detained the male and had the female passenger exit the vehicle. The officer illuminated the interior of the vehicle and saw a large Ziploc baggie containing a large amount of cocaine, packaged for sales and cash. The 27 year old male was charged with various narcotic violations.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
Between 01/22, 10:15am and 01/23, 7am on the 5900 block of California St, a suspect entered a rear garden area and entered an unlocked storage area. The suspect attempted to gain access into a locked container but was unsuccessful. The suspect then entered the rear of the business by a side door. The suspect opened the cash register but there was no money inside.

Between 01/22, 8pm and 01/23, 7:30am on the 2000 block of Baker, a suspect gained entry into a garage and took 2 bicycles. The garage door may have been malfunctioning.

Between 01/23, 11pm and 01/24, 9am on the 3500 block of Balboa, a suspect gained entry into a restaurant by smashing the glass panel on the front door. The suspect took cash from the register.

On 01/24 at 10am, 3 female suspects entered a clothing store all carrying bags. They stuffed the bags with clothes from the racks and ran out the door. The suspects were described as females in their early 20’s, one wearing a purple knit hat and one with a hooded black windbreaker with the interior lining of the hood being white.

On 01/25 at 4:35am, a male was walking by the bus stop on Fulton near 16th Ave. He observed what he believed marijuana inside a torn garbage bag on the sidewalk. The officers responded and located the bag and estimated the weight to be about two pounds. The marijuana was sent to the lab for destruction.

On 01/25, between 8:30am and 9:30pm on the 2900 block of California St, a suspect gained entry into an apartment by forcing open a rear door. The suspect took jewelry and two laptops,

On 01/26 at 12:30am, a caller was reporting that he had observed a female spray painting the side of a truck. The caller heard the sound of a spray can being shaken and saw the suspect standing with another male. The caller asked the woman if she had a spray can and she said “no.” They both walked away and the caller then observed her spraying the side of a truck. The caller stopped her and called the police. The 18 year old was charged with vandalism and possession of graffiti tools.

Got room in your home for a new family member?

This Saturday from 11am until 2pm, Cal’s Pet Supply (California & 22nd Avenue) is hosting a SF SPCA Pet Adoption Event featuring cats and dogs.

They held their last event in September where they found homes for all the animals that were available for adoption.

And if you do find that special cat or dog to take home, stocking up on supplies won’t be too hard on your wallet. Cal’s will give a one-time, 10% discount on any purchases to those lucky new pet owners who adopt during the drive.

Sarah B.

Photo by Elijah Ellis

• Free adult classes start at the Richmond Village Beacon on January 30th. Ballroom dance, yoga, tai chi, knitting, computers and English (ESL) instruction – all free! View class schedule
• Kisha Studio (210 Clement) has a spring sale event this Saturday. Free champagne, and hair mini makeover sessions from 1-5pm (call 422-0468 for an appt). Plus 10% off any purchase when you mention the Richmond Blog.
• Supervisor Mar’s latest resolution to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday was about the Grammy Awards and their limited selection of musical genres. No word yet on the Board’s reaction.
• SFCitizen reports that there will be a public meeting on January 26 about the remodel of the Stow Lake Boathouse. Hall of Flowers, 7pm.
• SF Rec & Park is planning a free tribute concert to Warren Hellman on February 19 from 11am until 5pm. Location will be either Hellman Hollow or Ocean Beach parking lots, depending on the weather. Organizers also hope to stream it live online.
• Feeling lucky? Enter to win a Green Apple $20 gift card from FunCheapSF.

Last night, the Entertainment Commission met to review the request for an after-hours permit for the Jack in the Box restaurant on Geary at 11th Avenue. The restaurant had been forced to close from 2am until 6am after it was discovered last December that they did not have the proper permit.

At the meeting, the Entertainment Commission voted to grant the after-hours permit to Jack in the Box, but with conditions. The restaurant must close between the hours of 4am until 6am. However they can stay open from 2am until 4am – key hours for the restaurant as patrons empty out of nearby bars and head to Jack in the Box for late night dining.

Leading up to the decision, residents were circulating a petition urging the city to not allow Jack in the Box to stay open from 2am until 4am. At last night’s meeting, Supervisor Eric Mar supported this same strategy. Two nearby bar owners also supported the restaurant being closed after-hours.

But despite the petition’s 1,500 signatures, and recommendations from Supervisor Mar and business owners, it was not enough to sway the Entertainment Commission. They voted to allow the restaurant to stay open exactly during the hours that the opposition pushed for it to be closed.

At a community meeting last Friday, SFPD also expressed support for the restaurant to remain open 24 hours, despite police calls from the business being down since they reduced their hours in early December.

At last night’s meeting, one Commissioner cited the need for drunk people to have a place to sober up as a good reason to allow the restaurant to operate after-hours.

“It’s very important that we have food [available late at night]; it helps people not be as drunk,” said Commissioner Audrey Joseph. [SF Examiner]

It may also be a little cleaner around Jack in the Box too. The Entertainment Commission said that staff are required to clean up any litter within 50 feet of the restaurant.

It looks like Jack’s neon “OPEN 24 HOURS” sign in the window will have to stay dark. But after hours diners will have a place to get burgers, fries and real ice cream shakes between 2am and 4am in the Richmond District.

Sarah B.

The Richmond District is bordered on each side by large parks – the Presidio and Golden Gate Park – both of which have their own budding populations of feral cats. Some of them may be visitors to your property on occasion, looking for a little food and affection.

Next Tuesday night, the Richmond District branch library will host a free workshop on “Community Cats”. The program is put on by the Community Cares Department of the San Francisco SPCA.

Come to the workshop to learn more about San Francisco’s community cats, how Trap Neuter Return (TNR) programs can be successful in your neighborhood, and how you can get involved in helping the feral cats in our neighborhood.

The free workshop takes place on Tuesday, January 31 from 6pm until 8pm at the Richmond Library (351 9th Avenue).

Sarah B.

Residents met with police and city officials on January 20th about the Jack in the Box
after hours permit request. Photo by David H.

Last Friday afternoon, the Richmond District police station hosted a community meeting about the Jack in the Box restaurant on Geary at 11th Avenue. At tomorrow’s Entertainment Commission meeting, the restaurant will be asking for their after-hours permit to be renewed, allowing them to remain open between the hours of 2am and 6am.

About ten neighbors attended the meeting, along with owners of two local bars – The Hearth and Would You Believe? – that are located just across the street from the restaurant. Others in attendance included new Richmond District station Captain Eric Vintero, two members of the Entertainment Commission, a representative from Jack in the Box, and Supervisor Eric Mar, who led the meeting.

Up for discussion was whether or not Jack in the Box should be permitted to stay open 24 hours. A fight began early on Thanksgiving morning in the restaurant, which then led to a brutal hit-n-run crime a couple of blocks away. After the incident, the city took a closer look at the restaurant and realized it no longer had the proper permits to operate after hours. So since early December, the Jack in the Box has been closed between 2am and 6am.

Neighbors who live nearby say it’s been a great improvement since the restaurant reduced its hours. There’s been less noise and a general sense of feeling safer.

“People have said for years it’s been like an alarm clock at 2 a.m.,” Lee said. “Now we can sleep through the night, and we feel safer to be shopping and walking around. It has transformed our neighborhood immediately around Jack in the Box, and we are here to fight to keep it this way,” resident David Lee told The Examiner.

The Examiner reports that police calls are down. The SFPD has received only 3 calls in the 7 weeks since Jack in the Box reduced their hours. In the months prior, when the restaurant was open 24/7, they were averaging 7 calls a month; a total of 270 calls in 2010. The majority of those occurred between 9pm and 4am.

While many residents are opposed to Jack in the Box being granted an after-hours permit, the SFPD are not. At the meeting, the police said they supported Jack in the Box being open 24 hours a day, with the stipulation that they increase their security.

Last year, the manager at the Jack in the Box worked with the Richmond Police Advisory Board and SAFE to make security improvements to the property, including improved lighting, adding security guards on Thursday through Saturday nights, and trimming overgrown landscaping.

Things seemed to be improving after the security changes, but the Thanksgiving day incident brought a high-powered microscope over the restaurant, one of only two businesses in the Richmond District that is open 24 hours a day.

The other is the Subway sandwich shop (5650 Geary at 21st Avenue) which, as it turns out, also does not have the proper permits to stay open after hours. The city is working to get them in to compliance. At last Friday’s meeting, Clement Street’s Rockit Room was mentioned several times as another source of neighborhood problems, resulting in police calls. Residents claim that so far, the club’s owners have not responded to the offer of a free security survey offer from SAFE, like the one that was provided for Jack in the Box last year.

The real fireworks will come at tomorrow’s meeting of the Entertainment Commission (6:30pm at City Hall, Room 400), when arguments will be heard from both sides about whether or not Jack in the Box should be allowed to operate after hours.

David Lee, a Richmond District resident and business owner, will no doubt present his petition for which he has gathered nearly 1,500 signatures from neighbors, all opposing Jack in the Box extending its hours.

But with the SFPD supporting a 24 hour operation and there being so few in the neighborhood, it’s possible that Jack in the Box could get its permit back.

Which way would you vote? To let Jack in the Box stay open 24 hours, or stay with their reduced hours?

Special thanks to cub reporter David H. for the details and photo from last Friday’s meeting.

Sarah B.