Early Friday evening, around 6:10pm, a giant eucalyptus tree fell into the southbound lane of Park Presidio between Geary and Anza.
Reader Talia J. (@Mycrobecatnip) snapped this pic, and said “Fortunately no cars hit”.
Which is really an understatement since it was during the commute hour. What a thoughtful tree.
Sarah B.
[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of May 17, 2013. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]
CAPTAIN SHARON FERRIGNO’S MESSAGE
There has been an increase in commercial burglaries in our district over the past week.
Yesterday, in the early morning hours, officers from Richmond Station arrested a commercial burglar who had gained entry into a restaurant. Please take extra care to lock doors and windows, set the alarm and make sure there is no cash or anything of value left for burglars to take. If you are not sure how to increase the security of your building please reach out to Project SAFE a local non-profit that partners with SFPD to conduct security assessments of you property. SAFE offers both commercial and residential security evaluations. Burglars are usually responsible for numerous burglaries and their arrest can greatly reduce the crime rate. Our local representative at SAFE is Morgan St. Clair. Morgan is a tremendous resource she can be reached at 415-553-1968.
Our next Community meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 6pm. It will be in the Community Room, here at Richmond Station, 461 6th Ave. (NOTE TIME CHANGE)
NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 05/12/13 at 5:50am, officers were called to the 2600 block of Pine regarding an auto burglary in progress. The witness reported that he heard the sound of glass breaking and when he looked out his window, he saw the suspect getting in and out of a vehicle with the car alarm going off. The officers locate the suspect at the scene and detained him. He was in possession of two backpacks, one he was able to describe the contents of, and the other he had no answer. The officers located the owner of the vehicle that was broken into and he confirmed that the second backpack and its contents had been taken from his vehicle. The 50 year old male, who is on probation, was charged with burglary, possession of burglary tools and stolen property and a probation violation.
On 05/13/13 at 1am, officers patrolling the area of the 300 block of Parker Ave observed a male crouched down and hiding on the passenger side of a pickup truck. Officers stopped to speak to the male who was sweating profusely, shaking and out of breath. They also recognized the suspect from prior arrest and knew he was on probation for burglary. Officer located in his possession a glass smoking pipe and a plastic card that was bent. The bent card is used as a burglary tools to insider between a door frame. The suspect, a 35 year old male was charged with probation and narcotic violations as well as the burglary tool.
On 05/15/13 at 4:53am, officers responded to a call of a burglary in progress on the 2400 block of Clement St. The caller was reporting that he was hearing banging noises from inside a restaurant and could see someone walking around inside with a flashlight. Officers arrived and went to the front and rear of the building. Officers could see someone rummaging around the front desk and could also see the flashlight being shined around. The suspect suddenly stood up and was surprised to see the officers outside. The officers were able to enter and took him into custody. The owner of the business arrived and saw that several cabinets had been forced open as well as the cash register. The 53 year old suspect, who is on probation for burglary, and also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for burglary, was charged with this burglary and an attempted burglary to the business next door.
On 05/15/13 at 6:53pm, officers were called to a suspicious person on the 600 block of 3rd Ave. The caller was reporting that the male was sitting on a landing, rocking back and forth. The officers located the male and determined he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for burglary out of Sonoma County. The 32 year old male was booked on the warrant.
NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 05/12/13 at 5am, the victim was walking on Geary at 7th Ave, texting on his phone. The suspect walked up to him, pulled out a handgun and demanded the victim’s phone. The suspect fled east on Geary and could only be described as a black male in his 20’s. The victim reported the incident 6 hours later.
Between 05/12/13, 11pm and 05/13/13, 9:30am, on the 6900 block of Geary, the suspect attempted to gain entry into a business by removing the door handle, but was unsuccessful. The suspect then went to the business next door and forced open the door. The suspect took the cash register drawer only.
Between 05/13/13, 7:30pm and 05/14/13, 7am on the 4300 block of California a suspect smashed the glass on the front door of a business and took the cash register drawer and cash. During the same time frame another business on the block had its glass broken out but entry was not made.
On 05/14/13 between 8:30am and 11:45pm on the 700 block of 28th Ave, a suspect entered a residence by prying open the front gate and front door. The suspect took a laptop and cash.
On 05/14/13 at 4:53pm, on the unit block of Presidio Terrace, an employee of the home heard a noise coming from the back door. When she went to investigate she saw the suspect who had just entered the house. When she confronted him he took off running. He was described as a white male, 35-40yrs, wearing a blue baseball cap, grey t-shirt and light blue jeans.
Between 05/14/13, 9pm and 05/15/13, 7:30am on the 400 block of Clement St, a suspect entered a business by throwing a rock through the glass on the front door. The suspect took the cash box with cash.
On 05/15/13, between 7:15am and 6pm on the 100 block of Funston, a suspect entered a home by breaking a pane of glass on the front door. The suspect took jewelry and cash.
On 05/15/13 at 9:25pm, the victim was walking south on 25th Ave from Geary Bl. As she was mid-block she was grabbed from behind by the suspect by her shoulders. A second suspect came to the front of her and pointed a handgun at her. He demanded her purse and then punched her in the mouth. The first suspect grabbed her purse from her shoulder and ripped her bracelet from her wrist and they both fled north towards Geary Bl. The suspect who grabbed her was a black male in his 20’s wearing a black beanie, black jacket and blue jeans. The second was also a black male with a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
This summer, the Balboa Theater is going ol’ school…
We remember going to the movies on Summer Saturday mornings when we were young. We saw all the classic kids’ movies, goofed around with our buddies, and ate popcorn and candy til we nearly burst. They were wonderful times, and we’ve always treasured them. We have been daydreaming of passing this experience on to a new generation, and now our daydreams are becoming a reality…
Beginning Saturday May 18 and continuing every Saturday morning at 10am through the summer, the Balboa Theater will host “Popcorn Palace”, showing an assortment of kids movies. For just $10 admission, each kid can enjoy a film, along with popcorn and a bottle of water or juice box.
The first two weeks, May 18 and May 25, will feature Kids Fest, a series of animated and live action shorts made by independent film makers and compiled by the North West Film Festival.
Then beginning on June 1, Saturday mornings will be filled with some classics like E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (June 1), Popeye (June 8), Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (June 15), and My Little Pony (June 22). The remaining schedule includes:
June 29: The Dark Crystal
July 6: The Lorax
July 13: The Goonies
July 20: The Neverending Story
July 27: Annie
Aug 3: Coraline
Aug 10: Charlotte’s Web
Aug 17: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Aug 24: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Aug 31: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
And for those tiny cinema lovers, there are great rewards for attending often! The Balboa has created the Popcorn Palace Kids Klub Card, which gets stamped every time they come. Three stamps gets them a FREE Pez dispenser.
The Popcorn Palace series runs every Saturday morning at 10am from May 18 through June 22 (we’re hoping the run is past June 22, but could not get confirmation from the Balboa).
Sarah B.
In late July, Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF) will be hosting a neighborhood tree planting event in the Richmond District.
Prior to the event, FUF is accepting applications from residents and businesses that would like sidewalk trees installed in front of their buildings.
FUF sudsidizes 75% of the cost to plant the tree, so the cost to the homeowner or merchant is only $135-$180 per tree depending on the species you pick. They offer a variety of trees to choose from – check out their urban tree directory here.
The cost of the tree also covers its installation, including prep work such as concrete removal, and scheduled tree care over first 2 years of life.
The deadline to apply for a tree to be planted during the Richmond District July 27 event is JUNE 20. Visit the FUF website and complete the online application form to get started. If you have questions, contact Caitlin@fuf.net or call 268-0772.
Sarah B.
This Saturday from 11am until 7pm, merchants along Clement Street from Arguello to Park Presidio will be hosting a sidewalk sale, featuring special offers and activities.
Many Clement Street merchants will be participating in the event, and we were able to get information from a few of them about what they’ve got in store for shoppers…
Covet, located at 398 Arguello, will have wine and sweets on hand for visitors, as well as up to 60% off on their clothing and handbags. They’ll also be giving away a gift certificate in a raffle.
On the 200 block of Clement, be sure to stop by Kisha Studio (210 Clement) for free drinks and snacks, plus a sale rack featuring $20 tops and $30 dresses. Next door at 212 Clement, Seedstore will have sale items outside, vintage pieces and jewelry from local designer Julia Szendrei.
Shopping can work up an appetite, so you may want to pop in Toy Boat Dessert Cafe (401 Clement) for a treat. They told us they’ll be cleaning house for the sidewalk sale, selling old inventory from toys to coffee mugs, “all at cheap prices”.
Foggy Notion Boutique (275 6th Avenue) will be featuring many local vendors during Sidewalk Saturday, including tea tastings, tea snacks, vintage tea ware from Fox & Moon Tea, handmade wooden planters, chalkboards, and cutting boards from 265 Design, plus vintage clothing and handmade jewelry from Heritage Mercantile, Valerian Jewelry, and Our House Vintage & Design.
The infamous Clement Street “pole gardener”, known in real life as Aram M., will also be at Foggy Notion. Come meet him and pick up tips, plants and supplies to create your own pole garden.
If you need to take the edge off while you’re shopping, take a pause at the 540 Club (540 Clement). Bring your own t-shirt and get a free screen printing on the spot courtesy of studionico.
And if shopping makes you hungry, you can fill up at Hawaiian eatery Grindz (832 Clement), where Chef Bradley Lum will be adding some new items to the day’s menu including Spam Katsu Musubi – spam breaded with toasted bread crumbs on top of a furikake calrose rice cake wrapped in nori, and Li Hing Pineapples – fresh pineapple wedges dusted with Li Hing powder made from dried plum skin.
We got some additional info on other merchants’ activities during the event:
- $1 Drink Special at Cumaica (200 Clement)
- FREE Carne Adovada at Q’s Restaurant (225 Clement) starting at 2pm to roughly 4pm (or until they run out), compliments of the Clement St. Merchants Association
- 15% off all food + drinks at Blue Danube (306 Clement) from 11am-5pm
- Fully stocked sales bins outside Green Apple Books (506 Clement)
Park Life (220 Clement), Pretty Please Bakeshop (291 3rd Avenue), and Kumquat (147 Clement) will also be participating.
Those are just a few of the special sales and activities that will take place on Clement Street this Saturday. So put on your shopping shoes and walk over to support your local merchants!
Sarah B.
Word is spreading like wildfire among residents and merchants about a Richmond District Farmer’s Market.
In a recent email to market supporters, aide Peter Lauterborn from Supervisor Eric Mar’s office wrote, “We are at the point of nearing approval for a significant market entering the neighborhood!”
The proposed farmer’s market would take place on Sunday mornings from 9am to 1 or 2pm, and would require closing the blocks of Clement Street between 2nd and 4th Avenues. The market would be run by the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM), which currently runs other markets at Stonestown, Civic Center, and in other Bay Area locations.
According to Lauterborn, the Clement Street farmer’s market will feature a wide range of local products, including eggs, milk, cheeses, meats, plus children activities, live music, and bouncy houses. The market will also provide matching dollars for “food stamp” users, and additional bike parking.
Lauterborn states that “the parking loss should be a non-issue” on Sunday mornings, and that they are “planning outreach to all of the existing produce merchants along Clement” with the help of AIM, who has hired a Cantonese speaker to assist. He says “so far, the merchant support has been excellent”.
To ensure that the market gets off the ground, Lauterborn is asking the community to show their support by either writing a letter of support to the SFMTA (who will need to approve the street closures on Clement), or attending a public meeting on May 20.
If you’d like to write a letter of support, send it to Peter.Lauterborn@sfgov.org and be sure to explicitly mention your support for the street closure on Sunday mornings on Clement between 2nd and 4th Avenues.
A community meeting will also be held on May 20 from 5:30pm-6:30pm at the Richmond District Police Station, which is located on 6th Avenue between Geary and Anza.
Lauterborn says they’re targeting Sunday, June 9 for the opening, pending approval by the SFMTA for the street closure during their May 23 meeting. The approval would be for an initial 6 week trial run of the Sunday market.
UPDATE 5/22/13: Lauterborn commented that “The MTA had an internal hiccup, so the hearing will be on June 13 rather than May 23, pushing back the opening to (likely) June 23.”
Are you all excited by this news? Leave a comment to let us know.
Sarah B.
Hey Giants fans, this one is for you!
This Wednesday night, KNBR’s Brian Murphy and photographer Brad Mangin will be at the 540 Club to celebrate the release of their new book NEVER. SAY. DIE., chronicling the Giants’ 2012 championship season.
Stop by to meet the authors and dine on good ol’ baseball chow from the Missing Link food cart, which will be parked outside the 540 Club (540 Clement Street). Wild boar link, anyone?
The event begins at 7pm. Go Giants!
Sarah B.
[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of May 10, 2013. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]
CAPTAIN SHARON FERRIGNO’S MESSAGE
Officer Wilberg of Richmond Station did a fantastic job of blocking traffic off and preventing a tragedy at 2nd Avenue and Lake Street when a sink hole developed and opened a huge hole in the street. I received a call from the PUC complimenting his rapid response and attention to detail.
Special congratulations to Washington High School Eagles Baseball team coached by Officer Rob Fung of the SFPD. The Eagles played in the city championship way to go Eagles.
Those of you going out in the evening please lock and secure your belongings and don’t leave valuables in your car. We have seen an upswing in car break-ins along the Geary Blvd both on the street and in the parking lots.
Our next Community meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 6pm. It will be in the Community Room, here at Richmond Station, 461 6th Ave. (NOTE TIME CHANGE)
NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 05/02/13 at 9:45am, an officer was patrolling the area of Golden Gate Park, near the west end, behind the soccer fields. He came upon a male sleeping in a tent and also noticed personal items strewn about, and fresh feces just outside the tent. The officer contacted the male and asked for identification. The male said he had none and provided a name. When questioned further, the male gave a second name and date of birth. The officer transported the male to the station to verify his true identity and once that was determined, the male had an outstanding warrant for burglary. The 47 year old male was booked on the warrant.
On 05/04/13 at 1:20am, the victims were on the 38 Geary Muni line, as was the suspect. The victims were laughing at the music the suspect was listening to and that they could hear. The victims got off the bus at 33rd Ave and Geary and the suspect followed. The victims and suspect crossed the street and the suspect came up to the first victim and said “What’s so funny?” He then hit him in the mouth with a metal sap, causing a tooth to break and a cut to his lip. The second victim tried to calm the suspect down and he was hit in the nose with the sap. The suspect, a 27 year old male was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a deadly weapon.
On 05/04/13 at 8:10am, officers were called to a report of a man with a knife in the area of 15th and Geary Blvd. Officers arrived on scene and detained the suspect who was in possession of 3 knives, 2 corkscrews, a box cutter and a pair of shears. The victim told the officers that he was inside a local business and the suspect entered. He was talking to himself and then approached two girls sitting at a table and called them names. The suspect then looked in the direction of the victim and said “I’ll knock you down.” The suspect turned away momentarily and when he turned back he had taken one of the knives out of a case, then put it back and told the victim he wanted the victim’s guitar. The victim picked up his purchase and left the business, calling 911. The 26 year old suspect was charged with attempted robbery, threats and brandishing a weapon.
On 05/04/13 at 9:35pm, an officer patrolling Golden Gate Park came across a male who was taking garbage from a can and creating a mess on the sidewalk. The officer stopped to talk to the male and when asked for his identification, the suspect showed him is County Jail ID bracelet which he was still wearing. The suspect was on probation and a search of his backpack revealed methamphetamine. The 21 year old male was charged with narcotic violations.
On 05/05/13 at 10:25pm, officers were called to 43rd and Fulton on a call of a male refusing to exit a MUNI bus. When the officers arrived, the suspect, who was the only one on the bus, had his head resting on his knees and his arms covering his face. The officers shook the male to wake him and the suspect said, “I’m fine, I am just meditating.” The officers informed him that he needed to exit the bus but he ignored them and tried to go back to sleep. The officers were able to get him into a standing position and removed him from the bus. The 22 year old male had a warrant for his arrest for aggravated assault and was charged accordingly.
On 05/08/13 at 5:40am, officers responded to a call of loud banging coming from a white vehicle parked on the 700 block of Parker. The callers thought that someone was in distress as they could see an occupant in the vehicle. When officers arrived they located two occupants in the car with the seats fully reclined. Neither of the occupants could answer the officers’ questions as to who the car belonged to. The original caller told the officers that the suspects had also been going back and forth to another vehicle parked in front. The officers located a third suspect in the second vehicle. When the officers took the first two out of the white vehicle, they saw that the steering wheel column was damaged and the ignition was punched. The officers located the owner of the white vehicle at his home nearby and he told them he did not know the suspects, nor was his vehicle damaged when he parked it earlier in the evening. Some of the victim’s property was also located in the second vehicle. The three suspects, 37, 38 and 41 year olds were charged with attempted auto theft, burglary and possession of burglary tools.
Between 05/05/13, 7pm and 05/06/13, 5:55am in the area of 45th Ave and Geary, a vehicle was broken into and several items were taken from the car. The victim was able to provided surveillance video of the incident. Several officers viewed the video and were able to identify the suspect. On 05/09/13 plainclothes officers were in the area of 47th Ave and Geary and located the suspect. Upon detaining and searching the male, they located methamphetamine in his pocket. The officers also conducted a probation search of his residence and located an additional quantity of methamphetamine and a spark plug chip attached to a black wire. Spark plug chips are commonly used by auto burglars to break out window of cars. The 46yr old male was charged with the auto burglary, possession of burglary tools, narcotic violations and probation violation.
On 05/09/13 at 10:10pm, the victim was on a 38 Geary MUNI line talking to himself. The suspect who was also on the bus began taunting the victim and mocking him. There was an exchange of words and the suspect hit the victim in the head with a skateboard. The victim, who had his keys in his hand hit back at the suspect in self defense. The suspect told the victim to get off the bus so they could “finish this” and when the bus stopped at 17th and Geary, the suspect exited and the victim stayed on. The suspect was located by the officers and the 22 year old male was charged with aggravated assault. The victim was transported to a local hospital for a laceration to his left eye.
NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 05/02/13 at 10:45pm, the victim was home, watching TV on the 2600 block of McAllister. He heard the sounds of garbage cans being moved and looked outside, but didn’t see anyone. He then heard the sounds of a door opening and when he looked outside, he saw the suspect wheeling his bike out of his cellar door. The victim ran out of the house and began to chase the suspect on foot. The suspect met up with another male on a skateboard and fled the area. The suspect who took the bike was a white male, 20-25 years with brown hair, long facial hair and was wearing a dirty brown coat. The male on the skateboard was also white, 20-25yrs, with long facial hair and dark jacket.
Between 05/04/13, 11pm and 05/05/13, 1pm on the unit block of Lupine, a suspect entered a multi-unit garage by unknown means. The suspect located a spare key for one of the vehicles and took jewelry and sunglasses from the car.
On 05/03/12, between 9:20am and 6pm on the 100 block of 20th Ave, a suspect entered an apartment whose door may have been left unlocked. The suspect took electronics, jewelry and camera equipment.
On 05/05/13 between 12pm and 10:30pm a suspect entered a garage on the 100 block of 14th Ave, possibly by hopping fences. The suspect took a bike.
On 05/05/13 at 4:10pm, the victim was waiting at a bus stop at 25th and Geary. He was holding his wallet in one hand and cell phone in the other. The suspect who was standing behind him, that the victim was aware of, came up and grabbed the phone from the victim’s hand and ran north on 26th Ave. The victim tried to chase him but was unable to keep up. The suspect was a black male, 15-18yrs, wearing a black beanie, red hooded sweatshirt and black jeans.
Between 05/05/13, 11:15pm and 05/06/13, 10:15am, the suspect broke out the glass on the front door of a restaurant on the 3400 block of Balboa. The suspect threw a rock through the glass door but appears there was no loss.
On 05/06/13 at 8:30am, an officer responded to a call of a burglary on the 800 block of Clement St. The glass on the front door had been smashed out. The officers searched the premise, but the suspect was gone. While the officer was waiting for the owner to arrive, a passerby told the officer that when he had gotten off of work at 4:00am, he was walking by the restaurant. He said he saw an Asian male, walking back out through the smashed out glass, and that the male was short enough that he barely had to duck beneath the push bar on the door. The loss was cash.
Between 05/06/13, 10pm and 05/07/13, 9:20am on the 4400 block of Balboa, a suspect pried open the front door to a business and took cash.
On 05/07/13, between 8:30am and 6:15pm on the 200 block of 25th Ave, the suspect entered a flat by breaking a pane of glass on the front door. The suspect took jewelry.
On 05/07/13 at 10:08am, the suspect entered a bank on the 3400 block of California and simulated that he was armed. The suspect demanded cash and the teller complied. The suspect fled out the rear door of the bank. He was a black male, 48-52 years, wearing a white hooded sweatshirt, light colored t-shirt, black pants and sunglasses.
On 05/08/13 between 11:15am and 2pm on the 500 block of 12th Ave, a suspect entered a home by prying open the front door. The suspect took an iPad.
On 05/08/13 between 12:45pm and 1:45pm on the 600 block of 27th Ave, a suspect entered a home by breaking a pane of glass on the front door. The loss was cash, a cell phone and earrings.
On 05/08/13 at 1:30pm a family left their home on the 700 block of 36th Ave to go get lunch. The 91 year old grandma stayed behind. When the family came home at 2pm, they saw that the front door had been forced open. They got grandma out of the house and called 911. Officers did a walk-thru of the home and the suspects were gone. The grandmother told the police that she had exited her bedroom shortly before the family came home and she saw two males wearing dark clothing running out the front door. The suspects entered the home by prying open the front gate, then breaking a pane of glass on the front door. The loss was jewelry and video game consoles.
On 05/08/13 at 1:50pm, the victim had parked his vehicle on the 2800 block of Geary to run into his business. When he came back out moments later, he noticed the suspect in his car, rummaging through the front passenger area. The suspect exited with a box in his hand that contained a watch. The victim yelled that he was calling the police and the suspect yelled “Don’t” and slapped the victim in the face. The suspect dropped the box, which was now empty and fled south on Masonic. The suspect was a black male 30-35yrs wearing a black “FUBU 05” jacket with red lettering.
Between 05/08/13, 6pm and 05/09/13, 7:40am on the 800 block of 48th Ave, a suspect entered a multi-unit garage and took a bike. There were no signs of forced entry.
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