Taken in the inner Richmond. Photo by Justin.Beck
Since I started the blog a couple of years ago, I have come across lots of neighborhood photos on Flickr. One local photographer I’ve always enjoyed is Justin Beck, and have featured several of his photos.
So I was sad to hear via SFCitizen that Justin is now without a lens after his camera was stolen out of his hands at the corner of Arguello and Balboa – in broad daylight – last week.
Last Thursday Justin tweeted: “I’m OK but was just robbed at the corner of Arguello and Balboa. Talked to cops. Time for a new camera I guess. :/”
The camera was likely damaged as well. “That camera sure took a beating…knocked out of my hand into the street,” he wrote.
Let’s hope Justin’s camera is recovered soon or another one finds its way into his capable hands.
Sarah B.
Past photos of Justin’s that I’ve featured here on the blog:
We’re going to have to become more aware of the lowlife’s among us. (really)
That’s just terrible. Your photos are always so terrific.
Glad you’re okay, Justin!
Sucks, though.
I’m saddened to hear this. Has the crime rate risen in the IR or are we [am I] just more aware of it? This last Sunday afternoon, I was walking on Clement near 8th Ave and there were two patrol cars, with another heading North on Clement after getting word that the suspect went that way. Meanwhile, the police were talking to a couple at the bus stop, I’m guessing he was robbed, while two female officers had a female suspect in cuffs. And this after the incident at Rocket Room the other night.
No neighborhood is safe. It’s just a dream. It’s this dream that keeps Mr. Mar sitting around. Has Mr. Sanford ever been robbed? Of course not! He’s always packin’ heat. Can he feel our pain? No he can’t so he just says “be safe, my children.”
It is not safe to walk in SF. Period. Anywhere. From 94121 to 94124 is unsafe on foot. Not to blame Mr. Beck because we all want to walk or we’d live in a resort town such as Barstow where everybody drives, even to buy a pack of smokes 1/2 block down.
Mr. Beck has resigned to losing his DSLR and quite frankly when I walk out the door with anything valuable I am willing to lose it. That’s how it is in SF. C’est la vie.
@renegade, you gave me a good chuckle describing Barstow as a resort town!
This does stink. Seems like crimes of opportunity in the Richmond have been on the increase the last couple of years. Use your street smarts – be aware of what’s around you.
I think it’s a wake up call. Make your house secure as possible, never leave anything in your car and carry just enough cash you need. No huge purses with 12 credit cards etc.
To clarify, nothing happened at The Rockit Room this weekend. There were three drunks next door at Dirty Trix, which never has any problems, one of whom pulled a knife. Everyone assumes it was the Rockit Room, but it was not, nothing happened there.
The number of muggings/robbings/assaults in the Inner Richmond over the past year has me nervous. It seems like all I hear about in our ‘hood is people getting their houses and cars broken into, purses snatched and iphones/cell phones taken by force. What do we need to do to change this trend?
Thanks, Sarah, for posting this and featuring my stuff here, which I always love to see! Happily, I was able to find a great deal on a used camera, so I hope to return to my regular routine soon. It might take a little while because I’m feeling nervous about going outside with a camera.
Many good and thoughtful comments here — thanks Rachel & bw, and to Gary, “a resort town such as Barstow” also made me laugh! I’m not sure whether I agree that it’s not safe to walk in SF. There’s always going to be risk involved any time you step out the door, but some places are safer than others.
For someone like me who enjoys doing a lot of street photography, which necessarily involves having a camera out in public, it’s going to be risky. I guess I can relate to renegade when he says “when I walk out the door with anything valuable I am willing to lose it.”
In my case, it could have been way worse. Just look at what happened last night to this unfortunate person:
http://sfappeal.com/news/2011/07/teens-arrested-in-attack-on-photographer-near-city-hall.php
Terrible to hear that your camera got jacked. Glad you are okay and hope you continue making those amazing photos. Maybe there is a way to insure your gear? (Or travel with a stun gun.)
Thanks, kc!, I really appreciate that. Yeah, I think I’ll be researching renter’s insurance very soon.