precita.org

Robbery in Precita Park

2009-06-29T12:25:00.001-07:00

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.

Precita Valley Neighbors Monthly Meeting summary from Demece Garepis

2009-06-20T14:50:00.001-07:00

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!

Rash of Robberies at Gunpoint, Friday Night

2009-06-01T16:51:00.001-07:00

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.

Bicycle Beat officers in Precita Park and elsewhere

2009-05-18T18:40:00.001-07:00

Ingleside Station has new foot beat locations and foot beat officers! Effective May 19, 2009, the following foot beats take effect: Officers Nicole Jones and Tony Carrasco will walk the Cortland beat from Mission to Gates. Officers Wilson, Preston, Cvetovac and Lewis will have the bicycle beat on Mission from Cesar Chavez to Highland, to included Precita Park and Holly Court.

Keep an eye out for them and introduce yourself as a neighbor.

Gunshots in Precita Park Sunday

2009-05-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

Some neighbors were surprised to hear gunshots during a hip-hop event that was taking place in Precita Park on Sunday.

Turns out this was a permitted event by an anti-gang violence; anti-substance abuse faith-based organization. The gunshots were part of a play that was designed to encourage kids to not get involved with gangs, and to discourage substance abuse, etc.

Yes, you can still get busted for smoking pot.

2009-05-14T14:38:00.001-07:00

Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 10:15pm
Anderson/Bernal Heights Marijuana Offense

Officers Obot and Ofc. Jou on-viewed a vehicle illegally parked and contacted the occupants inside. During their investigation, the officers discovered marijuana inside the vehicle. Citations were issued to four subjects. Case #090499720.

Stopping the Examiner

2009-05-14T01:32:00.001-07:00

You will likely need to call several times, as the drivers throw papers to every house unless the have a specific "exclusion list".

Call this number: 866-733-7323

Call, don't use the online form, as it's not as reliable.

If you must use the inline forms: there are two: Cancel SF Examiner or Cancel SF Examiner.

Chasing the delivery driver down the street at 2am in the morning won't do much good.

CAFFE COZZOLINO 2-for-1 Entree Coupon

2009-05-12T13:13:00.001-07:00

We thought neighbors would appreciate this:

CAFFE COZZOLINO Italian Restaurants Coupon - details:

Buy 1 Entree At Reg. Price, Get 2nd Entree Free.
Dine In Only. Please Present to Server Prior To Ordering. 1 Coupon Per Table, Per Visit. Not Valid With Any Holidays. Good at participating locations. One coupon per customer. One coupon per party. With coupon only. Coupons may not be combined with any other offer. Not valid with any other offer. Not valid with any other coupon. With Valpak® coupon only. Must present coupon at time of order. Must present coupon at time of purchase. Coupon valid at this location only. Coupon void if altered. Expires 05/26/2009

Bernal NERT Ham Radio Training

2009-05-07T11:20:00.001-07:00

Bernal NERT coordinators:

You got your FCC amateur radio license, now what? Learn about amateur radio communication, types of equipment available, and how to conduct ham radio operations as a NERT during a disaster. NERT extends a special invitation to Neighborhood Coordinators and other team members, FCC-licensed or not, to attend the afternoon session of this class from 1-4 p.m. All NERT members should understand how and when to communicate with our Emergency District Coordination Centers (EDCCs). For more information, and to RSVP, contact Bob Jacklevich, KF6PFV, at jacklevich /at- yahoo.com, or RSVP to Erica at 415-970-2022 or sffdnert -at/ sfgov.org.

Class: Intro to Ham Communications Team (HCT) 101
Date: Saturday May 9, 2009
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: SFFD DOT, 19th Street @ Folsom
Notes: (enter through yard on 19th and park along back wall).

NERT is Neighborhood Emergency Response Team.

Precita Valley Neighbors Meeting Saturday

2009-05-05T11:32:00.001-07:00

Saturday, May 9th, 10am – 11:00am at Charlie’s Deli, 3202 Folsom Street -Folsom at Precita.

Agenda:

Cesear Chavez Design Project update and the requests PVN has made to minimize increased traffic flow to NW Bernal.

Crime Update: Precita Park issues with homeless, large trash being dumped, and auto burglaries.

Bernal Traffic Calming Updates

Police Log

2009-05-01T18:39:00.001-07:00

9:35am 1600 Alabama St. Burglary

Residents on the 1600 blk of Alabama St. returned home from a short vacation to discover that someone attempted to gain entry into their garage door. Off. Araujo conducted the investigation. Case #090449571

[It's unclear if anything was actually stolen - Ed.]

Why do people keep falling for this?

2009-04-29T14:47:00.001-07:00

[from the SFPD]

A press release was distributed on April 23rd regarding the "Latin Lotto Scam."

There have been several reported cases where the suspect, a Hispanic Female, 35-40 years, 5'6, 170 lbs, with a black pony tail approaches victims in supermarkets, shopping malls or on the street. The suspect shows the victim what appears to be a winning lotto ticket and claims that she cannot collect her winnings because of an immigration issue. She asks the victim to claim the ticket for her and pretends to call a lottery official to verify the ticket. The victims have given this suspect anywhere from a few thousand dollars to up to $40,000.

This incident has occurred several times in our Outer Mission and Excelsior area, as well as in Daly City and the Mission District. Ingleside Station's Sergeant Molina will be working with Daly City Police and members of Mission Station in an effort to capture this suspect. She has committed this crime all over the United States and is now in our community.

Anyone with information may call the SFPD Tip Line at 575-4444 or Inspector Ovanessian of the Fraud Detail at 553-1521.

Sewers of San Francisco

2009-04-01T23:15:00.001-07:00

Great old article on the Sewers of San Francisco, spotlighting Precita Creek and the "Box Sewer" under what is now Cesar Chavez.

55 Manchester Update

2009-03-09T22:26:00.001-07:00

We received some updated information on 55 Manchester from David Herring, Housing Inspector, SF DBI:

The building at 55 Manchester was built in 1912 as a 2 family building. In 1943 Permit Application #71899 converted the building to an apartment building with 6 apartment units. DBI research has verified that the 1943 permit was finalized and the plans showed 6 apartment units. Since the 1943 permit, the legal use has not been changed by any permit, so the current legal use in 6 apartment units.

On of the main concerns that neighbors have is the parking- because 55 Manchester currently has no off-street parking.

Ingleside Police Station Contact Information

2009-02-25T13:46:00.001-08:00

Emergency Contact Numnbers

Emergency:	911
Non-Emergency – Police: (Reporting vandalism, etc)	(415) 553-0123
San Francisco City Switchboard:	311
SFPD Emergency (from Cell Phone)	(415) 553-8090
CHP Emergency (from Cell Phone)	911
SF SAFE: Safety Awareness For Everyone	(415) 553-1984

Ingleside Police Station

#1 Sergeant John V. Young Lane
San Francisco, CA 94112


Front Desk:	(415) 404-4000
Platoon Commander:	(415) 404-4020
Permits/Special Events:	(415) 404-4023
Passing Calls Requests	(415) 404-4063
Graffiti Liaison: Lieutenant Michael Moran	(415) 404-4020
	Michael.Moran@sfgov.org
Ingleside Station’s Anonymous Tip Line:	(415) 587-8984
Captain Denis F. O'Leary Desk:	(415) 404-4030
Fax:	(415) 404-4034
Email:	Denis.O’Leary@sfgov.org

Precita and Folsom Construction Update

2009-02-21T18:54:00.001-08:00

As part of the "Safe Routes to School" project, bulb-outs are being installed on all corners of Folsom and Precita (north part).

You've seen the construction going on for the last 2 weeks in front of the bus stop. It's been taking a while because the rain slows things down, makes it too wet to finish the project. Once the first corner is done, they start on the next corner.

It's safe to think that it could be 4 more weeks at least, probably more like 8 before it's finished.

Precita and Alabama Intersection Issues Solved?

2009-02-10T01:24:00.001-08:00

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.

The strange case of 55 Manchester

2009-02-09T18:26:00.001-08:00

Some neighbors have been concerned that the allegedly "well-connected to the planning department" owner of 55 Manchester may be sneaking a six-family apartment into a two-unit building.

What we do know for certain: the building was sold on 9/18/2008 to the current owner. It had been unoccupied since before 2003 when there were multiple complaints filed with the Department of Building Inspection. The building has 13 rooms and 6 bathrooms according to the Assessor's rolls. The building characteristics were changed in August of 1999 according to real estate databases. But we don't know what those changes were.

We spoke to someone at the planning department who said there appears to be some discrepancies in the permits for 55 Manchester, as the assessors office does indeed show that it is a 2-unit building now, but there are also past references to it being a 6-family unit.

Further online research finds this building inspection report for 55 Manchester:

Permit and old file research reveals that this property was originally a 2 unit building. In 1943 permit #71899 was obtained to convert building to an apartment house of an unknown number of units (at least 4) but this permit was aparently never finalized. In 1964, permit #301752 was obtained to legalize as 6 units, but permit was cancelled. In 1966 permit #330310 was obtained to legalize as 6 units, but permit was cancelled. Several records from the 1960's in microfiche indicate that the Department personel belived the building to be a legal 5 unit building. I assume that this is based on permit #71899 from 1943, but that permit does not appear to have been finilized and there is no CFC. HIS Input Form shows 6 legal apartments and 1 dwelling. This is incorrect, an apartment is a dwelling so this would mean 7 dwellings. It appears from inspections done that there were never more than 6 dwelling units in the building.
It appears that there were 6 apartments in this building at one time. Several of these apartments no longer have full kitchens but it appears that they once did.

The current owner is in the process of of improving the property and has several building permits approved. Some of the permits reference complying with notices of violation for dilapidated housing, unsafe stairs, hazardous building.

The property is Zoned as a RH-2 (residential- house, two family).

We'd like to hear from neighbors who oppose this! You can leave an anonymous comment (link below). In the mean time, we do know that there was a complaint filed over "Exceeding scope of permit 200809192095: Shoring installed and building has been raised.". [Editor's note: An additional permit 200811045805 does allow the shoring to be installed.]

Here are most of the permits for the property:

Permit 200809192095 issued 9/19/2008: remove lath & plaster, rewire, repair plumbing, install gyp board, install new doors & windows @ rear install new trim & casing. Remodel kitchens (2) & baths(4) . Repair dryrot, paint comply w/nov#2000338855 items 2.3.4.5. Reroof

Permit 200811045805 issued 11/04/2008: temporary shoring for dry-rot repair

Plumbing permit pp20081015138 issued 10/15/2008: 1, 2, & 3rd floors: remodel 2 kitchens, 4 baths, 2 laundry. Repipe entire bldg.

Permit 200902061555 issued 2/9/2009: install 28 head fire sprinkler system in basement stairs & hallway

Electrical permit E200810152481 issued 10/15/2008: 1, 2, 3 floors: 24 lights, 20 switches, 42 receptacles, 4 fans, 2 dishwasher, 2 garbage disposal, microwaves, 2 gas ranges, 2 hydro-massage tubs, 8 smoke detectorsl remodel 2 kitchens, 4 baths, 2 laundry, 6 bedrooms , and 2 living rooms. Rewire entire building and 2 new meter panels, 1 house meter. Rough and finish inspections.

Electrical permit E200810313185 Issued 10/31/2008: Roof: roof: 8 roof-mounted solar pv modules; 230 watts per module; 1 interactive inverter; 3300 kw power ratings (each); total no. Of ratings: 2 kw; additional comments: 2 identical systems

Search for Permit and Complaint Info here

More construction happening on Alabama soon

2009-02-09T13:31:00.001-08:00

Mr. G tips us off about this: ``A private contractor team came down Alabama Street (from Ripley to Precita) on Friday 1/30/09 and drilled holes in the street about every ~ 4-10 feet.``

We did some further investigation and found that the hole drilling actually goes from the 100 block of Bernal Heights Blvd (near Bradford), heads north/downhill to Esmerelda towards Alabama, and all the way down Alabama to Precita, where they turn East and go down Precita to Bryant.

All along this way, there are also underground survey markings for all the underground water, gas and electrical services.

It is very similar to the path that the Bernal Hills Water Pipeline takes under Bernal Hill. This is the same pipeline that was replaced over the last 18 months, and terminated at Alabama and Ripley.

Alabama street is already a major "right of way" for other utilities. There are several fiber optic lines going down Alabama (ATT, Qwest, MFN, Level 3 and CCSF/City of San Francisco's fiber ring are all ones that have manhole covers up and down the street with their names on them). We're trying to track down more details on who what the project is, and how long it will be tearing up Alabama.

More info on proposed lights on Cesar Chavez

2009-02-09T13:17:00.001-08:00

Andres Power from the SF Planning Department provided some more information on the left turn lanes on Cesar Chavez, and how these were determined.

We were curious as to the size of the left turn pockets, as well as if U-Turns would be allowed. There was some confusion over U-turns being allowed at Folsom, and hence if traffic destined for Harrison or Alabama would end up going down Precita or 26th.

Andres told us that generally where there is a dedicated left turn pocket with a left turn arrow, u-turns are permitted. This will likely be the case at Folsom, although the plan has not been formalized yet. It should be noted that Bryant has a No U-Turn sign currently.

We gathered week-long 24-hour traffic counts at all the intersections along Cesar Chavez Street about three months ago. This gave us the typical 24-hour distribution of car volumes, including left turns. At Folsom, during the peak PM hour there were 39 cars turning left onto Folsom in the westbound direction and during the peak AM hour there were 30. Again, these counts reflect the peak AM and PM hours. At all other times of the day, volumes were about half. But, as a matter of course, traffic engineers typically design the roadway for peak functions. In addition, if we assume that all cars that would have otherwise turned left at Alabama and Harrison will now turn left on Folsom (which is a conservative assumption, since many of the cars, as you point out, will make a u-turn at Folsom), the total left turn AM peak into Folsom will be 69 cars per hour and 73 cars per hour for the PM peak.

You can do the math, but this distributes out to a little more than 1 car per minute turning left from Chavez into Folsom during the peak hours. This is in contrast, for example, to the 213 cars turning left during the peak PM peak at Mission and the 208 cars turning left at Bryant. [Editors note: the left turn at Bryant is largely used by people getting onto 101 southbound from westbound Cesar Chavez.]

Therefore, with the volumes indicated above, and assuming a 90 second green-red-green phase, the cue, as modelled, during the peak hour would typically be between 3 and 4 cars. The turning pockets are designed to include a buffer, hence the designed length of five to six cars.

He also clarified some information on the streets that would have left turn pockets: The original plan was to include left turns at Bryant, Folsom, South Van Ness (eastbound only) and Guerrero. Recently, left turn pockets at Mission Street and one at Valencia Street were added.

398 Precita Permits Withdrawn?

2009-02-09T13:09:00.000-08:00

We've heard that the controversial permits for a restaurant at 398 Precita / 3200 Harrison have been withdrawn by the property owner, and that he will be re-filing as a "permitted" commercial use for RH-2 zoning.

Under this "Permitted" commercial use in RH2 zoning, the only thing that is allowed is a "Child-care facility providing less than 24-hour care for 12 or fewer children by licensed personnel and meeting the open-space and other requirements of the State of California and other authorities."

When we peeked in last week, you could see how the walls and ceiling have been stripped down to the studs. From the outside, however, not much has changed. There appears to be a lot of dry-rot in the front foundation that will need to be repaired before the building is occupied.

Cesar Chavez Street Design Workshop

2009-02-08T18:58:00.000-08:00

The Cesar Chavez Design Team would like to invite you to the third community design workshop for Cesar Chavez Street. At the first meeting last summer we discussed shared priorities and goals. At our next workshop this past fall we looked at and chose a preferred design option based on those shared priorities and goals. At this third workshop, we will look at and discuss illustrations showing the preferred design, block by block, from Hampshire Street to Guerrero Street. This will be the final workshop in the series.

The workshop will be held Tuesday, February 24 at 6:30pm at Leonard Flynn Elementary School, 3125 Cesar Chavez Street at Harrison.

Please come and share your opinions. There is background material, including summaries of past workshops, available for download.

Precita Valley Neighbors Monthly Meeting

2009-02-05T12:36:00.001-08:00

Saturday, February 7th, 10am – 11:00am at
Charlie’s Deli, 3202 Folsom Street -Folsom at Precita

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

AGENDA:

1. Andres Power, Project Manager in the SF Planning Dept for the Cesear Chavez Design Project, will hear our priorities for Cesar Chavez Design Review and requests we have to minimize increased traffic flow to NW Bernal.

2. 55 Manchester – another misuse of permit application by a former DBI inspector to build housing inconsistent with current zoning laws?

ATF Raid on 1575 Treat

2009-02-04T18:06:00.001-08:00

One resident of 1575 Treat was arrested this morning as part of a regional series of raids by the ATF.

According to Special Agent Kim Riddell of the ATF Public Information Office, details of the raids were under seal and would only say those arrested were scheduled to be arraigned today at 1:30 p.m. in the U.S. Federal Court building in San Francisco.

A tipster to Precita.org said the arrested man was known as "Moe". Someone else described the scene: "there were about 6 or 8 guys with shotguns wearing ATF windbreakers standing around outside".

[UPDATE] KRON has coverage of the arrests this morning on Treat.

U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced the arrests today, and said the arrest on Treat was one of 14 alleged "mid-level" drug and gun traffickers in Northern California with Mexico, and that the suspects were involved in trafficking since at least 2006. They are considered to be the "king men" or "managers" in drug and gun trafficking communities in Northern California.

(video and article from KRON)

SF Examiner had brief coverage, as did CBS 5 / bay Cities News Service which said "Authorities did not release specifics about the raids, but said they involved searches related to guns and drugs."

San Jose Mercury had an article about the regional raids but no details on the San Francisco arrest.

Rash of DPT ticketing on Treat Saturday Morning

2009-01-31T11:55:00.000-08:00

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!]