image credit: 49miles.com
Yesterday evening I sat on a table bench at 4505 Burgers & BBQ on Divisadero with my dog while my husband stood in line to place our order. My back was up against the gate (arrow on photo=location). Suddenly a loud voice behind me screamed obscenities and I was punched in the back. The gate behind me rattled. My heart stopped. I looked to the right and saw a half naked man with his pants falling with paint swirled on his face and upper body walking away. After the ruckus my husband and I made eye contact (he was standing approx. 8 feet away) at which point I said “I was punched in the back”. We then both spotted the unstable man in the median area on Divisadero.
In that moment to say that we were shocked and outraged is an understatement. While my husband wanted to go after him I pleaded with him not to — we and everyone else in this man’s path was in danger. As far as recourse, truth of the matter we had no options.
This man was having an episode/a fit of rage and there I was in the path of his punch.
This is unacceptable.
As a community advocate for public safety I’ve witnessed the deterioration of our street safety in direct correlation to the presence of those walking amongst us who need serious help and who lack a sense of agency. Yesterday’s occurrence has opened up a flood gate of emotions and serious questions/concern about the current state of our society here in San Francisco. The situation is dire. This could have been a child, a parent, and elderly person (you fill in the blank) and the repercussions could have been worse. This highlights the negligence of our City leadership to provide citizens a sense of being safe. No one should be in the crosshairs of this behavior.
Mayor Breed, Supervisor Preston…. what are you doing to provide safety to your constituents?
We average citizens should be afforded the same level of protection you enjoy.
Sincerely,
a victim of your inaction
I was saddened to learn of the assault on a member of our HVSafe team while sitting at an outdoor restaurant on Divisadero. This underlines a greater systemic problem that we face daily on the streets of SF with drugs and drug addicts. We have become entrenched in a do nothing system of governance that lacks accountability to our citizens. Our civic leaders appear to tolerate dangers to residents and visitors on a daily basis. We must hold our city officials and the police accountable for crimes to our citizens. Drug dealers thrive in SF while drug addicts are not held to task for their actions. How did we get to a place where the safety of women, children, men, minorities, and the elderly no longer matter?
It’s unconscionable how the average hard working tax paying citizen is left to fend for themselves under London and Dean’s governance. As a long time District 5 resident I too have seen the deterioration pre and post COVID. The inaction and lack of admittance that they are failing is just mind boggling. Dean’s email newsletter tooting his horn of his accomplishments is beyond laughable and can’t be taken serious – we have zero support or representation. Thank you HVSafe for being a voice for the many of us who are exhausted and down on the faith that things will improve, at least you are there to hear my concerns. Forever grateful.
As a cofounder of HVSafe my heart goes out to you. We have been on the forefront of pushing public safety. What is sad is if this happened to London, Supervisor Preston, SFPD Chief Scott or Captain Sawyer action would have been taken. Give us respect if you are going to neglect your duty to ensure our safety. At least give us citizens the same option of being safe. We pay for your safety the least you can do is assure our safety too. It’s way past the time to move beyond inaction to being proactive. We work for no pay you get a salary. Please do your job and create a safe community for all. Not just the privileged.