HVSafe Letter to Planning Department, RE: 618 & 630 Octavia

We’re sharing our recent correspondence to the Planning Department regarding the housing development plan for 618 & 630 Octavia. We recognize taking a position is often fraught with apprehension, but we believe it’s critical for the health of civic dialogue, advocacy and the right to redress. Attention San Francisco Planning Commission: HVSafe supports the proposed project for 618 & 630 Octavia. We’ve had an open dialogue with Eduardo Sagues/March Capital Management and are satisfied with the answers and information provided …

continue reading

Surveillance in Hayes Valley?

As many of you know, last year we were apprised of a potential plan for a camera system to be installed in our neighborhood. After a brief meeting back in April of 2021 and little details — we have checked in periodically and were informed that there was “zero movement” on the project. Suddenly this month out of the blue we received a prompt that the program was back on the table. A meeting was held today by SFSafe. Listen …

continue reading

Takeaways from MOCAC Meeting (3.21.22) part 6

Takeaways from MOCAC Meeting (3.21.22) …the Freeway Commemoration Project continued Representatives of HVSafe attended Monday’s MOCAC Meeting. The Freeway Commemoration Project was item 6 on the agenda. We share our observations in an effort to provide an update on what the Commemoration Committee is seemingly up to. Our goal is to keep you informed of this looming project which will impact Hayes Valley while we continue to advocate for a new and transparent approach. Highlights: Commentary included: Proposed Resolution Motioned …

continue reading

Why Neighborhood Advocates Play a Key Role

While City and Neighborhood politics seem to be in a clash of sorts these days making it even more challenging for neighbors to often obtain answers and insights on issues impacting their neighborhood, it’s good to revisit the critical role of Neighborhood Advocacy. We recently stumbled on this great read by Michigan State and believe it encapsulates many key points worth sharing. You can read the post in its entirety here. Local community activists have the respect of the communities …

continue reading

78 Haight

It appears the ball was dropped with respect to communications outreach; there’s been expressed surprise and upset by community members about lack of details and notice about this project.

Clearing Confusion about our Traffic Calming Initiative

Here’s our email to Bob Barnwell who continues to dismiss our public safety efforts in Hayes Valley while calling himself the Chair of the Hayes Valley Public Safety Committee when in fact he’s the chair of the HVNA (Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association) committee. Kinda confusing, we know (you can read more about this here). It’s not the first time we’ve been on the receiving end of having to explain ourselves, in fact last year he and the HVNA president were …

continue reading

How a Neighborhood Communications Committee Was Shunned

At the start of the Pandemic the HVNA Communications Committee Chairs were functioning on an island on their own, shut out from the HVNA board, dis-included from information and we’re used as a scapegoat at community meetings when the public pointed to the lack of community outreach by the HVNA. Although we thought about writing this post for quite some time, we held off because rehashing this era is extremely tough as it exemplifies how the HVNA board wronged members …

continue reading

San Francisco Library Dog Attack Victim – GoFundMe Campaign

Fidel Joshua was the Hayes Valley Clubhouse Playground Director for years before it was closed to public community use due to the rebuild. (More on that later…). He is a security guard at the San Francisco Main Library. Recently he was a victim of a dog attack. We checked in with him recently…. here’s what he said about his condition: …thanks for checking on me. The first surgery was successful, it just the beginning. I’m at the Jewish home for …

continue reading

Issues with New Garbage Bins at Patricia’s Green

Unfortunately in less than a week’s time the new garbage bins at Patricia’s Green have busted locks, doors exposed and ongoing trash and debris overflow. It’s not a pretty sight and many of you have been inquiring. We’ve been in communication with SFPW and they too are dismayed by the current conditions. They’ve explained that they have reached out to Recology to understand why the locks have been an issue. We’ll report back with any updates. Update Thursday February 10th …

continue reading