Restore Hayes Street to Public Use.

Encampment Sets Fire on Octavia

Neighbors in the late afternoon were alarmed by a tent fire which started due to a burning candle by a camper on Octavia Boulevard. Richard Johnson has reached out to Supervisor Preston and Captain Yep’s office. We’ll report back with more details and an update. You can check out our open letter here to City Agencies and please show your support if you live in the neighborhood! Update June 10th: HVSafe attended the SFPD Northern Station Meeting on Tuesday June …

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Trees on Octavia Being Destroyed

There is an un-housed man making deep cuts into the bark of the remaining trees on Octavia Boulevard. He is camped on the East sidewalk between Haight and Page Street. He is harmless but has been observed with a hunting knife in hand. This matter has been ongoing for approximately 4 weeks. He has been approached and neighbors have cited that he claims he is saving the trees from disease. This destruction of trees needs to cease. Police have been …

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Asian Woman Attacked in front of Live Fit Gym

HVSafe and neighbors are very troubled by a recent attack on an Asian woman by a (presumed) unhoused man (see photo); the incident occurred in broad daylight in front of Live Fit Gym on Gough Street. Witnesses include owners and employees of local businesses, who helped on the scene. We’re currently reaching out for more info. If you have any information please contact us. Accountability is paramount to public safety. As citizen’s of San Francisco we have to ask, “why …

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Koshland Park Assault

We’re deeply anxious after hearing about our neighbor Elke’s recent experience and assault at Koshland Park earlier this week (recently posted on NextDoor). We neighbors are increasingly feeling heightened levels of fear with the current conditions on our streets. If you have insight on the person who harmed Elke – please connect with her on NextDoor – or feel free to drop a note to our volunteer group whose focus is on public safety in the neighborhood. We’re also in …

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The Only Way to House ALL People Living on the Street

(Today, Tomorrow, & Forever) Opinion by George P. Denny Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this commentary are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HVSafe. You’ll meet all kinds of people if you live in San Francisco long enough, but it may take a lifetime to find someone who actually supports our strategy to lift the local homeless population out of untenable circumstances. It will certainly require some effort to find a …

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Thoughts on Trader Joe’s: Traffic and Parking

Pre Application Meeting Takeaways continued You can read part 1 of our thoughts here. Traffic and parking concerns were at the forefront of the topics covered at the meeting. For a neighborhood plagued with traffic congestion, reckless driving issues and SFMTA continuing to minimize parking options it’s understandable that there are serious concerns of the impacts this chainstore will bring to this area. When pressed TJ’s could not clearly answer about exact parking configuration or proposed solutions to the expected …

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An Open Letter on Public Safety and Crime in San Francisco

We stumbled upon this open letter by Adam Mayer that encapsulates the true essence of what many San Franciscans feel about the state of our city these days in regards to public safety, crime and the accountability of government agenices. It’s an excellent read and we hope it inspires you to have your voice heard. If you feel as strongly as we do about the state of our neighborhood and city we encourage you to connect with us and get …

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More Thoughts on Trader Joe’s

Pre Application Meeting Takeaways Last week’s Pre Application meeting with Trader Joe’s left us with more questions than answers. The overall vibe of the meeting was mixed. On one hand, Trader Joe’s fans expressed overall enthusiasm about the plan. On the other, there was a myriad of concerns expressed by attendees. Concerns fielded at the meeting included topics pertaining to the potential impact that a chain store, especially one of this size, will have on existing independent small businesses in …

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A Take on Recent Merchant Breakins in Hayes Valley

A recent post in Public Comment SF about merchants being hit hard with breakins made our eyes roll a tad due to the outspokenness of a few chairmen of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association (HVNA). Side note, we think it’s unfortunate the piece did not carry the view of small businesses on the corridor, but we recognize timing isn’t always on one’s side when stories are compiled. The following comments stand out in this piece: “With no tourist cars to …

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Formula Retail Chain Trader Joe’s in Hayes Valley?

The impact of bringing Formula Retail Chain Trader Joe’s to Hayes Valley is not being taken lightly by many long term businesses in the neighborhood, many of whom have shaped the character of the merchant corridor. Even more relevant to this topic is many of them have not been included in any of the discussions regarding Trader Joe’s. Here are just a few thoughts as we head in to Tuesday’s Pre Application Meeting. There is a consensus that there is …

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