This Week in Noe Valley: NV Bakery Spills Its Secrets, Mitchell's Turns 70, and Violent Robberies Shake the Hood

The latest news from, about and for Noe Valley from around the interwebs.

• An interview with the Noe Valley bakery owners + the blueberry pecan scone recipe [SF Bay Times]
• Noe’s Nest is one of the “coolest” stays in SF [Secret SF]
• Teens blamed for violent robberies around the city, including in Noe Valley [SF Chronicle]
• Women attacked and robbed during day in Noe Valley on Church and Sanchez spreak out [NBC Bay Area]
• Mitchell’s celebrates 70 years [SFGate]
• Cool new micro mural in Noe Valley [the.bivouacs]

[Photo: Long shadows via cabogracie]

This Week in Noe Valley: Attacker Sought, Mandelman’s Mandate, Hi-Way Burger Coming Soon

The latest news from, about and for Noe Valley from around the interwebs:

• Mother attacked with baby at 28th St and Sanchez, endures a skull fracture [ABC7]
• Mother recovering, search for the suspect continues [CBS]
• Community plea: Have you seen this person? [flyer]
• Also on 28th St, city worker killed in accident [ABC 7]
• Podolls is closing by the end of the month [SF Chronicle]
• The Dubliner is one the best spots to watch the World Cup [Thrillist]
• Douglas café and market is open on the corner of Sanchez and 29th [DouglasonSanchez]
• Rafael Mandelman wants to tackle homelessness [SF Chronicle]
• Oped From Mandelman: Thank you, District 8 [Bay Area Reporter]
• Sheehy won’t pursue District 8 in the fall [@MLNow]
• Hamano sushi is dinner only now [NVSF]
• Hi-Way Burger in the old Caskhouse space is opening end of June [Hoodline]

[Photo: Noe charm via satusanne] 

This Week In Noe Valley: Local Anti-Vaxxers, Crime Spree, And Glorious Rain Returns

News from, about and for Noe Valley from around the interwebs:

• OH about laundromats in Noe Valley [@GlenDavidGold]
• It’s been windy [@ChrissyLowe]
• Billy Goat Hill loves the rain [spincitycoffee]
• Local homeless man crowdsourcing funds for eyeglasses [HandUp]
• Woman mugged this week on Noe between 23rd and Elizabeth [@esbale]
• Noe Valley man arrested for firearms violation, pleads not guilty to shooting friends [Examiner]
• SF (including Noe Valley) hit by early morning daytime invasions [SF Gate]
• Welcome officer Bill Ahern to the Noe Valley beat [@SFPDMission]
• Inside Donna Taylor and Bill Hoover’s home – owners of When Modern Was and Gallery of Jewels [Curbed]
• Scott Wiener on why he’s pro-housing [SF Biz Journals]
• Half the students who attend Alvarado in Noe Valley live below the poverty line [SF Public Press]
• The latest issue of the Noe Valley Voice is out [NVV on Issuu]
• Foodie alert: Al’s Place from former Ubuntu chef Aaron London opens at the edge of Noe Valley [Eater]
• Anti-vaxxers in Noe Valley [@NoeValleySF]

[Photo: Photo: Finally, rain! via Ingerl]

Crime Beat: Is Violent Crime in Noe Valley On The Rise?

The big crime news this week is the suspected attempted abduction of a 12-year-old boy from outside St. Philip School. Details are still a bit fuzzy, but the story is pretty scary:

Officials at a school in San Francisco’s Noe Valley are warning students and parents to be vigilant after a man chased a seventh-grader outside the campus.

The incident happened outside Saint Philip the Apostle School at 665 Elizabeth St. about 3:40 p.m. Wednesday. A 12-year-old boy was walking on Elizabeth and turning onto Diamond Street when he sensed someone “rushing toward him” from behind, said Principal Remy Everett. He turned around and saw a man coming straight at him, Everett said. The boy ran and screamed and took cover in a cafe half a block away, Everett said. The man fled. Everett said she believes the man wanted to kidnap the boy.

The incident was witnessed by a girl who is in sixth grade at the school, she said. The assailant never touched the boy, and there was no verbal exchange, “but the very fact that he was chased half a block down is a strong indication of a very dangerous situation,” Everett said.

In a note to parents late Wednesday, Everett wrote that “there was an attempted abduction” outside the school. “Our student did everything correctly when he felt he was in a bad situation, running, screaming and going to the nearest business,” she wrote.

The boy and his grandmother returned to school to report the incident, which is under investigation by police. The case is being classified as a “suspicious act toward a child,” and police can’t confirm that the person intended to kidnap the boy, said Officer Grace Gatpandan, a San Francisco police spokeswoman.

Officers are hoping to speak to more witnesses and obtain video surveillance footage, she said. The assailant was described as a Latino man, about 5 feet 9 to 5 feet 10 inches tall, wearing a white or light gray sweatshirt with a hoodie and navy or gray sweatpants.

Scary, and as stated, actual motivation is unknown. But parents are understandably spooked:

It's finally sinking in & hitting hard. The boy that fought off abduction is a kid we know in our small SF school. Could have been my son.
— SF Concierge (@SFConcierge) November 20, 2014

Other crime in the last few weeks or so has us wondering if there is a trend in our little village. Assaults have been reported, as have bank robberies and a recent unexplained cops with shotguns incident.

Reports detailed in the Ingleside Station Newsletter range from bikes stolen, GPS systems left out in the open, etc. But lately there have also been a string of more violent crimes. (We'd love to see reports from the Mission Station, which protects the northern part of Noe Valley, but it hasn't provided quality and timely crime data for years now.) Here are some recent Ingleside entries:

November 8

Aggravated Assault -- 11:30pm, 29th/Church. A woman walking home was assaulted by a stranger. The victim told Ingleside Officers Ferronato and Kikuchi that she was walking westbound on 29th street, near Church, when she walked past a young man traveling in the opposite direction. A short time after she passed him she felt a shove in her back causing her to fall face first onto the sidewalk. Then she said she was kicked several times in the back before the suspect ran away.

Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer -- 11:57pm, 1700 Blk Dolores. Ingleside Officers Busalacchi and Hackard were dispatched to a call of an auto burglary in progress in the area of 30th and Dolores Streets. When they arrived they noticed a man, matching the description of the burglar, walking northbound on Dolores Street near 30th. The officers told the man to stop but instead of stopping, he took off running. The officers chased the suspect in their patrol car and watched as he jumped into a parked Nissan on the 1700 block of Dolores. The officers stopped their patrol car next to the Nissan, exited their patrol car, and ordered the suspect to get out of the car. Instead of complying, the suspect started the vehicle and drove directly at officer Busalacchi just missing her. The suspect continued driving south on Dolores to San Jose Avenue almost striking another marked police car. The suspects then escaped at a high rate of speed down San Jose and onto southbound #280.

November 9

Hot Prowl Burglary -- 7:00pm, 1800 Blk Church. A homeowner called police to report a burglary. The victim told Ingleside Officers Wong and Chang that she woke up earlier that day and found her garage door open and two bicycles missing. She said that she remembers closing the garage door the night before with the bicycles in the garage on a rack. The victim said the garage is shared with an upstairs neighbor.

November 15

Aggravated Assault -- 8:00pm, Valley & Church. A woman walking her dog late at night was attacked by an unknown assailant. The victim told Ingleside Officers Morrow and Siracusa that a man walked up behind her, grabbed her dog leash, and threw it into the street with the dog attached. The victim then turned and grabbed the man’s face while falling to the ground. The suspect then kicked the victim several times in the back while she was on the sidewalk before running away. She got up and went home and called police. She told Morrow and Siracusa that fortunately she and her dog didn’t suffer significant injuries from the attack. She provided a description of the assailant and said she could possibly recognize him.

So what do you think Noe Valley - are we seeing an uptick? Or is it just better reporting thanks to social media? Or, (and more nefarious), are news organizations throwing the Noe Valley label on anything like yesterday's three car arson fire in the Castro to get attention? And if we are seeing an uptick, what should we do about it?

NVV Nov 2014: We Read It So You Don't Have To

The Noe Valley Voice is published ten times a year and has been a neighborhood fixture since 1977. Here are notable highlights from the latest issue. Links are to stories we've covered here on NVSF or other resources. Follow the NVV link at the bottom for full articles and all the ads.

November 2014

Front Page: Neighborhood jittery after a rash of serious crimes; Local author Ruthanne Lum McCunn self-publishes a new novel, Chinese Yankee; Local journalist Joshua Davis' new book Spare Parts launches Dec 2 - catching a reading at Folio Books.

Letters: Two condolence letters for Bruno, "a dog who loved food."

Feature: In memory of Nancy Roddick, esteemed member of the local community and wife of NVMPA President Bob Roddick, who died in August.

Cost of Living in Noe: $1.4 million to $3.7 million if you want to buy a house right now.

Store Trek: Blue Ova Health (1414 Castro St at Jersey and 24th)

Rumors: Pasta Pomodoro is no more - the owner is doing seismic upgrades and confirms that the building will reopen as a difference restaurant with a new operator early next year; The Hooters ABC License Application posted on the old Bliss Bar was a hoax - the location is being renovated and will become a restaurant that is "family-friendly with food and cocktails" but no word on timing; The rumor of the the fortress-like home at 801 Sanchez which hasn't been occupied for 40 years being sold for $10 million was just that - a rumor (it's not for sale and still owned by Jean K. Tinsley, a famous aviatrix that lives in Atherton and hopes to some day return); Peekaboutique has sold - the owner is not disclosing the buyer until the transfer is complete; Independent Nature has been evicted and is not planning to reopen a retail store - although the owner will continue her landscaping services [Ed.-- No mention of "greedy landlords"]; Tacolicious on Church St added to their sign - "Office" (no tacos are served there); A bomb threat on Sanchez in Oct turned out to be just training grenades; One-Stop Party Shop on Church St reports the most popular costumes this year were any character in Frozen and the Malificent Dragon Hoodie.

[The Noe Valley Voice]

This Week In Noe Valley: Orange October, Harvest Fest, And Other Signs of Fall

News from, about and for Noe Valley from around the interwebs:

• It was Harvest this weekend and Scott Wiener was there [@Scott_Wiener]
• So were Carol Kingsley and David Campos [Carol Kingsley and @DavidCamposSF]
• Orange October indeed: Beautiful Noe Valley sunsets [ktmow and andrewgodwin]
• And the hayride not operated by Uber [brianalvey]
• A short video of Trolley Dancers that rode the J-Church line this weekend [swim97]
• And an in-depth piece about said Trolley Dancers [KALW]
• Bom Dia corner market gets closer – and they're hiring [Good Food Jobs]
• Sorry #NoeDads – Hooters is not replacing Bliss Bar [San Francisco]
• A discerning review of Rare Device [SF Girl by Bay]
• After a recent facelift, Noe Valley Bakery launches a Kickstarter to raise $19,000 for...a facelift (because France) [Kickstarter]
• Man rear-ended, then pistol-whipped at 24th and Dolores [SF Examiner]
• KRON goes to the scene of the crime and interviews neighbors who feel less safe now [KRON4]
• Beware of this potentially dangerous Comcast scam [@paulettebleam]
• An in-depth review of Porcellino's pork ragu that survives from Incanto [SFGate]
• Meanwhile, Cosentino hopes to branch out at his new restaurant Cockscomb [SFGate]
• San Francisco and Noe Valley are tops for trick or treating once again [Zillow]
• Are there any grown-ups in SF? Yes, and they're all at Urban Putt [SFGate]

[Photo: NVSF]

This Week In Noe Valley: Bank Robbed Again, A Woman Attacked, And Wow Is It Hot!

News from, about and for Noe Valley from around the interwebs:

• Clear hot nights = gorgeous sunrises [egundersen]
• Yep, it’s hot [bennie]
• Too hot for these pups [cms100]
• Africa hot (yes we know... go watch Biloxi Blues) [@NoeValleySF]
• ICYMI: New corner market gets a name: Bom Dia [NVSF]
• Woman attacked in Noe Valley at 26th and Dolores, shots were fired [SF Weekly]
• Bank robbed again at midday on 24th St [Mission Local]
• Even tech workers are getting squeezed by Noe Valley rents jumping from $3800 to $4700 in 2 years [WSJ]
• Contigo’s Brett Emerson is interviewed by Foodie Chap and shares a recipe [The Daily Meal]
• SF Chronicle endorses Scott Wiener for District 8 supervisor [Chron]
• Scott Wiener’s September newsletter [Scott Wiener]
• The Castro Street Fair is today – with wider sidewalks [Bay Area Reporter]

[Photo: Pretty spiders knucklesamwick]

Crime Beat: Aggravated Assault On Day St

Information is from Mission and Ingleside District San Francisco Police Station newsletters.

June 8, 2013

Aggravated Assault -- 10:25pm, 100 Blk Day St. Officers McMilton and Peregrina responded to an aggravated assault. They located a victim who was bleeding profusely from the head area and immediately summoned an ambulance to the scene. The reportee was on scene and told them that he was leaving his home when he saw a male hitting the victim over the head several times with a baseball bat. The victim then fell to the ground and the reportee called the police. The suspect fled toward Church but the witness said he would not be able to identify him.

The officers attempted to speak with the victim who said he could not recall the events clearly. He told them that he was walking down the street and saw the suspect pass him, but did not think anything. Suddenly, he said, he was hit from behind, but did not know with what. He told the officers he would be unable to recognize the suspect if he saw him again.

The officers took pictures of the victim’s injuries and assisted the ambulance with the transportation to the hospital. There were no other witnesses at the scene and no surveillance cameras were located in the vicinity.

NVV Feb 2013: We Read It So You Don't Have To

The Noe Valley Voice is published ten times a year and has been a neighborhood fixture since 1977. Here are notable highlights from the latest issue. Links are to stories we've covered here on NVSF or outside sources as the Voice doesn't post stories online until the middle of the month.

February 2013

Front Page: Cookie Time calls it quits and the Voice explores the long-standing food truck debate; Noe Valley Merchants recognized for their efforts to help small businesses accommodate handicapped patrons without getting slapped with a nuisance lawsuit; NV is full of married cheaters; Noe Valley Democratic Club gets an influx of moderate members.

Letters: The Noe Valley Ministry is looking a little neglected while renovations stall (renovations are expected to resume in March); a re-print of the letter from victim on 23rd St who narrowly escaped her attacker; Mary Isham's family seeks donations for her cancer treatment.

Crime: The Fair Oaks rapist is convicted and sent to jail for 373 years to life; the copper thief goes to jail for stealing water; the SFPD releases a sketch of the 23rd St. attacker.

Cost of Living in Noe: 25 homes sold in the last 2 months of 2012, including the $3.8 million contemporary home at 4529 25th St; condos are pricey - and selling like hotcakes.

Store Trek: Pressed Juicery, Adopt SF.

Rumors: Radio Shack is back after the fire 14 months ago; Noe Valley Deli owner Karim Balat has sold his business and says the new owners will likely be changing the menu; Bernie's is adding a 2nd location at Crocker Galleria downtown; Martha & Bros is adding a fifth location at Fifth and Irving in the inner Sunset; Caskhouse is open; Mazook remembers his "Auntie Po," aka Dear Abby.

[The Noe Valley Voice]

SFPD Releases Sketch Of Sexual Assault Suspect

The San Francisco Police Department released a sketch this afternoon of the suspected 23rd and Guerrero sexual assault attacker. He's described as a Hispanic man, roughly 25 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, about 160 pounds and was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt the night of the attack (click the image for a larger view).

If you have any info that might help the police in this investigation, call the SFPD's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444.

Crime Beat: Woman Narrowly Escapes Violent Attack

This scary story is lighting up the local email lists:

Hello -

If you're getting this email its because you are a female friend in my circles, live in my neighborhood-ish, or have a large circle of women friends. I wanted to spread the word of what happened to me so hopefully you and your circles can be more aware, street smart and vigilant about your personal safety.

On Saturday evening I was walking home from a friends potluck through the mission when I was attacked - an attempted rape. I was actually being quite conscious of those around me due to the fact that I'm heading to Nairobi in several weeks and personal safety has been on my mind. As I turned up 23rd street, I noticed a man walking to me that 'zero-ed' in on my presence, locking eyes on me. There was no side street to turn down, and I didn't want to turn around, exposing my back to him, so I kept walking. As we neared each other, I tried to walk around a tree quite close to the curb, before I could do so he lunged at me.

He knew what he was doing and how to attack someone. He went first for my eye socket with his thumb and put his other hand in my mouth to stifle my screams and slammed me down to the ground. He was using the hand in my mouth and on my jaw to try and slam my head on the concrete, presumably to knock me out. Once I was down on the ground he straddled me pinning down my arms. After about 15s of struggling just to avoid him knocking me out, I was able to use all my strength to surge up on my right side to unpin that arm. Since I'm a climber, I'm strong, and I don't think he was expecting this and was unprepared for that maneuver. Luckily through this move and some biting, I was also able to get his hand out of my mouth and started screaming - first just yelling and then screaming for help. I struggled with him while screaming and trying to avoid him knocking me out for another 30s until a couple in a house several houses down the street threw open their window and turned on lights. This scared him away.

The cops came and while we drove around looking for him for awhile, we were unable to find him. This means that someone who clearly knows how to attack swiftly and effectively is still out there in our neighborhoods. This happened at 23rd between Guerrero and San [Jose] - the fringe of the mission and noe.

I'm incredibly lucky that I had the strength to keep him from delivering a knock out blow and to fight for so long until someone came to help. I'm incredibly lucky that those in the houses around me didn't fall prey to crowd think and assume someone else was going to help. I'm walking away from this with a bruised eye, scratches on my face, road rash on my shoulder and sore/bruised back, shoulders, jaw and ribs. It could have been significantly worse.

I wanted to spread this around not to try and get attention or your sympathy, but to hopefully make you aware of the fact that attacks, and 'bad things' can also happen to people in your circle. We live in a big city and the best thing you can do is be incredibly conscious of your surroundings at all time. Please - walk in groups, or with a male friend, take taxis and dial up those street smarts...

Feel free to send this around to other females that could benefit from a dose of reality.

Details are still emerging, and no description has been given of the suspect. We'll update as more info is available. Be safe. And if you hear screaming out your window do something. This woman is lucky.

Update (1/9): Mission Local confirmed with SFPD that this attack happened at approximately 2:40am and posted a description of the suspect:

Authorities described the suspect as an 5’8-tall Asian man who weighs approximately 160 pounds, between the ages of 20 and 30. He has a buzzcut and a slight beard and was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark pants. 

 SFPD is investigating this as an attempted rape.

Also: a rally has been organized for this Friday from 4-6pm to promote solidarity among/with women and to  increase awareness and vigilance so these attacks don't continue.

Update (1/14): The SFPD has released a sketch of the suspect.

Verdict: 24th St Rapist Is Guilty

The man accused of beating and raping three women last year was found guilty today:

Frederick Dozier Jr., 33, sat silently as a court clerk read guilty verdicts for 25 felony counts on Tuesday, including attempted rape, kidnapping and forced oral copulation. The jury acquitted him of one count of attempted murder.

Evidence against Dozier included DNA and testimony from the victims (2 of whom were in court today). The serial rapist DA Gascón called "an animal" will be sentenced on December 14th.

Another important bit from the SFGate article:

The Fair Oaks Community Coalition has raised $16,000 for the victims. Coalition member Charles Moser said donations can be sent to the 24th Street Survivors Fund at the Sterling Bank on 24th Street.

[SFGate: DA Gascón: "Frankly, he is an animal."]
[NVSF: 24th St Rape Suspect In Custody]
[NVSF: Sketch And Video Of 24th St Rape Suspect]
[NVSF: Crime Beat: Rape]

This Week In Noe Valley: When Asking Is Too Much, Noe Valley Defined, And Building A Dream House Under Siege

News from, about and for Noe Valley from around the interwebs:

• Not all Noe Valley real estate sells above asking (until "asking" is lowered) [Curbed SF]
• Olympic viewing parties next week at Civic Center [Rec & Park]
• Man killed on a quiet cul-de-sac just up the hill [SF Appeal]
• Urban Dictionary has an obnoxious definition of Noe Valley [Urban Dictionary]
• Current Noe resident Ev Williams has 300 enemies in his future neighborhood - wants to tear down a beautiful home to build green [Socketsite]

[Photo: @UrbanHikerSF]

24th St Rape Suspect In Custody

Update (1/9): SFPD has released the booking photo and corrected spelling of the suspect's name: Frederick Dozier.

Update (1/7): Police have identified the alleged rapist as 32 year old San Francisco resident Frederick Dosier. No mugshot yet.

Original Post: 
A news conference this evening by the SFPD confirmed earlier news from Scott Wiener that a suspect in the 24th St / Fair Oaks rape case has been arrested. The suspect is a 32 year-old San Francisco man. Mission Local reports that the police "arrested the suspect at 4:30 pm Friday at the Bernal Dwellings after receiving a tip from a resident. It’s unclear at this time whether the suspect lived there... Police worked with the FBI and Daly City police and followed dozens of leads before making an arrest. They were able to identify the suspect as a person of interest because of DNA evidence." The SFPD is not releasing the suspect's name "due to pending ID issues," but rumors are already circulating on Twitter.

Thanks, everyone, for sending updates.

SFPD Press Release:

San Francisco Police Make Arrest in Sexual Assault Investigations in the Mission District

Posted Date: 1/6/2012

On January 6, 2012, San Francisco Police arrested a 32 year-old male San Francisco resident in connection with two sexual assaults which occurred in San Francisco’s Mission District.

During the first incident, which occurred on June 17, 2011, the female victim had been walking on South Van Ness between 24th and 25th Street when she was approached from behind by the suspect and bear hugged prior to being thrown to the ground. The victim was then dragged approximately 60 feet to an area between a vehicle and a residence where she was sexually assaulted and robbed of her property.

In the second incident which occurred on November 18, 2011, the female victim was also violently attacked from behind along the Mission District 24th Street corridor where she was sexually assaulted and robbed.

With the assistance of a tip from a citizen on the anonymous tip line, investigators from the Special Victims Unit were able to identify a person of interest. This person of interest was later connected to physical evidence located at the scene of these two incidents.

The suspect was charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of robbery related to the two incidents.

The suspect’s name will be released at a later time due to pending ID issues

Sketch And Video Of 24th St Rape Suspect

Person of interest in sexual assaults in the Mission District from San Francisco Police on Vimeo.

The SFPD released a sketch of the man suspected of raping at least two women along the 24th St corridor. The suspect is a black male in his mid 30’s, between 5’9” – 6’00” tall with a medium build last seen wearing a black hoodie and dark pants. According to at least one tweet there's a $25,000 reward for info leading to his arrest.

To contact the SFPD: "Witnesses or persons with information are asked to call the anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or “Text-a-Tip” at TIP411 from their cell phones. Please include “SFPD’ in the beginning of the text message."

[SFPD: SFPD Seeks Publics Help in Identifying Sexual Assault Person Of Interest]
[BayCitizen: http://www.baycitizen.org/blogs/pulse-of-the-bay/police-release-rape-suspect-sketch
[SFGate: Hundreds gather to discuss Mission sexual assaults]
[NVSF: Community Meeting Regarding Recent Sexual Assaults]

Community Meeting Regarding Recent Sexual Assaults

The Fair Oaks Neighborhood Coalition has organized a community meeting. A reader alerted us to this Mission Local article:

Residents near 24th Street and Fair Oaks, where a violent sexual assault took place last week, have asked city and law enforcement officials to meet with the community on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at St. James Church to discuss the investigation.

...the goal of Wednesday’s meeting is threefold: to get an update on how the victims are doing, to set up a fund to help them financially, and to find out how the investigation is going.

We called the Mission Station, but no one was able to confirm SFPD will attend.

Our reader added a few more details:

The first victim, who is a personal friend of ours, is a Noe Valley resident who was walking to the SamTrans bus stop in order to get to work early at the airport to cover a co-worker's shift.

...In addition to these two assaults, the Dec/Jan edition of the Noe Valley Voice listed three other sexual assaults, which according to a police officer that I spoke with may or may not be related to the other two. They were listed as occurring on Jersey, Church and Sanchez during the month of October. The police are considering whether or not all 5 might be related, but the most recent two certainly seem to be. In addition to the surveillance photo that is posted on your site, the first victim did a face/head sketch which has not been widely distributed.

Also, the Fair Oaks residents are apparently trying to set up some sort of fund to help the victims, at least the one attacked near Fair Oaks. If there were any interest in helping out the Noe Valley victim, I would be happy to discuss that further with her and anyone interested in making such a contribution. She will remain off work into January as she is still recovering from her injuries. She lives paycheck to paycheck, and we are providing direct financial support to her so that she doesn't need to worried about rent, etc. on top of everything else.

Stay tuned for more info on how to help the victim. Meanwhile, consider attending the meeting tomorrow night and be safe.

What: Community Meeting Regarding Recent Sexual Assaults
When: Wednesday, December 14, 7:00PM
Where: St James Church, 1086 Guerrero St at Alvarado

Update: More from the Fair Oaks Community Coalition

Dear Neighbors,
In response to the terrible assault that occurred on Fair Oaks at 24th Street on December 8, a public meeting will be held this Wednesday, December 14, at 7:00 PM at St. James Church, Guerrero at 23rd Streets. All neighbors, local schools staff and students, church and community organizations are invited to attend.

• To assist the survivors of this and another similar attack in November (also on the 24th Street corridor in the Mission), several options will be discussed;
• City officials and the San Francisco Police Department will provide updates on the investigation;
• Flyers to warn the public will be available for posting in streets, shops, restaurants, BART and bus stops (or print your own from the attached flyer);
• An online list-serve is being developed for the neighborhood – get details and sign up! Recommendations on self-defense will be provided;
• Advice on safeguarding your home will be discussed;

Our neighborhoods can combine strengths to stop these attacks if we heed the guidelines at this SFPD web site.


Please share this invitation with others, and bring your ideas to the meeting on Wednesday. Meanwhile, stay alert and stay safe!

And another update:

Andrew Segal of the Fair Oaks Neighborhood Coalition...confirmed that...Supervisors Weiner and Campos will attend, as well as representatives from SFPD and the DA's office. There are three goals: solving the crimes, identifying some way of supporting the victims, and identifying an avenue for community healing.

[NVSF: Crime Beat: Rape]
[SFPD: Wanted: Sexual Assault Person Of Interest]

Crime Beat: Rape

Via the Fair Oaks Community Coalition:

Dear neighbors:

Today at 6:30 AM, a woman was attacked on 24th Street and raped around the corner on Fair Oaks Street. The woman has been hospitalized and is under care in San Francisco. The SFPD cordoned off the northwest corner during their investigation, and the fire department was later called to wash blood from the sidewalk. [A neighbor] who lives across the street found a bloody undergarment in shrubs near her home and gave it to the police, who have classified this as a “very violent crime,” and are giving it their utmost attention.

There were apparently no witnesses, and are no suspects at present – however, in the event that you may have heard or seen something in this area at that time, PLEASE NOTIFY THE POLICE DIRECTLY. Believe it or not, the preferred contact method is not by phone (which ties up the station’s switchboard), but by email or Twitter:

• Email: SFPDMissionStation@sfgov.org
• Twitter: SFPD_Mission

But if your only contact method is telephone, please call the TIP LINE: (415) 392-2623.

Three Fair Oaks neighbors went to Mission Station late this morning to ask how our community might best offer support and assistance to the woman. Officer Salvador suggested that cards and notes could be forwarded to her from Mission Station. Needless to say, her identity will not (and should not) be made public, but assuming that she’s unable to work for a while, some financial assistance might be welcome, particularly at this time of year. As soon as a fund can be established, contribution information will be provided to this email list.

While the case is under investigation, the police strongly advise all of us neighbors not to discuss any “facts” that we may have heard or believe to be true. The reason is simple: Misinformation made public can prejudice a case, and could provide the perpetrator’s defense attorney grounds for dismissal when it comes to trial.

In the meantime, Officer Salvador recommends that extra attention be paid to the personal safety of our families and our homes in the following ways:

• Never, ever walk down a public street while talking or texting on your phone! C.W. Nevius’ recent column in the Chronicle explains why. Doubters should note that at Mission Station this morning, two young women walked in to report exactly this sort of attack. One of them had just been mugged from behind while talking on her phone on busy Mission Street at 10:30 AM!
• Lock the doors and windows of your home! Burglars are looking for holiday gifts, and will be delighted to take yours.
• Lock your car, and leave nothing of value on view inside. Even a trash bag full of used tissues may prompt a smash-and-grab – especially if it’s a recycled bag with an interesting label. The thief will get nothing for his efforts, but you’ll still have a broken window to replace.
• When you’re away from home, leave the lights on, inside and out. And always keep your porch lights on when it’s dark outside (morning & evening commute hours). Set them on timers, if possible, and add a radio for sound effects. Like germs, burglars thrive in the dark.
• If you’re going out of town, cancel mail, package and newspaper deliveries, or ask a neighbor to pick them up from your front steps. Why advertise that no one’s at home?
• When you see something suspicious – even a little bit suspicious – call 911 immediately! The police will never, ever scold you for giving them the opportunity to stop a crime while it’s happening. And if it’s a false alarm, they’ll still thank you for staying alert.

These are commonsense precautions that should be heeded by all. For more ideas, please check http://www.sfsafe.org.

In the interval since the above email went out a suspect has been identifed: "a black male, mid 30’s, 5’9” – 6’00”, medium build last seen wearing a black hoodie, and dark pants." More info on the SFPD website. 

Update (12/13): Get involved. Go to the community meeting on December 14.