Mission Mission

Stylin’ on Capp at 22nd.

Everyone knows Jaywalking is a serious crime and we should not be surprised if we actually get caught.  That said, as reader Dan points out, it’s Capp St.:

Just wanted to share a recent experience that I thought would never ever happen in the mission. On Sunday I got a ticket for jaywalking across Capp street at 18th!

Forget the fact that Capp street is barely wide enough to be a street (no offense) and that it’s between the much busier Mission and South Van Ness. Being Capp, there was probably a shooting, burning mattress, drug deal, other felony, or crime against humanity happening on every other single block of Capp. But the cops decided that the best use of their time was to fine me for crossing at the intersection on a red light. Never mind that there were no cars anywhere in sight. When I got halfway towards Mission a cop car stopped to my left, the cop got out and asked if he could talk to me. It took me a few minutes just to realize I had done something, and that he wasn’t asking if I had witnessed some murder. I don’t know if this was to meet a quota or what, but you could tell even the cop couldn’t take what he was doing seriously. I’m all for pedestrian safety and following the law, and i consider myself somewhat of a cycling safety advocate, but a citation for crossing Capp is just not saving anyone. There’s no reason for a light to be at Capp and 18th except for city fundraising efforts.

On Friday, the Examiner suggested that SF residents take “time to enjoy your own back yard” by going to beaches, museums and other shit like that.  What a smashing idea!  I took a stroll through the Lower Haight because, generally, if it’s not the Mission, I don’t go there.*

So, thank you, SF Examiner, because had it not been for this suggestion, I would have not seen this KILLER TREE.

* I mean, who has time for other neighborhoods?  Long distance relationships don’t work. I won’t even look at girls who don’t exist in jpg form.

(In completely unrelated news, my parents also had an encounter with a Killer Tree yesterday.)

(Photo by westbymidwest)

Yeah, we all know there was an epic full moon the other night, but Tom B. sent these photos our way and they’re net level.  Full moons and clouds will never play out.

Since our post last week regarding SafeCleanGreen Mission Dolores’ efforts to “improve” the park, a number of real journalists did some real journalism.  Normally I would go into the subject a little more, but it is the Friday before a long weekend and I would rather just quote other people’s hard work at length.  Here is the highlight reel (emphasis added all over the place):

On drinking:

People who have a permit for a picnic are allowed to drink alcohol in the park, according to Rec and Park spokeswoman Lisa Seitz Gruwell. If parkgoers are not complying with the rules, however, they will be cited, [Mission Police Station Capt. Stephen Tacchini] said.

“I don’t think ‘crackdown’ is the word we want to use,” he said. “What we want to do is inform people about what’s permissible in the park and what’s not — we want to get their cooperation.” [Examiner]

On community events:

In addition, the city has revised its permit policy, restricting the number of large events to one per weekend and no more than two per month. According to neighbors, events with amplified sound have been happening nearly every weekend. [Mission Loc@l]

Note – We unsuccessfully attempted to reach neighborhood services superintendent Bob Palacio for clarification as to what defined a “large” event.  Presumably Dolores Park Movie Night falls into this category, which means there will only be one additional permit issued per month?

From Robert, member of Dolores Heights Improvement Club who works withSafeCleanGreen:

The tone of the report and maybe the realization that the neighborhood is capable of organizing itself and getting some city action, got the pot boiling. Let’s be clear, we don’t want to end the scene, stop all major events and ban off-leash dog access in Dolores. We just believe that the popularity of Dolores has exceeded the attention she needs from the City and her neighbors. We intend to change that.

Early next year, Rec and Park will host a series of public meetings asking for input into how the 14 million dollars of park revitilization money will be spent. And by Spring, the playground will close for its rebuild. We need a Dolores Park advocacy group in place now. [Dolores Park View]

We asked Robert to clarify the bolded statement, as he offered this explanation:

Rec and Parks has put together a plan to not green light every event that wants to set up in Dolores. It was just too much wear and tear on the park and the nerves of the locals. We can hear every word and note from these big events for several blocks.  Balance, that is all.   Most of us know what a great thing we have happening here.  The social vibrancy of this park is a thing to be cherished.  If we can bring a little order and get everyone to pick up their trash and not set off fireworks at 1 am., with out killing the whole scene, great.

Take Action:

On September 16th, 7 pm at the Dolores Park Church, 455 Dolores Street, the coalition of park supporters [...] will meet again to form goals and to strategize. [Dolores Park View]

Around the Web:

• Police Cleaning Up Dolores Park [Examiner]
• Dolores Park Progress Report [Dolores Park View]
• Dolores Park Turf War [Mission Loc@l]

Previously on Mission Mission:

• Leaked Memo Reveals Effort to ‘Improve’ Dolores Park

Reports Humphry Slocombe:

To the lady sitting ouside our store- this is no way to cool off! Sheesh (link)

Snakes are probably more sanitary than their burritos.