Mission Mission

As an update to my post from yesterday, homicide detectives just came to my door to ask if I had any information about the homicide that apparently happened around 2:30 AM Sunday morning. A man was beaten to death and was calling for help, but nobody came to his rescue. 

If you know anything about it, the SFPD flyer has the following information:

On Sunday morning 02/19/12, sometime between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. a man was robbed and then murdered in front of 125 Jullian, [sic] between 15th st, and 16th st . We ask anyone in the area of this street and the blocks surrounding it who saw or heard anything to contact S.F.P.D. YOU CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS: TIP LINE 415-575-4444

Anyone with information regarding the circumstances surrounding this incident is asked to call Inspector John Cagney of the SFPD Homicide Detail direct at (415) 734-3181 or during business hours (415) 553-1145 (Weekdays from 9AM-5PM) you can also call after hours the SFPD Operations Center at (415) 553-1071, or the anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444

Refer to Case #: 120139612

UPDATE: Mission Local has more about the stabbing death and the people who heard the victim’s cries for help and did nothing. It’s a complicated scenario, when people become used to walking past others in various forms of distress at all hours of the day. A commenter on ML brings up the famous Kitty Genovese case, which this obviously resembles. A man is beaten and stabbed, cries out for someone to call the police, and dies a slow death on a heavily trafficked sidewalk, where his body remains for maybe nine hours.

I’ve lived in the Mission for a long time and seen a lot of people in pain. It’s often not clear if there is anything I could do to help them. I’ve intervened a few times, and I’d like to think when I specifically hear the words “help” or “police” I’d take action. But at the same time, there’s so much drama every day. Two weeks ago on Capp Street a man was yelling at the top of his lungs for someone to call the cops. When I ran outside I found two men who knew each other and were arguing over something petty. They both seemed like they were high, and neither seemed to be in any danger. I was pissed that they tried to involve me in their dispute and yelled at them and they dispersed. Nevertheless, the fact is that one man was calling for help for probably five minutes before I got out there and nobody did anything.

It’s very sad that this man wasn’t able to be saved, and the reasons why, no matter what anyone says, are very complicated.

UPDATE 2: Mission Local now reports that the cause of death is now unknown. He has been identified as Richard Sprague, 47 of San Francisco.

From a tip by reader Jewel D. I checked out the block of Julian Ave. between 16th and 15th, which is blocked off to cars at this moment. (9:45 am Sunday) The police have a small area taped off to pedestrians as well on the East side of the street near 15th. It appears to me that there is a human on the ground under a yellow tarp*, but it could be something else. The police didn’t seem to be on edge, they were just standing around talking.

Reverend Bertie Pearson told me that all the cops would say was that someone was assaulted. A few of the cops went in and out of an apartment building there, but I didn’t see anyone who looked like a civilian involved out on the street.

More as it comes in.

*Seen in the above photo between the truck and bicycle.

UPDATE: Still blocked off an hour later and the Medical Examiner is on the scene.

[The following essay was submitted anonymously via email.]

Reflections on our community response to a serial rapist

As a survivor of rape, I wanted to share some of my reflections about the recent
arrest of Frederick Dozier in connection to several sexual assaults occurring in the
Mission over the past six months. I was compelled to do so personally not because
I’m particularly qualified in any way, but simply given the lack of closure I’ve felt
regarding these horrific incidents.

Let me start by saying that I’m relieved, if not overjoyed, that he’s in custody, and
that there is no such thing as justice for the women who suffered these violent
attacks. I must say as well that I’ve been quite disappointed to see how our
community has responded to this news. Let me explain how things went down, and
where I think we have an obligation—and opportunity—to do better.

(more…)

Reader Zarah P. shares these photos and this piece of news:

Just got an update from an officer. The US Bank was robbed and the suspect(s) is still at large.

Thanks, Zarah.

UPDATE: Mission Local has a great quote from SFPD:

According to Mission Police Captain Robert Moser, a suspect slipped a note to the teller asking for money. “He was too slick, he got away,” one officer on the scene said. [link]

City Insider reports:

On Jan. 28, two tractors that were used to construct the park’s playground — a $3 million renovation — were discovered damaged at a cost of up to $20,000, said Connie Chan, a spokeswoman for the city’s Recreation and Park Department.

In addition, branches on up to three medium-sized trees were cut, glass on three lampposts was smashed and 20 to 30 plants ready to be installed were thrown around, all at a cost of up to $5,000, Chan said. A gardener discovered the damage around 6 a.m. that Saturday.

The tractors were removed from the site and much of the damage was cleaned up, Chan said. This morning, vandals struck again, damaging the replacement equipment, she said.

Chan fears this may be some sort of organized effort. And it’s working because the playground is no longer expected to open on time. Read on. (Thanks, Herr Doktor Professor Deth Vegetable.)

[Photo by Dolores Park Works]

Discarded in a gutter as though it were… anything other than pizza. Tragic.

Mission Local reports:

Two suspects, described as 35-year-old men, approached a young man on Thursday, brandished a knife and demanded the victim’s smart phone and gold necklace, according to police reports.

The incident happened at 24th Street and South Van Ness Avenue at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Police said that both suspects fled on foot. [link]

Bummer!

(Thanks, Hap.)

Our pal Matt delivers the bad news:

Was running late for work so didn’t have time to snap a pic but saw a city maintenance worker cutting down the swing on Valencia. Swinggate continues! SOPA! Obama!

Capitalism! Christianity! Society!

Our pal Tag hipped us to this time-lapse video of a bike locked to a rack in NYC for a year. As you can imagine, it slowly disappears, but not quite as fast as it would in SF wethinks. Says Tag:

It’s six months before anyone even goes for the water bottle. New York
is pussies.

See for yourself:

[via Gothamist]