Monthly Archives: July 2023

Car “Flies” Over Sanchez Stairs and Lands on 19th Street

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On Saturday, July 22 around 7:15pm, five people carjacked a Lincoln sedan at Dolores Park.  They clearly didn’t know our area as the driver decided to go west on 20th Street up to Sanchez then north on Sanchez.  Driving at a high rate of speed the car crashed through the barriers at the top of the stairs and flew down to 19th Street – flipping mid-air and landing on its rooftop.  Miraculously, no one in the car was badly hurt and the sidewalk was clear.  Three walkers had just descended the stairs less than a minute before the crash.  .   

Neighbors supplied video and photos of the full event which likely aided the Police in their search for those involved.  On Tuesday, July 25, SFPD announced that it arrested two of the five suspects.  

DHIC has asked Supervisor Mandelman’s office to help us obtain a vehicle safety strategy and “calming” plan from SFMTA.  This is the second crash in 2023.  In February an out-of-control car crashed into the hillside railings on upper Sanchez north of 21st Street. 

What you can do:

  • Continue to be vigilant when you are out in the neighborhood including when entering/exiting a car
  • Join and participate in your block safety group
  • Join us on Sat. Oct. 14 between 11am – 1pm at the 800 block of Sanchez when we host the DHIC Fallfest with info on safety, green gardens, and other DHIC-sponsored activities.  

The 2023 Dolores Hill Bomb – Saturday, July 8

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The Dolores Hill Bomb on July 8 devolved into a riot with SFPD arresting those who remained in the area where the violence and vandalism occurred.  The event and police response generated media coverage and protests about the arrests.  

At the July 19 Police Commission meeting, Chief Scott provided a full report with body camera and other video footage along with a detailed timeline. 

The DHIC Board has not taken a position on the Hill Bomb.  We wanted to hear the SFPD report on the incident and gain some perspective as more facts emerge.  One key topic discussed at the July 19 meeting was community outreach to the Hill Bomb organizers and other skateboarding community members before the event. 

Both the Department of Police Accountability and the Internal Affairs Department are conducting  investigations. Some city officials are asking if a sanctioned event could occur next year.  

DHIC will stay involved with SFPD Mission Station, Dolores Park Rangers, and SFMTA.  We attend the monthly community meeting at Mission Station which is open to everyone in the community.  It’s at 5pm on the last Tuesday of every month at 17th & Valencia Streets.

We want to hear your point of view.  Contact board members [insert link to our list on doloresheights.org] or email info@doloresheights.org.

Chief Scott’s powerpoint report includes these events:  

  • By 6:15pm an estimated 200 people gathered behind metal barricades put up by SFPD at 4pm that day
  • Starting at 7:07pm, attendees threw a bottle, a can and at least two fireworks at officers, one of whom was spat on and scratched on the face.
  • At 7:09pm the incident was declared unlawful after the crowd got violent.  The SFPD announcement (via amplified sound) ordered those in the area to leave immediately Instead, the crowd moved to Church Street from 19th to 18th Street. This dispersal order was repeated at least 12 times before arrests began.  
  • Between 7:09 and 8:15pm, 80-plus officers in riot gear walked slowly in lines toward the crowds, eventually firing 15 rounds of foam bullets when they reached Church, 18th and Dolores streets just past 8 p.m. 
  • At approximately 7:35pm a video crew on the scene captured footage of people spray-painting buildings and scrawling tags on and climbing atop Muni trains and buses – causing $70,000 in damage. 
  • More than 100 people gathered at 18th and Dolores and removed barricades
  • By 8:43 p.m. police began arresting those in the area  and holding them on 17th Street between Dolores & Guerrero while SFPD read them their rights and completed arrest procedures.  
  • It resulted in 115 arrests—83 of them juveniles—and the retrieval of a number of guns, knives, fireworks and spray paint.  Charges against the juveniles have been dropped – except for the two individuals who assaulted a police sergeant. 

This incident occurred after a series of public safety incidents this year.  Shots were fired into homes across from the Park on 20th Street during the 4-20 Celebration.  Dirt bike drivers illegally criss-cross the Park in the evening.  Large explosives (M80s) and/or gun shots have been heard at the Park.  And nearby in the Mission a drive-by shooting injured nine people.  

DHIC will stay involved with SFPD Mission Station, Dolores Park Rangers, and SFMTA.  We attend the monthly community meeting at Mission Station which is open to everyone in the community.  It’s at 5pm on the last Tuesday of every month at 17th & Valencia Streets.

We want to hear your point of view.  Contact board members [insert link to our list on doloresheights.org] or email info@doloresheights.org.

“Safer Together”: Building Effective Block Safety Groups in Dolores Heights

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Dolores Heights has block groups covering nearly every block in our neighborhood.  If you’re not on one of our block safety aliases, email info@doloresheights.org with your name and block/cross streets (e.g., 3600 block of 21st St between Church & Sanchez.)  

We have a network of block safety captains who share information across groups.   Here’s current updates on safety for everyone: 

  • Package thief on video jumping a fence to steal a box – 3700 block of 21st
  • Don’t use realtor lock boxes on your front door/gate.  Neighbor at 19th & Church reported losing valuables after a burglar cut the box off the gate and smashed it open – using the key inside to open the front gate.   
  • Be on the lookout (BOLO) – William Eaton/Sapphire/Ambrosia is back in Dolores Heights carrying a machete and destroying plants (see photo below of plant cut down on 20th St.)  Do not approach her – call 911 if she’s destroying property or acting threatening.  

Report any key safety alerts to your block safety alias.  

Join your local block safety group for more updates as they occur.  Email info@doloresheights.org.