Meet Mayoral Candidates & Your Neighbors at the DHIC FallFest

Saturday, September 28

DHIC’s Fallfest, our annual neighborhood block party, is happening on Saturday, September 28 from 11am to 1pm on Sanchez Street between 21st and Hill Streets.  Everyone is welcome!

The FallFest will feature two mayoral candidates: Mayor London Breed and President of the Board of Supervisors, Aaron Peskin.  Mayor Breed will join us at 11:30am for 30 minutes of talk and Q&A. Supervisor Peskin will do the same from 12:15-12:45 pm. 

Join us to meet your neighbors, learn about our activities, hear from our Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and the mayoral candidates, and participate in our great raffle.  

This is an-all volunteer event.  If you can help, email us at info@doloresheights.org

Here’s what’s on tap for you:

  • View the historic Dolores Heights photos
  • Join your neighborhood block safety group
  • Get safety and security handouts; talk with savvy neighbors about home safety
  • Learn about the proposed mural project at 20th and Noe Streets
  • Meet the people behind the Green Gardens monthly hillside clean-ups
  • Bring your kids to “Kids Korner” activities
  • Hear from our District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman

And enter the raffle to win gift cards to great area restaurants and other services! (Note the raffle drawing will occur at 12:45pm.  You must be present to win.) 

Dolores Hill Bomb Non-Violent This Year – with help from SFPD

In late June, the nameless Hill Bombers posted on Instagram that the Dolores Hill Bomb is set for Saturday, July 6 at 7pm.  On July 1, SFPD Chief Scott and Supervsor Mandelman convened a meeting to hear from community members about the Hill Bomb in our neighborhood.   They sat and listened.  DHIC talked to them.  Carolyn Kenady, Chair of DHIC, specifically urged them to cancel this year’s Hill Bomb.  “It used to be a fun event … for the past six years, it’s been increasingly dangerous and violent – with too many injuries.”    She compared it to the recent Pride events in Dolores Park where thousands celebrated peacefully.  

DHIC asked the City to:

  • Stop the violent acts – no more assaults with projectiles, broken bottles, fireworks
  • Stop the vandalism – stop the destruction of City and private property.
  • Prevent arrests – especially bystanders and minors.
  • Stop this illegal event – stay away:  skateboarders, spectators, and those who vandalize and foment violence. 

On Saturday, July 6, the skateboarders and the police were both at Dolores Hill.  The boarders ended up riding down Church Street.  This year’s event was subdued.  DHIC asked Chief Scott and Supv. Mandelman to seek out skateboard community leaders who will organize a permitted event at a venue that can be safe and fun for all next year

DHIC Fallfest 2023 – a great neighborhood block party!

On the bright and sunny Saturday, October 14, over 80 neighbors turned out  from throughout Dolores Heights.  They looked at great photos of Dolores Heights … from the earthquake era to today.  They talked with leaders of DHIC’s key priorities – Safety, Cleaning & greening our Green Spaces, and Planning and Land Use – and learned about how they can help support them.  Supervisor Rafael Mandelman recapped his key priorities and issues in the City.  And Dave Burke described his role as D8 Public Safety Liaison in the SFPD.  To top it off, we held the Great Raffle – with over ten prizes including gift cards to top restaurants in the Castro/SF.  

The photos give a glimpse of what went on.  We hope you were there and left with a better understanding of DHIC’s role in ensuring that Dolores Heights is great place to live and that our interests are represented at City Hall and with our elected supervisor and state legislators!  If you have questions or want to help, we want to hear from you!  Email us at info@doloresheights.org

What’s Up with the Flying Car?

Thanks to all neighbors who responded to the carjacked Lincoln that crashed through the barrier and landed upside down on 19th Street on Saturday, July 22 (see minute 1:25 on linked YouTube video.)  Many shared video and photos of the incident with SFPD.  That evidence helped SFPD to arrest the two ringleaders in this carjacking/reckless driving incident on July 26  

Unfortunately, the two individuals arrested are not being charged owing to lack of sufficient evidence to bring a strong case.  Specifically, the owner of the carjacked vehicle is unwilling to serve as a witness.  Sergeant Wren of Mission Station is investigating the crime.  It is still an open case.  As of September 2 he’s awaiting lab results on a piece of evidence that’s key to any further action.

DHIC has asked Supervisor Mandelman’s office to help us obtain a vehicle safety strategy and “calming” plan from SFMTA.  

Good news:  earlier in August, DPW workers replaced the broken metal railings on the top and bottom of the staircase.  

What you can do:

  • Continue to be vigilant when you are out in the neighborhood including when entering/exiting a car
  • Join us on Sat. Oct. 14 between 11am – 1pm at the 800 block of Sanchez (at 21st Street) when we host the DHIC Fallfest with info on safety, green gardens, and other DHIC-sponsored activities.  

(Surveillance camera footage of the crash. Start watching at 1:25.)

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

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.