Mission Mission

[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]

The whole thing, gone in 60 seconds! (Okay, apparently it’s in the shop for cleaning or refurbishment and it’s due back probably in a couple weeks.)

Note to motorists: they forgot to screw the parking meters back on the parking meter posts, so you can park here for free for basically forever.

[First photo by Broke-Ass Stuart; second photo by Broke-Ass Jess.]