Yesterday was another lovely day in Dolores Park, and there were once again thousands jamming onto Hipster Hill, the Gay Beach, the dog area, and elsewhere. Also, there were many, many kids at play in the very attractive but arguably oversized new playground, and a number of cops taking tours, on foot and and on motorcycles, apparently taking some kind of census of how many people were drinking out in the open — telling some people to put their bottles away, and issuing a citation to somebody in at least one case we observed. Boo! Right? Well, this might only be getting worse for park boozing ... News arrived today that that brick church building, converted into a residence a few years ago by a misguided house-flipper, is going to become a middle school. more ›

The SFPD held a community meeting in Ingleside last night to discuss the developments in the investigation of the Howth Street murders on March 23. They tried to allay neighbors' fears that this incident reflected any uptick in crime in the area (there was another, unrelated murder on April 1 just a couple blocks away), maintaining that this was an isolated incident, however they remain unwilling to discuss what the motive may have been for prime suspect Binh Thai Luc. They also said that they are still searching for two weapons used in the murders — one a sharp-edged instrument, and one a blunt instrument of some kind.\ more ›

We can hear the rumbling rage of the city's cyclists as we type this: As noted on Uptown Almanac, local cyclist Amy Farah Weiss captured some incriminating footage for SFPD bicycle cops totally not coming to a complete stop at a stop-sign intersection on Haight. She reports on this quite angrily because she was one of those cyclists dinged by a cop in last fall's crackdown on cyclists who did "Idaho rolls" at stop signs, yielding to traffic but not fully stopping. more ›

Although initially confirmed by some local journalists as a "murder-suicide," Friday's quintuple murder at 16 Howth Street was allegedly the work of 35-year-old Binh Thai Luc. According to SF Appeal, "Homicide Inspectors arrested 35-year-old Binh Thai Luc...for the five homicides. In addition, they arrested his brother, 33-year-old Brian Luc for narcotics possession, a felon in possession of ammunition and for a probation violation. These brothers reside together in San Francisco." more ›

Robert Blitzer, 66, and his husband, Xenry, 63, were sitting in the Castro Plaza on March 11, doing what every honorable, Goddess-fearing San Franciscan should be doing on a warm weekend day of leisure: smoking weed. That is, until the fuzz killed the party. According to the BAR, "San Francisco Police Officer Matt Loya asked them if what they were smoking was tobacco, and Blitzer responded that it was marijuana. He said that Loya checked their medical marijuana ID cards and their drivers' licenses and spent half an hour with them." more ›

Police have been called to Jackson and Davis in San Francisco, which is currently blocked off. One SFist tipster suggested that a man has "jumped to his death...from one of the high-rise residential buildings on that corner." SFist has been unable to confirm that account of events with SFPD, but we've heard from several contacts that, in fact, the scene... well, it isn't a good one. more ›

Mac, the San Francisco Police Department's prolific drug-sniffing Springer Spaniel, was recognized for his work with the department's Investigations Bureau in a special ceremony at the Hall of Justice today. Mac, who is three years old and absolutely adorable, received a special star and a belly rub from Police Chief Greg Suhr for his role in seizing over $3.75 million worth of drug money and over 500 pounds of cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, MDMA and heroin. more ›

"I'm sure there's a Shit Someone Says video out there you haven't seen yet, but why not skip it and watch this surprisingly moving It Gets Better video from the SFPD," notes SF Appeal's Eve Batey, who first reported on the video. And she's right. The video, just released today by the San Francisco Police Department, showcases several queer officers telling their stories of growing up as gay youths. It's quite touching. more ›

If there's one thing local cyclists wear on their sleeves more than Chrome sacks, it's their victimization. And rightfully so. Some people, whether on foot or in car, are not so nice to cyclists. Here's another teardrop to add to bikers' river of pain: The Mission police station recently posted video of a louse stealing a bicycle right in front of the Walgreens at 30th and Mission streets. How rude. more ›

Two civil lawsuits were filed today on behalf of the City of San Francisco against two Tenderloin businesses that are considered "host businesses" for drug sales and the fencing of stolen property. The businesses are Barah's Market at the corner of Leavenworth and Turk, and Razan Deli & Grocery nearby at 391 Ellis Street. City Attorney Dennis Herrera says these lawsuits were needed to help kids and seniors and to "create an environment where people can thrive and be the best we can be." more ›

In the latest New York vs. San Francisco pissing contest, noted New York startup wunderkind David Karp fired the first shot taking our fair city's choice of police patrol vehicles, "the most busted looking police cars." We happen to enjoy the understated, no-nonsense style of SFPD's Crown Victorias (really, there's no greater joy in this city than zipping down Gough Street in a Police Interceptor-turned-Taxi Cab). Thankfully for us, SFist pal (and current San Franciscan living in exile in NYC) Sexpigeon verbalizes our problem with NYPD's "insecure mess of an automobile." Observe: more ›

San Francisco Police closed off streets around the intersection of Ninth and Brannan in SoMa around 11:10 p.m. last night after responding to reports of shots fired in the area. Officers arriving on the scene blocked off several streets in the area after more shots were fired from a roof on the Northwest corner of the intersection. The ensuing standoff lasted over two hours while an SFPD tactical unit and the SWAT team attempted to dislodge the shooters who were reportedly armed with an assault rifle. more ›

Er, scratch that. The (alleged) robber perched on a Telegraph Hill cliff escaped at around 10 p.m. Wednesday night, soon after SFPD left the scene per the suspect's request. SFPD sent out the follow missive: "[A]t approximately 10pm, a neighbor who was aware that a burglary suspect was possibly hiding on the hillside, heard noises coming from the hillside area and observed a male sliding down the hill toward an opening in a fence. The neighbor observed the male subsequently peer through the fence and then walk out. The neighbor contacted police who responded to the area to search for the male but were unable to locate the subject." more ›

A collision just before 6 a.m. this morning at 3rd and 22nd Street is still tying up traffic and slowing down Muni trains, according to Alert SF, which recommends avoiding the area. A police patrol car and a Muni T-line streetcar collided at the intersection at 5:45 a.m., injuring two police officers, a Muni passenger and the Muni driver. more ›

Judge Angela Bradstreet might have some fashionista sympathy for prolific cat burglar Pooja Gandhi (remember her?), because the judge has ordered that SFPD return to Gandhi all of the unclaimed stolen hats, shoes, purses and $4,000 raincoats that police confiscated from her Polk Street apartment in March of last year. Police found eight truckloads worth of goods in Gandhi's pad, including art with pricetags still attached, and a dirt bike, and the judge has declared any and all of it as "personal items." The SFPD, naturally, ran to ABC7 with the story, because they are pissed as hell. more ›

Compared to OPD and the city of Oakland's reaction, the San Francisco Police Department's response to cleansing out the encampment at Justin Herman Plaza was a gentlemen's affair. No serious injures were reported, save for the ones that befell several officers. And while some campers complained that SFPD only gave them five minutes to clear out, that wasn't the case, or so says SF Police Chief Greg Shur. more ›

Members of Occupy SF, who were booted from Justin Herman Plaza early this morning, are now in the process of trying to reclaim the area. At least three people have been arrested so far. Police donning riot gear are facing off against angry protesters chanting "shame," "the whole world is watching," and "shutting down the west coast!" more ›

Friend of SFist and dedicated Occupy SF participant Scott Rossi was on the scene at last night's big barricade event. Highlights include details about the crowd knocking down the barricades and an eye-witness account of conflict between members of SFPD. Below are some excerpts. more ›

S.F.P.D. has cleared out the Occupy SF camp in front of the Federal Reserve Building at 101 Market tonight, and two buses worth of police are still in the area. Another report estimates that 150 officers are present. Police are calling it a "crime scene" allegedly in order to keep the press away from the scene. more ›

Ronald Stanley Bridgeforth, who may or may not have been a member of the Black Liberation Army in San Francisco — an extra-violent off-shoot of the Black Panthers — was charged along with seven other men with murdering police Sgt. John Young at Ingleside Station on Aug. 29, 1971. He was previously accused and arrested for shooting on an officer in South San Francisco in 1968, after being stopped for credit card fraud at a discount store — after which he jumped bail and remained on the lam, around the Bay Area until 1971 or so, and then disappearing to Africa and eventually returning to get a Masters Degree and living, likely under an assumed name, as a husband, father, and college counselor in an undisclosed location. more ›

Three cops responding to a call about a knife-wielding man at 24th and York around 1:45 a.m. last night didn't quite make it to the scene when their unmarked blue Ford sedan ran in to a light pole on Potrero Avenue, KTVU reports this morning. Luckily, they were practically outside of San Francisco General already, and all three officers riding in the vehicle were taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The vehicle, meanwhile, sustained "major damage", but the light pole was totally fine. more ›

No, not an addition to the Law & Order franchise, an actual division of the San Francisco Police Department: Mayor Lee and SFPD Chief Greg Suhr announced yesterday the department would be consolidating several units under the new Special Victims Unit to, "take care of our most vulnerable" and share expertise between investigators. more ›

SFPD and members of Occupy SF butt heads Sunday night as authorities attempted to forcibly remove the Occupy encampment at Justin Herman Plaza starting around 10:30 p.m. According to ABC7, Police stood watch as DPW crews cleared the area. Protesters attempting to block a city garbage truck from hauling off their tents and belongings were dragged out of the way. One protester was reportedly dragged away by his index finger while police officers threatened to break it. more ›

San Francisco police investigators are searching for Mark Marvin, 39, who was last seen leaving his home near Divisadero and Waller at around 4 p.m. on October 6th. He has not been in contact with anyone since. His vehicle was found at Baker Beach on Sunday. more ›

Supervisor and mayoral candidate John Avalos released a statement following last night's Occupy SF tent city closure by SFPD. Avalos was at the brouhaha, and negotiated with authorities to keep the tent city open, but was surprised and saddened to hear that cops shuttered the encampment soon after leaving the scene. In part of a written statement, Avalos said, "This is not the San Francisco that I know. This is not the San Francisco I love. This City has served as a sanctuary for free speech and assembly for generations, and we must protect that legacy." more ›

Yesterday the trial began for Randal Dunklin, 56, the wheelchair-bound homeless man who was shot by police on January 4th of this year after he had been wielding a knife and refusing to surrender. The incident happened at 10th and Howard Streets in broad daylight, and one witness took some cellphone video footage which the SFPD quickly released, in an effort to defend their actions. Among the new revelations in the case: Dunklin was shot once through the penis (the bullet went into his leg) and once in his side. more ›

Police asked residents, if you will, of the tiny tent town outside the Federal Reserve Bank at 101 Market Street to scatter last night. The shantytown occupying the area was built in support of Occupy Wall Street. According to the Examiner, "police forced the protesters to take down their camp, saying that while they have a right to demonstrate they cannot block sidewalks with items such as tents, crates and other objects." more ›

A presumably mentally-unhinged lady went on a smashing at least three parked police cars this morning. The San Francisco woman was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism at 3:27 a.m. after a passer-by reported the vandalism to officers at the department's Southern Station," reports SF Appeal. more ›