Please welcome a new contributor to Haighteration, Rose Garrett! Rose is a writer and Lower Haight resident, and we're very excited to have her on board here at Haighteration. Take it away, Rose!
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Last night, the Peacock Lounge played host to a community meeting to address safety issues in the neighborhood. While a similar meeting last week addressed residents' reactions in the wake of two recent violent deaths, last night's gathering of about 40 people was designed to help residents, business owners and law enforcement officials share constructive ideas to improve safety in the Lower Haight.
Captain Ann Mannix of the Northern Police Station was present, along with a group of uniformed police officers that regularly patrol the Lower Haight. Citing the stats, Mannix stated that, "There is not a lot of crime in your neighborhood," sparking a lively debate that had some attendees shaking their heads in disbelief and others in vocal agreement. Mannix went on to explain that community reporting is key to making sure the police know about incidence of crime and allocate resources accordingly. "Please call and report crime," she urged. "If you don't report it, it didn't happen." Some noted that uncertainty over what number to call, and when to call, may be stopping people from reporting possible crimes or suspicious activity. It was also suggested that reluctance or hesitancy to call the police could represent a part of the neighborhood culture that needs changing. If there's one number you should remember, said LoHaMNA president Thea Selby, it's 553-0123, the number to call for any suspicious activity (she even had the meeting attendees chanting it). If you have any concern about violence, don't be afraid to call 911: Mannix emphasized that it's better to err on the side of caution than to be afraid that you may be calling wolf, and dispatchers will know whether to downgrade your call if needed. After Captain Mannix spoke, the meeting broke into groups to discuss community measures to improve neighborhood safety that don't depend on the police. The groups came away with these general takeaways:
Captain Ann Mannix of the Northern Police Station was present, along with a group of uniformed police officers that regularly patrol the Lower Haight. Citing the stats, Mannix stated that, "There is not a lot of crime in your neighborhood," sparking a lively debate that had some attendees shaking their heads in disbelief and others in vocal agreement. Mannix went on to explain that community reporting is key to making sure the police know about incidence of crime and allocate resources accordingly. "Please call and report crime," she urged. "If you don't report it, it didn't happen." Some noted that uncertainty over what number to call, and when to call, may be stopping people from reporting possible crimes or suspicious activity. It was also suggested that reluctance or hesitancy to call the police could represent a part of the neighborhood culture that needs changing. If there's one number you should remember, said LoHaMNA president Thea Selby, it's 553-0123, the number to call for any suspicious activity (she even had the meeting attendees chanting it). If you have any concern about violence, don't be afraid to call 911: Mannix emphasized that it's better to err on the side of caution than to be afraid that you may be calling wolf, and dispatchers will know whether to downgrade your call if needed. After Captain Mannix spoke, the meeting broke into groups to discuss community measures to improve neighborhood safety that don't depend on the police. The groups came away with these general takeaways:
- Know your neighbors. Meeting your neighbors in a city can be tough, especially if you want to be on more than a first name basis. Suggestions for building stronger ties between residents ranged from planning block parties and barbeques to organizing neighborhood watch groups for specific city blocks.
- Know your local businesses. One longtime resident suggested introducing yourself when walk into a store or restaurant until you're on a first-name basis with the owner or employees.
- Know your beat cops. A group of officers is assigned to patrol the Lower Haight—you may know them by sight already. Interacting positively with them—even just by introducing yourself—will foster trust between residents and law enforcement. As one neighborhood resident of 20 years said, building ties with your beat cops ensures that "they're not just doing their job, they're doing it for you."
