BCNA

The Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association Safety Committee met recently with officers from the San Francisco Police Department’s Central Station to discuss our members’ concerns and the Committee’s ideas to improve safety in our neighborhood. And we have good news to report!

The BCNA Safety Committee was created in response to increased incidents of cars stunt driving and speeding along the Embarcadero and works to address a range of safety issues for our residents, including crime, traffic, and pedestrian concerns. The focus of the June 5th walkabout with Lieutenant Farmer, Sergeant Barbosa, and Officer Collins was to seek solutions on (1) noise, speeding, and stunt driving, and (2) crime and personal safety, especially communities of concern who can be most at risk.

We are pleased to report that as a result of our efforts, SFPD’s Central Station has committed to helping us address these problems.

Lieutenant Farmer has asked his patrol officers to increase their patrol presence in the Barbary Coast area. We shared BCNA’s Safety Survey results, which found that 28% of respondents feel unsafe walking in the neighborhood during the daytime, and 51% feel unsafe at night. The officers agreed that “This is unacceptable,” and committed to “make sure there is immediate action.”

The officers proposed two significant steps to address the excessive noise, speeding and stunt driving on the Embarcadero on weekends. First, SFPD leadership will start a traffic operation to deploy police officers along the Embarcadero. The officers advised that the best chance of a long-term resolution is to deter this kind of behavior by issuing citations and fines.

Second, SFPD recommended blocking the entrance of Pier 27 (cruise ship terminal) because the large, empty parking lot frequently serves as a gathering place for stunt driving and sideshows. SFPD advised BCNA to work with the Port of San Francisco to install physical barriers to deny vehicle access on the weekends. As an interim, short-term solution, SFPD can increase patrol presence at Pier 27 to prevent large gatherings.

The Safety Committee is also launching a noise monitoring study to help our efforts to reduce speeding, stunt driving, and excessive noise by cars and motorcycles on the Embarcadero and other Barbary Coast thoroughfares. In July, the Safety Committee will place monitors at two busy intersections along the Embarcadero to record noise level data, in order to pinpoint the loudest days and times and more specifically define the noise pollution problem. We will share these data with SFPD Central Station, which we hope will enable a more efficient and effective deployment of resources to resolve these issues.

Click here for details on our June 5th walkabout with SFPD.

We want to make our members aware that on Sunday afternoon, May 23, 2021, a “Unite The Bay: A Ride Out Against Hate” protest event will take place and affect traffic along the waterfront. The purpose of the ride is to bring awareness to recent AAPI injustices. Bikers will begin their 6-mile protest ride at 2 pm and stop at three intersections: 3rd Street/King Street (Oracle Park), Embarcadero/Washington Street, and 1st Street/Mission Street (Salesforce Tower). The riders will peacefully disrupt and bring attention to the issue of anti-AAPI violence by riding in a circle for about five minutes at each intersection. Organizers expect 100-150 riders.

Click here for more information and to register for this free event.

The North Beach Farmers Market is getting ready to open for its fourth season on May 29, 2021. The Market’s lead sponsor, North Beach Neighbors, is excited to help bring fresh produce back to the neighborhood. A new location on Greenwich Street right next to Joe DiMaggio Playground will help grow the market to almost twice the size as previous years.

The Market needs your help! To have a successful run, the Market needs to raise $5,000 to help cover permitting costs, provide weekly live music and programming, and to support community programs which provide visits to the Market for low-income neighbors. Please donate at GoFundMe.

North Beach Farmers Market is one of the only independent markets in San Francisco. It was started by neighbors and is still 100% volunteer run. It only exists thanks to the support of local residents who value local agriculture and the incredible community space that the Market provides.