Arlene Uribe: Groups Unite for Public Safety

The Outer Richmond District has a new neighborhood forum for residents to voice their concerns on issues that are making their quality of life less than optimal.

On a sunny day last August, a neighborhood merchant was murdered around 5:15 p.m. at the California Market, located at 19th Avenue and California Street. Shocked over this, and being a 19th Avenue neighbor, I decided that it was time to organize as a community to discuss concerns and, most importantly, assist in uncovering any possible unknown details that the police could use to solve this crime.

Initially, I contacted San Francisco Safety Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) and discussed with Irina Chatsova how best to organize. Per her advice, I canvassed numerous streets with a flyer and talked to neighbors about meeting. As far as I am concerned, the best way to keep crime down is to make it clear that we are united as a community.

The importance of knowing each other on a more personal basis is what makes a community great.

The turnout at the first meeting was successful, with approximately 45 neighbors gathering to express their concerns. At that time, the Central Richmond District Safety Committee was created. We learned there are many issues concerning our neighbors.

An example is the problem that local homeowners near the Recreation Center are being forced to tolerate because of a select group of young people who exploit the facility and engage in drug sales in plain view. One neighbor recognized the activity and asked them to leave. When he returned to the street his tires had been slashed.

These are the elements that many neighbors have expressed great concern over; the list goes on as evidence of the growing problem.

Another important problem posed recently and aimed at our elderly is a scam where two uniformed men knock on the victimÕs door pretending to work for the water company. Before the elder knows whatÕs happened, his home is being robbed while the other person distracts him. These are the type of crimes we can prevent if we continue to organize and spread the word.

The committeeÕs plan is to form as many as possible individual neighborhood watch groups with a communication tree and an emergency plan of action for each block. The City will install a sign reading Neighborhood Watch for each block that is organized. Do you know your neighbors and if you had an emergency, would they know more than where you live?

The Central Richmond District Safety Committee is a good place to meet your neighbors at a more intimate level so that you are able to seek their help in an emergency, if need be, or support for other matters as well.

The Richmond District has problems, but as a group, we will have a louder voice. And as a group, we are able to invite guest speakers to teach us and inform us how to best protect the Richmond DistrictÕs quality of life. United, we can be more proactive in protecting and monitoring our neighborhood.

As Captain Sandra Tong stated at one of the meetings, ÒWith all the budget cuts, I need you as citizens to be the eyes and ears of your community.Ó

ItÕs only too true our city resources have been downsized while our neighborhoodÕs problems continue to rise. By partnering with available resources, we empower our community. We need to continue to get the word out that we are here to solve the ongoing issues at hand.

The committee would like to give our thanks to SF SAFE, Inc., and especially Irina Chatsova, for their suggestions, hand holding and advice for committee organizers.

There are many levels of resources out there and we all need to work together to facilitate our current needs.

The Central Richmond District Safety Committee meetings are held at the Richmond District Recreation CenterÕs meeting room, 231 18th Ave., between Clement and California streets, every third Monday of the month. The meetings usually begin between 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. If you have any questions, e-mail us at richmonddistrict@yahoo.com. You can leave your email address and we will notify you of our next meeting agenda and confirm that a meeting will take place. Bring a friend or a neighbor to the next meeting.

We welcome you. The primary area served by the committee is between Lake Street and Geary Boulevard; and between Park Presidio Avenue and 25th Avenue. Anyone who lives outside of the area is also welcome to attend.

Arlene Uribe is an Outer Richmond District resident.