San Francisco police to step up Mid-Market patrols after shootings
San Francisco police to step up patrols around Market Street after shootings
The increased security measures come as police acknowledge that some residents and business owners feel unsafe in the area. Officers are expected to patrol 24 hours a day along Market Street from 5th Street to Van Ness Avenue.
SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco police plan to maintain an increased presence in the mid-Market neighborhood for at least the next week following three separate shootings earlier this week within a two-block radius of Market Street.
Police patrols
Why you should care:
The increased security measures come as police acknowledge that some residents and business owners feel unsafe in the area.
Officers are expected to patrol 24 hours a day along Market Street from 5th Street to Van Ness Avenue.
We've seen multiple San Francisco police vehicles and officers in the Mid-Market area throughout the day starting with early morning patrols near Market and Jones streets, where one of the incidents took place.
The backstory:
The first shooting occurred just after noon on Friday near Taylor and Turk streets. Shots rang out near the intersection.
Video, posted to Instagram by the user Tenderloin Activities, shows the frantic moments to render medical aid after one man was shot. In this case the suspect remains on the loose.
On Saturday night, four people were shot near the Powell Street BART station on Market Street when they attempted to intervene in an argument between a man and a woman. The suspect pulled out a gun, shot the bystanders, and fled the scene. All four victims are expected to recover.
The third shooting occurred around 3 p.m. Monday near Market and Jones streets, leaving the victim with life-threatening injuries.
In a video posted online, San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood questioned Chief Derrick Lew about the city's public safety strategy.
"We know that visitors, residents, people don't feel safe right now," Lew said, outlining a high-visibility enforcement plan that includes increased foot patrols and special operations involving technical units.
San Francisco police step up mid-Market patrols after shootings
San Francisco police step up mid-Market patrols after three shootings in a week.
Supervisor was a witness
When we spoke to Sup. Mahmood on Thursday, he said he himself was a witness.
"I actually saw one of the shootings first-hand. We called it in. It was right outside on my doorstep," Mahmood said. "It's concerning for the community. Had so many people reach out to us over the weekend saying, ‘What are we doing as a city?’"
Lew noted that investigators believe all three shootings are unrelated.
Police have arrested three suspects so far and expect to make additional arrests as the investigations continue.
What they're saying:
In a city and specific section that sees visitors from all over the world, some locals are optimistic more police patrols may help in the short term.
Others said the problems may require more long-term solutions that might not always involve police.
"I hope that they would help, but I think the root of the issue…I think there's more to the issue than just having the patrol out here."
"We learn from this week and then there will be a new plan the next week and then the week after. But the point is we keep iterating, keep trying new things that are creative and no one plan is gonna remain the same," said Mahmood.
The Source: San Francisco police, visual evidence, Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, concerned residents