Did S.F. police crackdown on skateboarders provoke violence?
Regarding “S.F. police arrest 32 after shutting down popular skateboarding event in Mission” (Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, July 8): Did the San Francisco Police Department’s military-style presence provoke the Saturday night skateboard riot in the Mission District?
Local mainstream media reports what undoubtedly is the police narrative of events. The mainstream media needs to ask the tough questions. The mainstream media too often takes the easy way out and regurgitates the official version of events.
The assault on the city’s teenagers and young adults who were skateboarding will be another stain on the sordid history of officially sanctioned violence in the city of St. Francis.
Mayor London Breed with her law-and-order bloviating opened the floodgates for police misconduct by encouraging abusive behavior, and some elected officials are already making excuses for the cops.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins will have to decide if these arrests, seemingly acts of harassment and abuse by the cops, are worth prosecuting. Or, will she do the right thing and toss them immediately?
Lee Heidhues, San Francisco
Outside Lands helps city
Regarding “S.F. City Hall permit spat could kill plans for extra Outside Lands shows” (SFChronicle.com, July 7): What is it with San Francisco? We are in the midst of an economic meltdown, the likes of which we have never seen in our lifetime. Yet, we continue to elect provincial supervisors whose only agenda seems to be to mollify the squeaky wheels that screech every time an issue arises in their district fiefdoms, much to the detriment of the whole city.
That’s not to say that some of the issues raised are not important, but thinking globally instead of just locally should be the first step in curing some of our huge economic and social ills. We citizens must be alarmed by the obstructionist policies that are propagated by our perhaps well-meaning, yet re-election-minded district supervisors.
Jobs, economic revival and clear thinking are the keys to getting the city back on track. Recreation and Park Commissioner Larry Mazzola’s lament at the end of the article finding the spat dispiriting was spot on.
Joe Crowley, San Francisco
Concerts disrupt area
Regarding “S.F. City Hall permit spat could kill plans for extra Outside Lands shows” (SFChronicle.com, July 7): As a longtime Richmond District resident, I wish to thank Supervisor Connie Chan for asking our Golden Gate Park live music promoters to do more in-depth and respectful community outreach.
Our public spaces should be preserved for enjoyment for citizens and visitors to San Francisco. The big crowds and vehicles that impact our Richmond neighborhood to attend a live show in Golden Gate Park can upset the peace and quietude that give the Richmond District its allure as a wonderful place to reside.
I am glad that Supervisor Chan has the bravery to stand up for our community. The community’s voice is important. In my view, Chan is among the best community-oriented empathetic politicians.
Victor Turks, San Francisco
Compel drug treatment
Regarding “Gavin Newsom wants S.F. to enforce the ‘damn laws.’ What does that mean?” (Opinion, SFChronicle.com, July 8): We have a drug addiction epidemic because the Sackler family’s Purdue Pharma dispensed opioids like they were candy. The Sacklers should use their $11 billion in wealth to pay for paramedics who treat overdoses, and treatment and housing for the homeless with drug addiction.
And make this treatment mandatory because leaving addicts to die on the streets in American cities like San Francisco is cruel. Allowing people to destroy themselves while shooting up in full view of a shocked public has to stop.
Society also needs to intervene before someone takes that first pill. We need more mental health counselors and affordable treatment as a preventative measure. Involuntary treatment should be mandatory for addicts who cannot stop on their own.
Enforcement of the ineffective laws we have now is not going to solve the problem.
Susannah Saunders, San Anselmo
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
