Supervisors Address Concerns at Sunset Town Hall Meeting

By Jonathan Farrell

San Francisco supervisors Ross Mirkarimi and Sean Elsbernd were in the spotlight at a Town Hall Meeting at the County Fair Building on Ninth Avenue and Lincoln Way on Jan. 28. They reassured those gathered that they are united for issues concerning the Inner-Sunset.

Sponsored by the Sunset Heights Association of Responsible People (SHARP) and Inner Sunset Park Neighbors (ISPN), a friendly mood was abundant as Ann Morris, co-president of ISPN, welcomed the audience of 150 people.

Morris invited people to share their questions and concerns during a two-hour discussion. In her introduction, she described 2009 (despite recession woes) as "a watershed year."

Morris' apparent reason for such an enthusiastic outlook was that during 2009 the Inner Sunset had a year of neighborhood activism. During the past year a farmers market was established, a neighborhood watch group was formed, there were several clean-up events and there was a holiday party sponsored by the Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT).

She explained that the Inner Sunset is divided between two city supervisorial districts, with Elsbernd representing District 7 and Mirkarimi representing District 5. The Inner Sunset is also served by two police districts, the Park Station and the Taraval Station. The border between the two is Seventh Avenue.

"While we have proved in the past year that the Inner Sunset is a distinct, vibrant and activist community, sometimes we feel like the unwanted step-child," Morris said.

Elsbernd and Mirkarimi both agreed that having two supervisors and police stations translates into "a very fortunate and beneficial thing."

This is especially advantageous when both supervisors serve on the SF Board of Supervisor's Budget and Finance Committee.

"When it has to do with neighborhood services we don't disagree," Elsbernd said.

"Let's hope more of this camaraderie between us continues, when it has to do with neighborhood issues," Mirkarimi said in turn.

But, he noted that the two supervisors do not always see eye to eye on everything.

Morris then introduced various topics for discussion, including the master plan for the neighborhood, homelessness and vagrancy issues, graffiti abatement and neighborhood beautification, bicyclists and pedestrians, the current status of Golden Gate Park, the budget for the SF Recreation and Park Department and everyone's favorite problem, parking in the neighborhood.

Police officers representing both the Park and Taraval stations were present to answer questions and Rec. and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg, along with representatives from the SF Department of Public Works, Municipal Transit Authority and Department of Parking and Traffic, were also available.

As far as a "master plan" for the Inner Sunset, both Elsbernd and Mirkarimi see the efforts of various neighborhood groups to nurture the neighborhood and promote progressive change as "phenomenal." Both supervisors said they are committed to helping the neighborhood to be the vital and vibrant and, as Mirkarimi said, among the "most artful" of city districts.

In terms of dealing with crime and tough issues like vagrancy and homeless camping, representatives from the police and Rec. and Park reiterated that "encampments in the park and other public park areas is illegal." In the past year more than 700 citations were issued. Yet, the consensus was that heavy punitive measures will not be able to fix the problem unless there is a system of rehabilitative services in place to combat the root of the problem.

Both supervisors noted that the public has to help make decisions concerning vagrancy laws.

"We have to very specific where to apply this type of legislation and how it has to be drafted," Elsbernd said.

Problems with graffiti and the community's effort to maintain an attractive atmosphere must be a group effort, it was pointed out, and citizens must work together with the police in an effort to reduce crime.

Over the past year, the SF Police Department has begun to implement a computer statistical modeling system called CompStat, which allows them to monitor crime patterns and follow up on complaints and issues.

Mirkarimi said he was strong advocate of police foot patrols but the commitment to community policing must be applied to all neighborhoods to make the entire City a safe place to live.

Ginsburg answered questions about Golden Gate Park and its current budget woes. He said more funds need to be raised in order for the park to be sustained.

When Ginsburg mentioned charging an admission fee for the Botanical Gardens, the audience reacted with jeers. Yet, he remained politely adamant that Rec. and Park is no longer able to rely on the city's General Fund to meet its financial budget needs.

"Finance is a difficult conversation that we must be willing to engage in as we must come up with new ideas to generate revenue," he said.

Both Elsbernd and Mirkarimi agreed that the financial picture for the City is bleak.

Concerning privatization of certain venues, Ginsburg pointed out that people over use the word, equating it to a lack of access. This is not so when it has to do with fundraising. He hopes the community will work with him and Rec. and Park to find viable solutions.

The subject of cycling concluded the meeting.

Jack L. Fleck, city traffic engineer at the SF Department of Parking and Traffic, reiterated that parking on sidewalks is illegal and cyclists should not use sidewalks. He also said, contrary to rumors, that the department would not be installing parking meters on residential streets.

For more information, visit the Web sites at www.inner-sunset.org or www.sharpsf.com.