Latest news with #NapperTandy
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Mission District supervisor questions SFPD over chase that injured 7
The Brief Sup. Fielder's Letter of Inquiry seeks accountability and circumstances of SFPD's decision to pursue suspects Fielder questions if drones could have been used instead of pursuing a vehicle across town SFPD have not responded to KTVU about Sup. Fielder letter SAN FRANCISCO - A San Francisco supervisor is questioning the police department's decision to pursue a suspected stolen vehicle across town on Super Bowl Sunday. The end result of the chase was the arrests of two suspects, but also the suspect vehicle crashed into a Mission District parklet, sending seven people to the hospital. District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder, whose district includes the Mission, issued a Letter of Inquiry on Tuesday. The crash started on the west end of town at Stonestown Galleria Shopping Mall and ended at the Napper Tandy, a Mission District Irish pub-sports bar on 24th Street. Among those injured were a mother and child. "I saw the footage of the crash myself and it was horrifying. I am so relived no one was killed and I've been in touch with City officials to connect impacted people to resources," Fielder posted on social media. "The public deserves answers into how this decision was made by SFPD and what accountability mechanisms are in place when innocent bystanders are injured or killed, and small businesses extensively damaged. Fielder says this is an issue of public safety, but it was in March of last year that voters approved a measure placed on the ballot by then-Mayor London Breed, that broadened police powers, including their ability to pursue non-violent felons and those with violent misdemeanors. In her letter addressed to San Francisco Police Department Chief of Police Bill Scott, Fielder asks about the circumstances surrounding the case and for clarification on the existing chase policy and whether officers have been trained on that policy. She also wants to know what the department's protocol is when a chase has resulted in injuries or fatalities. Another pointed question in her letter asks if other options could have been explored rather than carrying out the pursuit. Fielder even offers the suggestion of drone use. This goes back to former Mayor Breed's Proposition E that approved use of new technology such as drones and cameras in a special election last spring. In addition, Fielder asks for what accountability measures are in place when officers decide to pursue vehicles and the end result is injury to bystanders and significantly damaged local businesses. KTVU obtained video of the moment of impact when the Audi SUV slammed into the packed parklet right before the Super Bowl's kickoff. Marissa McGarr, owner of the Napper Tandy, said there was a violent jolt and that everyone at the bar sprang into action. As of Monday, all but one patient had been released from the hospital. The adult patient who remains hospitalized was said to be in serious condition. On Monday, SFPD said two women, ages 32 and 29, were arrested in connection to the pursuit. The suspects were allegedly driving a vehicle that was reported stolen out of Richmond. The district attorney's office did not have a date for the suspects' first court appearance. Fielder's letter includes statistics on the high proportion of collisions that happen as a result of police vehicle pursuits. Fielder said between 2018 and 2023, that SFPD engaged in 150 chases and that 15% of the chases resulted in at least one person getting hurt. "SFPD's car chase policy calls for police to 'safely apprehend a fleeing violator without unnecessarily endangering the public and/or officers.'" Fielder wrote in her letter. "According to state law, members of law enforcement are also supposed to balance the offense and need for immediate capture against the risks to motorists, pedestrians and officers." Fielder says she wants to ensure the city and police department are doing all they can to avoid such incidents from happening in the future. KTVU has reached out the police department about the Letter of Inquiry, but has not yet heard back. Click to open this PDF in a new window.
CBS News
11-02-2025
- CBS News
Horrific crash into San Francisco Mission sports bar parklet raises police pursuit questions
After a police pursuit ended with a suspect vehicle crashing into a parklet outside a popular Mission District bar Sunday afternoon, people are cleaning up and trying to make sense of the situation. The crash that left six people hospitalized happened outside the Napper Tandy located at the corner of 24th St. and South Van Ness Ave. just as the Super Bowl started. The owner of the bar, Marissa McGarr, said initially she didn't know what happened. "I actually thought it was an earthquake or something," said McGarr. "Just a big bang, and then smoke." The damaged remains of the parklet were almost unrecognizable. The roof fell in and a mother and her child were among the injured. San Francisco police officers had spotted a wanted vehicle in the area of Buckingham Way and Winston Drive near the Stonestown Galleria just after 3 p.m. When officers approached, the vehicle took off, leading police in a pursuit that ended with the collision. Everyone who was injured in the Sunday crash is expected to make a full recovery. "I heard the sirens and I got the alert through our cell phones," said Isai Cuevas. Cuevas owns Donaji Restaurant, which has its own parklet just down 24th St. from where the crash happened. Now he's unsure what to do with it. "Is it really worth it?" Cuevas questioned. "Is it really working for us now?" Police say the pursuit reached speeds of 45 miles per hour. Cuevas told CBS News Bay Area thinks the the city should re-evaluate Proposition E, which voters approved in November election last year. It allows police to initiate a pursuit if they believe the suspect is involved in any felony or a violent misdemeanor. The previous policy restricted chases to violent felonies, or if police believed a suspect posed an imminent threat to the public. "I think in neighborhoods it shouldn't happen, to be honest," said Cuevas. "It puts more people in danger. I don't think it will work, and I'm sure there is going to be a review of that situation through this incident." Supporters of Prop E say it helps improve public safety, but Supervisor Jackie Fielder, who represents the district, has concerns. "I continue to have serious questions related to why SFPD needed to engage in a dangerous high-speed chase in a residential neighborhood that sent six people to the hospital and could have killed someone," said Fielder in a statement to CBS Bay Area. SFPD has not commented on whether Sunday's chase was allowed under the updated guidelines. Luke Bornheimer, the executive director of Streets Forward, believes the crash may not have happened if it wasn't for Prop E. "I think this is the unfortunate result of a policy allowing police chases that decreases public safety, ironically, and puts everyone in danger," said Bornheimer. Despite that, Bornheimer is disappointed that multiple businesses are rethinking their parklets. "I think parklets have actually been a tremendous addition to the city," he said. "I think the city should be doing more to incentivize and encourage businesses to create parklets." But Cuevas says at this point it's just too difficult to keep them safe. He noted that his restaurant's parklet has been damaged multiple times. "We have the bumper. This got vandalized. They took part of it. We have the reflecting tapes," said Cuevas. In the end, he believe it may make more sense to remove it. There was no word yet on whether the Napper Tandy plans to rebuild its parklet. The two women who were in the vehicle -- identified as 32-year-old Taylor Ross of San Francisco and 29-year-old Eureeka Abrams of Bay Point -- were arrested.
