Department News and Updates

On October 10, 2012 at approximately 5:50 P.M., a group gathered at Dolores Park in the Mission District. The group publicized a protest march as, “Homes Not Jails,” and stated their intention to occupy an undisclosed building. The group began a march westbound on 18th Street, taking over the roadway and disrupting the normal flow of traffic. At approximately 6:10 P.M., the group arrived at an unoccupied building on the 500 block of Castro Street. Members of the group broke the locks to the entrance, unlawfully entered and vandalized the interior of the building. Three to four persons wearing dark clothing and masks over their faces climbed to the roof of the building. These subjects began to drill into the roof and facade to affix signs and banners to the building. A section of metal chain was dropped or fell from the roof of the building onto the sidewalk below. The chain did not strike any officers or pedestrians.

At approximately 6:30 P.M., San Francisco Police officers entered the building to make arrests and to prevent any further damage from occurring. During the course of the arrest process, one female suspect attempted to flee. She tripped and injured her ankle and was transported to a local hospital. Following medical treatment, she was booked into county jail. Officers saw several other suspects flee to the rear of the building. These suspects broke the lock to the rear balcony door and entered a neighboring business. The suspects were located and arrested. A property manager later confirmed that no one had permission to break into or occupy the building.

A total of 19 arrests were made inside the buildings. Of the 19 arrests, 13 were male and six were female. Eight of the arrestees reside in San Francisco, four in Berkeley, one in Louisiana, two in Texas and Oregon, and one in Great Britain and Canada. The suspects were charged with the following felonies: burglary, vandalism and conspiracy. Preliminary estimates of the damage to the building are several thousand dollars.

Any witnesses to the crimes perpetrated by this group are encouraged to notify San Francisco Police by calling the Special Investigations Division at (415) 553-1133, the Anonymous Tip Line at (415) 575-4444 or Text a Tip to: TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.