Comments on: Streetscast: An Interview with San Francisco Police Chief George Gascón

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:19:25 +0000

I think the rank and file police officers take bicycle accidents seriously and they deserve credit for it.

Example: today around 11AM at the West Portal/Junipero Serra intersection a bicyclist was hit by a car. Within 3 minutes of the accident, 6 police cars had responded along with a fire truck.

Thankfully, it was not a hit and run and the bicyclist recieved only minor injuries. That kind of response should be commended at least.

By: SFResident

SFResident — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:51:21 +0000

Overall it was as good an interview as I could expect, but there were still some troubling moments.

The thing that worries me the most is the bit about shootings vs. reckless driving. Why is a shooting, which is almost always an intentional act committed against an individual who the perpetrator knows, more of an “assault against the entire community” than a murderously negligent driver whose actions are much more likely to harm and kill strangers and uninvolved community members?

I understand the need to arrest and incarcerate murderers, but I’m a bit dismayed by the kind of thinking that doesn’t frame both personal violence *and* the very real violence caused by motorists as assaults against the community. Being assaulted by motorists is not an acceptable facet of urban life. And it’s certainly no comfort to the dead to know that “at least they weren’t shot by a gang member.”

I understand that going after reckless drivers isn’t as sexy as getting the ‘real bad guys,’ but it’s a critical component of making our city safe and livable. If Gascon can’t step up to that task I’ll be disappointed.

By: Pat

Pat — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:08:53 +0000

I am happy he shows signs of understanding street engineering. I just hope the early signs that he is trying to start a Giuliani style crackdown on city life do not pan out.

By: Rob Anderson

Rob Anderson — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:52:55 +0000

Gascon is a shrewd political operator, who no doubt understands that the city’s bike people aren’t universally popular here in Progressive Land.

By: ZA

ZA — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:02:16 +0000

@Soylatte -

Oh, he definitely has a ‘cockpit view’ of the road – and it’s not his job to make any exclusive commitments at this early point in his new job. But if he’s willing to meet half-way, and the community has a chance to let him experience the challenges first hand, during the commuting hours, that’s all for the good.

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:34:59 +0000

How about when motorists overtake a cyclist by accelerating into the oncoming lane of traffic (endangering every possible road user)?

Education , enforcement, engineering.

Those sharrows are pointless if cyclists are still getting buzzed.

By: soylatte

soylatte — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:28:33 +0000

I’m not impressed, but then again I would have been shocked if he was well versed in livable streets issues. (That sort of thing must come from the mayoral level.)

Still, my blood briefly boiled when he was asked about cyclist safety and it took him about ten seconds to turn it into the issue of cyclists running red lights. He did the same on the topic of pedestrian accidents. I wish him well, but I can tell Gascon will be C. W. Nevius’ darling.

By: ZA

ZA — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:00:12 +0000

Welcome Chief Gascón! May your ride through San Francisco prove illuminating. I hope your experience will get a taste of the road conditions cyclists regularly face, both in physical infrastructure and by time of day. Please note both what works and doesn’t work.