It’s the Little Things: A Notably Positive SFPD Encounter on My Bike

Last night, I was biking home on Irving Street in the Inner Sunset when I encountered an all-too-familiar sight: A double-parked car. I signaled and moved to the left to pass the car, in view of an SFPD cruiser behind.

Normally, I'd expect the police to move along, doing nothing about this kind of situation. Other bicycle riders have reported far worse encounters with the SFPD.

But to my surprise, the driver of the police cruiser stopped behind the double parker and used their horn to buzz at them until they moved.

This might seem like a mundane encounter, but it left an impression since it's so rare. I'm just not used to police actually caring about drivers who pose hazards to people biking or walking, or delaying Muni, even when the behavior is clearly illegal. Usually they just move along. When you get around by bike in SF for a while, it's something you sadly can come to expect.

Perhaps it's wishful thinking, but if SF is fortunate, this officer's little deed is not just a sign of a good apple, but rather of a larger shift in priorities at SFPD. Maybe it's related to recent pushes from the top to pursue Vision Zero, or to crack down on double parking. Of course, citations might be more effective, but whoever the officer was -- presumably from Taraval Station -- thank you. The little things can speak volumes about SFPD's attitudes.