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Nefarious activities and trauma in progress on Turk Street in the Tenderloin galore.
The Tenderloin is now the dumping ground of all those that are victims of gentrification. As usual only the poorest of the poor -those that have no where else to go; will head for the Tenderloin. Turk Street, Sixth Street, and the other streets where most of the wheeling and dealing goes on in broad daylight. Today, a watched a man on the ground with head wounds and people passing by and ignoring the fact that a human being was in need of help but no one wanted to lift a finger.
Gentrification and its ugly head is popping up in many places but more so in the Tenderloin and on streets like Turk Street in San Francisco - where all the wheeling and dealing takes places in broad daylight.
The SF Board of Supervisors and the Mayor and the various SF City Departments for all their vain talk - have not been taking care of business.
Come campaign time - these so called representative ask for your vote, they make a lot of promises - but when it comes to Quality of Life issue - our great City is going down the drain and into the cesspool.
Too many Senior Citizens, the disabled, the indigent if they fall on the streets and get injured - are at the mercy of dame luck or some good Samaritan that luck would chance and come his or her way.
For ten minutes I watched a man lying on the sidewalk and people walking by him and not lifting a finger.
Those that know me - know me to me a man who will take charge of any situation. I could not stand it anymore - when some ignorant folks - started walking over this poor injured man - it was then - that I called 911 - the emergency number.
The dispatcher asked me all sorts of questions and I answered them. She really wanted to know after spending some minutes with me - if the injured man in question - was assaulted and if I saw who had assaulted him.
For the umpteen time I explained to her - that as soon as the vehicle I was in was parked - I saw this man lying on the side walk by the Metropolis Hotel at 16 Turk Street. The man head injuries and that I thought it prudent, more compassion - to call 911 so that a ambulance could handle the serious issue at hand and take the man to hospital.
The dispatcher still wanted more details - and I have some qualified Law Enforcement experience - I told the dispatcher - that I was going to take some pictures and write an article about this situation. This situation was getting out of hand - the man was injured and that he need help - immediately.
As soon as I said this - she told me that she was going to send an ambulance. What a relief!
Prior to that I tried waving to two SF Police cars - but they seemed not to want to stop and were in a hurry.
After ten minutes the ambulance came and a few seconds before the ambulance came I saw two SF Police cars stop by the site. Now, this injured man - had all the attention - and all the folks involved in the many nefarious activities - were somehow on their best behavior.
I spoke to one SF Police Officer and told him that I knew the current Police Chief - Gregory Suhr and that if he could please expedite this process and send the injured man to the hospital. He made an effort to listen to me - and requested me to put in a good word for him.
The Emergency Medical Technicians in the mean time - were taking the blood pressure of the wounded man - and asking him his name and his Identification Card. I watched them and so did the an employee from the Human Resources from the Metropolis Hotel - at 16 Turk.
I told this man that I could not take it any more - to witness one that really needed help - had wounds to his head - was bleeding and that he was lying there for God knows how long. I saw him lying there for at least 20 minutes until the ambulance arrived.
I noticed in recent years no one wants to get involved with the indigent, the homeless, those that have to survive on the streets of San Francisco. We see more and more homeless on the streets of San Francisco - and those that must do something about it - are not doing there job.
Turk Street is something else - the first few blocks from Market going toward City Hall - where the politicians wag their tongues - had that tongue a bone their tongues would fall apart - but, that not being the case - you will see them spew diatribe and more toxic, diatribe.
In this case the Tenderloin Police Station is but one minute away - by the Glide Memorial Church. I know that ambulances stay park on the streets - so that they can come quickly to the scene and help the injured and those that need help.
There must be a way to expedite the many questions asked when any caller calls - especially, a good Samaritan - who as I felt - was asked too many questions. I can hold my cool - but this dispatcher was something - else.
If this man had some serious head injuries - a minute or two could cause any person to fall into a serious comma and bring death - earlier.
Once the SF Police Officers are on the scene they can take charge of the situation. In this case they too - were nonchalant and I did not appreciate this.
I will bring this to the higher authorities when I meet them. We must learn to respect and help - all human beings. In this case the man seemed to be an indigent - but, it is really difficult to judge from appearances.
I would have felt very bad - had I not done something.
Many people stopped by to ask me what was happening - many people in San Francisco recognize me - from the many social and justice activities and meetings - I take part.
Many of them confided in me that they would not call the Police - and I asked, why? They revealed to me that they would not not simply because it was too much - of a headache and that they did not trust the Police. This came to me as a surprise but not great of a surprise.
I came to my office at Executive Park and still could not shake off the injured man and what transpired.
I had to get it off my chest - and write some - there is always some one who will read and do something about it - or at least prepare oneself in a situation - that came my way.
I am glad that the injured man was given medical attention, his head secured with a neck and head brace - and that hopefully when he is taken to SF General Hospital - he will be taken care of.
It is amazing that once the ambulance and the EMT started handing the injured patient - how people stopped and asked questions - too many questions. But, when they see someone laying there - injured, bleeding, they will not have the guts to do the right thing.
Some years ago - in San Francisco we had more compassion. This all has now some how disappeared and gone with the wind.
San Francisco is named after Saint Francisco Assisi. A Saint who had compassion - he loved not only human beings - but the birds, animals, and anything with life and more.
Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy
The SF Board of Supervisors and the Mayor and the various SF City Departments for all their vain talk - have not been taking care of business.
Come campaign time - these so called representative ask for your vote, they make a lot of promises - but when it comes to Quality of Life issue - our great City is going down the drain and into the cesspool.
Too many Senior Citizens, the disabled, the indigent if they fall on the streets and get injured - are at the mercy of dame luck or some good Samaritan that luck would chance and come his or her way.
For ten minutes I watched a man lying on the sidewalk and people walking by him and not lifting a finger.
Those that know me - know me to me a man who will take charge of any situation. I could not stand it anymore - when some ignorant folks - started walking over this poor injured man - it was then - that I called 911 - the emergency number.
The dispatcher asked me all sorts of questions and I answered them. She really wanted to know after spending some minutes with me - if the injured man in question - was assaulted and if I saw who had assaulted him.
For the umpteen time I explained to her - that as soon as the vehicle I was in was parked - I saw this man lying on the side walk by the Metropolis Hotel at 16 Turk Street. The man head injuries and that I thought it prudent, more compassion - to call 911 so that a ambulance could handle the serious issue at hand and take the man to hospital.
The dispatcher still wanted more details - and I have some qualified Law Enforcement experience - I told the dispatcher - that I was going to take some pictures and write an article about this situation. This situation was getting out of hand - the man was injured and that he need help - immediately.
As soon as I said this - she told me that she was going to send an ambulance. What a relief!
Prior to that I tried waving to two SF Police cars - but they seemed not to want to stop and were in a hurry.
After ten minutes the ambulance came and a few seconds before the ambulance came I saw two SF Police cars stop by the site. Now, this injured man - had all the attention - and all the folks involved in the many nefarious activities - were somehow on their best behavior.
I spoke to one SF Police Officer and told him that I knew the current Police Chief - Gregory Suhr and that if he could please expedite this process and send the injured man to the hospital. He made an effort to listen to me - and requested me to put in a good word for him.
The Emergency Medical Technicians in the mean time - were taking the blood pressure of the wounded man - and asking him his name and his Identification Card. I watched them and so did the an employee from the Human Resources from the Metropolis Hotel - at 16 Turk.
I told this man that I could not take it any more - to witness one that really needed help - had wounds to his head - was bleeding and that he was lying there for God knows how long. I saw him lying there for at least 20 minutes until the ambulance arrived.
I noticed in recent years no one wants to get involved with the indigent, the homeless, those that have to survive on the streets of San Francisco. We see more and more homeless on the streets of San Francisco - and those that must do something about it - are not doing there job.
Turk Street is something else - the first few blocks from Market going toward City Hall - where the politicians wag their tongues - had that tongue a bone their tongues would fall apart - but, that not being the case - you will see them spew diatribe and more toxic, diatribe.
In this case the Tenderloin Police Station is but one minute away - by the Glide Memorial Church. I know that ambulances stay park on the streets - so that they can come quickly to the scene and help the injured and those that need help.
There must be a way to expedite the many questions asked when any caller calls - especially, a good Samaritan - who as I felt - was asked too many questions. I can hold my cool - but this dispatcher was something - else.
If this man had some serious head injuries - a minute or two could cause any person to fall into a serious comma and bring death - earlier.
Once the SF Police Officers are on the scene they can take charge of the situation. In this case they too - were nonchalant and I did not appreciate this.
I will bring this to the higher authorities when I meet them. We must learn to respect and help - all human beings. In this case the man seemed to be an indigent - but, it is really difficult to judge from appearances.
I would have felt very bad - had I not done something.
Many people stopped by to ask me what was happening - many people in San Francisco recognize me - from the many social and justice activities and meetings - I take part.
Many of them confided in me that they would not call the Police - and I asked, why? They revealed to me that they would not not simply because it was too much - of a headache and that they did not trust the Police. This came to me as a surprise but not great of a surprise.
I came to my office at Executive Park and still could not shake off the injured man and what transpired.
I had to get it off my chest - and write some - there is always some one who will read and do something about it - or at least prepare oneself in a situation - that came my way.
I am glad that the injured man was given medical attention, his head secured with a neck and head brace - and that hopefully when he is taken to SF General Hospital - he will be taken care of.
It is amazing that once the ambulance and the EMT started handing the injured patient - how people stopped and asked questions - too many questions. But, when they see someone laying there - injured, bleeding, they will not have the guts to do the right thing.
Some years ago - in San Francisco we had more compassion. This all has now some how disappeared and gone with the wind.
San Francisco is named after Saint Francisco Assisi. A Saint who had compassion - he loved not only human beings - but the birds, animals, and anything with life and more.
Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy
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Comments
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For an article and your misguided societal guilt, you let this poor human being suffer with his injuries? His suffering makes a good story for you, you are no better than the people you criticize. He could have died in those ten minutes you waited for someone else to help, and you did nothing.
I ask in all earnestness: did you try talking to this man to see if he felt he needed an ambulance, or whether there was anyone else you could call for him? I think this story might make a little more sense if he was unconscious or something, but not really then because why would you stop and observe everyone around you not doing anything for so long if someone had injuries so bad that they were blacked out? I know I was not there and you may have had some valid reasons, but it almost sounds like he was lying there hurt and you called 911 before trying to ask him what kind of help he wanted. Lots of people have warrants for poverty-related offenses or lack immigration documents, and an encounter with law enforcement can put them at risk for a lot of harm. Maybe he knew someone else with medical knowledge who would have been willing to come help him and who could have gotten there faster. It's always a possibility. Or maybe he knew someone who would be willing to take him to the hospital and advocate for him based on any special needs he has, or maybe just drive him there and spare him one $1000 ambulance ride bill he probably will never be able to pay. Maybe he didn't have anyone that would help him, but what I feel is really miss here is this guy's voice. Why didn't you speak with him?
I understand well the bystander effect.
Many times I have had similar experiences trying to get help for people who obviously needed it. (And I am certain others have had them too.)
Once, I remember trying to get help from a reluctant dispatcher who didn't act until I mentioned that the person needing help didn't look like they were breathing.
One can see to what extent city services are overtaxed by reading the daily calls for assistance (look at http://sf.everyblock.com/).
We need to speak out and write about these experiences. We do have to reclaim common sense from the absurdity of daily seeing injured and dying people in our streets without help.
I live in the Tenderloin-- and I cry inside every time I walk out (within a block of the Tenderloin police station) to see a dehumanized underclass chained to oblivion, addiction, illness, exploitation, and unending poverty.
Things are hardly better that I've seen-- and recurring crackdowns on petty drug dealing seem to have little effect.
In the city of St. Francis-- full of sculptural monstrosities, but no statue to St. Francis, full of Political Correctness and benighted bourgeois hopes, absurdity rules, common sense is increasingly lost.
There is yet enormous compassion in San Francisco-- especially in the Tenderloin-- but there can be a terrible disconnect from common sense. The worst disconnect, as usual is: "it's somebody else's job."
I won't fight trolls-- this is all I will have to say here.
Many times I have had similar experiences trying to get help for people who obviously needed it. (And I am certain others have had them too.)
Once, I remember trying to get help from a reluctant dispatcher who didn't act until I mentioned that the person needing help didn't look like they were breathing.
One can see to what extent city services are overtaxed by reading the daily calls for assistance (look at http://sf.everyblock.com/).
We need to speak out and write about these experiences. We do have to reclaim common sense from the absurdity of daily seeing injured and dying people in our streets without help.
I live in the Tenderloin-- and I cry inside every time I walk out (within a block of the Tenderloin police station) to see a dehumanized underclass chained to oblivion, addiction, illness, exploitation, and unending poverty.
Things are hardly better that I've seen-- and recurring crackdowns on petty drug dealing seem to have little effect.
In the city of St. Francis-- full of sculptural monstrosities, but no statue to St. Francis, full of Political Correctness and benighted bourgeois hopes, absurdity rules, common sense is increasingly lost.
There is yet enormous compassion in San Francisco-- especially in the Tenderloin-- but there can be a terrible disconnect from common sense. The worst disconnect, as usual is: "it's somebody else's job."
I won't fight trolls-- this is all I will have to say here.
For more information:
http://soulpowered.tumblr.com/
I was parked in an area where I was engaged in some important work. While I was engaged in some important work, I saw the man on the side walk lying down. As soon as I finished my work - I approached the man who did not answer me when I asked him if he was orkay. In the meantime I tried to wave to two SF Police cars that passed by. Several people walked over the man and this upset me. I then used my cell phone and called 911 and got the injured man some help. When the ambulance showed up - the man still did not response - it was only after a head brace was put on the man - that he started to say a few words. The EMT then decided to move the injured man to hospital immediately; sensing, some urgency linked to his condition. They may have got added information when they took his blood pressure. It was a very hot day and the man was sweating, he was also bleeding from the two large head wounds. In a situation like this - in a very rough neighborhood - you do what you can do. I appreciate the questions asked and know that few like to get involved. I could not leave this man laying on the ground. I only came to know how badly this man was injured after I approached him and saw his condition at very close quarters. At first I thought he was just a drunk person lying down on the side walk.
No one gets involved because it can lead to injury, arrest, or some other type of threat. I've been screamed at and attacked by people who really look like they need medical attention, but when I am chased down the street by someone bleeding/intoxicated demanding a cigarette makes me realize I need to keep my head down and mind my own business. The Tenderloin is my home, and many of us who live here understand that unless you want a problem or threat of injury, you mind your own business unless it somehow involves you. If you really want to know why so many of us are numb to others suffering, its because many of us are facing our own problems, many of us just barely make it through the day, we don't have financial stability and don't have a whole lot to look forward to in the future. Our "supervisor" doesn't give a shit, the mayor could care less, so when no one with the power to be heard and acknowledged speaks for us, from the true community, it reinforces the belief that we don't matter, we aren't capable of caring for ourselves and community since we are flooded with people from outside our community and city who can't relate to what we live through, we have been abandoned by the city government, and no one appears to be doing a damn thing to help...
If you see injustices, don't point the finger at us, just because someone isn't bleeding from a head injury or stab wound doesn't mean that person is just super happy and healthy.
If you see injustices, don't point the finger at us, just because someone isn't bleeding from a head injury or stab wound doesn't mean that person is just super happy and healthy.
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