Last Updated on July 9, 2023 by
July 09, 2023 | 7:11 PM
On Saturday, July 8, 2023, the SFPD Mission District Police Station planned with other City Agencies for an unpermitted and non-sanctioned event around Dolores Park where skateboarders and spectators in the past took over city streets and caused property damage. The event has previously resulted in injuries and on one occasion a death due to the inherently dangerous actions made at high speeds. In preparation for the event, barricades were in place on Dolores Street for traffic safety, and additional officers were assigned to Mission Station to address public safety concerns and crowd control which have been issues for prior events.
At approximately 6:15 p.m., a large group of people with skateboards were gathered in Dolores Park and others gathered on the outskirts of the park. At Cumberland and Dolores streets, officers observed fireworks being set off and reports of vandalism began to come in. Officers responded to the area and assisted residents in accessing their homes because they were afraid for their safety.
At approximately 7:10 p.m. as officers assisted the residents at Cumberland and Dolores streets a sergeant was approached by a male who spat in his face. The sergeant moved to detain the male suspect and while doing so was approached by a female who tried to interfere with the sergeant’s attempt to detain the male suspect. The sergeant was assaulted during the incident and suffered lacerations to his face, for which he was transported to the hospital. Officers detained the suspects, identified as a 16-year-old male and a 15-year-old female. The female was arrested for delaying/resisting arrest (148(a)(1) PC). The male was arrested for aggravated assault (245(a)1 PC), violence against an officer (69 PC), assault and battery (243(b) PC), delaying/resisting arrest (148(a)(1) PC), conspiracy (182 PC), and crimes involving a juvenile (602 W&I). The male suspect was transported to the hospital for a non-life-threatening injury and was later booked into the Juvenile Justice Center. During this arrest, the crowd began to throw ignited fireworks, smoke bombs, glass bottles, and metal cans at officers which struck them.
At approximately 7:15 p.m. it was decided to begin verbal announcements to order the crowd to disperse the area for the unlawful assembly, which had turned violent. People continued to ignite fireworks in Dolores Park, which started fires. SFFD arrived on scene to extinguish the fires. The park was ordered closed to clear the crowds of the unlawful assembly. As crowds moved out of the park at approximately 7:35 p.m. there were reports of gunshots at 18th and Church streets near an occupied MUNI light rail vehicle (LRV), which was unable to move due to the crowd blocking the street. Officers arrived on scene and observed the LRV being vandalized and several people climbed on top of the LRV putting themselves at risk of falling and/or touching the high-voltage electrical equipment. Officers attempted to move the crowds which fled in various directions. A second occupied MUNI vehicle was vandalized at 17th and Church Streets. Officers continued to give dispersal orders throughout the area, but the crowds remained moving around Dolores Park with some people igniting fireworks and vandalizing property.
Content retrieved from: https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/news/sfpd-makes-arrests-mission-district-riot-23-084.
