Outer Sunset Crime & Safety: Tree Arsons, Samurai Sword Stabbing, Lake Merced Assault & More

Outer Sunset Crime & Safety: Tree Arsons, Samurai Sword Stabbing, Lake Merced Assault & MorePhoto: Fiona Lee/Hoodline
Fiona Lee
Published on January 06, 2017

"The month of December traditionally sees an increase in property crimes," including package thefts and car break-ins, wrote Taraval Station's Captain Denise Flaherty in her December message to the community. Hot prowls—residential burglaries where victims are home at the time—are also a major concern to residents.

However, December wasn't all bad news. Taraval District saw 32 burglaries, 81 auto thefts and 16 robberies. This actually represents a decrease from November, which saw 54 burglaries, a whopping 118 auto break-ins and 19 robberies.

That said, here's a selection of incidents that took place around the neighborhood over the past month. 

Christmas Trees Lit On Fire

At 12:03am January 6th, officers driving on the 3600 block of Judah Street spotted a Christmas tree on fire, damaging a vehicle. While they were putting the fire out, a passerby alerted the officers to another Christmas tree on fire on the 3700 block of Judah. That fire also damaged a garbage bin. Both fires were extinguished without injury.

Woman Stabbed With Samurai Sword

Over at 32nd Avenue and Noriega, a 24-year-old woman was assaulted by a man with a samurai sword on December 26th. The woman and first suspect, a 31-year-old man, were arguing at about at 2:28am. The suspect retrieved a samurai sword from another, unidentified, suspect. As the first suspect unsheathed the sword, he cut the victim's leg. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Trees Set On Fire In Golden Gate Park

Three trees were set on fire by unknown parties at 12:49pm December 22nd. Both the SFPD and the SFFD responded to the incident. The fire department extinguished the fire without incident.

Man Assaulted With A Metal Pipe At Lake Merced

During the evening of December 21st, a 47-year-old man walking at Lake Merced was assaulted by a 43-year-old man who jumped out of the bushes and attacked him with a metal pipe. The victim sustained injuries to the head and was later transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was arrested.

The next Taraval Station community meeting will take place at 7pm Tuesday, January 17th, in the station's meeting room at 2345 24th Ave.