The C.L.A.E.R. Project
1099 Sunnydale Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415.333.3017
Media Release 4/28/09
Interview Requests:
*Sharen Hewitt, Executive Director 415-724-4794
Contacts:
*Lacrecia Gardner 415-595-1446
*Laurel Moeslein 707-696-7951
The C.L.A.E.R. Project stands in strong support of Supervisor Bevan Dufty and the seven members of the Entertainment Commission as they continue to debate the issue of nightclub violence and the ability to issue permits.
As Supervisor Dufty voiced at the Board of Supervisors meeting this afternoon, the entertainment commission director should have the right to immediately shutdown nightclubs that have a history of violent incidents.
The C.L.A.E.R. Project supports this legislation to that would potentially limit permits for several reasons.
First, we at C.L.A.E.R. understand that in order to increase public safety an in-depth set of responses to violence and potential violence is needed. Limiting the violence occurring at San Francisco nightclubs is part of the necessary framework for a safe San Francisco. Peace is the penultimate goal, and a myriad of responses is needed to achieve this goal. San Francisco must, and will, serve as a national model for violence prevention.
Second, this legislation holds clubs accountable for their actions. Clubs that refuse to beef up security and take precautionary measures will be denied permits by the Entertainment Commission, and rightfully so.
Third, nightclubs must remain safe and available. Young men and women need a place to go to mingle and make important connections. We must remember that black men and women must be able to maintain cultural relevance. Nightclubs offer a place for black people to meet each other and develop relationships. This is increasingly important as the black population in San Francisco shrinks rapidly.
We at The C.L.A.E.R. Project commend Mayor Newsom, Supervisor Dufty, Police Chief Heather Fong, and Police Deputy Chief Kevin Cashman for engaging in this important debate. We all agree that life is the preeminent issue, and stopping violence in and outside of nightclubs is another step toward achieving peace in our streets.
We invite anyone wishing to continue this conversation to join us on May 9th at C.L.A.E.R.’s “Mother’s Day of Healing” with keynote speaker Senator Mark Leno. The event will feature a series of workshops dealing with mental health, legislation, and media influence as it relates to violence prevention.
RSVPs can be sent to laurel.claer@yahoo.com
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
SF Homicide Rate: Putting Names to the Numbers
SF Homicide Rate: Putting Names to the Numbers
2009: 15 homicides in the City and County in San Francisco
1. Damija Wells, 17, shot on the unit block of Northridge Road, 11:30 p.m., Hunters Point, 03/05. Died at SFGH. (03/07)
2. Javier Arroyo, 59, shot to death on the 5300 block of Mission Street, 8:30 a.m., the Excelsior. (03/01)
3. Peter Azadian, 57, beaten by two men on Stillman Street, between 2nd and 3d streets, 02/15. Died at SFGH. (02/27)
4. Leticia Hunter, 33, of Sacramento, shot to death, 5 others injured in drive-by shooting at Turk and Taylor Streets, 10:25 p.m., the Tenderloin. (02/23)
5. Myron Edwards, 40, shot to death at Eddy and Laguna Streets, 3:00 p.m., the Western Addition. (02/07)
6. Vanessa Lowe, 39, shot to death in murder-suicide at a motel on the 5000 block of Mission Street, the Excelsior. (01/28)
7. Darren Johnson, 24, shot to death near West Point and Middlepoint Roads, Hunters Point. (01/26)
8. Leo Jia Jian Yu, 23, shot to death at Pierce and Turk Streets, 1:15 a.m., Western Addition. (01/22)
9. Darnell Curry, 31, stabbed at Turk and Jones Street, 5:30 p.m., the Tenderloin. Died at SF General Hospital. (01/14)
10. Ryosuke Yoshioka, 59, stabbed to death in the Office Max parking garage at Geary Boulevard and Arguello Street, 2:45 p.m., the Richmond. (01/07)
11. Alexander Apelit, 21, shot to death at the corner of Ostego and St. Inez (04/19)
12. Norris Bennett, 21, shot to death at Navy Road and Griffith St. (4/18)
13. Edward Cavness, 48, beaten to death, 2000 Block of McAllister St, (04/03)
14. Mark Crawford, 16, shot to death, Sunnydale Housing Projects, (04/13)
15. James Jamonte Turner, 23, shot to death on Third and Folsom Streets, (04/19)
The C.L.A.E.R. Project knows that the homicide rate is more than just numbers. These deaths mean grieving mothers, children, families and friends. When responding to violence and murder we must remember the human component of crime. Victims of homicide leave behind broken hearted families who need our support.
2009: 15 homicides in the City and County in San Francisco
1. Damija Wells, 17, shot on the unit block of Northridge Road, 11:30 p.m., Hunters Point, 03/05. Died at SFGH. (03/07)
2. Javier Arroyo, 59, shot to death on the 5300 block of Mission Street, 8:30 a.m., the Excelsior. (03/01)
3. Peter Azadian, 57, beaten by two men on Stillman Street, between 2nd and 3d streets, 02/15. Died at SFGH. (02/27)
4. Leticia Hunter, 33, of Sacramento, shot to death, 5 others injured in drive-by shooting at Turk and Taylor Streets, 10:25 p.m., the Tenderloin. (02/23)
5. Myron Edwards, 40, shot to death at Eddy and Laguna Streets, 3:00 p.m., the Western Addition. (02/07)
6. Vanessa Lowe, 39, shot to death in murder-suicide at a motel on the 5000 block of Mission Street, the Excelsior. (01/28)
7. Darren Johnson, 24, shot to death near West Point and Middlepoint Roads, Hunters Point. (01/26)
8. Leo Jia Jian Yu, 23, shot to death at Pierce and Turk Streets, 1:15 a.m., Western Addition. (01/22)
9. Darnell Curry, 31, stabbed at Turk and Jones Street, 5:30 p.m., the Tenderloin. Died at SF General Hospital. (01/14)
10. Ryosuke Yoshioka, 59, stabbed to death in the Office Max parking garage at Geary Boulevard and Arguello Street, 2:45 p.m., the Richmond. (01/07)
11. Alexander Apelit, 21, shot to death at the corner of Ostego and St. Inez (04/19)
12. Norris Bennett, 21, shot to death at Navy Road and Griffith St. (4/18)
13. Edward Cavness, 48, beaten to death, 2000 Block of McAllister St, (04/03)
14. Mark Crawford, 16, shot to death, Sunnydale Housing Projects, (04/13)
15. James Jamonte Turner, 23, shot to death on Third and Folsom Streets, (04/19)
The C.L.A.E.R. Project knows that the homicide rate is more than just numbers. These deaths mean grieving mothers, children, families and friends. When responding to violence and murder we must remember the human component of crime. Victims of homicide leave behind broken hearted families who need our support.
The C.L.A.E.R. Project Responds to Senator Leno's Bill to End Gun Shows at the Cow Palace
The C.L.A.E.R. Project
1099 Sunnydale Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415-333-3017
The C.L.A.E.R. Project Responds to Senator Mark Leno’s Introduction of SB 565
*Sharen Hewitt, Executive Director 415-724-4794
*Lacrecia Gardner, Executive Assistant 415-595-1446
*Laurel Moeslein, Policy Associate 707-696-7951
The C.L.A.E.R. project stands in strong support of Senator Mark Leno’s introduction of SB 565, a bill to end the sale of firearms at the Cow Palace.
The Cow Palace stands directly across the street from the Sunnydale housing projects, a community that has been plagued with the presence of firearms and brutal violence for decades. Just three days ago 16-year old Mark Crawford was gunned down at a children’s playground just steps from the Cow Palace. We at C.L.A.E.R. will do everything in our power to ensure that SB 565 is successful in eliminating this paradox.
Senator Mark Leno is a longtime champion of the work we do at The C.L.A.E.R. Project. He has consistently supported our model of direct supportive services coupled with civic engagement as a way to connect public housing residents to the city they live in.
1099 Sunnydale Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415-333-3017
The C.L.A.E.R. Project Responds to Senator Mark Leno’s Introduction of SB 565
*Sharen Hewitt, Executive Director 415-724-4794
*Lacrecia Gardner, Executive Assistant 415-595-1446
*Laurel Moeslein, Policy Associate 707-696-7951
The C.L.A.E.R. project stands in strong support of Senator Mark Leno’s introduction of SB 565, a bill to end the sale of firearms at the Cow Palace.
The Cow Palace stands directly across the street from the Sunnydale housing projects, a community that has been plagued with the presence of firearms and brutal violence for decades. Just three days ago 16-year old Mark Crawford was gunned down at a children’s playground just steps from the Cow Palace. We at C.L.A.E.R. will do everything in our power to ensure that SB 565 is successful in eliminating this paradox.
Senator Mark Leno is a longtime champion of the work we do at The C.L.A.E.R. Project. He has consistently supported our model of direct supportive services coupled with civic engagement as a way to connect public housing residents to the city they live in.
The C.L.A.E.R. Project Responds to Sunnydale's First Murder in 2009
The C.L.A.E.R. Project
1099 Sunnydale Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415.333.3017
Media Release 4/15/09
Interview Requests:
*Sharen Hewitt, Executive Director 415-724-4794
Contacts:
*Lacrecia Gardner 415-595-1446
*Laurel Moeslein 707-696-7951
On April 13, 2009 the Sunnydale community experienced their first murder of the year. 16-year-old Mark Crawford, a former Sunnydale resident, was shot and killed at 10:15 p.m. Today would have been his 17th birthday.
Where is the outrage over this senseless killing? Who is still shocked by the blood running in our streets? We speak about the preciousness of our children, but to date this murder of a child has gone virtually unnoticed. The San Francisco Chronicle, Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Bay Guardian, and San Francisco Examiner all failed to place this young man’s tragic death in their newspapers.
In the face of this heartbreaking and hideous event, we must ask WHEN WILL WASHINGTON MAKE THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE ASSUALT WEAPONS BAN A PRIORITY? There is nothing that can offer protection from an assault weapon. Just ask the families of the slain police officers in Oakland. Or the residents of Sunnydale. Fourteen people have lost their lives this year in the city of San Francisco. 10 of those 14 victims died at the hands of an assault weapon.
Those of us who live and work in high crime neighborhoods are begging for protection against assault weapons. We pray that Senators Feinstein and Boxer will hear our cries, and introduce legislation making the sale and possession of these firearms illegal.
1099 Sunnydale Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415.333.3017
Media Release 4/15/09
Interview Requests:
*Sharen Hewitt, Executive Director 415-724-4794
Contacts:
*Lacrecia Gardner 415-595-1446
*Laurel Moeslein 707-696-7951
On April 13, 2009 the Sunnydale community experienced their first murder of the year. 16-year-old Mark Crawford, a former Sunnydale resident, was shot and killed at 10:15 p.m. Today would have been his 17th birthday.
Where is the outrage over this senseless killing? Who is still shocked by the blood running in our streets? We speak about the preciousness of our children, but to date this murder of a child has gone virtually unnoticed. The San Francisco Chronicle, Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Bay Guardian, and San Francisco Examiner all failed to place this young man’s tragic death in their newspapers.
In the face of this heartbreaking and hideous event, we must ask WHEN WILL WASHINGTON MAKE THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE ASSUALT WEAPONS BAN A PRIORITY? There is nothing that can offer protection from an assault weapon. Just ask the families of the slain police officers in Oakland. Or the residents of Sunnydale. Fourteen people have lost their lives this year in the city of San Francisco. 10 of those 14 victims died at the hands of an assault weapon.
Those of us who live and work in high crime neighborhoods are begging for protection against assault weapons. We pray that Senators Feinstein and Boxer will hear our cries, and introduce legislation making the sale and possession of these firearms illegal.
The C.L.A.E.R. Project Responds to C.W. Nevius' Thoughts on Non-Profits in San Francisco
The C.L.A.E.R. Project
1099 Sunnydale Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415-333-3017
Media Release 4/2/09
*Sharen Hewitt, Executive Director 415-724-4794
*Lacrecia Gardner, Executive Assistant 415-595-1446
*Laurel Moeslein, Policy Associate 707-696-7951
This morning San Francisco Chronicle writer CW Nevius’ weekly column addressed a pertinent issue in the world of San Francisco nonprofit organizations.
Among other things, Mr. Nevius pointed out that many nonprofits in San Francisco are not located in the communities that they serve. The majority of San Francisco’s 7,093 nonprofit organizations are located downtown. This creates an alarming disconnect between charitable organizations and the people they aim to help.
The C.L.A.E.R. Project has always believed that it is impossible to have your finger on the pulse of a neighborhood without directly interacting with the residents on a daily basis. Both of our locations are in the heart of Sunnydale, and our Careers Plus center is located in Sunnydale public housing. One of the main goals of our work is to connect public housing residents with city and nonprofit services. How much easier would our work be if the services were located here, and not downtown?
It’s easy to forget the population you serve and their primary interests when you don’t interact with them everyday. Too often nonprofits get caught up with their relationships with City Hall, other nonprofits, and elected officials. Collaborative relationships are important, but not nearly as important as loving and understanding the people you represent.
1099 Sunnydale Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415-333-3017
Media Release 4/2/09
*Sharen Hewitt, Executive Director 415-724-4794
*Lacrecia Gardner, Executive Assistant 415-595-1446
*Laurel Moeslein, Policy Associate 707-696-7951
This morning San Francisco Chronicle writer CW Nevius’ weekly column addressed a pertinent issue in the world of San Francisco nonprofit organizations.
Among other things, Mr. Nevius pointed out that many nonprofits in San Francisco are not located in the communities that they serve. The majority of San Francisco’s 7,093 nonprofit organizations are located downtown. This creates an alarming disconnect between charitable organizations and the people they aim to help.
The C.L.A.E.R. Project has always believed that it is impossible to have your finger on the pulse of a neighborhood without directly interacting with the residents on a daily basis. Both of our locations are in the heart of Sunnydale, and our Careers Plus center is located in Sunnydale public housing. One of the main goals of our work is to connect public housing residents with city and nonprofit services. How much easier would our work be if the services were located here, and not downtown?
It’s easy to forget the population you serve and their primary interests when you don’t interact with them everyday. Too often nonprofits get caught up with their relationships with City Hall, other nonprofits, and elected officials. Collaborative relationships are important, but not nearly as important as loving and understanding the people you represent.
The C.L.A.E.R. Project Responds to the Four Slain Officers in Oakland
The C.L.A.E.R. Project
1099 Sunnydale Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415.333.3017
Media Release 3/26/09
*Sharen Hewitt, Executive Director 415-724-4794
*Lacrecia Gardner 415-595-1446
*Laurel Moeslein 707-696-7951
We at The C.L.A.E.R. Project extend our most sincere and profound sympathies to the families of the four slain officers of the Oakland Police Department, and also to the Oakland Police Officer’s Association, who lost their colleagues and friends.
As first respondents to homicide and violent crime in a disadvantaged community, we at The C.L.A.E.R. Project are not strangers to death, destruction, and grieving families. We know that at this time the officer’s families need love, support, and above anything else, answers.
This tragedy is horrific, but not unexplainable. Mr. Mixon was a part of a deeply flawed and broken system of ex-offender reentry. The parole board is severely backlogged, with too many cases and not enough agents to manage them. Mr. Mixon’s parole agent manages over 70 cases, so its no wonder that he missed the signals that Mr. Mixon had gone back to his old ways.
Many news reports since the shooting have noted that Mr. Mixon’s parole agent did everything “by the book”. This is a clear and devastating sign that “by the book” is clearly not good enough, and that the parole system as it stands is a major threat to public safety. Like many parolees, Mr. Mixon was allowed to skate through the system and various reentry programs until he finally violated his parole on February 19th. Our overcrowded prisons show that this pattern is not extraordinary, but it fact, is the norm.
The parole system and any ex-offender reentry programs cannot be successful without using a direct and personal model of intervention and prevention like the one used by The C.L.A.E.R. Project. Rather than promote programs that allow participants to meet the absolute bare minimum just to get by, the parole board must find ways to engage ex-offenders through civic participation, job training, anger management, and drug rehabilitation. Without all of these elements we cannot expect parolees to triumph and successfully reenter society.
The C.L.A.E.R. Project is praying for the grieving mothers, sons, and wives of these brave officers. We are also praying for a comprehensive reentry program for ex-offenders, and a subsequent increase in safety for everyone.
1099 Sunnydale Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415.333.3017
Media Release 3/26/09
*Sharen Hewitt, Executive Director 415-724-4794
*Lacrecia Gardner 415-595-1446
*Laurel Moeslein 707-696-7951
We at The C.L.A.E.R. Project extend our most sincere and profound sympathies to the families of the four slain officers of the Oakland Police Department, and also to the Oakland Police Officer’s Association, who lost their colleagues and friends.
As first respondents to homicide and violent crime in a disadvantaged community, we at The C.L.A.E.R. Project are not strangers to death, destruction, and grieving families. We know that at this time the officer’s families need love, support, and above anything else, answers.
This tragedy is horrific, but not unexplainable. Mr. Mixon was a part of a deeply flawed and broken system of ex-offender reentry. The parole board is severely backlogged, with too many cases and not enough agents to manage them. Mr. Mixon’s parole agent manages over 70 cases, so its no wonder that he missed the signals that Mr. Mixon had gone back to his old ways.
Many news reports since the shooting have noted that Mr. Mixon’s parole agent did everything “by the book”. This is a clear and devastating sign that “by the book” is clearly not good enough, and that the parole system as it stands is a major threat to public safety. Like many parolees, Mr. Mixon was allowed to skate through the system and various reentry programs until he finally violated his parole on February 19th. Our overcrowded prisons show that this pattern is not extraordinary, but it fact, is the norm.
The parole system and any ex-offender reentry programs cannot be successful without using a direct and personal model of intervention and prevention like the one used by The C.L.A.E.R. Project. Rather than promote programs that allow participants to meet the absolute bare minimum just to get by, the parole board must find ways to engage ex-offenders through civic participation, job training, anger management, and drug rehabilitation. Without all of these elements we cannot expect parolees to triumph and successfully reenter society.
The C.L.A.E.R. Project is praying for the grieving mothers, sons, and wives of these brave officers. We are also praying for a comprehensive reentry program for ex-offenders, and a subsequent increase in safety for everyone.
The C.L.A.E.R. Project Responds to the Elevated Level of Violence in Times of Recession
The C.L.A.E.R. Project
1099 Sunnydale Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415.333.3017
Media Release 4/8/09
*Sharen Hewitt, Executive Director 415-724-4794
*Lacrecia Gardner 415-595-1446
*Laurel Moeslein 707-696-7951
With Easter upon us the world should be rejoicing and enjoying the beautiful benefits of spring. However, the newspaper and the evening news remind us on a daily that the world is not rejoicing. Crime is rampant, and as the economy worsens crimes become more frequent, and more horrific.
The slain officers in Oakland, the murdered child in Tracy, and the hostages that lost their lives in New York, are all clear indicators that the stressors of a fledgling economy can be deadly.
We at The C.L.A.E.R. Project know how a lack of money, jobs, and support can affect the human condition. In a community where the average yearly income is less than 10,000 dollars, our clients are constantly fighting just to keep their heads above water. In a community already prone to violence, when the economy suffers, so do we.
Terry Anders, Program Director at Visitacion Valley JobNet poignantly said, “The answer to a gun is a job. Workforce development in the ONLY way to stop the killing.
How do we end the bloodshed? How can we stop these brutal acts of violence and hatred? The answer is simple. We need workforce development. We need victim’s assistance. We need relocation assistance people and families that have been the targets of violent crime. We need a disaster plan for public housing. We need more funding for supportive services, because the city and county are so strapped for cash that we are falling lower and lower on the totem pole. Above all, we need to respect our neighbors and ourselves. We will make our way out of this grim economic time. It’s up to us to make sure we make all it out in one piece.
1099 Sunnydale Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415.333.3017
Media Release 4/8/09
*Sharen Hewitt, Executive Director 415-724-4794
*Lacrecia Gardner 415-595-1446
*Laurel Moeslein 707-696-7951
With Easter upon us the world should be rejoicing and enjoying the beautiful benefits of spring. However, the newspaper and the evening news remind us on a daily that the world is not rejoicing. Crime is rampant, and as the economy worsens crimes become more frequent, and more horrific.
The slain officers in Oakland, the murdered child in Tracy, and the hostages that lost their lives in New York, are all clear indicators that the stressors of a fledgling economy can be deadly.
We at The C.L.A.E.R. Project know how a lack of money, jobs, and support can affect the human condition. In a community where the average yearly income is less than 10,000 dollars, our clients are constantly fighting just to keep their heads above water. In a community already prone to violence, when the economy suffers, so do we.
Terry Anders, Program Director at Visitacion Valley JobNet poignantly said, “The answer to a gun is a job. Workforce development in the ONLY way to stop the killing.
How do we end the bloodshed? How can we stop these brutal acts of violence and hatred? The answer is simple. We need workforce development. We need victim’s assistance. We need relocation assistance people and families that have been the targets of violent crime. We need a disaster plan for public housing. We need more funding for supportive services, because the city and county are so strapped for cash that we are falling lower and lower on the totem pole. Above all, we need to respect our neighbors and ourselves. We will make our way out of this grim economic time. It’s up to us to make sure we make all it out in one piece.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)