Neighbor describes damage caused in chaos after SFPD breaks up Dolores Street hill bomb
SAN FRANCISCO -- Some residents in the neighborhood around Dolores Park came home to find damage in the wake of the chaos that broke out after San Francisco police shut down an unsanctioned skateboarding event Saturday evening.
Police responded to the site of the yearly event featuring skaters riding down the steep hill on Dolores Street alongside the park Saturday at around 6:15 p.m. following initial reports of fireworks being set off and vandalism.
READ MORE: SF police arrest dozens in riot after shutting down Dolores Street 'hill bomb'
After a confrontation between a police sergeant and a young man who allegedly spat on the sergeant led to the arrest of two teens, the gathered crowd turned ugly, throwing fireworks, cans and glass bottles at officers, according to police.
Rob Bonner was not home Saturday when the melee erupted, but the damage to his apartment building showed him how dangerous the situation became.
"There are three bullet holes that went through our front door of our building and a bullet hole that went through our living room," explained Bonner.
CBS News Bay Area found other similar evidence of damage to windows that appeared to be from a pellet gun. People living in the area told police they feared for their safety.
"Not surprised. This happens every year with this event," Bonner said. "Last year, we actually saw them pulling people out of the cars and beating them up. And breaking their windows and taking off their [rear-view] mirrors."
UPDATE: San Francisco police response to Dolores Street hill bomb sparks debate
Saturday night, police from the SFPD Mission Station and elsewhere responded to the increasingly unruly crowd. Officers outfitted in riot gear and carrying tear gas and batons arrived to break up the crowd. Hundreds gathered ignored the orders to disperse.
READ MORE: Dozens protest San Francisco police response to Dolores Hill Bomb melee
Fireworks set off in Dolores Park started fires. SFFD arrived on scene to extinguish the fires and the park was ordered closed as groups of vandals attacked occupied SF Muni streetcars. On Monday, SFMTA officials estimated the damage to five Muni vehicles at approximately $70,000.
There were no serious injuries related to the incident Saturday.
While some people gathered Sunday to protest the police treatment of those who gathered for the unsanctioned skateboard event, Bonner felt the authorities were in the right.
"I appreciate the cops. I really do. I think they were right this round," said Bonner. "It got really unruly. I'm not sure if they added to the confusion when they showed up, but I do appreciate they were actually here to bring order."
Bonner said he thought making the event sanctioned by city officials could reduce the risks to the neighborhood and those participating.
"The city needs to do something," he explained. "It's going to happen regardless, so let's actually put in some checks and balances for these kids to be safe and for us to be safe."
Kim Fisk and her husband Larry have lived near the steep hill on Dolores Street for a long time. They have seen how dangerous it can be when skateboarders and cyclists fly by.
"I'm terrified when someone comes flying through here. They're going to get hit by a car or create a car accident," said Fisk.
However, she felt that the responsibility for the chaos Saturday should be shared.
"It does seem a little scary. Things got of hand on both sides," Fisk explained.
Fisk and her husband are hoping the police will respond promptly to other complaints in the neighborhood and not just focus enforcement on the hill bomb.
"I wish police had more presence for other stuff besides skateboarders but realize they're probably stretched thin," she said.
CBS San Francisco spoke to Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, whose district includes Mission Dolores.
He addressed the criticism that the police response was heavy handed considering how many young people were involved.
"Just because there's a crowd made up of younger people does not mean it's not a crowd capable of doing significant damage, said Mandelman. "Maybe we don't throw the book at them, but I don't think it means you allow the behavior to continue and allow neighborhood to get trashed and allow violence against people."
Mandelman said it should be on the city to communicate clearly in advance next year that police are going to bring this level of response to the event.
The Dolores Street hill bomb has a history of violence. Skateboarders claimed video from 2017 showed a cop shoulder-checking a rider as they came down the hill. The officer was hurt and the incident came under police investigation.
The event turned deadly in 2020 when a cyclist died after colliding with a skateboarder. Police said there were at least three hill bombs held during the 2020 lockdowns.
Justin Andrews and Kenny Choi contributed to this report.
