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On the Streets of Burlingame

There seems to be more serious action going on in Burlingame over and above the usual bike thefts:

October 7 DJ Police Blotter – A group of girls were involved in a fight on the corner of Howard and Highland avenues in Burlingame around 1:26 a.m. Saturday. A police officer released pepper spray after they disregarded commands to stop fighting

October 11 DJ Police Blotter – A woman grabbed and bit her boyfriend on the 1600 block of Bayshore Highway in Burlingame around 2:05 p.m. Saturday.

Indecent exposure. A high school student saw a man touching himself on a public bus driving near El Camino Real and Murchison Drive around 5:40 p.m. Wednesday.

October 12 DJ Police Blotter – Assault. Two men were involved in a physical fight near a hotel on the 1300 block of Bayshore Highway before 2:28 p.m. Saturday.

Fighting in public. Two men were fighting at Blush at 261 California Drive around 2:13 a.m. Saturday.

October 13 DJ Police Blotter – Battery. Three men were fighting at Zeyno Restaurant at 250 Lorton Ave. around 8:49 p.m. Saturday.

Assault. Two people were fighting at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at 1333 Bayshore Highway around 5:28 p.m. Saturday

– Written by Fiona

Posted in

47 responses to “On the Streets of Burlingame”

  1. Jen

    Just curious, how do they make the conclusion that these are gang related, and not just the usual drunken brawls.

  2. jean

    Jen, I don’t see any gang references in the above. Is there other information available that does?

  3. Jen

    I didn’t see the original article. I’ll go look it up.

  4. Fiona

    There is no original article. They are taken from the Daily Journal Police Blotters for the dates of October 7, October 11, October 12 and October 13.

  5. Jen

    Why do you think these are necessarily gang related?

  6. Fiona

    Nobody said they were gang related except you! It seems that an earlier blogger’s point that there is more violence on our streets, could be true. These are just examples of what has happened in the last week and hopefully none of them are gang related. But still troubling.

  7. Anonymous

    So what’s the eye opener here? This City’s no different from others. Bottom line, people fight, steal, drink and so on.

  8. Eye Opener

    Bottom line – violent week in Burlingame

  9. Raymond

    I would hope these activities would not be something we use to measures Burlingame against other cities. I would hope we would be better than other cities. Anti social behavior should not be condoned!

  10. condoned

    Condon’s behaviour should not be condoned.

  11. Gus

    Downtown Burlingame is changing for the worse, especially on the weekends. Each Friday and Saturday between 1am and 2am there is some sort of disturbance on Burlingame Ave. The police do their best to keep things under control, but need other agencies to provide mutual aid to settle things down. It’s only a matter of time until something very bad happens. Want a surprise? Go down Burlingame Ave. around 6am on the weekends and watch the Burlingame Public Works guys scraping the garbage, blood, and vommit from the area. When are the city leaders going to wake up and try to address this problem?

  12. Jen

    If one is to take your word about this problem, I wonder if there is a correlation between the number of bars/nightclubs in town, and the disruptions. Blush and Hola are newcomers from a year or two ago, Fanny and Alexander has had problems since it opened, and there have always been brawls at the older bars. There was a death about 2 years ago from a fight in a bar on Broadway.

    I’m not into the bar scene, but maybe people just consume too much and get out of hand in the wee hours. Again, how do we make the leap that these are gang related? Has anyone heard this for a fact? I don’t doubt there are problems in surrounding cities, but those have always been there, even decades ago. They ebb and flow with the economy, that is still pretty depressed. The puzzle pieces don’t go together for me. But I’d like to hear more of what you have to say.

  13. jean

    Hi, Jen. I’m not seeing where anyone is linking this to gang stuff. Did I miss something.

  14. Anonymous

    STOP THE MADNESS!
    There is nothing that happens here that does not happen anywhere else in the US.
    Gas price,and weather.
    Reading the above posts sickens me.
    Reality… check it out.

  15. Gus

    I am one of the police officers that comes from a local city to assist downtown every weekend. I would encourage you to take a ride-along with Burlingame Police on a weekend night, or at least be a fly on the wall in the area during that time frame downtown. Almost every weekend pepper spray is deployed on fighting people. I was in front of Blush on Friday (10/7) when there were 9 people injured due to fights and pepper spray. When everything came under control, another 4 person fight erupted at the corner of Burlingame Ave. and California. This was only 50 feet away from 10 police officers! It is really a sad situation what downtown Burlingame has become.

  16. Jen

    Thanks for explaining your position as an officer helping out. If Blush, in particular, is a problem, or at least fighting problems stem from there, isn’t there a process whereby they can have their entertainment license pulled? I thought F&A had their FINALLY pulled awhile back, and then they changed ownership. I sounds like you are helping out from another city, and we really appreciate it. Our own officers, and the press need to make sure these reports arent’ swept under the rug, and should bring them before council. If this is happening regularly, I’m sure they’d consider taking away the establishments permit. Thanks again for your help.

  17. Gus

    To my knowledge the city never pulled the F&A permit. Too much tax money is coming into the city from the bars. Most of the people we contact downtown are from out of the area, generally accross the bay. Trust me, it’s only a matter of time before there is a drive-by shooting down there, or an officer is seriously hurt. What they need is additional officers down there enforcing everything to the letter of the law. It’s so busy in other parts of Burlingame most nights (Hotels, etc.) that the officers are spread thin and don’t even make it downtown unless there is an emergency. If people don’t believe me, take a ride-along with BPD.

  18. Jen

    Now I need to check on the F&A permit. At any rate, they are under new ownership. The Blush issue is troubling to me, because I know that before they opened, there was a lot of concern regarding exactly the issues you mention, that had taken place at their establishment down south (Mountain View?) I cannot remember. Anyhow, great that you’ve mentioned this. I’d like to see the press track what is happening over there. I agree, our police are spread way too thinly.

  19. al

    Here’s another reason to be glad Coffey is gone. He was the main guy with his head in the sand on this issue. You can be sure it wasn’t the two moms on the council. Look for major improvement after the election.

  20. fred

    How is there going to be major improvement CBB? Will you close down the bars or will you magically come up with additional money for more police patrols?

  21. Jen

    What’s that supposed to mean? Let the press (paper and ink) get this one, and do their homework. An establishment that cannot control its patrons should be have their license pulled.

  22. Carole

    If that were true most of San Mateo County night life would be closed.

  23. fred

    Late night brawling in Burlingame has always been a problem. Twenty-something year-old locals and non-locals have been fighting at closing time for decades. Smart people leave the scene before 2am rolls around. Fanny and Alexander seemed to take the fighting to a weekly event. Extra police patrols at closing time would help but could never eliminate the problem.

    Perhaps instead of closing the businesses the council could force repeat offenders to close early for a probational period. But this might just move the problem from one bar to another. I hate to see another local business (the bar scene) targeted for extermination at the hands of ‘you-know-who’.

  24. fred

    In North Beach the police don’t fool around. You get out of hand expect a bunch of police on you, a quick throw in the paddy wagon and an overnight stay jail. Maybe Burlingame needs a paddy wagon.

  25. Jen

    Did my own research. Yes, there has been a slight increase of events at Blush, and the police are meeting monthly with the nightclub owners there, and elsewhere in town to get them to comply with the rules. As of this month, more power will be given to the police dept. with regard to pulling conditional use permits, if there is an ongoing pattern.

    Yes, Fanny and Alexander was shut down for a few months as a result of too many brawls, (and later ended up changing hands-maybe a good thing). We’ll see what the new place brings. I agree with you on that Fred… If after 12:30-1am, things get rough, a probation period should require they shut down at midnight for as long as it takes for the patrons to respect the place, and the streets. It must cost a fortune to keep on sending police out there each weekend. Maybe somebody who reads this will think about that, before something bad happens.

    Nightlife here is a good thing. we all want more activities, particularly for kids, but it should be kept as safe as possible for other residents who also use the streets and establishments. I would venture to guess that those involved in brawls shouldn’t be behind the wheel, either.

  26. Anonymous

    Hate to see anything close early in this town because the restaurants roll up their carpets at 9:00/9:30! I am sure, Fred, our citizens groups aren’t in the business of making our streets safe coz that is the responsibility of our elected officials and police force. But it is an idea! Just kidding, Fred!

    Are the clubs required to have one/two bouncers or security guards to try and keep order especially at closing time?

  27. Gus

    Each bar is supposed to have a set number of bouncers. Although, They just push the problem people into the street. More bouncers will not fix the problem.

  28. Carole

    My 13 year old granddaughter was at the Burlingame High football game tonight. She saw 3 guys fighting in the street outside. One of them was stabbed. This happened at about 9 oclock. Now they cant even go to a game in this town. This is so sad.

  29. frank

    I was there too. We had as good police response as one could hope for and the fire truck was right behind to attend the stabbed guy. According to some kids who saw it, the people involved didn’t appear to be Burlingame or Menlo-Atherton types.

  30. Carole

    Thats good to know.

  31. Jen

    Carole, my kids were there, too, saw the ruckus, and didn’t know if the stabbing was a rumour, or true. What a shame. We’ll have to see what comes out in the papers tomorrow.

  32. Carole

    Daily News today, pg 4:

    12 inch knife, Hispanic male, orange Tshirt

  33. Joanne

    Who was the victim, Carole? Did the article say? Our family was at the game too and this is truly disturbing.

  34. Carole

    It didnt say. My GD said she was about 100 feet away and they (fighters) had been out in the middle of street with cars etc. She saw three guys but it was dark.

    This is way to close for comfort. We told her when there is trouble run the other way, so often it is the innocent bystanded who gets hurt.

  35. Gerald

    On the subject of policing in Burlingame…did anyone see the rather embarrassing story of the BPD this past Tuesday evening?
    ****
    The police stopped a car on a traffic violation, the woman driver allegedly running through a stop sign. The headlights on her vehicle were not illuminated, according to the police. But that’s not all that wasn’t “illuminated,” sadly.

    The police found drugs or drug-related items in the car. The woman was under arrest. They had handcuffed the lady and had her in the back seat of their patrol car, leaving the window rolled down as bit as she claimed she was nauseous. Now it’s the cops who are sick-to-their-stomachs.

    While he/she/they (the police) were searching her car, he/she/they failed to noticed that the gal under arrest was high-tailing it down the street!

    Oops.

  36. Gus

    The stabbing does not suprise me. Like I said above, it’s only a matter of time before there is a shooting or similar.

  37. Jen

    Thanks Carole, I would have missed that article, (not much detail given, how is the victim?). I hope there is more info. in tomorrow’s Times. Looks like this fellow came looking for trouble. I cannot figure out if he was in the stadium, or out on the street. Pretty soon, they’ll have to frisk everyone that goes in there.

  38. Jen

    ‘Heard from a neighbor that the actual fight broke out at the Oak Grove market, not in the stadium. A Menlo-Atherton fan and a Burlingame one got into some kind of altercation. The victim was badly hurt, in the lung, apparently. No idea about the age or status of that person. It sounds as if the perpetrator got away.

  39. Jane

    Unfortunately, the stabbing is part of an ongoing problem that is escalating. I too have kids who attend BHS. And my info is coming from the teen grapevine. If my info is correct The person who did the stabbing is in a group of kids that have been coming to BHS looking for trouble, for over a year now. My kids have been the victim of these kids in the past. Over a 9 month period, a group of appx 10 kids showed up at my home, BHS, the ave ect. Trying to fight with my kids. ( apparently this was all over a girl). We only knew the Identity of 1 of the kids, so his was the only parent I could contact. WOW what a waste of time. Last year when one of my children was (finally) attacked physically by a member of this group (they do claim to be in a gang) I called the police and the school. They did NOTHING..I borrowed a mills yearbook drove around Millbrae..found some of the kids and because of this, detective work, these kids could now be identified to the school and the police. Even then the police did nothing, the school (mills) slapped the wrist of one of the kids.

    Two months ago A large group of kids from the San Bruno area Showed up at Oak grove market after school. Several of these kids from SBA badly beat up a BHS student for no reason ( they wanted his hat). They ripped a necklace off one of the boys nearby and tried to steal a cell phone from another. Afterwards they jumped in a car and drove away. 1 week later The same group of kids showed up at a BHS football game. They waited until 3 kids were alone outside the game. The kids from BHS were trying to unlock their bicycles when they were approached and chased by these other kids. One of the Burlingame kids got hit in the back of the head while running. Bad enough, but the SB kids also flashed a knife.

    AGAIN, I went to the school talked to the dean and the school liaison officer. Nothing was done. There were several witnesses to the beating and of the three that were chased someone would be able to identify pics. I happen to know that some of the kids weren’t shown any pics and most were only shown one or two pics. According to the Authorities. They ( BHS kids)could Identify The 2 pics, as kids who were there but not the ones who actually kicked the kid on the ground or stole the necklace. Why then, wouldn’t they show the kids all the pictures? The authorities were given their names and enough info from witnesses to pull all their pics from school yearbooks but they didn’t show the BHS kids????? The boy who was beaten was, according to police, unwilling to Identify anyone. I think more likely he was too frightened. But in any case what about the others that were there? I have been extremely frustrated with the lack of diligence in BPD with these issues.

    Now a child was stabbed at BHS. I’m not surprised just very sad. We don’t seem to have these problems with Burlingame residents and students, So kids come here from other areas to start trouble and violence. One would think that the BPD would take aggressive action to protect our kids. It’s embarrassing to me, I wonder, is it embarrassing to the police?

  40. Carole

    Jane

    The posts from Gus indicate that the police have to call in help from San Mateo police. You did all the detective work for BPD and still no response. This also may be another reason not to combine the Rec Center with Millbrae. They have a problem there also.

    This should be a question for all the candidates for Council. I think we don’t hear about this in the paper or from the police because it might affect property values.

  41. Jen

    I was thinking the same thing. Nothing in our papers except a tiny blurb in a throwaway. I’m hoping the Times does a better story today.

  42. Gus

    Officers from Millbrae and Hillsborough also frequently respond to Burlingame for mutual aid, mostly on Friday and Saturday nights.

  43. Jen

    Today we got an e-mail from Matt Biggar, the BHS principal. It mentions that the fight was probably gang related, took place on Carolan, in front of the stadium, and that no current BHS students were involved (though could it have been a past BHS student was a victim?) Two in custody (at least that). He also asks for help from parents/students who happen to hear or see things that could be potentially dangerous. The anonymous tip line is: 1-877-723-3477.

  44. Matilda

    Maybe the newly elected council should think about bringing the staffing of the Burlingame Police Department back up to todays standards instead of the current level which is about the same as it was 25-years ago.

    Of course that may mean making some other tough choices.

  45. Anonymous

    I recall Russ Cohen mentioning in the first debate that we had the same number of police that we did in 1979 and increasing their numbers was a goal when elected. I believe Ann Keighran also mentioned wanting to add more police in her closing statements at the second debate.

  46. Two Kids

    There is no lighting outside the BHS stadium. The field lights are the only illumination for anyone entering or leaving the field. It is no surprise that people don’t feel safe during or after a game. Its difficult to even cross the street without being hit by a car. The sporting events at the field are great but there needs to be a greater police presence around the stadium. We should look into better lighting around the stadium for game nights and more of a police presence to at least appear to deter crime.

  47. Jen

    Isn’t the stadium and soccer field area really school grounds? Maybe these areas need to be reserved for residents/students only, and should be periodically checked by patrols for ID. There are parks in PA that are reserved only for residents. I used to find that pretty arrogant, but in light of what seems to be occuring, it may be the only way to manage the area.

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