Noe Valley may be the only neighborhood in San Francisco scolded by police for being too involved.
Residents of the normally sleepy community of young parents and dogs have actually been warned to tone it down by beat Officer Lorraine Lombardo in order for her to be more responsive towards things of concern like thefts and break-ins.
Over the past few months, young hispanic men thought to be from Salinas and San Jose are selling fruit on the corners of residential areas. Mission Police Officer Lombardo has received an increasing number of complaints for a crime that has apparently put the community in debate.
Officer Lombardo is said to be getting it from both sides of the fence. Noe Valley residents keep voicing mixed opinions about the vendors, complaining to have them removed but also accusing police of hassling sellers who are trying to make an honest buck.
Gwen Sanderson of the Noe Valley Merchants Association is among those complaining with other grocers who don’t like the competition.
“The illegal vendors are avoiding permit fees and taxes while cutting out the grocers who do it the right way,” Sanderson explained.
Lombardo speculates that this is an issue that concerns other agencies such as immigrations and health. It seems as though officers are busy and need the help of the community to help focus on real problems.
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