CRIME & SAFETY REPORT
Truck set ablaze, shots fired in OB incident
A man who chased a vehicle after someone set a pickup truck in Ocean Beach ablaze early April 5, was apparently fired upon in a nearby alley, police said. No one was hurt, but the windshield of the man’s truck was shattered.
Police received a report of shots fired on Muir Avenue near Froude Street around 1:15 a.m., which was a few minutes after a vehicle fire was reported a few blocks away on Etiwanda Street near Greene Street, said Sgt. Rick Pechin.
Pechin said a man who saw a vehicle leaving the scene of the pickup fire followed it to the south alley of Muir Avenue, where it stopped. When the man pulled up behind the vehicle, his truck was “struck by an object” and his window shattered, Pechin said, adding it was not known if the window was shattered by a bullet.
The owner of the truck that was set ablaze told 10News that he moved it while it was on fire to protect his home. He said he didn’t know why his pickup was targeted. The Metro Arson Strike Team is handling the investigation.
OB sees serious injury motorcycle accident
A 51-year-old male and his 52-year-old female passenger were on a 2017 Harley Davidson motorcycle around 6 p.m. April 1, heading southbound at 3700 Nimitz Blvd. The road bent to the left and the driver continued straight. They struck the curb and the passenger was ejected from the motorcycle and suffered a serious injury and the driver complained of pain.
Both were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Alcohol is suspected. Traffic Division responded to the scene and are investigating.
Search on for hit-and-run driver
Police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who struck a man who had pulled over to help a stranded couple with car trouble in Ocean Beach early, April 9. The victim was hit shortly after midnight after pulling over on southbound Sunset Cliffs Boulevard near the I-8 off-ramp to aid the couple, said police officer Dino Delimitros.
Witnesses told 10News the Good Samaritan was checking the engine under the hood when another car sped by and struck him. Police were looking for a dark-colored Subaru station wagon. The victim was taken to a hospital with a broken leg and other injuries. The man, a husband and father of two children, was to undergo surgery and was expected to recover, his family said.
City ups finesfor illegal dumping
As part of his “Clean SD” initiative, Mayor Faulconer increased fines of up to $1,000 for any individuals found illegally dumping trash and other waste. The new penalty structure went into effect March 6 and a dozen citations have already been issued for illegal dumping, which is one of the most reported complaints through the City’s “Get It Done” app.
The previous process relied on pages of charts for Code Compliance Officers to interpret, and consisted of one or two Notices of Violation before assessing fines, resulting in inconsistencies and delays in penalizing violators.
In addition to increased fines, the police department has stepped up patrols around hotspots known for illegal dumping, and installed cameras at two of them.
Three two-person crews from the Urban Corps respond to reports of trash and other debris in public areas via the City’s “Get It Done” app. Crews have already removed more than 950 tons of debris, including: 470 tires, 2,890 mattresses, 1,120 shopping carts and 150 appliances.
Trolley work closes OB Bike Path in April
The Ocean Beach Bike Path will be closed through the end of April to allow crews to complete demolition of a bridge abutment to make way for the extension of the San Diego Trolley from Old Town to University City. The closure effects the portion of the path that runs along the San Diego River Pathway from east of Morena Boulevard to west of Pacific Highway. Detour signs have been posted detailing alternate bike routes around the construction closure.
As part of the Mid-Coast project, the rail for passenger and freight trains is being double tracked over the San Diego River, requiring the construction of two new bridges. The Mid-Coast Trolley Project will extend Blue Line Trolley service from Old Town north to the University City community, serving major activity centers such as Mission Bay Park, the VA Medical Center, UCSD, and University Town Center. Nine new stations will be constructed. Service anticipated to begin in 2021.
—Police Department Western Division: Serves the neighborhoods of Hillcrest, La Playa, Linda Vista, Loma Portal, Midtown, Midway District, Mission Hills, Mission Valley West, Morena, Ocean Beach, Old Town, Point Loma Heights, Roseville-Fleetridge, Sunset Cliffs, University Heights and Wooded Area; that’s a population of 129,709 people and 22.7 square miles. Offices are at 5215 Gaines St. Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday. (619) 692-4800. E-mail: sdpdwestern@pd.sandiego.gov