I didn’t expect to be a crime victim on the streets of San Francisco. Nobody does. But it happened, on a beautiful evening this past weekend near Union Square. As crimes go, it could have been much worse. I was helping an elderly man when somebody sneaked up behind me and stole my garment bag. I lost a nice suit, a nice pair of shoes and overnight toiletries. Not the end of the world, but frustrating.
The real crime was the vulnerability of it all, the idea that I could leave my bag on a crowded street, turn my back for 30 seconds and have my stuff stolen.
My weekend began with the best intentions. I was looking forward to attending a conference in San Francisco with people from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the same folks who are joining with the city of Sacramento to provide arts education to our children.
I thought it would be nice to take public transportation, so I rode Amtrak from Sacramento to Richmond. From there, I transferred to BART for the subway ride into San Francisco.
At the Richmond station, I noticed an elderly man, well into his 70s, struggling with two bags and holding a book. He asked a BART employee for directions to Sutter Street in San Francisco. I told the gentleman I was headed the same way, so we could ride BART together. I found him a seat on the train, and helped him with his bags. At the Powell Street Station, we began to walk.
I noticed he was slowing down. I offered to take his bags and his book, plus my own stuff. We walked further. It was obvious he couldn’t walk to Sutter Street, about four blocks away.
“I can’t make it,” he said.
I suggested we find a taxi. I found a cab and put the gentleman’s bags in the trunk. I gave the driver $20 to cover the four blocks and a tip.
When I turned around, my bag was gone.
Angry now, I ran up and down the street. A woman asked if I was OK. Nobody saw anything. My bag vanished into the crowd.
There are lessons here. Pay better attention. Don’t let anything out of sight. Always be on guard.
It’s a shame we have to live that way.
Next time I see San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, I’ll tell him the story and give him my word nothing like that will happen to him in Sacramento.
And I’ll hope I can make good on the promise.
Good man, Kevin!! You’re setting a great example.
I had a leather bag stolen in a Greyhound station in Guatemala while my back was turned in a restroom, so I can relate. Sorry it happened to you. You did the right thing, though. What goes around comes around.
Comment by Steve — October 12, 2009 @ 11:20 am
Dear Mayor Johnson:
Suits, shoes and stuff can be bought again. Your humanity and willingness to help others is an example for all therefore priceless. Congratulations for a job well done!
Keep up the good work and don’t let ‘em see you sweat.
Gonzalo I. Vergara, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.)
Sacramento, California
Comment by Gonzalo Vergara — October 12, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
Hi Kevin
Interesting story. I was on a flight from Phoenix to Sacramento (live in CH) and a women and her husband were talking about the crimes at the Downtown Mall.
She commented that she is a business owner in the Mall and was mugged in the Parking Lot by 3 men. They beat her repeatably about the head and stole her purse and wallet. I know this happens from timt to time. BUT! She mentioned that the PD was late to respond since they were busy working an armed robbery upstairs in the mall area.
Are you receiving the statisitics on crime in the mall area? Is that area considered safe to venture about in the early evening for seniors.
Just wanted to drop you a note.
Thanks
Comment by Bruce — October 12, 2009 @ 12:15 pm
Not saying I know who did it, but who would be wanting revenge?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifx_gRF-ouU
Comment by OhhJohnny — October 12, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
Ha ha ha, good luck getting an audience with Gavin! No one gets in to see the Wizard, no way, no how.
Comment by mattymatt — October 12, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
“There are victories of th soul and spirit. Sometimes, even if you lose, you win.”
~Wiesel
Comment by anonymous — October 12, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
It’s a shame that’s what San Francisco is turning to. My wife and I are in our early 20’s and we were forced to move from one of San Francisco’s nicest residential areas by the beach when the crime got too bad. I applaud your vow in Sacramento. If anyone can do it, it’s a Cal grad
Go Bears!
Comment by J — October 12, 2009 @ 2:57 pm
Mr. Johnson,
Hearing your story and feeling your pain, I had to respond because I’ve been robbed. It happened in Detroit on December 19, 2003 at 6:45 AM(still dark outside). I stepped out my home to go to work, before I could get to my car someone walked up to me with a gun and demanded my purse, watch, rings and asked to look in my trunk. Until this this day I never got a response to my frantic call to the police for help! When I could get myself together after being helped at a nearby service station, I drove to the police department, still crying. They were looking at me like it is not that serious.
Now I live in a suburban area of Detroit(Southfield) and feel somewhat safe, However; since that experience I am very aware of people in every way! When I’m in Detroit especially, if there’s a young man coming toward me as I get in and out of my car, I become frantic! I know all men are not bad but that experience made me reserved when it comes to communicating with people. I ask myself, why are you so afraid at times? Well, it’s because I was violated! Lord, I’m afraid of my own people and that’s not good.
Thank God you’re alright and your good deed will be remembered.
Sincerely from the heart!
Comment by Dorothy M. Long — October 12, 2009 @ 3:53 pm
The most important “lesson” of your story is the beauty of showing kindness to a stranger, not the need to always be cautious or wary in strange situations.
Kudos to you for your kindness, sorry for your misfortune in running into one of the few thorns among the many good guys.
Comment by Joan Hall — October 12, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
sorry to hear you got robbed.a few days ago i sent a basketball card to your mayor office.hopefully the card will reach you so that you may sign it and have it returned to me.i have been a fan of you for many years and living in denmark i dont get the luxury of meeting you on the streets of sacramento.
Comment by heino — October 12, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
Right, cause nobody in sacramento steals stuff.
Comment by matt gatto — October 13, 2009 @ 5:44 am
I jokingly gave you a hard time about this incident on Twitter, but in all seriousness thanks for helping that elderly gentleman. It’s something that many could have done, but probably few actually would. It’s unfortunate that one good deed gave someone else an opportunity to take advantage.
It would be nice if you can keep your promise to Newsom, but with the Sac PD chronically underfunded and understaffed is that realistic?
Comment by Paul — October 13, 2009 @ 10:32 am
It’s all good Mayor Johnson. The person who stole your bag will lose more than he gained in the long run. I’m glad to hear that you didn’t get hurt in the process. Be blessed…..
Lisa T.
Comment by Lisa T. — October 13, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
Mr. Mayor Johnson,
I am happ[y that you got your bag back.It’s nice to know that there are folks out there that care and will do the right thing when put in situations that give them the opportunity to do so.There are good people of all shapes and sizes as well as immigration status’. My neighbor is a great guy, a good father, considerate human being and all around honest individual. He is from El Salvador and left there because the country is a lousy place to find work in and he’s a hard worker that wants to better himself and family. He’s also an illegal immigrant.I genuinely feel for the guy. He has asked me for work and I have had to refuse him and the reason is he has no drivers license. He drives an SUV and a truck that he pulls a trailer with on his gardening job. He wants to be legal but because of the current logjam at the state department and his fear of deportation is afraid to submit the paperwork. With immigration reform maybe he can become a citizen.
My point is that even though I like this person and respect his hard working mentality, I continue to remember the guy that hit my car and injured my girlfriend that had no license.
Comment by s ross — October 14, 2009 @ 9:03 am
Dear kevin Johnson,
I am sorry to hear of your unfortunate, but avoidable incident of losing your garment bag. I suspect you are not aware of the opportunities that low-income people take of us folk visiting from Sacramento. I am a practiced visitor to San Francisco, am female and 65 years old (thus some think vulnerable) and would be willing to offer you tips.
Also, at a pre-mayor induction meeting in my neighborhood of College Greens/Glenbrook while you were still campaigning, you stated to me that you were committed to improving public art in Sacramento and agreed with me that we can use it in conjunction with our educational system. I have read that you are working on this with a task force. Might I be included? I have some experience in local and SF filmmaking and four of my children attended performing and visual arts programs and/or schools.
I wish to contribute - not to attain glory - I’d even volunteer! I am an experience Amtrak, taxi and foot traveler also.
Thank you,
Judy McGillis
916-388-1060
JudithMcGillis@aol.com
Comment by Judith McGillis — October 14, 2009 @ 11:30 pm