Mission Unrest

Usually at our office we concern ourselves with fermenting unrest in other parts of the world.  Earlier this year, it was Kenya.  Before the election, we heard rumors of the potential for civil war.  After the election, we witnessed the mass migration of hundreds of Kiva borrowers away from the riots. 

Lately, it's our own SF Mission that is full of unrest.   Every day now, I walk to work down Folsom street from 24th to 18th to our office in the Mission.  For the past couple of weeks, I've been doing so among daily reports of another shooting in this neighborhood. 

This week, our neighborhood promises to turn into a mini-police state.  Two weeks ago, the SF president of the Hells Angels was murdered on 24th.  The killer was apparently a member of a rival bike gang.  The other killings have been mostly affiliated with Latino gangs like the "Surenos", "Nortenos"  and "MS-13".  Latino gangsters are a common part of my daily life and are usually harmless to us non-gangsters.  The Hells Angels are now an interesting recent addition to the mix. 

The blogoshere is mad with rumors about what's going to happen.  Tomorrow, we will reportedly see an influx of Hells Angels rolling into this neighborhood for a funeral procession.   Just a few minutes ago, a bunch of them rode by thunderously. 

I love this neighborhood, but am sad to see it turning to hell.  SF is a crazy place.  Despite the pervasive affluence -- homelessness, drugs and violence are concentrated in pockets throughout the city.  I live near one of them pockets.  It's also one of the most interesting, uplifting and family-oriented places around.