You have to be impressed with the contractor(s) who are building the new Safeway. It is a 7-day-a-week effort that is moving at an impressive pace. We have followed this from the beginning and the anticipation is building around town. The October 14th Grand Opening appears to be on track and those of you who check in here to stay informed should know that you will be able to get an early peak on the evening of the 13th when the store will have a "soft opening" from 6-9pm before closing until the morning of the 14th. See you there!
Here is the current view at night
Perhaps someone here can give me some advice. I was near the new Safeway today and I saw a homeless guy standing next to one of the trees on El Camino peeing. What should I have done about it? Should I call the police? When they come what could they do? Would they believe me and do something? Would it be too late? What would I have to do later to stop this? I need some advice. Thanks
Posted by: A regular gal | September 26, 2011 at 08:45 PM
Definitely not a police issue, because it is doubtful they'd be able to help unless the person hangs out semi-permanently in that area. I think it may be helpful to report consistent filth, for example around bars and nightclubs where those who over-indulge tend to use the adjacent parking lots, bushes and doorways of various buildings as latrines. The smell and visual aspect is horrible, too and can affect surrounding businesses, as well. I think police or the city ordinance officer can put pressure on the managers of various establishments to hire security folks to monitor their customers, install outdoor lights, etc.
It doesn't make the act of urinating on a tree any less egregious, (except if the tree is large enough, it can handle the "fertillizer" aspect.) For me, this goes in the category with those who regularly throw cigarette butts all over the place, usually out a car window-- they are the worst kind of litterers. For a homeless person, there aren't many places to go, and I know of only one "public" bathroom in Burlingame but I believe it closes at night.
Posted by: jennifer | September 27, 2011 at 08:47 AM
I would say absolutely call the police. They need to be aware of these issues & familar with those in our city, homeless or not. Bottom line: Its against the law to urinate in public.
Posted by: curious | September 27, 2011 at 11:13 AM
The Safeway opening was very impressive- Safeway was very gracious inviting the community, and fed them well, too. I didn't quite make it all the way around the store, but there are some very nice touches, in particular the very inviting seating area near the entrance. I look forward to all the nice trees and vines growing in and helping the structure to blend in.
Posted by: jennifer | October 14, 2011 at 09:42 AM
I am not too thrilled that the shopping carts are stored next to the bike parking racks. Judging from last night's soft opening, I'm going to have to "shag" the carts in order to park my bike because those few customers who even bothered to return them left the carts willy-nilly to block bike rack access.
Posted by: pat giorni | October 14, 2011 at 10:49 AM