Home windows of ‘eight automobiles in a row’ smashed at San Francisco parking storage
Basil Yaqub, of Fremont, California, visited San Francisco with his family on Saturday to celebrate the purchase of a new car.
After dinner at a restaurant, Yaqub said he parked in the city’s garage in Union Square so the kids could run around the square. This was his family’s first trip to Union Square since before the pandemic, and his children were excited.
When Yaqub returned to the garage with his wife and children, he found three broken windows on his new Maserati, which he had just bought the day before. The broken window panes chipped off the paint, and he said repairs would cost in the range of $ 20,000. The child’s desk hidden in the trunk was stolen.
“It was really an awful experience,” he told SFGATE. “I’ve lived here for 22 years and have been going to SF for years. I love it but then this.”
A family friend drove them into town and the windows of his Lamborghini were also smashed.
On June 6, 2021, windows were smashed into a car park in Union Square, San Francisco.
Basil Yaqub / Courtesy
“There were eight cars in a row with broken windows,” said Yaqub. “Our two cars and six others. It was a nice car. It is the first time in our lives that we have spent money on a beautiful car. I wouldn’t be so sad if it was a normal car life. “
Yaqub took his family to an Uber home and drove in his car covered with broken glass.
Smashed car windows are a well-known scene in San Francisco, and KGO, who first reported the story, pointed out that Yaqub “represents one of 6,911 other car break-ins cases reported across the city this year, just a decrease from one percent is “. from that time last year. “
The city operates 22 parking garages. The San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency confirmed that security is reduced as occupancy is only 40% of pre-pandemic levels.
“Out of necessity, we had to prioritize those employees who provide the most comprehensive services to our workshops,” SFMTA said in a statement. “Security is not being replaced, but currently responsibility has shifted to other employees who maintain our parking facilities. We are focused on tracking vehicle intrusion metrics on a daily and weekly basis and have the ability to provide additional security.” if necessary, with a one-day notice period. It is important to note that the security contracts of our car park operators are not being terminated, but are being put on hold. Break-ins into urban garages remain minimal. “
According to SFMTA, the city’s garages with new lighting, signposts, acoustic alarms, cameras, gate arms and payment machines with digital intercoms are safer than ever.
“In addition, there is a completely new parking management system behind the scenes and a 24/7 command center that is connected to every machine,” said SFMTA.
The San Francisco police were not immediately available for comment.
