Tenants from the building that caught fire last week have told Mission Local that despite promises from city officials, the building is not secure from potential thieves. While many of the building’s windows have been boarded up, a crucial few have not, and some tenants are concerned about their property.
“My windows is not boarded up, and we keep hearing that people have been breaking in,” said Marcela Cordova, a tenant in one of the most compromised units.
Cordova says she even saw a man with a backpack easily enter the building and later be detained by police. Without being able to enter her apartment or ensure its security, she’s concerned about what valuables are left behind. “The city is not helping me recover my documents…I’m not really getting much help.”
Another tenant from the building, has said he’s talked to city officials repeatedly about the insecure premises. In an email sent to city officials, and various media outlets Friday evening, the tenant in question says he talked to one of the security officers on site about the potential access points, and was told by one of the members of the security team, “That’s a major breach!” But he says the Department of Building Inspection says they don’t think there’s a security breach. He writes:
A security team (presumably this one) has been on the site for at least 3 days now without anyone knowing this fact. The crew chief’s stated solution was, “Hey, at midnight, go up and walk around up there.” So there will be roving security for a few minutes, at least.
I am absolutely incredulous at the neglect the City has displayed. I offered in my previous email to share the perspective of someone who is familiar with the building, as it is all-too-plain that none of you are familiar with it or have assimilated some very basic facts. That offer stands.
Tenants says city officials have told them that it’s the landlord’s responsibility to board up the remaining windows.
We’ve reached out to the Department of Emergency Response, but have not yet received a response. We’ll continue to update this story with more information as warranted.
UPDATE 2/9/15: The majority of the windows at the burned-out building have now been boarded up, and crews are working on the remaining windows (at least those facing Mission and 22nd streets):
