Staff warned of security issues before social worker was killed

Good afternoon!

Social worker Alberto Rangel was killed last week at S.F. General Hospital’s Ward 86, despite weeks of warnings about a dangerous patient. Joe Eskenazi reports on the aging and unsecured clinic—and ongoing problems with violence at the hospital.

A year ago, nurses called for a state investigation into hospital security, but were denied. Marina Newman reports that now, after Rangel’s fatal stabbing, the S.F. Department of Public Health is commissioning a third-party review of security lapses at the General.

The suspect in the killing, Wilfredo Tortolero Arriechi, could not be arraigned today because he is being held in SFGH’s psychiatric ward.

Eleni Balakrishnan reports from filmmaker Kevin Epps’ trial for the 2016 murder of Marcus Polk, his once brother-in-law. The emotional closing arguments had some of Epps’ supporters storming out of the courtroom.

More soon,

Sara

P.S. Don’t forget to reserve your free tickets now for Mission Local’s big upcoming event about the immigration crackdown and resistance in San Francisco, December 16 at Gray Area. Meet and talk with immigration lawyers and a recently fired immigration judge, our reporters, and community partners.

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By Ben Armington

Events

All Events

Today: The Neil Fontano Jazz Band at the Woodchopper’s Ball, Verdi Club, December 9, 9-11:30PM

Tomorrow: BAVC MediaMaker Fellowship Pitch and Party, Roxie Theater, December 10, 6-8PM

Next week: Mission Local presents: The Immigration Crackdown and Resistance in San Francisco, at Gray Area/Grand Theater, December 16, 6PM

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Three people perform acrobatics and hula hoop in Dolores Park with a Mission Local website cartoon nearby; text promotes Mission Local as "forever free.