Samwise SF Bay Area Newsletter
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Oakland Crime Plunges to Lowest Levels in Decades, but Many Residents Haven’t Felt the Shift
Oakland recorded its lowest violent crime rates since modern record-keeping began in the late 1950s during the first quarter of 2026, according to city data. Homicides fell 39 percent and overall violent crime dropped 22 percent compared with the same period in 2025. Officials attribute part of the improvement to the Rise East initiative, a $100 million public investment targeting East Oakland through housing support, workforce development, and community-led anti-violence programs. Despite the numbers, many longtime residents say the changes have not yet translated into a felt sense of safety on the streets.
Sources: KQED
Man Threw Molotov Cocktail at Sam Altman’s SF Home, Then Threatened OpenAI Headquarters
A 20-year-old man was arrested early Friday after throwing a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s North Beach residence around 4:12 a.m., causing the gate outside the home to catch fire. No injuries were reported. The man fled on foot but was apprehended less than an hour later outside OpenAI’s Mission Bay headquarters, where he threatened to burn the building down. SFPD officers recognized him as the earlier suspect and detained him immediately. OpenAI spokesperson Jamie Radice confirmed both incidents, praising the city’s rapid response. The suspect’s identity has not been released and charges are pending.
Sources: KQED
25-Story, 800-Unit Tower Proposed for Marina Safeway Site Sparks Neighborhood Boycott
A development proposal for the Marina District Safeway would replace the existing grocery store with a 25-story residential tower of approximately 800 units, just 11 percent of which would be designated as affordable housing. The plan has ignited a consumer boycott of the current store, with neighborhood residents contending the project falls far short of what San Franciscans who need genuinely affordable homes actually require. Parent company Albertsons has not publicly committed to including a ground-floor grocery replacement in the new building, raising additional concerns about the loss of everyday retail access in the neighborhood.
Sources: Mission Local
Three Candidates Square Off for One SF School Board Seat After Historic Teacher Strike
Three candidates are competing for a single seat on the San Francisco Board of Education, including incumbent board president Phil Kim, who faces a contested race after a tumultuous year in which SFUSD teachers walked off the job for the first time in nearly 50 years. The week-long strike, which shut down public schools citywide, centered on pay, classroom conditions, and mental health resources. Kim drew criticism during the labor dispute for his handling of negotiations. Mission Local has profiled all three candidates, who were each asked to name their top priority for a district serving approximately 50,000 students.
Sources: Mission Local
SF Cherry Blossom Festival Returns to Japantown with 250,000 Expected This Weekend
San Francisco’s Cherry Blossom Festival, one of the largest celebrations of Japanese culture on the West Coast, is taking place this weekend in Japantown, with more than 250,000 visitors expected on Saturday and Sunday, April 11 and 12. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day and features cultural performances, arts and crafts vendors, nonprofit food booths, and family programming. A highlight of this year’s festival is the return of the Kanda Mikoshi, a traditional portable shrine carried through the streets in a ceremonial procession, making its first appearance since the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation.
Sources: SF Standard
Campaign to Save Bay Area Transit Races to Collect 186,000 Signatures Before June Deadline
The Connect Bay Area campaign is gathering signatures to place a major transit funding measure on the November 2026 ballot, requiring more than 186,000 valid submissions by June 6. The proposed measure would impose a half-cent sales tax increase in Contra Costa, Alameda, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties and a one-cent hike in San Francisco, projected to raise approximately $980 million annually. Revenue would support BART, Muni, Caltrain, and AC Transit. If voters reject the measure, BART has warned it may eliminate weekend service, close stations, and raise fares by 30 percent.
Sources: KQED
SF Documentary Filmmaker Kevin Epps Sentenced to More Than Six Years for 2019 Killing
San Francisco documentary filmmaker Kevin Epps, known for his award-winning work depicting life in the Sunnydale public housing projects, was sentenced this month to more than six years in state prison for a 2019 killing in the Glen Park neighborhood. A judge convicted Epps of voluntary manslaughter following a trial that drew significant attention from San Francisco’s arts and journalism communities. Supporters argued the case reflected broader failures in the city’s social support systems. Epps is expected to begin serving his sentence at a California state correctional facility in the coming weeks.
Sources: Mission Local
Bay Pulse
Giants: Next: at Cincinnati — Mon Apr 13 at 4:10 PM PT, Great American Ball Park
Warriors: Next: NBA Play-In Tournament — Wed Apr 15 at 7:00 PM PT (visiting No. 9 seed)
Sharks: Regular season concluded. Sharks’ next season starts October 2026.
Earthquakes: Next: vs. Phoenix Rising FC (U.S. Open Cup) — Wed Apr 15 at 7:00 PM PT, PayPal Park
49ers: 49ers’ season starts again September 2026.
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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