We frequently hear stories about cities erecting fences, spikes, and various odd benches to keep the homeless from camping in certain areas. Last Monday, a video surfaced in which a San Francisco citizen is shown doing something heinous. He was captured spraying a woman sitting on the sidewalk with a hose pipe. She appeared to be minding her own business at the time of the event, and it’s unclear whether she was actually homeless.
You can watch how he goes to town, spraying her for quite some time.
With temperatures in the teens and a few days of rain and cold on the way, the woman screamed. He ultimately stopped and instructed her to go down the street. This conduct was brutal and senseless, and it demonstrates how far humanity has fallen. Many are outraged and are demanding that the offender’s identify be exposed.
He was thought to be affiliated with the bar behind him, but they have since disputed this.
Trena Hamidi, the proprietor of the Barbarossa Club, has since responded. “Barbarossa Lounge has been made aware of a video that has started to spread on social media and was filmed of our little business. Barbarossa had nothing to do with the horrific activities depicted in the video. Following an inquiry, it appears that the activities are those of a nearby business owner.”
“We are really unhappy in the individual’s behavior and in no way encourage such activities. We have been notified that a formal and media investigation is being conducted. Barbarossa aspires to assist our local community and to treat all passerby and customers with dignity and respect.”
When police got on the scene, there was little they could do to help.
The cops were contacted and arrived on the scene, but no arrests or penalties were issued. This raises a crucial question. What exactly can law enforcement do? The SFPD reported the incident as a probable assault but did not further. “Neither the man nor the woman requested additional police action.”
Regrettably, this meant that they were powerless to intervene. That was a terribly frustrating day for justice for everyone who wanted the man in handcuffs. They did, however, summon the Street Crisis Response Team to meet with the woman, but no additional information on her whereabouts or the outcome of their meeting has been provided as of yet.
Collier Gwin, the proprietor of Foster-Gwin Gallery, has recently been identified as the man.
Collier Gwin, an antique trader who also owns an upmarket art gallery, is unconcerned about the whole thing. “It’s difficult for me to apologize when we’ve received no assistance with the matter. I phoned the cops; there must be 25 calls on file.” This begs the question, where do we draw the line? A disappointed store wonder, but there is a more serious problem at hand.
“I completely get how terrible that is, but I also realize how terrible it is to leave her on the street.” He went on to say that the real issue is with the city of San Francisco, where the housing crisis is serious. She was later admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment. With the airing of the shop owner’s testimony, his storefront has been broken into and is currently closed while authorities investigate the matter.
