4 People Stabbed in 3 Weeks
By our count, there has been at least three stabbing incidents of late in Ocean Beach – and that’s three too many! 3 incidents in which at least 4 people were stabbed.
No. 1: There was the stabbing as a result of a fight between some homeless people late Saturday, March 22nd. The fight had taken place it appears in Saratoga Park. The suspect was arrested, according to Community Relations Officer David Surwilo, and the victim was fined.
No. 2: A second stabbing took place also recently. A stabbing was reported to have occurred around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4th at Abbot Street and Newport Avenue, when police say three men got into a fight, and where one man was stabbed in the neck. The victim ended up at the gas station on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard.
This may be the same incident involving a local teenager and some “travelers” (“travelers” are groups of people usually living out of cars and vans who hang in and around the beach). We are at this time unclear of just what happened, but we are aware that someone was stabbed during a fight, and from hearsay, came down in a parking lot next to the beach.
No. 3: Then a third incident occurred Saturday night, April 11th, where after mouthing-off at some homeless people, two bar-customers were stabbed slightly after an argument down at the end of Newport Avenue. A suspect was arrested and the 2 injured were taken to hospitals. Say what you will about dissing someone late at night – but still violence occurred.
There may have been other incidents that we are not aware of – but this is just too many in too short a time. 4 people stabbed since March 21 – a little over 3 weeks.
Many of these incidents did take place late at night down or around the beach. And they’re giving OB a rough name – oh, wait, OB already has that kind of reputation. But still … this is just too much violence – and luckily no one has died from their wounds.
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
Looks like its time to make knives illegal.
stabbed slightly? Guess that makes it ok.
That’s the name of my new band ; ” Slightly Stabbed”.
But seriously the trolls are outa control this season.
The new batch of cops (cause the usual ones left due to poor pay) don’t seem to be as effective.
I parked down by the pier couple of weeks ago, and was immediately swarmed by homeless trolls begging for money, it was ridiculous !!
Who the hell writes this shit?? Do some fact checking before spewing out lies. First, there is no such thing as being slightly stabbed. Second, there was no mouthing off being done. The two who got stabbed didn’t say anything to him. They were literally in the wrong place at the wrong time. I am really disappointed in the lack of professional “journalism” going on here. I can’t even begin to actually call this journalism. Reading this is like reading something an elementary school child would write. It’s worse than that!! You have some major apologizing to do to the two men who were stabbed in the last incident.
Ok, so “slightly” may be a poor choice of words. Every news report we reviewed and even the police report stated an argument began after the bar-patrons said something about getting a job to a bunch of homeless people. From the Commander’s Log:
Synopsis: Fifteen transients were gathered at 5000 Newport Ave. A group of males left a bar and were walking past the group that was gathered.
One of the males from the bar made comments about them getting jobs. An argument started between the groups.
A 20 year old Hispanic male suspect stabbed a 31 year old male victim in the left cheek and stabbed a 29 year old male victim in the right upper torso.
The victims were transported to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.
The suspect fled the scene and a short time later was taken into custody. The knife was
Yes, there was an argument however it did NOT involve the two who got stabbed as they were not part of the arguing. They were a part of the crowd that was standing around watching shit go down. Why not interview the victims and get their side. Right now, you’re sharing inaccurate information. It is your responsibility as a journalist to report from all angles and right now, you’re reporting from one angle and that is the angle of the police report. Take some responsibility and be a good journalist. Interview witnesses, family, friends and perhaps see if the victims themselves will talk. You’ll find that the victims had NOTHING to do with the argument.
Are you positive the victims weren’t doing anything? I’m not trying to stir the pot but I’ve been told by several people that know one of the victims that he’s a hot head and this isn’t the first time he’s had run-ins with transients on Newport. Obviously not condoning it in any way, I just think people have been quick to push aside that fact
Hi Tyler,
I’ve known one of the victims since we were in junior high and he tries his hardest not to mess with the travelers as he knows they are aggressive and dangerous. He has a wife and kid so the last thing he wants to do is get involved with them. The other I don’t know but I do know that when the traveler that stabbed them asked for money and the other guy said no, that’s when he stabbed. The “get a job” part was yelled out by someone not involved in their party.
You don’t “know” any of what you said. Sticking to the journalism theme, you should have written that it was related to you by someone you know who witnessed the incident that “when the traveler that stabbed them asked for money and the other guy said no, that’s when he stabbed. The “get a job” part was yelled out by someone not involved in their party.”
Mouthing off at homeless people? Have you walked down Newport lately, these kids are super aggressive and unpleasant when I refuse to give them money that I went to my job to earn. So I guess if we are not polite to these trolls then we deserve to get “slightly stabbed”? BTW, on of the “lightly stabbed” victims spent two days in the hospital while his assailant was able to post his $50,00 bail. We need to get these “travelers” out of O.B.
Frank, serious question here. What kind of news source are you aiming for? I don’t mean that to be sarcastic or rude so sorry if it comes across that way. I took journalism classes and one thing I was told us that you leave your opinion at the door and report on the facts from as many angles as possible. Your article on this situation just seems as though it is only from one angle and your opinion. If that’s the direction you wanted this to go in than you’re doing it right but if you wanted this to be sort of like the Beacon then your direction is a little off.
You took journalism classes so that makes you a journalist?
News reporting always comes in fits and starts. Frank reported quickly using the best facts available at the time; a police log is a pretty good start. This is a community news organ here and people interact with it all the time adding facts and correcting others. Frank ties to get news out that folks in OB and the surrounding community may want to know about.
Reading your posts indicates that you seem to have some firsthand knowledge of the incident or the people involved. Instead of being insulting and critical, why don’t you contribute to the story and provide the information you are hinting you have? Let’s see your journalism chops now since you have held yourself up as an expert in journalism. I have a degree in journalism just in case you decide to come after me too.
Geoff – thank you.
Well Frank, it’s your fault, you wealthy media types are just easy targets.
It’s also not an issue of who has or does not have a journalism degree I was just trying to mention that one of the first things taught is to leave your opinion out of your work. Also to report with all the facts. There are many facts missing from here. The victims are home and resting and can easily be found and interviewed so that you can report from their angle as well.
Why don’t you explain to us what part of the story was opinion? “Slightly stabbed?” Perhaps not the best choice of words but I’m sure Frank was intending to convey that the two were not seriously injured. Not an opinion because – fact -their injuries were not life-threatening. “Mouthing-off?” A fact that came right out of the police log. If the log was incorrect, and you know that, then correct it but substantiate your correction.
Finally, if you have been reading the Rag for long, and you are a “journalist” you should know that the Rag has a point of view and has honestly and openly stated that many times, unlike Fox News that pretends not to have a bias. And, like Mr. Callejon says in his comment, reporting objectivity everywhere else is a fallacious masquerade.
“Your article on this situation just seems as though it is only from one angle and your opinion. If that’s the direction you wanted this to go in than you’re doing it right but if you wanted this to be sort of like the Beacon then your direction is a little off.”
That’s why this is a blog. It does not profess to be a newspaper nor does it profess to be impartial so yes all of the articles here are from an angle based on the personal opinion of the author. The Rag and SDFP are not trying to be like the Beacon.
Uh, in case you haven’t noticed, this is a local blog. Not CNN. Caveat emptor.
If you read my first comment I gave him the information. Not much more I can do there. He needs to do with it what he will. I know what Frank does. You don’t need to tell me all about the OB Rag. All I am saying is he should at least try to give accurate information and not say things such as slightly stabbed and mouthing off. Those little tid bits make his article seem immature and like he’s running a gossip colum versus a news source.
Dude, I know this isn’t CNN. I’m not stupid. Local blog or CNN, there is a responsibility to provide accurate information in addition to something that is not so childish and gossip colum like.
No, you did not give him any facts in your first comment. After your comment about using “slightly” to reference a stabbing, you said “Second, there was no mouthing off being done. The two who got stabbed didn’t say anything to him. They were literally in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Unless you were with the group of people involved, what you provided was hearsay and an opinion. How do you know there was no mouthing off? What do you have to substantiate that claim? How do you know that the two who were stabbed didn’t say anything to the attacker? So are you saying this group of people suffered an unprovoked attack? What do you have to support what you’ve said. Your last sentence about being in the wrong place at the wrong time, is an opinion, not fact.
So, enlighten all of us, tell us what you saw happened or provide a source for your information. Real journalism involves providing facts that can be checked and verified. Frank verified what he wrote with the information from the police log. If you don’t believe him, that is something you can check. What do you have?
“I specifically said, contact those who were stabbed and interview them.” That is not a fact, that is a suggestion for additional effort to add to the story.
“Hell, go to the Shell station on West Point Loma which is where you will find the stabbed at work.” So I guess, despite the choice of word “slightly,” the Rag was correct that the wounds weren’t serious as the guy is back working already.
“You can interview him too. THEN you will have ALL sides of the story.” Since you know him and where he works, why can’t you interview him and provide real facts?
“I gave him the facts I was given from witnesses and those who got stabbed.” Ok, so now we do know that what you were providing as “facts” was hearsay, you weren’t there.
“One of those who got stabbed I have known for YEARS and could provide a character statement to the courts if needed. In MANY court cases the judge and jury will utilize character statements when determining guilt or non guilt.” I have no idea what point you are trying to make with this statement. Character statement about whom? By the way, “innocence” works better than “non guilt,” which isn’t actually a word found in any dictionary. And, how about some substantiation about the MANY court cases you mentioned? Didn’t your journalism classes teach you to be specific and not use ambiguous terms like “many?”
If you dont like the reporting than write your own story. That is how a mostly volunteer paper works.
Complete reporting objectivity is fallacious. Keep up the good work, Frank.
It’s an opinion piece anyways, right? My opinion is that the amount of stabbings is just about perfect.
please note: my sarcasm tags did not go through.
Here a stab
There a stab
Ocean Beach has too many stabbings
E
I
E
I
O
one’s too many!
Is it possible to get a restraining order on the person that did the stabbing that they must stay away from OB? That way this person and their buddies can hang elsewhere.
I was shown a picture of the kid who did the stabbing and I did recognize him. Funny thing is that these trolls come in all shapes and sizes. From what I heard this punk is a kid from a wealthy N.County family who were able to post that huge bond for 2 counts of attempted murder. Really WTF ?? So this breed of troll is one I`ve heard about in the past but this type comes from money and obviously here to cause trouble in out town. It’s out of control and so demoralizing for good Obecians, businesses, Families and even tourists. This stuff has got to stop or more people are gonna get hurt.
Many will agree with what you have said. The problem is, what to do? There are certain freedoms in this country that we all cherish but the downside is that it leaves little recourse to dealing with problems like this. Unless someone breaks the law, there isn’t much that can be done. This is the kind of thing that is perfect for vigilantism but unfortunately, innocent people suffer when vigilantes appear. One suggestion has been to modify the seawall so it is not possible to sit on it, but that also penalizes everyone else. A citizen patrol is another idea but the police department has to cooperate with that. Any new ideas would be welcome I’m sure.
Of course there is stuff to be done… Stuff the Rag probably hates but some of us would love it.
Warrant sweeps. Sit/stand laws like in Haight Ashbury. Zip code bans for repeat offenders.
Why the swipe at the Rag? Why can’t you just provide the suggestions and be positive? For someone with such a low opinion of this on-line newsource/blog, you sure seem to read it a lot.
I’ve stated many times I appreciate the news the Rag gives in terms of local happenings. Doesn’t mean I have to agree with every opinion and narrative. The world would be a better place if they didn’t just read from sources that confirm their own bias.
And it wasn’t a swipe at the Rag. I’m just being realistic in that I know this publication would likely not be a fan of the thing I proposed. I think you’re being too defensive of the Rag, which is somewhat of a common theme with you. But I’m not here to pick fights so we’ll let that go.
There have been MANY MANY meetings taking place with SDPD. Neighborhood watch program has started and there have been several of those meetings. They’re looking for block captains. There is the Sunday Sunset Cleanup and more. Get involved and there is a lot that will be happening the more that get involved.
lets make a call to Levi from the Amish Mafia :-)
Now, THERE’s a new idea. But, how do we get them here, that’s a long buggy ride…
In one of the early comments, it was suggested that reading this article was like reading something an elementary school student would write. As one of the judges of the Ocean Beach Friends of the Library’s and the San Diego Library’s Essay Contest, I have been highly impressed with the writing skills and cogent thinking of students from Ocean Beach Elementary School. So, don’t dis the kids! Also, I enjoy Frank’s efforts to keep us all informed. I have no problem distinguishing his point of view from so-called facts. Reality is always more complicated and multifaceted than narrative. I think that Frank and the other OB Rag writers do a great job. Thank you!
I am chicken, thus I avoid OB after dark so no relevant comments re: the stabbed, the slightly stabbed, the travelers, etc. But I do KNOW that the first thing I learned after getting a job on a real newspaper was to forget everything I had learned in journalism school !!!!
And previously this year, the 2 stabbings in alleys (the one which led to Jimmy getting arrested, and a second alley transient stabbing). Yikes!!! 6 (plus) stabbings this year. Bottom line– too many. Not sure what exactly happened but Newport appears cleaned up since last Saturday (way fewer travelers, trolls/transients)… Whatever magic SDPD used — thank goodness. Paddy wagon? Did they sweep the streets. Something. And thank goodness.
When I was a youngster (1973-74) I was running around OB doing little armed robberies of dope sellers/customers. And a few years inside San Quentin State Prison took all the fun out of it. But a death behind the Newport Hotel and about 50 or 60 residential burglaries a week attracted so much “HEAT” the SDPD had to put a stop to it some how .Hell, it was only about 4 or 5 of us doing most of the scandalous shenanagins.
A sunny Sunday afternoon — prime time for panhandlers in OB. But where have they gone? I was just walking down Newport and the # of transients/travelers/panhandlers (whatever you want to call them) is down. Since last Sunday the number has been down. I noticed emptier sidewalks last Sunday and through the week. Some magic at work. The wall too. Number down. Guess it took some blood shed for these changes. It’s not completely bare of that familiar transient/bum scene. But amazingly improved!!
I seem to remember the Rainbow Gathering peeps traveling through our area and staying for a few weeks about this time of year every year. Maybe they took off to another gathering. Someone with more info on that topic could probably enlighten us.