Catwalk violence continues

The robbery is the latest in a growing crime wave hitting the pedestrian walkway. Last Monday a man was also robbed on his way home from work and Thursday, police arrested a man and a woman for trying to rob an undercover officer. A man was also stabbed west of the catwalk the previous Thursday.

Just as police thought the crime at the catwalk was under control, Monday's burglary happened - causing the department to rethink patrol on the dark walkway.

Some residents and business owners are calling for closure of the catwalk in the evenings when suspicious people hang around.

"It looks like there's a lot of movement at night. It would help if it closed down," said Kish Nink, manager at Super 8 Motel on Bayshore Avenue.

The hotel called police about four times in the last six months for problems arising from people hanging out near the catwalk. In December, a guest's car was stolen and the general atmosphere has declined with groups of people "hanging out" near the catwalk "waiting for things to happen," said Nink.

However, city officials argue that sending out crews to close the area every evening would be time-consuming and difficult.

Instead, police are focusing on crime prevention in hopes of stopping this violent flare up.

"We haven't given [closure of the catwalk] a thought, our thoughts are about working enforcement in that area and picking up the pace," said Hammerman.

Hammerman said crime at the catwalk goes in waves, but residents and businesses in North Central San Mateo and the North Shoreview neighborhood say this is the worst they've seen in nearly a decade.

"It's gotten worse recently. I would attribute it to the economy," said Stacey Weiss, a North Shoreview resident for the past seven years.

Weiss is spearheading the movement to close the catwalk at night. Closing it all day would prevent students from getting to school, she said.

At Ma Pinkie's BBQ and Soul Food Restaurant on Amphlett - the west side of the freeway - a female employee said the catwalk can be a scary place at night.

"It's been pretty good here for eight years, but that catwalk has been a problem for a while. You hate walking across that being a female," she said.

Angela Miller, owner of Ma Pinkie's, said closing the catwalk is a fresh idea that could solve the criminal element in that part of the city.

"I hadn't thought about because it hasn't affected by business, but if there are crimes taking place it might be good," said Miller.

The overpass will be torn down as part of the reconstruction of a sound wall along Highway 101. The new design should prove to be safer. There will be greater visibility for people descending from the catwalk.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.