Local news briefs

Measure Q would have allowed the development of 1,930 units of housing in 17 high-rise towers at Pete's Harbor on the Bayshore. The development, known as Marina Shores Village, was already approved by the City Council but a signature drive forced the issue onto the ballot.

Although the election tally is not officially completed, Measure Q does not have a chance of passing.

The task force will include people who fought against the development. The proposal was met warmly by other members of the City Council last night.

"It's important to recognize the common ground rather than what separates us," said Councilman Jim Hartnett.

Shade-wearing man robs bank

A man wearing dark sunglasses drove away with a car load of cash after robbing a San Mateo bank yesterday morning.

At 9:15 a.m., the man entered the U.S. Bank at 136 Second Ave., handed the teller a demand note and motioned he was armed. The teller turned over an undisclosed amount of cash and the man fled.

The suspect is described as white male adult, 5 foot 8 inches, heavy with a crew cut hair style. He was wearing a letterman style blue and tan jacket. He was seen entering a newer model dirty, black Honda SUV.

Massive tire slashing spree

Between 45 and 50 San Mateo residents woke up Sunday morning to find that their car tires were slashed during the night. Police began receiving complaints from car owners around 7 a.m. Sunday, according to a San Mateo Police report released today.

Investigators now believe that someone began slashing tires in the area around 10 p.m. Saturday. All of the incidents occurred on El Camino Real between Warren Road and Crystal Springs Boulevard in San Mateo, police said.

Most of the vandalized cars were parked at apartment complexes, police said.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call the San Mateo Police Department Investigation Division at 522-7650 or the Secret Witness Line at 522-7676.

Caltrain ridership on a roll

Caltrain ridership is up 17 percent for the past four consecutive months, in part because of a new schedule and Baby Bullet express service.

While totaling more than 31,000 weekday passengers for the month of September, revenue of more than $1.9 million has come in making a $200,000 increase compared to September of last year.