S.F. to get tough on raiders of recycling bins

A woman picks through a recycling bin in the Glen Park neighborhood in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, June 29, 2008. Individuals gathering recyclables from residential bins are fairly common and haven't necessarily created controversy. However, larger, organized crews have drawn noise, litter and trespassing complaints in recent years. less A woman picks through a recycling bin in the Glen Park neighborhood in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, June 29, 2008. Individuals gathering recyclables from residential bins are fairly common and haven't ... more Photo: Katy Raddatz, The Chronicle Photo: Katy Raddatz, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close S.F. to get tough on raiders of recycling bins 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

There continue to be complaints about the "mosquito fleet" of trucks that swoop into neighborhoods and raid the blue recycling bins. Residents complain that the recycling pirates not only make a lot of noise in the wee hours, but also often leave a mess on the street.

Capt. Curtis Lum of the Taraval Station says his officers intend to step up enforcement. In his newsletter, Lum says a representative from Recology has provided him with a map that shows the days and locations of collection so that they can monitor the routes.

Nice idea. Although you'd think someone would have thought of that before. Lum also provided a phone number, (415) 553-0123, to call if you see someone raiding the recycling bins. He cautions residents not to confront the can and bottle bandits personally.

That's all well and good, but as a veteran officer (who did not want to be identified) said when he heard of the plan, "So we have the manpower to do that? Are they going to pay overtime for us to enforce that?"

We will get back to you on that.

- C.W. Nevius

Finding closure: Over its almost 77-year life, the old, closed eastern span of the Bay Bridge took many lives - in the Loma Prieta earthquake, many traffic accidents and some suicides.

After recently allowing a mother who lost her son in a fatal crash on the span to visit the old span before it is demolished and reflect for a moment, the California Highway Patrol decided to give families of others who lost loved ones to the old eastern span the same opportunity.

On Nov. 9 at 10 a.m., the CHP will escort immediate family members onto the old span, take them to the scenes of the collision or other incident, give them time to reflect, and let them leave a small token of remembrance.

"When you have a structure this magnificent, there are an abundance of memories," said Chris Costigan, a San Francisco CHP captain. "These families have a bond that only they know and feel. If they so desire, we want to afford them their special moment on the Bay Bridge before it is gone forever."

Family members who lost a loved one on the old eastern span and would like to participate in the event are asked to call Officer Michael Ferguson, at (415) 557-1094, in the San Francisco CHP office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

- Michael Cabanatuan