Comments on: Do you feel safe, comfortable downtown?

By: Alicia

Alicia — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 17:42:14 +0000

While searching for a nutrition store in Hayward, I came across this article by accident.
It is a shame that City and school officials do not make Hayward streets and school
safety a top priority. I work, own a home, and my child attends a high school here in
Hayward. In the past 16 years that I have lived and worked here, I have witnessed
many violent crimes, including one that directly affected my family. At the time, I
was in denial and said it was an isolated incident, however, as time goes on I know
that the violent assault on my husband, 3 years ago, was indicative of the evil
element that is taking over in Hayward. I hold our police officers, firemen and
my child’s teachers in high regard. They are not responsible for Hayward’s downward
spiral. The Hayward School Unified School District and the City Officials are responsible for for the bad element running among our streets. If you are purchasing one of those
million dollar homes, I would think twice about where are you going to shop, the schools your kids will go to. Transportation to the school is another issue. Our kids are not safe on
public transportation, especially, in the Winter. All lines transfer at either BART station.
BART is not a not safe area for young kids to be at any time of the day.

By: Long time Hayward resident

Long time Hayward resident — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 22:15:34 +0000

It never ceases to amaze me that the City of Hayward administration continues to scratch their collective heads over why so few frequent the downtown area. My family goes downtown for the library, the farmer’s market, the street parties, and also visit a number of restaurants and businesses. I always make it a point to shop Hayward first. However, it is increasingly difficult to ignore all the dirty, creepy “street people” lurking around downtown, especially around library park. It’s really disgusting. And Castro Valley is really no better. Hayward has such potential, and it seems such a shame that now several decades have gone by and it continues to be unrealized.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 20:46:19 +0000

I live downtown within walking distance of Albertson’s, the Main Library and all of the shops there. I have never felt unsafe. If people are worried about ‘scary lookin people, even in the broad daylight’ then stop coming downtown. Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to judge a book by its cover?

By: monica

monica — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 19:33:50 +0000

My husband and I frequent a lot of the restaurants downtown. Saturdays we shop at the farmers market, Main St. Bakery, the bookstore and Wags and Whiskers. We just tried the Chinese Restaurant on Main, formerly, Rue de main, we liked it. We meet friends for dinner at Shark Shack, La Salsa, Buffalo Bills, Kumbalas, Neumanali’s, B&B dance studio, and attend all the street parties. Our optometrist is downtown. We use the library, post office, museum, galleries, Kraski’s, Longs, Bicycle store. As for the “weirdos” you ain’t seen nothing until you go to SF.

We need more events downtown and it could be cleaner. There’s way to much smoking; specially outside the bars and the bus stops.

By: Former Hayward Resident

Former Hayward Resident — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:44:12 +0000

Hayward has so much potential, however it continues on a downward spiral. There is
very little sense of community anymore and perhaps it’s part of a nationwide trend, but
the crime rate seems to be scarily increasing to uncontainable heights. As for Castro
Valley, I am not quite sure it’s that much better, it’s a small town, 1/3 the size of Hayward so it only seems like it is cleaner and safer. If you read the CV Forum, which is a weekly publication there are quite a few incidences that occur that involve police involvement.

By: Maria

Maria — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 20:44:59 +0000

Downtown is safe for me and my family, we go shopping and never have had a problem.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 18:02:53 +0000

I think my sense of safety in Hayward depends on the situation. Generally, I would say
that I don’t, especially at night or the late evening. But I live within walking distance of
the library, the shopping center with Albertson’s, Starbucks, Panda Express, etc, and I
used to walk there from my house a lot more a couple of years ago. Now I don’t do that
so much and I don’t feel really safe doing it anyway. Also, there’s been many times
when I’ve been walking and have been cussed at and have had some pretty lewd,
disgusting comments shouted at me from men driving by. I know that this kind of
thing isn’t unique to living in Hayward and that women experience this all over the
world. But it doesn’t exactly make me feel safe or comfortable either.

By: jeff

jeff — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 19:04:55 +0000

My family only visit downtown on Saturday mornings for the farmer’s market. Even durning the day time, there are scary looking people around. We prefer visitng Castro Valley. Everything there just looks cleaners and safer.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 02:44:44 +0000

I only go downtown when I’m driving through it. There aren’t any stores that suit my needs, and there isn’t really anything fun to do down there. Even if there were, I don’t know if I’d go at night, especially since I don’t feel that safe during the day. Sorry, but that’s the way it is.

I feel bad for the bakery owner – it’s not an auspicious start to a new business.