San Francisco police have amplified patrols surrounding the Crestwood Healing Center, a mental health facility near Golden Gate Park, following rising concerns from local residents regarding the presence of Michael Jacobs, an alleged murderer housed there.
The facility, which opened in 2018, accommodates individuals deemed unfit to care for themselves, particularly those who are severely mentally ill and are often under conservatorship.
Located just a short distance from educational institutions and childcare facilities, Crestwood has reported 23 instances of patients going missing over the past three years, according to 911 call data.
Out of those, more than a dozen patients have never returned, raising alarms among the nearby community about safety.
The recent police actions come after The Standard investigated Jacobs’ placement at the center.
Jacobs has been charged with murder and attempted murder, stemming from a violent incident in December 2018 where he allegedly killed Chris Moyer and attacked Maritza Mercado.
After being shuttled between Napa State Hospital and local jails due to fluctuating mental health issues, Jacobs was deemed incompetent to stand trial and was later placed under conservatorship.
In the spring of this year, he was transferred to Crestwood after a doctor deemed him not dangerous.
However, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins voiced concerns about the suitability of the facility for housing someone with Jacobs’ violent history, especially given incidents of patient disappearance from Crestwood.
Despite these concerns, a judge denied Jenkins’ motion to review Jacobs’ placement on procedural grounds.
When the transition from jail to Crestwood occurred, city attorney officials described the facility as secure, although a visit by a reporter showed that access was surprisingly easy.
In a letter addressing their concerns, residents highlighted the close proximity of the facility to schools, parks, and family spaces.
The letter, which was part of an online campaign initiated after the investigative report was published, demanded that city officials take immediate action.
It specifically called for increased police presence, the reassignment of Jacobs to a secure state-run hospital, and the implementation of security upgrades at Crestwood.
SFPD Park Station Captain Angela Wilhelm acknowledged the community’s alarm in a message to a concerned neighbor.
“The serious nature of the allegations against Mr. Jacobs and the proximity of the facility to schools, parks, and residential neighborhoods has understandably raised alarm,” Wilhelm noted.
In light of these developments, Crestwood representatives have stated that they are collaborating with police and reviewing current security protocols.
In a statement, they mentioned that the facility, although not a jail, is a rehabilitation center designed to help clients reintegrate into the community.
The facility continues to grapple with the image and reality of its safety measures as well as the concerns of its surrounding community.
While city officials may assure the public about improvements and security protocols, many residents remain unsettled.
The overall climate surrounding the Crestwood Healing Center has shifted dramatically, as fears linger among the local populace about the implications of housing individuals with serious alleged offenses in a mental health rehabilitation environment.
image source from：sfstandard
