Police Shoot, Kill Man After Shooting at Hayward Bar

Pamela Hicks September 24, 2012 at 09:38 pm

We live on the hill directly above the Dirty Bird and would like to see it permanently closed and the building razed. The city removed the Hayward Hot Tubs which fronted for a brothel. They should also remove this bar which is a blot on, and menace to, the neighborhood. It is not a nice little corner pub. It has an obnoxiously loud and often violent clientele. In the 21 years we have lived here there have been multiple shootings that resulted in death and/or injury, and countless other offences to the surrounding community. The Dirty Bird, or any establishment like it, should not be located in a residential neighborhood. We, the adjacent residents, object strenuously to its existence in this location. I'm sick of having to put up with the brawling and screaming and blaring music. The noise bounces right up the hill and into our backyards and homes. The shots fired last night sounded like they were 50 feet from my property. We are FED UP and so this is it. The letter to the city goes out this week.

Ura Knutter September 25, 2012 at 02:58 pm

I agree with Pamela. That place should be burnt to the ground. I lost a coworker in another shooting there 4 years ago. It never should have been allowed to reopen.

Suzanne Flusche September 25, 2012 at 10:03 pm

It's hard to understand why city representatives talk about crime reduction but don't seem to do anything about dangerous establishments. Here in Newark it's the Motel 6 that attracts the sleaze. Please keep us informed about Hayward's response to your letter of complaint.

Albert Rubio September 26, 2012 at 01:01 am

while I sympathize with the complaints cited, It would be a much worse precedent if the city had the power to violate property rights. It has far too much power already.
Of course violent activity must be repressed and is punishable by the law, while respecting property rights. Prohibition was supported by many of the arguments cited, but lead to much worse consequences until it's abolition. "If we wish to preserve a free society, it is essential that we recognize that the desirability of a particular object is not sufficient justification for the use of coercion." F.A. Hayek

Pamela Hicks September 26, 2012 at 02:30 am

Oh come on. With property rights comes responsibility. And what about about my rights that are being violated? I never said Dirty Bird doesn't have a right to exist, but I strenuously object to its location in a residential area. Why don't they relocate this bar to the middle of an industrial park where they can make all the noise and mayhem they want without making me listen to it.

Tim September 26, 2012 at 02:52 am

I agree with Albert, however, zoning laws can be used to prevent this in the future. If the area is zoned as residential use then no one else should be able to use the property in the future for a commercial establishment. Yes, you're stuck with the slum for now, but maybe they'll go out of business on their own. Just curious though, how are your rights being violated by this business?

Pamela Hicks September 26, 2012 at 03:20 am

I think it's called noise nuisance or something like that. Loud music, patrons yelling over the music and sometimes brawling and general disturbance outside the bar into the wee hours on a regular basis. We hear everything because all the sound echos up the hill where we live - including the gunshots the other night that sounded like they were going off in my backyard. Does that count as a violation of my right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness? Because it sure feels like it.
It's mixed zoning in this area. There are several businesses in this stretch of Mission Blvd. But homes directly above.

mr haho September 26, 2012 at 05:06 am

Shut up

Pamela Hicks September 26, 2012 at 05:21 am

LOL. You're right I talk too much when I'm pissed off. Thank you Mr. Haho, and good night (morning). :)

Fidel September 26, 2012 at 09:47 pm

I am the security guard at the dirty bird and was present that night and risked my own life for everyone who was in there from being shot and killed and i myself scuffled with the guy in attempt to take the gun away from him. In the 3 years that dirty bird has been open it has never had any kind of horrific incident or that we had to call the police. Thats why we are the number one rated bar in hayward and our staff makes that happen along with the people who go there to have fun. Dont blame the bar but blame the idiots who try to hurt people. You also have to remember that we the dirty bird are not the only business open on that property and that you also have a motorcycle club house back there.

Pamela Hicks September 27, 2012 at 04:13 am

You are right and you deserve recognition for your act of heroism on Sunday night -not very many people would do the same. And I am also sorry for that man's tragic death, even though he started the shooting. But even though this is the first serious incident for the Dirty Bird, there have been previous tragic incidents in the Viper and Arnie's. Yes, the loudest noise comes from the motorcycle club parties but Dirty Bird makes a lot of noise every night that it is open. I know this because listen to it every night when I am trying to go to sleep at 1:00 am. It would help a lot if your patrons would keep the doors closed and the noise inside. Dirty Bird has to take responsibility for serving and tolerating out-of-control drunken patrons - people talking too loudly over the music, and often yelling and screaming outside the bar as well as inside. You know, 50 years ago South Hayward was just the outskirts of town. There was the Holiday Bowl, the skating rink and the bar for people to come and party and it didn't disturb anyone because nobody lived here. But now lots of people live within earshot of the bar - people who need to sleep at night because we have to go to work during the day. We have to live with the noise whether we want to or not. You may not realize how loud it is up here on the hill. So yes, we are frustrated and wish the bar was in a different location. That's all. Thank you again for your actions on Sunday.