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‘GMA’ warns reporter to avoid ‘dangerous’ downtown San Francisco during segment on closing Westfield mall

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‘GMA’ warns reporter to avoid ‘dangerous’ downtown San Francisco during segment on closing Westfield mall


An ABC reporter admitted his bosses advised him not to appear live from downtown San Francisco Wednesday because the area is “simply too dangerous.”

Chief national correspondent Matt Gutman told viewers that his crew was instructed to film their 4 a.m. GMT “Good Morning America” segment in a separate part of the city while reporting on the shocking closure of the Westfield Mall.

Though the shopping center — the latest in a swath of Bay Area staples to shutter their doors — cited decreasing foot traffic for its shutdown, Gutman alluded that the city’s rising crime could be to blame.

“The mayor noting that several metrics of crime are actually flat or down. But it is worth mentioning that we are not at Union Square or the Westfield Mall this morning because we have been advised it is simply too dangerous to be there at this hour,” Gutman said.

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Back in the studio, Michael Strahan said Gutman’s admission was “saying a lot there.”

Matt Gutman, an ABC News reporter, admitted he was advised to not appear live in downtown San Francisco for his “Good Morning America” segment due to the rise in crime.
FOX News

San Francisco has seen a dramatic rise in violent crime and the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the last year.

Robberies, arsons, grand theft autos and homicides have all seen a rise of over 5% in 2023 compared to last year, according to police data.

The crime — which residents claim has transformed the city into a “zombie apocalypse” — has been largely to blame for the mass exodus of major corporations, including Old Navy and Nordstrom.


San Francisco crime has been on the rise of over 5% in 2023 compared to last year, according to police data.
San Francisco crime has been on the rise of over 5% in 2023 compared to last year, according to police data.
FOX News

A viral video from earlier this month showed an entire stretch of the city’s commercial hub completely abandoned.

During the “GMA” segment, Gutman asked San Francisco Mayor London Breed whether the city should be considered “dangerous,” but the Democrat stated that the news team was focusing on the negatives.

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“Well, here’s the thing, San Francisco is a major city and it has challenges. But let’s back up a little bit. You are talking about people leaving the city but not the people who are staying, expanding, coming to San Francisco,” Breed said.


A swath of Bay Area staples have been shutting down their doors amid the rise in San Francisco violence.
A swath of Bay Area staples have been shutting down their doors amid the rise in San Francisco violence.
San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images

That same day, Twitter CEO Elon Musk revealed that his employees “feel unsafe” visiting the social media headquarters.

“[They’ve] have had their car windows smashed. They also got such a null response from the police that they rarely even bother reporting crimes anymore, because nothing happens,” the billionaire tweeted.

The crime rates, however, could be much worse than statistics and reports indicate.


Car break-in's and theft are plaguing the city, as employees in the area admitted they're scared to come to work.
Car break-in’s and theft are plaguing the city, as employees in the area admitted they’re scared to come to work.
Chin Hei Leung / SOPA Images/Sipa USA

“Crime is worse than the data shows,” San Francisco prosecutor Charles Stimson told Fox News.

“People do not report these crimes because when you have a DA who’s pro-criminal and not going to enforce the law, the cops aren’t going to go out and arrest somebody when they know the case is going to be no papered.”

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San Francisco, CA

St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco Giants — A game thread for September 27, 2024

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St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco Giants — A game thread for September 27, 2024


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Dbacks Lose Series to San Francisco Giants

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Dbacks Lose Series to San Francisco Giants


The Arizona Diamondbacks faced a challenging series against the San Francisco Giants, leaving fans with mixed emotions and heightened anxiety as the playoff race intensified. In a critical weekend for the team’s postseason chances, the Diamondbacks dropped two out of three games to the Giants, bringing a wave of frustration and doubt to the fan base. This series loss, paired with inconsistent performances, has left many wondering if Arizona’s playoff dreams are slipping away.

Game 2 of the series was a breaking point for both fans and the podcast hosts of Dbacks Dispatch. The Diamondbacks suffered a brutal 11-0 loss to the Giants, leading to heightened concern about the team’s chances. “That was the most down I’ve been all season,” Brandon admitted, capturing the collective sentiment of many Arizona supporters.

Despite holding on to postseason hopes, the tone was one of uncertainty. As Brandon pointed out, “Even if we make it in, I’m not feeling confident.” The crushing loss highlighted issues that have plagued the team for weeks, including pitching struggles and inconsistent offense.

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Zac Gallen’s stellar performance in Game 3 was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise tough series. In what many viewed as a must-win game, Gallen delivered under pressure. “This was probably the biggest game of the season, and one of the biggest of his career,” Gabriel noted, praising Gallen’s ability to settle in after a rough start.

The right-hander managed to keep the Giants at bay, giving Arizona a chance to salvage the series. However, concerns lingered about the team’s bullpen, which has been stretched thin in recent weeks. “Our bullpen is absolutely exhausted right now,” Brandon pointed out, referencing the frequent use of relievers like Justin Martinez, who has struggled lately.

The upcoming series against the San Diego Padres looms large for the Dbacks. With only a few games remaining, Arizona’s playoff hopes are far from secure. The hosts of Dbacks Dispatch discussed the anxiety surrounding these final games, emphasizing that every game is now a must-win. “The amount of anxiety this is going to cause…my anxiety is at like fifty,” Gabriel said, a sentiment likely shared by many in the fanbase.

The Diamondbacks need a series win to secure a wild-card spot, but even then, they may need help from other teams. As Gabriel explained, “We might not even know if they’re in until late Monday night.” The uncertainty has left fans on edge, with little room for error as the season winds down.

One of the biggest questions surrounding the team is how they manage their roster, particularly key players like Zac Gallen. There’s speculation about whether Gallen should be used out of the bullpen if necessary, given the team’s dire situation. “Do they try him on Sunday if we’re still in it and need to win?” Brandon asked. The dilemma revolves around whether to sacrifice Gallen’s availability for the wild-card game to secure a win in the final series.

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Other lineup decisions, such as resting key players like Ketel Marte and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., have sparked debate. Fans were vocal about their displeasure with Marte’s absence in a critical game earlier in the series, even though Marte reportedly asked for a rest day. As Gabriel summarized, “If our best players aren’t playing, we’re managing ourselves out of the playoffs.”

If the Diamondbacks fail to make the playoffs, will the season be considered a failure? The hosts of Dbacks Dispatch were unanimous in their assessment. “Complete failure,” Oscar said, echoing the sentiments of many fans who expected more from a team that reached the World Series just last year. “If you don’t make the playoffs, it’s a disappointment,” Oscar added, citing the team’s high expectations and significant offseason spending.

Despite some progress, such as standout performances from young players, the overarching feeling is that missing the playoffs would negate much of the success seen during the season. “This isn’t 2022. This team was expected to make the playoffs,” Brandon remarked, highlighting the heightened stakes this year.

As the Diamondbacks head into their final series of the season against the Padres, the pressure couldn’t be higher. A sweep could not only secure a playoff spot but potentially give them home-field advantage in the wild-card round. However, anything less than a series win may leave the team relying on help from other teams, a position no one wants to be in.

Gabriel encapsulated the situation perfectly: “It’s all hands on deck at this point.” Fans and players alike are bracing for a weekend filled with stress, anxiety, and hopefully, triumph as Arizona’s postseason fate hangs in the balance.

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San Francisco Rave Doc ‘Between The Beats’ Acquired by Gravitas Ventures for U.S. and Canada (EXCLUSIVE)

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San Francisco Rave Doc ‘Between The Beats’ Acquired by Gravitas Ventures for U.S. and Canada (EXCLUSIVE)


Indie film distributor Gravitas Ventures has secured U.S. and Canadian rights to “Between The Beats,” a feature documentary chronicling San Francisco’s early 1990s rave scene and its lasting impact on the Bay Area.

Directed by Martin O’Brien and produced by O’Brien and Mike Koeppel, the film features prominent figures from the era, including Brian Behlendorf, DJ Harvey, DJ Dan and DJ Doc Martin. It examines the DIY ethos and psychedelic community spirit that defined the scene.

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The documentary explores how the all-night electronic music dance parties attracted diverse crowds and became catalysts for many attendees who later became significant players in Silicon Valley, global dance music and activism.

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O’Brien, who was involved in creating the San Francisco rave scene, said: “The film was made to take viewers on a journey back to an early ’90s music scene that has since grown into the hugely popular EDM/electronica phenomenon across the globe. I wanted to capture the magic of those early years and celebrate transformational music and the powerfully positive energy among its participants.”

Mackenzie Maguire, acquisitions manager at Gravitas Ventures, added: “This intimate look into the San Francisco rave scene is sure to fascinate audiences nationwide.”

Gravitas Ventures, an Anthem Sports & Entertainment company,  plans to release “Between The Beats” on digital platforms on October 15.

The company has been on an acquisition spree of late with recent pickups including sci-fi thriller “The Fix,” starring Grace Van Dien, who appeared in “Stranger Things”; drama “My Home Unknown” starring, written and produced by first time feature director Yaz Canli; Lou Simon‘s “9 Windows,” a modern re-telling of Director Alfred Hitchcock‘s 1954 classic, “Rear Window”; and horror thriller “I’ll Play Mother.”

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