Bad campers

Bayview Officers Lavin and Thornton responded on reports of homeless encampments.  Upon arrival, they saw 2 men who were illegally camping. They recognized both men as having previous been cited by Officer Lavin for illegal camping.  Officer Lavin arrested 1 of the men and placed him in the back of her patrol vehicle. She then arrested the 2nd man and handcuffed him.  When she tried to place him in Officer Thornton’s vehicle, the man refused and started yelling racial epitaphs against Officer Thornton’s African-American heritage.  The man did eventually get in the backseat, but he laid down and began kicking the  window of the patrol vehicle.  The man smashed the window and then said that he had trouble breathing and needed an ambulance.  The officers summoned an ambulance for the man.  When the paramedics came, the man refused to speak with them.  The paramedics told the man that he appeared to be breathing normally.  The man then told them that he had cancer. The 1st man that was arrested was siting in Officer Lavin’s patrol car had no problems, but when the 2nd man started kicking and saying the could not breathe, he too started kicking and said that he could not breathe.   He told the paramedics that he was having an asthma attack. The paramedics transported both men to SFGH.  After a lengthy and expensive medical examination, the Dr. said that both men had no problems and released them from SFGH. Instead of being arrested on a misdemeanor and being cited out at the jail, the 2 men were charged with felonies. 7th St./Irwin, Felony Vandalism/Resisting Arrest, 11:00 am