Dirty Harry - School Bus Hijack
Then … A school bus approaches on 15th Avenue on the west side of Grandview Park in the Golden Gate Heights neighborhood (map). It stops at the steps over on the left that lead down to 15th Avenue’s lower level.
… and Now, other than the new homes on the left side this looks the same today (and the lamppost and fire hydrant are still there). The spectacular north-facing vista looks across the Sunset to the green swath of Golden Gate Park , with the Richmond District beyond that. The clear view of the fog-free Pacific Ocean on the left and Mount Tamalpais in Marin County in the distance at far right are an added bonus.
Then … Scorpio appears. He hustles up the graffitied steps towards the bus as some of the schoolchildren are getting off.
… and Now, The steps link the upper and lower levels of 15th Avenue. Note that 40+ years later the battle between graffiti and cleanup continues. The summit of the small park is crowned with trees.
Several children are on the bus as he forces his way in with a chilling message for the driver (Ruth Kobart):
… “Hear me, old hag. I’m telling you to drive or I’ll decorate this bus with your brains.”
(On a trivia note, Ruth Kobart was a former opera singer, stage, film and TV actress and for decades a regular member of San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater).
Then … the bus continues on down the same road; confusingly, this stretch is named Noriega Street.
… and Now, there are newer homes built on either side.
Scorpio turns and encourages the children to sing a song. They begin with ‘Old MacDonald Had A Farm’ but don’t be fooled; the mood will soon change for the worse.
Then … A view looking down to the departing bus from the park’s steep hillside captured the hilly terrain of this part of the neighborhood.
… and Now, that view from here is not as unimpeded as it was but the hillcrest houses are all recognizable.