A union representing San Francisco sheriff deputies is proposing a plan to crack down on crime in the city’s Tenderloin District—an area in Downtown San Francisco that has become known for its rampant drug use, homelessness, and violence.
The San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs’ Association—which represents more than 700 sheriff’s deputies—highlighted, in a Jan. 18 press release, the district’s ongoing struggle with illegal drug markets, public health hazards, and what it called social disorder, claiming the city’s social justice-based approach was insufficient to address such problems.
Mayor London Breed last year launched a $4 million Tenderloin Community Action Plan, which includes teams that provide health services to those on the street at night, as well as other services related to housing and food, conducting street clean-ups, and youth support programs.
The city also enforced, last year, a drug and crime crackdown in the district that resulted in 900 arrests for drug sales and nearly 800 drug use arrests, according to the mayor’s office.
Despite this, the union is calling for an even stricter approach to crime.
“San Francisco’s approach, which has focused on social justice ideas and initiatives with minimal consequences for illegal activities, has failed to yield significant improvements,” the union stated. “The failure to address these issues has resulted in a waste of public funds and a deterioration of the quality of life for residents and businesses in the affected areas.”
To remedy the situation, the union is suggesting San Francisco adopt a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drug use and sales, violence, and trafficking.
The union’s plan, outlined in the press release, includes the following:
- Focused Law Enforcement: Implementing a targeted and robust law enforcement strategy to disrupt illegal drug markets and criminal activities in the district.
- Incarceration-Based Rehabilitation: Providing rehabilitation programs within the criminal justice system to offer a controlled environment for individuals with substance use disorders to receive treatment and support.
- Zero Tolerance for Illegal Drug Activities: Adopting a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drug use and trafficking to send a clear message that such activities will not be tolerated.
- Community Engagement: Engaging with local stakeholders to build trust and collaboration in addressing the root causes of the issues in the Tenderloin District.
- Transparent and Accountable Spending: Ensuring that public funds are allocated transparently and used … to maximize their effectiveness in addressing the challenges faced by the district.
The union encouraged city leaders to “stop dancing around the issue.”
“By prioritizing the rule of law and taking decisive action to address the issues in the Tenderloin District, San Francisco can work towards creating a safer, cleaner, and more livable environment for all its residents,” the union stated.
