A significant collaboration between police officers, Department of Public Works (DPW) workers, and a new nonprofit organization unfolded on Mission Street on Saturday, as they worked to maintain clean and accessible sidewalks at the intersection of 16th Street.
This effort comes in response to a growing concern regarding the increasing levels of unpermitted vending and open drug use that have occurred north of 16th Street during weekends, turning the area into a chaotic environment for pedestrians.
By midday, the scene had transformed; by 1 p.m., both the west and east sides of Mission Street, from 14th to 16th Street, appeared orderly, resembling a typical commercial corridor bustling with pedestrians.
A police SUV was stationed in the southwest plaza, while Mobile Unit Two, previously deployed for July 4th, had yet to return, contributing to the absence of unpermitted vending in the plaza area.
Conversely, the northeast plaza did witness some instances of open drug use, but two BART crisis intervention workers were present, engaging with individuals and monitoring the situation closely.
On-site at 1 p.m. were various city officials, including one police superintendent, two sergeants, and three police officers, accompanied by a clean-up crew from Ahsing Solutions, a nonprofit holding a contract with the city’s Department of Emergency Management.
The crew, which consisted of eight individuals donned in white vests, dedicated their efforts to keeping the area clear.
Additionally, there were at least five DPW workers on hand, as well as a DPW driver and truck, to assist with the clean-up operations.
Among the Ahsing Solutions workers, Ronnie Calderon shared his approach to handling drug use on Mission Street.
He noted, “When I see someone using a pipe, I ask if they could please relocate and keep moving,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safer environment.
Calderon expressed a personal connection to the Mission neighborhood, stating that he grew up in the area and previously collaborated with the Latino Task Force, a group of local activists established during the pandemic.
As efforts continued down the block, a DPW worker named Hayward commented on the mayor’s frustration regarding the situation.
He said, “The mayor, he’s had it with this,” referring to Mayor Daniel Lurie’s commitment to enhancing the habitability of the 16th and Mission Street intersection.
During a conversation with Hayward, he notably intervened with a young man riding a scooter on the sidewalk, reminding him of the necessary rules.
Though the man initially ignored the request, Hayward persisted and eventually the young man complied.
Despite the successful clean-up efforts during the day, questions remained about sustainability.
By 7 p.m., unpermitted vending activities had resumed on the east side of Mission Street and the northeast plaza, although the west side remained relatively clear along with the southwestern plaza.
The Ahsing Solutions team, which marked its inaugural day of service at 16th Street, will maintain a consistent presence five to seven days each week from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Santiago Lerma, head of the Mission Street Team, explained their strategic focus.
Their operations will target the alleys off 16th Street, between Mission and Capp streets, as well as Mission Street itself, between 14th and 16th streets.
While the effort has seen some improvement, especially along the west side of Mission Street during daytime hours, the situation can deteriorate in the evenings.
Moreover, the east side of Mission Street remains an active area, with ongoing challenges noted throughout the week.
During the afternoon’s operations on Saturday, Wiese and Capp Streets observed the highest influx of individuals.
Upon returning later that evening, it was noted that Wiese Street had significantly fewer people gathered on the curb, illustrating some positive results of the clean-up efforts.
Local residents continue to document ongoing activity issues on Julian Avenue, underscoring the complexity of maintaining a clean and safe environment in the Mission neighborhood.
image source from：missionlocal
