A recent meeting of the Castro Merchants Association brought key city officials together to discuss pressing issues affecting San Francisco, including homelessness, public health, and drug use.
Kunal Modi, the mayor’s chief of health and human services, emphasized the need to address the families, residents, and small businesses impacted by the city’s challenges, particularly those struggling with people sleeping in doorways.
Modi stated, “We’ve spent a long time rightly focused on the folks in crisis, and we will continue to do that,” but added that a broader approach is necessary.
“Public health means the whole public,” Modi explained, indicating that the city is committed to a comprehensive strategy that includes tackling drug use and crime.
One of the strategies discussed was the use of conservatorships, which allows for individuals with mental illness or chronic substance use disorders to be compelled to seek treatment.
Although it remains unclear how frequently conservatorships have been utilized specifically for substance use issues, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 43, expanding the criteria for cities to use such measures.
However, Modi pointed out the current lack of “locked beds,” essential for implementing these conservatorships effectively.
As it stands, San Francisco has approximately 140-240 locked beds available, and plans are in place to add 100 more.
Shifts at San Francisco General Hospital have also drawn criticism, as the facility has transitioned some board-and-care beds into locked beds, raising concerns from patients and nursing staff.
District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman voiced his apprehension, saying, “You can’t really go to a judge and say, ‘Let us take away all the autonomy from this person, but we have no plan for them.’”
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins highlighted the DA’s focus on combating the ongoing fentanyl crisis and addressing the challenges posed by her predecessor, Chesa Boudin.
Jenkins noted that Boudin’s policies had contributed to a perception of leniency regarding drug-related offenses, contrasting her approach with historical policies.
The DA’s office is working diligently to prosecute both drug dealing and drug use, the latter typically classified as a misdemeanor under state law.
Jenkins emphasized that a recent change, due to the passing of Proposition 36, enables prosecution of individuals for felony drug use after repeated misdemeanor charges.
She expressed frustration with occasional judicial leniency, where judges have opted not to hold individuals on drug charges, even in cases with overwhelming evidence.
For effective prosecution, Jenkins underscored the necessity of cooperation from law enforcement, drawing attention to the presence of San Francisco Police Department officials at the meeting.
Deputy Chief Derrick Lew shared the department’s efforts in addressing open drug use and illegal activities in downtown areas, citing nearly 8,000 arrests over the past two years.
However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by a “Whac-A-Mole” effect, where clearing one area of drug users results in individuals migrating to different neighborhoods, particularly the Mission.
Despite the challenges, Lew indicated that dispersing crowds allows for more effective policing and diminishes the growth of street populations.
In response to the city’s drug-related issues, new strategies have been launched, including roving neighborhood teams geared toward providing consolidated resources for medical attention, drug treatment, and homelessness support.
Adrienne Bechelli, who manages these teams, noted that the teams operate daily from 6 a.m., dedicating the first hour to assessing the presence of tents and individuals in distress.
The teams regroup at 8:30 to strategize, aiming to effectively connect with individuals identified earlier.
Bechelli mentioned the transient nature of those they encounter, stating, “When we send services, oftentimes by the time those services arrive, they are no longer there,” emphasizing the need for adaptability.
As the meeting drew to a close, Mandelman addressed audience concerns regarding crime perception, noting the disconnect between statistical crime rates and public feelings of safety.
Though he acknowledged improvements in certain areas, Mandelman admitted, “still there’s too many neighborhoods, too much of the time, where it does feel unsafe and it just feels unpleasant to be in these public spaces.”
He emphasized the importance of reshaping public perception as a significant avenue for ongoing improvement in the city.
image source from：missionlocal
