Since mid-March, the San Francisco Police Department has ramped up its presence at the 16th Street BART Plaza, aiming to tackle the significant problems of fencing, drug dealing, and drug use that have made this transit hub uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous for daily commuters.
The strategy in place is still unfolding, but initial actions include the deployment of a mobile police unit and the presence of both police and sheriff’s deputies who are actively giving citations in the area.
Additionally, the Department of Public Works has been involved in monitoring unpermitted street vending and maintaining cleanliness around the plaza and side streets.
However, updates on the situation reflect a mixture of results, prompting questions about the effectiveness of this approach.
Hotspot policing, a strategy that involves increasing police resources in areas with high crime levels, has a long-standing history in San Francisco, having been a part of its policing methods for over three decades.
Michael Smith, a former police officer turned criminologist at the University of Texas at San Antonio, has studied this implementation extensively, focusing on its effectiveness through various case studies.
Two notable cases where Smith’s research has been applied are in Tacoma, Washington, and a troubled public housing project in San Antonio, Texas.
From these studies, key insights have emerged, indicating that while increased policing can help mitigate crime, it is not a comprehensive solution.
The success of hotspot policing relies on sustained efforts and collaboration between law enforcement and local communities.
In Tacoma, for example, the initial phase of Smith’s strategy encouraged officers to remain visible in high-crime areas by parking their police vehicles with lights flashing for 15-minute intervals, followed by patrolling the surrounding “treatment area.”
This strategy corresponds closely with the current policing measures at San Francisco’s 16th Street plaza, where officers are visible and encouraging positive interactions with local residents and business owners.
Smith’s second phase involves adopting a problem-oriented, place-based approach, collaborating with various city agencies to address factors that contribute to crime in hotspot areas.
This multidisciplinary approach has been echoed by Mission Station captain Liza Johansen, asserting that multiple city departments, ranging from emergency management to public health, are engaged in addressing the complexities of crime in the area.
In Tacoma, the East 25th Street corridor, notorious for drug deals, shootings, and homelessness, has seen initial phases of Smith’s approach yield varied results.
During its first three months of intervention, there was a notable decrease in violent offenses, with a drop in monthly averages from 2.3 to 1.3.
Increased police activity resulted in 15 drug enforcement arrests, alongside engagement with over 300 homeless individuals; however, none could be placed in shelters.
In the subsequent period, while crime remained relatively stable, the challenge continued, with only one individual finding shelter.
Local businesses reported mixed feelings about the changes, with some noting a positive transformation while others claimed that criminal activity persisted.
Business owners observed ongoing issues, such as burglaries and break-ins, indicating that while police presence made a difference, it did not eliminate the problems entirely.
Smith expressed caution regarding the degree of improvement, emphasizing that East 25th Street has deep-seated challenges that demand a long-term commitment from the city.
In San Antonio, Smith’s strategy is seeing its second year in action at the Rosemont at Highland Park complex, where resident complaints about crime have long been a concern.
After several months of high-visibility policing that began in mid-2023, the police department advanced to implementing surveillance measures, including LED lights and license plate readers.
For Domingo Ibarra, the director of security at Opportunity Home San Antonio, the results appear promising, with crime incidents dropping from 134 in 2023 to 92 in 2024.
Residents, including Callie Davis-Carr, have expressed relief at the improved safety, with fewer gunshots reported and an overall sense of security returning to the neighborhood.
However, ongoing criminal activity poses a challenge, with some residents, like Rachel Rohrer, noting that crime seems to have shifted rather than diminished, emphasizing the complexities involved in these policing strategies.
While hotspot policing in San Francisco is still in its early stages, feedback from nearby residents shares a concern that police attention is merely relocating drug activity to adjacent streets.
Smith underscores that reliance solely on police intervention will not suffice for lasting improvements.
“Policing is like a fever reducer. It’s going to help you feel better and it’s going to lower your temperature, but it’s not going to cure your disease,” he remarked, calling for additional strategies to address the root causes of persistent crime.
The final phase of Smith’s strategy, known as the focused deterrence strategy, has yet to be executed in both Tacoma and San Antonio.
This phase focuses on altering the infrastructure of crime-prone areas and providing educational or vocational training to those involved in criminal activities.
Initiatives such as green space development and management of abandoned properties are some examples of complementary approaches that can yield long-term solutions.
In San Francisco, plans for an affordable housing project at the 16th Street plazas could potentially commence as early as January, fitting within the broader context of community-centered strategies.
Smith identifies such initiatives, like a newly established skate park in Civic Center, as models for effective urban interventions that can harness a multidisciplinary approach to improve situational conditions.
Creating community spaces, such as skate parks, not only engages local youth but also contributes to reimagining and revitalizing areas that have long been plagued by crime.
In conclusion, San Francisco’s hotspot policing attempts reflect a complicated interplay between enforcement and community engagement, echoing similar challenges faced in Tacoma and San Antonio.
As city officials and law enforcement reassess their strategies, a broader commitment to collaborative, community-based solutions is vital for transforming urban environments into safer, thriving spaces.
image source from：https://missionlocal.org/2025/04/hotspot-policing-sf-16th-street-mission/
