In recent days, the northeast plaza near the BART station has experienced brief moments of cleanliness, as a dedicated BART worker has taken it upon himself to clear out the area, maintaining a working relationship with local regulars.
This employee, who chose to remain anonymous, has been effective in his cleaning efforts by asking individuals using the space to leave temporarily; in some instances, they even assist him with the cleanup.
Despite these efforts, the return of individuals utilizing drugs is almost immediate. By early morning, a few members of this community have already returned, with one person in particular visibly unable to engage.
The increase in open drug use along Mission Street has been a hot topic of concern among local residents and businesses. Sam Moss, executive director of Mission Housing and developer of La Fenix, noted the trauma experienced by families living in close proximity to these unsettling conditions.
Paul O’Driscoll, who owns an apartment building located at 15th and Mission and has operated in the area for over two decades, characterized the rise in drug users as “horrific.” He revealed that two overdose deaths had occurred nearby on Shotwell Street recently, alarming locals and contributing to a heightened sense of insecurity in the area. On a personal note, O’Driscoll recounted that his wife was mugged while documenting the street’s conditions.
The visibility of open drug use poses significant challenges for local businesses. O’Driscoll mentioned that during weekends, prospective tenants find it difficult to view apartments as current residents feel unsafe emerging from their units.
As issues of public drug use balloon, locals are left wondering what actionable methods the city and authorities can implement. The situation raises the question of how residents and commuters can feel secure around major transit facilities and streets like Mission Street, which have become synonymous with drug activity.
Despite some moments of progress, like the northeast plaza being clean for the first time in five days, the scene quickly deteriorated, as evidenced by a return visit later that evening, when multiple individuals were observed using drugs openly on the streets between 16th and 15th Streets.
Sgt. Dennis Hoang, stationed nearby, is aware of the challenges officers face regarding those engaging in drug use in public. He explained that while possessing drug paraphernalia or consuming drugs in public is a misdemeanor, police typically do not arrest individuals due to jail overcrowding, but can issue citations and ask them to relocate.
Lydia Bransten, executive director of the Gubbio Project, supports the notion that reclaiming public spaces is essential. She urged that if the city seeks to inhibit drug use in areas like the BART plaza, it’s crucial to create positive engagements within those spaces. Simple initiatives, such as art tables, postcard writing activities, or movie screenings, can impart hope and revitalization where despair currently reigns.
Bransten remarked, “Allowing open drug use to overwhelm an area is not the answer. It is complete and utter depression. There is no lift, no hope.”
While some community members have expressed criticism toward Gubbio for current issues, Captain Liza Johansen explained that a surge of drug-related incidents can often be traced back to police operations meant to control areas like the Tenderloin, which inadvertently displace individuals to neighborhoods like the Mission.
Historically, areas along 16th and Mission have been hotspots for drug activity; plainclothes officers often targeted these locations for narcotics operations.
In a proactive response, Gubbio is expanding its outreach efforts. Currently, Gubbio places 28 clients a month into treatment programs and will soon deploy two teams of outreach workers who will engage individuals on the streets nearby, inviting them in for meals, conversations, and safe resting spaces, marking a positive step towards long-term service options.
Additionally, Gubbio plans to hire a street cleaning service to ensure the sidewalks remain tidy and welcoming.
Dr. David Smith, founder of the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic, agrees with Mayor Daniel Lurie’s approach but insists that the city must adopt a stricter stance against open drug use. He reflects on the historical context, citing changes brought forth by the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act of 1967, which allowed individuals with mental health issues to refuse treatment.
Smith argues that the previous framework, which allowed police to mandate treatment within state hospitals, yielded better results for habitual drug users, providing them extended therapeutic environments.
In contrast to community-based treatment, he asserts, “The street can’t take care of it.”
As the issues continue to unfold, it is clear that the community is seeking a multifaceted approach to combat open drug use and reclaim public spaces for all residents.
image source from：https://missionlocal.org/2025/06/day-85-at-the-16th-st-plaza-and-how-to-stop-open-drug-use/
