San Francisco, one of California's most progressive cities, has fenced off a plaza due to black market activity and open air drug use.
San Francisco District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen was forced to close off access to the problematic area due to the lawlessness.
The situation at 24th & Mission BART plaza has become intolerable and is causing problems for the entire neighborhood. She wrote that she was angry to see a once beautiful and vibrant community space overrun by open-air drug markets.
Ronen told the San Francisco Chronicle that it had been chaotic.
The Public Works department is creating a vendor permit application process that should be finished by mid-August. Ronen stated that more street inspectors will be trained.
Public Works can begin confiscating goods if the permits are available. She said that the ADA laws will be enforced by the public works.
Ronen said the plaza is being re-opened as a community space in partnership with the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District.
The executive director of Calle 24 told the Chronicle that the issues have created a feeling of hopelessness. There has been a lot of suffering and that is very visible in our communities and we know that the fencing is one of the temporary tools to be able to bring back the plaza.
Access to public transportation has been hampered due to the anarchy in the district. It has been difficult to get off the bus in the past. The plazas at 24th and Mission streets are of concern to city officials, members of the public, and their riders.
Ronen said they want to get their neighborhood back. We want to make it a safe place to live in.
In the last few years, California has experienced a massive net population outflow due to surging crime, homelessness, and drug addiction. Many people left California to go to more conservative states like Florida and Texas.
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