Street scene at 16th St Mission; vendor cart, pedestrians, police cars, bus, and palm trees. American Indian Cultural District sign in the background.
3/26/25 SW 16th Street Plaza

The command center continues to deter unpermitted vending at the southwestern 16th Street BART Plaza but, just across the street at the northeastern plaza, a dozen vendors gathered Wednesday near noon. They set up a few feet away from the plaza with their merchandise spread out on blankets, clearly open for business.

Still, a worker at Kitava, a health-food restaurant across from the southwestern plaza, said the difference is already notable.

“I feel much safer now, with the police presence,” Maria Sousa said while she looked across to the plaza. “We don’t see that many people anymore, and it’s a little busier for dining now.”

North and south of the plazas, the situation continues to fluctuate day to day and often hour to hour. Near noon today, about a dozen people hung out on Caledonia Street, half a dozen on Wiese Street, and another dozen or so on Julian Avenue.

The west side of Capp Street south of 16th Street continues to be a favorite hangout. Today, there was a tent and about five people sitting on the sidewalk, some nodding with their eyes closed while others remained alert to anyone taking photos.

Street scene at 16th St Mission; vendor cart, pedestrians, police cars, bus, and palm trees. American Indian Cultural District sign in the background.
3/26/25, Southwest 16th Street Plaza.
A person walks down a city sidewalk lined with buildings, parked cars, and utility poles. A white van and a red car are parked on the street. Trees are visible in the background.
3/26/25 Julian Avenue ,west side.
A narrow urban alleyway with people sitting and walking. Buildings line the left, a fence on the right, and "No Parking" signs along the path. Debris and barriers are scattered on the ground.
3/26/25 Caledonia Street.
A person walks down an alley, carrying a bicycle, surrounded by litter and temporary fencing, with buildings lining both sides.
3/26/25 Wiese Street.
Urban street scene with a busy intersection, colorful graffiti on building walls, pedestrians waiting at a bus stop, and a white car in the foreground.
3/26/25, Northeast 16th Street Plaza.
Sidewalk scene with several people near parked cars and a building. A hotel sign is visible. Some litter on the ground.
3/26/25 Julian Avenue, east side.
Urban street with parked cars, bicycles, a no parking sign, and buildings lining the sidewalk under a cloudy sky.
3/36/25 Capp Street, looking north.

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Reporting from the Mission District and other District 9 neighborhoods. Some of his personal interests are bicycles, film, and both Latin American literature and punk. Oscar's work has previously appeared in KQED, The Frisc, El Tecolote, and Golden Gate Xpress.

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6 Comments

  1. So glad community activists banded together to make sure there would be a blighted Walgreens for 15 years at this spot instead of homes for hundreds of people.

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  2. While I’ve seen some improvements along Mission & 16th St, the persistent issue of homelessness continues to plague the side streets. It’s clear that addressing the main streets alone isn’t enough. The situation must be tackled comprehensively to ensure that homeless encampments are fully removed, not just relocated. The city’s commitment to this issue needs to be stronger and more effective.

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  4. See this is why I’m having trouble believing SF Police because they not consistent in patrolling 16th WIESE Alley, these drug addicts are out here in full force 30 + all using drugs,displaying stolen property right in front of our windows where our children see and they do not like to see these people out here.

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  5. See this is why I’m having trouble believing SF Police because they not consistent in patrolling 16th WIESE Alley, these drug addicts are out here in full force 30 + all using drugs,displaying stolen property right in front of our windows where our children see and they do not like to see these people out here

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