Person wearing black clothing descends outdoor stairs between two escalators. Graffiti covers the background wall. Sunlight casts shadows on the scene.
4/02/25 NE 16th Street Plaza Photo by Gustavo Hernandez

In contrast to the scattered showers of Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday brought clear skies and more San Francisco Police Department patrols to the area around the 16th Street BART Plazas, accompanied by people in black jackets that read “Crisis Intervention Specialist.”

At 10:53 a.m, officers moved between the northeast and southwest plazas, as heavy foot traffic passed through from nearby Muni and BART stops. Two DPW workers chatted with police patrols.

A BART employee turned a leaf blower to the steps leading down into the station. A maintenance worker repaired the northeast escalator at the 16th Street BART station. According to a service advisory on the Bay Area Rapid Transit website, crews expect repairs to continue through April 4.

At 11:21 a.m., an unattended San Francisco Police Department squad car sat parked in the northeast plaza. No officers appeared to be nearby.

Two officers were around the corner on Julian Avenue, near Nieves Cinco De Mayo, talking to a person who was bent over and bracing themselves against a wall like they might fall over. The officers went on to give them a field sobriety test. Behind the officers, a group of three people rummaged through bags on the pavement. 

Caledonia Street was blocked to car traffic by a few traffic cones on its east end, but the other side was open. A few people sat in the shade at each corner. The street was otherwise empty. 

Norm, who works at a local business on Capp Street, said that he’s seen major changes in the area over the past year. “There’s less shit on the ground in the morning, and more police.”

When asked if there might be fewer people out because of the recent rain, Norm pointed to the Mission Plaza Apartments across the street. “You still have them near the overhangs of buildings,” he said. “I used to make 311 calls daily; not so much anymore. I wonder how long that will go on for.”

Two traffic cones on a pedestrian crossing near a building. An alley with litter, a fence, and a street art mural is visible.
4/02/25 Caledonia Street. Photo by Gustavo Hernandez.
Two police officers interact with a person on a city sidewalk. The person is bent over, facing the officers. Cars are parked nearby, and a mural is on the wall behind them.
4/02/25 Julian Avenue, east side. Photo by Gustavo Hernandez.
People are gathered on a sidewalk near a brick building with a "Kailash Hotel" sign. Some are crouching and organizing belongings, while others stand or walk by.
4/02/25 Julian Avenue, east side. Photo by Gustavo Hernandez.
A city street with parked cars, a sidewalk, and multi-story residential buildings with fire escapes. Trees line the sidewalk. The scene is in daylight.
4/02/25 Julian Avenue, west side. Photo by Gustavo Hernandez.
Two men in uniforms, one labeled "Crisis Intervention Specialist," walk on a city street wearing gloves.
4/02/25 Southwest 16th Street Plaza. Photo by Gustavo Hernandez.
A San Francisco Police Mobile Command vehicle is seen behind a decorative fence with pink and purple panels.
4/02/25 Southwest 16th Street Plaza. Photo by Gustavo Hernandez.
Street scene with food vendors, a truck, and pedestrians in a plaza under string lights. Buildings are in the background on a sunny day.
4/02/25 Southwest 16th Street Plaza. Photo by Gustavo Hernandez.
View of a city street with a blue emergency vehicle light bar in the foreground, buildings, palm trees, and traffic in the background.
4/02/25 Northeast 16th Street Plaza, looking southwest. Photo by Gustavo Hernandez.
Person wearing black clothing descends outdoor stairs between two escalators. Graffiti covers the background wall. Sunlight casts shadows on the scene.
4/02/25 Northeast 16th Street Plaza. Photo by Gustavo Hernandez.
A motorcyclist performs a wheelie on a city street corner. Graffiti-covered buildings, palm trees, street signs, and a small crowd feature in the urban backdrop.
4/02/25 Southwest 16th Street Plaza. Photo by Gustavo Hernandez.
City street with parked vehicles, including a graffiti-covered truck. Modern apartment buildings line both sides. Clear blue sky with a few clouds overhead.
4/02/25 Capp Street looking south. Photo by Gustavo Hernandez.
A person skateboards down an urban street lined with parked cars and buildings on a clear day.
4/02/25 Capp Street looking south. Photo by Gustavo Hernandez.

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Gustavo Hernandez is a freelance photojournalist and videographer currently living in Excelsior District. He graduated in Fall 2024 with a double major in Journalism (Photojournalism) and BECA (Broadcasting and Electronic Communications Arts) from San Francisco State University. You can periodically catch him dodging potholes on his scooter and actively eating pho.

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3 Comments

  1. Reply

  2. While you’re out there, can you talk to some of the homeless folks being shunted hither and thither?

    We’ve had plenty of merchant feedback in your articles. There are other stakeholders here.

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  3. I leave in sf since 1979 since them has been a lot of change in the city we need to work together against gang members at the mission st and graffiti too

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