It took three police cars to clear the segment of Wiese Street between 15th and 16th of drug users on Friday afternoon. About 25 people dispersed after the first car pulled through the street at 12:13 p.m. time with its lights flashing. They headed east and west on 15th Street. Another police car followed the first down the now-empty Wiese Street, due north.
But within six minutes of the first car’s arrival, several people returned to Wiese Street and lit pipes. The third car headed down the street less than ten minutes later, clearing the street once again.
During all of this, a First Tech Network technician named John sat on a ladder above the street, installing new security cameras for La Fenix. He said his company has been hired to replace the cameras on both sides of the building where people often loiter.
On nearby Caledonia Street, a security guard said that police patrols will head down the street two or three times a day, as they have for the last three weeks. He said the increased patrols seemed to have slowed the drug activity in the area. The guard’s 24-hour presence also seems to make a difference.
Patrol cars were active on Friday afternoon with three in the 16th Street area. As is often the case, a fourth police car remained stationed in the middle of the southwest corner of the 16th Street Plaza, with no officers in it. A fifth car later pulled up next to the northeast plaza, and a single officer left the car to clear some people who were loitering with suitcases and bicycles on the north side of the escalator to the BART station where there is often open drug use. And of course, Mobile Command Two remains at its post in the southwest plaza.
The area was clear of vendors, even as some officers and public works employees left for their lunch break. Drug users were relatively sparse in numbers but scattered, present on Wiese and Caledonia as well as Mission Street and Capp Street.
Southwest 16th Street BART Plaza and the west side of Mission Street
Northeast Plaza and the east side of Mission Street
Caledonia Street
Julian Avenue
Wiese Street
12:16 p.m. 6/13, Wiese Street. Photo by Jessica Blough. 
12:16 p.m. 6/13, Wiese Street. Photo by Jessica Blough. 
12:18 p.m. 6/13, Wiese Street. Photo by Jessica Blough. 
12:21 p.m. 6/13, Wiese Street. Photo by Jessica Blough. 
12:21 p.m. 6/13, Wiese Street. Photo by Jessica Blough. 
12:28 p.m. 6/13, Wiese Street. Photo by Jessica Blough.
Thanks for reporting.
Both services/shelter and law enforcement are needed .
“Lawlessness in lawlessness “ as a famous Supreme Court Justice Thurman said .
However , rather then just driving by , why cannot officers be walking the areas 24/7 .
They stand around at union square , special events , protests and street/block parties .
Until they can have officers who “walk the beat” the persons will come right back .
I dont think the drug supply is under control in this city.
I bet if it was , there would be a large decrease in this ongoing street chaos .
Anyone with a mind and who has compassion for others would realize , laws need to be enforced .
Selling and using drugs is illegal and causing harm to all not just the addicts.
Think of the billions spent at the border to stop the supply ; yet once here , the dealers can continue to poison people and profit.
Need to start using the same process they use at the border , which includes animals trained to find drugs
This game of cat and mouse is getting old
We are done with the drug dens ruining this place and all of us .
Everyday they should take the dealers arrested and expose then in the park across from city hall. Maybr caning like is used elsewhere to start ?
“You provide the pictures and I’ll provide the war!”
Hearst sent that message to an artist sent to Cuba to cover the non-war when the artist telegraphed the Examiner that he found no conflict there upon his arrival.
Little Mission Local is only Public news source that might have that kind of effect in our fighting for Foot Patrols.
But, they won’t join us in daily calls for cops on permanent 24 hour beats or, more importantly, stationary Police Kobans for the beats to rotate from.
Mission Local just reports and reports and reports and does not promote alternative approaches the City has used with success in the past.
Like Foot Patrols and Kobans.
The Mayor and cops need pressured to return to these approaches.
Their Union won’t support them because they’re considered too dangerous for their officers who have guns and clubs.
They bailed on neighborhood oldsters like me 30 years ago and it will take an elected Police Chief with the Charter powers to hire and fire and suspend without pay cops who won’t walk a beat.
If Mission Local called for an elected Chief daily it would happen and I bet you voters would pick one who promised Foot Patrols and Kobans.
go Niners !!
h.