SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A union representing San Francisco sheriff’s deputies pitched a plan for “fixing” the city’s troubled Tenderloin neighborhood and urged city leaders to “stop dancing around the issue.”
The San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs’ Association said prioritizing the rule of law, and taking more decisive actions against open air drug markets, would make the Tenderloin a more “liveable environment” for all residents.
Pumping more public funding into social justice organizations will not pay off without a robust law enforcement strategy, according to the union. “The failure to address these issues has resulted in a waste of public funds,” SFDSA wrote.
Solutions require a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drug use, trafficking, and other crimes, according to SFDSA.
The union, which represents hundreds of deputy sheriffs, said the city can “fix” the Tenderloin with the following action plan :
- Focused Law Enforcement: Implementing a targeted and robust law enforcement strategy to disrupt illegal drug markets and criminal activities in the district.
- Incarceration-Based Rehabilitation: Providing rehabilitation programs within the criminal justice system to offer a controlled environment for individuals with substance use disorders to receive treatment and support.
- Zero Tolerance for Illegal Drug Activities: Adopting a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drug use and trafficking to send a clear message that such activities will not be tolerated.
- Community Engagement: Engaging with local stakeholders to build trust and collaboration in addressing the root causes of the issues in the Tenderloin District.
- Transparent and Accountable Spending: Ensuring that public funds are allocated transparently and used accountably to maximize their effectiveness in addressing the challenges faced by the district.