We all can work toward solutions
People shooting up on doorsteps, needles and tourniquets left behind. People sleeping and storing “stuff ” under front steps and in electric meter boxes. Neighbors threatened by people who appear deranged. Daily car breakins. Families afraid to go to the public library. Sidewalks littered with stolen mail and packages, used needles, vomit and feces. Sleepless nights from the noise of drug dealings and altercations and continuous screaming on the streets. Our local branch library, Jane Warner Plaza, and the 7-Eleven were magnets for groups of young people with no apparent residence and very apparent drug use and dealing. This was the Castro’s new normal.
Many of our neighbors gave up hope, put up gates or moved away. Others, while fed up, weren’t ready to give up.
Castro residents of different blocks came together as the Neighborhood Action Group to focus individual frustrations into group actions. Our goal is to restore a vibrant quality of life to the neighborhood, while addressing the needs and behavior of those on the streets. NAG wants to participate and support — and nag when necessary — city government to create legitimate, coordinated, fair solutions to the existing problems.
We meet biweekly to share research, brainstorm and determine actions. We show up and speak up. We participate in neighborhood cleanups and civic meetings. We advocate for specific initiatives and new programs worth a try: for example, the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program in Seattle, data practices of New York City police and respite centers. We collaborate with city leaders and hold them — and ourselves — accountable for actions taken and promised.
Two coincidental events encouraged us:
The city Fix-It initiative’s engagement in the Castro, and
The powerful media blitz on homelessness.
The Fix-It team provided a jump start with new cleanup efforts for the most problematic areas, improving lighting, trimming trees and accelerating improvements at the Eureka Valley library. San Francisco homelessness department Director Jeff Kositsky and his staff were forthcoming about their limited, focused approach and challenges. Our precinct’s police captain, William Griffin, increased presence at hot spots, decreasing encampments and drug use. The library piloted changes resulting in a safer, more-welcoming environment and reduction in disturbances. Supervisor Jeff Sheehy and staff listened to our ideas and helped to shape and advocate for the best.
The media blitz made complex data and information accessible, put it into a larger social context with compelling stories that humanized the facts and figures. The coverage made us realize the need to take action.
The process is frustrating and slow. City agencies aren’t always aligned and collaborating on common goals. It’s difficult to obtain accurate, timely and meaningful data at a neighborhood level. Although we are encouraged by changes and attitudes reflected in the neighborhood, the larger changes seem illusive.
But we stay fixed on our goals: permanent street residence is not acceptable — it’s not safe or healthy for those who are housed or not housed. Services need to be available, not wait-listed, and should provide basics, such as centers with toilets and drinking water, Wi-Fi service, managers to assist with shelter, behavior counseling, addiction recovery, etc.
As a city, we need to review how law enforcement and consequences of drug use are managed. Although we would like to see more foot patrols and community policing, we do not believe arresting drug users on the street will solve the problem. We must always respect individual rights, but individuals with behavioral mental issues are endangering the safety and well-being of others. More services must be provided. Our laws need modification to allow intervention in some cases without the demonstration of “imminent danger to self or others.” This standard often creates a loop: a call to police, a trip to the emergency room, and quick release back to the streets.
We’re in this together: Quality of life for everyone can be improved with commonsense services for those with fewer resources and options. Contempt or disregard will only allow conditions to deteriorate, and only put off solutions.
It’s not about money: We’ll either spend it reactively, with emergency, police or clean-up services, or proactively, with housing and treatment.
We know there are no quick fixes, but we have seen small, perceptible improvements. We’ve found that small actions give rise to greater ones. Involvement is contagious. Those who live in the community are best situated to understand community-specific problems.
Everyone can participate in creating solutions. For others, tired of complaining to little avail, we encourage you to organized, get involved and “NAG” in your neighborhood. San Francisco is a city of compassion and caring and a hub for technology and creativity. We can and must do better!