Police Foot Patrols in the Tenderloin May Become a Reality

“I live in Crescent Manor on Turk Street,” said Teresa Armstrong, “and most of my neighbors are seniors or disabled. Last month, a Methadone Clinic opened next door – and we’ve had a major problem with drug activity on the side streets.” The seniors in her building are afraid to go out during the daytime – not even (ironically) to attend a Safety Summit because it’s two blocks away. “If nothing else,” said Armstrong, “having police foot patrols would keep the [dealers] moving rather than just standing in front of our sidewalk. I have nothing against homeless people hanging around there if they’re not doing anything, but if people are dealing drugs, that’s a problem.”

Yesterday morning, a group of eleven residents from the Tenderloin and 3 organizers from La Voz Latina and the Central City SRO Collaborative went to City Hall to lobby the Board of Supervisors for foot patrols. Most of them had never lobbied an elected official, and quite a few were concerned mothers who had taken the day off from work. “We want more security in the streets because we pass through them with our children,” said Martha, who spoke in Spanish. “There are people using drugs, going to the bathroom in the streets, and it is impossible to pass because of the bad odor and because the people insult us. This makes me very afraid.”

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