Day 51 of the 16th St. crackdown Walking with S.F. outreach lead

Santiago Lerma leads the Mission Street Team in San Francisco, advocating for a supportive approach to the city's ongoing drug crisis. His team operates daily, particularly intensifying outreach efforts on Wednesdays, with a focus on providing shelter referrals and behavioral health services in the 16th Street area. Lerma reports that the city typically has between 10 and 20 shelter beds available each day and has successfully placed individuals into shelters every day since March's crackdown began. The area's transient nature poses challenges, as many individuals rely on public spaces for their daily needs, making outreach services crucial. Lerma underscores the difficulties faced by the Department of Public Works, which often requires police clearance to remove abandoned items, leading to delays in cleanup.

The outreach teams include members from various city departments, reflecting a collaborative effort to address the complex issues at hand. Lerma emphasizes the importance of providing consistent support to the community, noting the significant demand for shelter services. This ongoing effort highlights the city's commitment to addressing homelessness and substance use in a compassionate manner.