Day 89 at the 16th St. plaza SFPD and DPW clear and clean Mission St.
On Saturday, the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and the Department of Public Works (DPW) executed an operation to restore Mission Street's cleanliness and order. By 12:30 p. m. , officers had successfully removed most unpermitted vendors, allowing the area to return to a vibrant commercial space. DPW workers actively cleaned the street, employing power washers to enhance the environment further.
Officer Huerta mentioned that the officers encouraged individuals to accept services or move along as part of the effort. The operation resulted in a significant decrease in open drug use and unauthorized vending, improving public safety. While some vendors relocated to nearby streets, the overall crowd size declined dramatically compared to recent weekends. This operation illustrates the potential for law enforcement and city services to collaborate effectively in urban areas facing similar challenges. The city will assess the resources used in this operation to determine its feasibility for future initiatives.