Pubdate: Wed, 20 Mar 2002
Source: San Francisco Examiner (CA)
Copyright: 2002 San Francisco Examiner
Contact:  http://www.examiner.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/389
Author: Eric Doyne

MORE POLICE

ARTICLES such as "Have drugs, will travel" may be shocking to some, but are 
no surprise to San Francisco Mission district residents, which I used to be 
(The Examiner, March 19). Recently leaving the Mission after living there 
two years, the reason I relocated was the drugs, crime and resulting filth 
around the 16th Street BART station two blocks from my old apartment.

It's so easy to see that the neighborhood "commerce" as I call it, is 
totally focused around the BART station, but also trickling out around the 
neighboring streets and alleys. The article highlights some finger-pointing 
from those involved with this problem, but I think the solution is simple: 
Efforts to conquer the problem from the city of San Francisco like more law 
enforcement and some effort from the community.

If Operation Reclamation was successful in spreading the word that the heat 
is on, why not keep that heat on? If a uniformed officer were on each 
BART-accessible corner at that 16th Street intersection or at other stops 
in San Francisco, they would be perceived like a scarecrow and the crime 
and illegal commerce could be greatly deterred. Or take smaller steps, such 
as putting high-powered lighting above and around those stations to expose 
those pursuing illegal activities.

Eric Doyne

The City
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MAP posted-by: Beth