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Sixth Street merchants press SFPD for steady presence as substation readies activation
Summary
Small-business owners and residents urged the San Francisco Police Commission to address persistent loitering, aggressive behavior and sanitation problems on Sixth Street and asked that the new substation be staffed and designed as a visible community resource; the chief said the substation will be activated by month end but initially will not have dedicated staffing.
Small-business owners, residents and nonprofit organizers urged the San Francisco Police Commission on Jan. 23 to increase police presence and community-focused services along Sixth Street, saying daily loitering, public urination and harassment are driving customers away and threatening businesses’ viability.
Tracy Everwein of Urban Solutions, which has worked on Sixth Street development since 1992, told commissioners she and nearly a dozen merchants came to press for “sustained improvement” on Sixth Street and recommended that the SFPD use the new substation as a transparent, welcoming base for foot patrols and community partnerships. Helene Sautou, a project manager with Urban Solutions, said prospective restaurant operators had been discouraged from opening by SFPD’s substation interactions and urged completing the substation and increasing officer visibility.
Several business owners described day-to-day problems. Rakesh Modi, co-owner of the recently opened bar and club OMG, said customers and theatergoers avoid the corridor because of loitering, public urination and trash; the owner of Sonoma Market said aggressive behavior and theft near entrances have become routine. A small-business owner who identified the shop as Split Piece Reduction said bringing new businesses into vacant storefronts has helped, but merchants need regular police support to make those gains stick.
Chief Greg Sur told the commission the Sixth Street substation will be activated by the end of the month but said it will be administratively part of Southern Station and initially will not have separate staffing. He said foot-beat coverage will expand as the department reaches full staffing and that the Market Street beats will be doubled when personnel levels permit. Commissioners acknowledged resource constraints but expressed support for revitalization that respects all community members.
The Commission did not vote on a new staffing plan at the meeting; commissioners invited continued community participation at future SFPD and commission meetings and discussed making the substation façade more inviting to encourage community engagement.
The commission’s next community meeting in the Northern District is scheduled for Feb. 27 at St. Vincent de Paul School; commissioners said Supervisors Farrell and Breed have been invited to attend.
