In SF, officials cheer safety improvements associated with increased arrests of unhoused camping on public property

A cleared homeless encampment. Image by Elvert Barnes

SCOTUS’ Grants Pass decision gave cities broad powers to redirect unhoused people camping illegally. SF launched a “very aggressive” crackdown on encampments, and illegal lodging arrests have soared as a result. Mayor Daniel Lurie reports that the City’s’ safety metrics have subsequently improved substantially. The Chron reports.

Since the city began increasing enforcement last summer, San Francisco police officers have made 756 illegal lodging arrests, which is more than the prior six years combined. Last month, the city recorded 119 such arrests — the highest of any month in the last seven years. 

The increase in arrests has accompanied a steady drop in homeless encampments and vehicles across the city. Lurie’s administration argues the policy is having its intended effect of deterring people from camping, though it’s not clear where they’ve gone.

Go Deeper:

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In March, San Francisco officials counted 222 tents and structures citywide — the lowest level on record since the city began keeping tally in April 2019.

SFPD spokesperson Evan Sernoffsky said the data proves that the increased enforcement is working. The primary intent, he said, is to incentivize people to move indoors and then enforce the laws if they do not.

“Continuing unhealthy and illegal activity in this city is not going to be tolerated,” he said. “San Francisco is cleaner and safer than it’s been in a long time, and we intend to keep this momentum going.” 

Read the whole thing here.

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