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SF police collecting evidence in homeless woman hosing case

Police guard Foster-Gwin Gallery in San Francisco’s Financial District on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. | Julie Zigoris/The Standard | Source: Julie Zigoris/The Standard

San Francisco Police Department are investigating the incident of a homeless woman being hosed down by an art gallery owner Monday.

The department said Wednesday officers are collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and will present a case to the District Attorney’s Office.

“I understand that there is frustration out there, and there is an impulse to act. Right now, what we need is civility,” SFPD Chief Bill Scott said in an email. “If you are frustrated with a situation, please do not act on your anger. Take a step back and call the police so we can help. That is why we are here.”

Collier Gwin, an art gallery owner in the Financial District, sprays water on an unhoused individual on Jan. 9, 2023. | Courtesy @briochesf | Source: Courtesy @briochesf

Collier Gwin, owner of Foster Gwin Gallery, admitted to spraying the woman with the hose.

Gwin has not responded to The Standard for comment but told ABC7 he acted out of frustration with the homelessness crisis in the city.

Foster Gwin has since received a smashed front door and a deluge of one-star Google reviews in light of the incident—the business is now listed online as temporarily closed.

Police are guarding the Financial District gallery a day after the video of the business owner turning a hose on a homeless woman went viral. 

Joe Burn can be reached at jburn@sfstandard.com