David Sjostedt

Garrett Leahy

Liquor stores in San Francisco&#8217;s most troubled neighborhood are more than a place to buy booze and cigarettes for people living on the city&#8217;s streets. The sidewalks in front of some Tenderloin neighborhood corner markets serve as gathering places for people to use drugs and sell stolen goods. The shops also conveniently sell pipes, torches and anything else needed to use drugs late into the night. This week, Mayor London Breed <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/04/23/breed-tenderloin-corner-store-curfew/">proposed legislation</a> that would force markets in the Tenderloin to close after midnight, threatening $1,000 fines for every hour shops stay open after this curfew.

Mayor&#8217;s latest drug crackdown plan: Close Tenderloin stores earlier

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Liquor stores in San Francisco's most troubled neighborhood are more than a place to buy booze and cigarettes for people living on the city's streets. The sidewalks in front of some Tenderloin neighborhood corner markets serve as gathering places for people to use drugs and sell stolen goods. The shops also conveniently sell pipes, torches and anything else needed to use drugs late into the night. This week, Mayor London Breed <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/04/23/breed-tenderloin-corner-store-curfew/">proposed legislation</a> that would force markets in the Tenderloin to close after midnight, threatening $1,000 fines for every hour shops stay open after this curfew.

Liquor stores in San Francisco&#8217;s most troubled neighborhood are more than a place to buy booze and cigarettes for people living on the city&#8217;s streets. The sidewalks in front of some Tenderloin neighborhood corner markets serve as gathering places for people to use drugs and sell stolen goods. The shops also conveniently sell pipes, torches and anything else needed to use drugs late into the night. This week, Mayor London Breed <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/04/23/breed-tenderloin-corner-store-curfew/">proposed legislation</a> that would force markets in the Tenderloin to close after midnight, threatening $1,000 fines for every hour shops stay open after this curfew.

Breed has alleged these late-night retail shops in the Tenderloin are attracting illegal behavior and undermining the city&#8217;s progress in breaking up drug markets. The curfew would be in place for one year under a pilot program if approved.

Breed has alleged these late-night retail shops in the Tenderloin are attracting illegal behavior and undermining the city's progress in breaking up drug markets. The curfew would be in place for one year under a pilot program if approved.

Breed has alleged these late-night retail shops in the Tenderloin are attracting illegal behavior and undermining the city&#8217;s progress in breaking up drug markets. The curfew would be in place for one year under a pilot program if approved.

&#8220;Tenderloin residents, businesses, and workers deserve safe streets not just during the day, but also at night,&#8221; Breed said in an earlier statement. &#8220;The drug markets happening at night in this neighborhood are unacceptable and must be met with increased law enforcement and new strategies.&#8221;

"Tenderloin residents, businesses, and workers deserve safe streets not just during the day, but also at night," Breed said in an earlier statement. "The drug markets happening at night in this neighborhood are unacceptable and must be met with increased law enforcement and new strategies."

&#8220;Tenderloin residents, businesses, and workers deserve safe streets not just during the day, but also at night,&#8221; Breed said in an earlier statement. &#8220;The drug markets happening at night in this neighborhood are unacceptable and must be met with increased law enforcement and new strategies.&#8221;

San Francisco Mayor London Breed, center, during the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing’s biennial Point-in-Time Count of homeless and unhoused people on the street on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024 from 8PM to midnight. According to Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, the count covered all 47 square miles of San Francisco and used administrative data for people staying in City shelters, emergency shelters and transitional housing. The final report will include more detailed information about people experiencing homelessness including demographics, veteran status, and chronic homelessness.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240220propaprewrite-03.jpg?w=2500" alt="A woman stands on the sidewalk in a hoodie." class="wp-image-255209"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">San Francisco Mayor London Breed, center, stands in the Tenderloin during the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing’s biennial Point-in-Time Count of homeless people in January.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240220propaprewrite-03.jpg?w=2500" alt="A woman stands on the sidewalk in a hoodie." class="wp-image-255209"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">San Francisco Mayor London Breed, center, stands in the Tenderloin during the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing’s biennial Point-in-Time Count of homeless people in January.</figcaption></figure>

Standing in front of Plaza Snacks &amp; Deli at 77 McAllister St., Cole H., a fentanyl user who lives in the Sunset who declined to share his full name due to privacy concerns, said that while he lives far from the Tenderloin corner store, he comes there late at night to buy soda and &#8220;gabnails,&#8221; a metal nail that, when heated, can turn fentanyl-laced &#8220;wax&#8221; into smoke he inhales to get high.

Standing in front of Plaza Snacks &amp; Deli at 77 McAllister St., Cole H., a fentanyl user who lives in the Sunset who declined to share his full name due to privacy concerns, said that while he lives far from the Tenderloin corner store, he comes there late at night to buy soda and "gabnails," a metal nail that, when heated, can turn fentanyl-laced "wax" into smoke he inhales to get high.

Standing in front of Plaza Snacks &amp; Deli at 77 McAllister St., Cole H., a fentanyl user who lives in the Sunset who declined to share his full name due to privacy concerns, said that while he lives far from the Tenderloin corner store, he comes there late at night to buy soda and &#8220;gabnails,&#8221; a metal nail that, when heated, can turn fentanyl-laced &#8220;wax&#8221; into smoke he inhales to get high.

&#8220;I usually buy something to drink, paraphernalia,&#8221; Cole said. &#8220;But I can&#8217;t always buy it right away. Usually, I have to make a little money first,&#8221; Cole added, admitting that he sometimes has to sell stolen goods to come up with the money to buy supplies to use drugs.

"I usually buy something to drink, paraphernalia," Cole said. "But I can't always buy it right away. Usually, I have to make a little money first," Cole added, admitting that he sometimes has to sell stolen goods to come up with the money to buy supplies to use drugs.

&#8220;I usually buy something to drink, paraphernalia,&#8221; Cole said. &#8220;But I can&#8217;t always buy it right away. Usually, I have to make a little money first,&#8221; Cole added, admitting that he sometimes has to sell stolen goods to come up with the money to buy supplies to use drugs.

Outside the Los Primos convenience store at 147 Hyde St., Tenderloin resident and fentanyl user Derek Francis said he only buys soda, often Mountain Dew or other caffeinated soft drinks, from Tenderloin corner stores. While he knows Los Primos and other Tenderloin corner stores sell glass pipes, he thinks they are mainly novelty items that happen to be used to smoke drugs like fentanyl.

Outside the Los Primos convenience store at 147 Hyde St., Tenderloin resident and fentanyl user Derek Francis said he only buys soda, often Mountain Dew or other caffeinated soft drinks, from Tenderloin corner stores. While he knows Los Primos and other Tenderloin corner stores sell glass pipes, he thinks they are mainly novelty items that happen to be used to smoke drugs like fentanyl.

Derek Francis and his dog DayZ sit outside Tenderloin corner store Los Primos on 189 Hyde St. 

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_1425.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man sits on the sidewalk." class="wp-image-270024"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Derek Francis and his dog DayZ sit outside Tenderloin corner store Los Primos on 189 Hyde St. </figcaption></figure>

&#8220;Yeah, but they have those cylindrical pipes in corner stores across the country,” Francis said. &#8220;They have like <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2006/04/05/a-rose-with-another-name-crack-pipe/430fc938-18e4-4457-bcd1-72601deb118d/">little roses in them</a>, like a gimmick.&#8221;

"Yeah, but they have those cylindrical pipes in corner stores across the country,” Francis said. "They have like <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2006/04/05/a-rose-with-another-name-crack-pipe/430fc938-18e4-4457-bcd1-72601deb118d/">little roses in them</a>, like a gimmick."

&#8220;Yeah, but they have those cylindrical pipes in corner stores across the country,” Francis said. &#8220;They have like <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2006/04/05/a-rose-with-another-name-crack-pipe/430fc938-18e4-4457-bcd1-72601deb118d/">little roses in them</a>, like a gimmick.&#8221;

The Standard witnessed a shopkeeper at Los Primos measure out and sell $3 strips of tin foil—used on the streets to smoke drugs.

The Standard witnessed a shopkeeper at Los Primos measure out and sell $3 strips of tin foil—used on the streets to smoke drugs.

Los Primos manager Aziz Mo admitted to selling the foil scraps at the store.

Los Primos manager Aziz Mo admitted to selling the foil scraps at the store.

&#8220;We sell aluminum foil, but if we didn&#8217;t, people would just get it from a store, from the shelf,&#8221; Mo said. &#8220;If I don&#8217;t sell it, they would just steal a whole roll from Target, Safeway.&#8221;

"We sell aluminum foil, but if we didn't, people would just get it from a store, from the shelf," Mo said. "If I don't sell it, they would just steal a whole roll from Target, Safeway."

&#8220;We sell aluminum foil, but if we didn&#8217;t, people would just get it from a store, from the shelf,&#8221; Mo said. &#8220;If I don&#8217;t sell it, they would just steal a whole roll from Target, Safeway.&#8221;

Fentanyl is their drug, sugar is their vice. Users explain their desperate need for candy

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Mo also admitted he sells bongs and pipes at Los Primos, as many as 60 a month.

Mo also admitted he sells bongs and pipes at Los Primos, as many as 60 a month.

&#8220;Like two or three a day,&#8221; Mo said.

"Like two or three a day," Mo said.

&#8220;Like two or three a day,&#8221; Mo said.

At Plaza Snacks &amp; Deli, The Standard witnessed illegal street vendors ask for cardboard to sell their wares from.

At Plaza Snacks &amp; Deli, The Standard witnessed illegal street vendors ask for cardboard to sell their wares from.

Plaza Snacks &amp; Deli co-owner Ray, who declined to share his last name, said he and his workers do not provide cardboard to illegal vendors.

Plaza Snacks &amp; Deli co-owner Ray, who declined to share his last name, said he and his workers do not provide cardboard to illegal vendors.

People peruse an unofficial night market on the corner of Charles J. Brenham Place and McAllister Street in San Francisco on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. There are children in U.N. Plaza in San Francisco in the evening hours selling drugs and according to the City, and there have been over 50 kids that have been taken in custody due to the illicit activity.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/inline-06-20240215_unplazayouthmarket.jpg?w=2500" alt="A bustling night scene outside 'Plaza Snacks &amp; Deli', with a crowd of people on the sidewalk." class="wp-image-255907"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">People peruse an unofficial night market on the corner of Charles J. Brenham Place and McAllister Street in February.</figcaption></figure>

“We never provide them anything,” Ray said. “We just collect whatever is left behind and recycle it at Pier 96.&#8221;

“We never provide them anything,” Ray said. “We just collect whatever is left behind and recycle it at Pier 96."

“We never provide them anything,” Ray said. “We just collect whatever is left behind and recycle it at Pier 96.&#8221;

Ray said drug paraphernalia—The Standard observed torches and butane tanks for sale—is &#8220;only 1% of the store.&#8221;

Ray said drug paraphernalia—The Standard observed torches and butane tanks for sale—is "only 1% of the store."

Ray said drug paraphernalia—The Standard observed torches and butane tanks for sale—is &#8220;only 1% of the store.&#8221;

&#8220;We make maybe $1,000 a month on that,&#8221; Ray said, who would not say if he sells other supplies for drug use.

"We make maybe $1,000 a month on that," Ray said, who would not say if he sells other supplies for drug use.

&#8220;We make maybe $1,000 a month on that,&#8221; Ray said, who would not say if he sells other supplies for drug use.

Some late-night street vendors have alleged that some shopkeepers around the neighborhood buy <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/02/10/how-san-francisco-black-market-thrives-off-retail-theft/">stolen products</a> from street vendors to sell in their stores. Neither Plaza Snacks &amp; Deli nor Los Primos was named by vendors as a shop engaging in this activity.

‘You can get anything’: How SF’s black market thrives off retail theft

Some late-night street vendors have alleged that some shopkeepers around the neighborhood buy <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/02/10/how-san-francisco-black-market-thrives-off-retail-theft/">stolen products</a> from street vendors to sell in their stores. Neither Plaza Snacks &amp; Deli nor Los Primos was named by vendors as a shop engaging in this activity.

Both Ray and Mo denied stocking their stores with goods from illegal street vendors.

Both Ray and Mo denied stocking their stores with goods from illegal street vendors.

&#8220;That&#8217;s a big no-no for us,&#8221; Mo said.

"That's a big no-no for us," Mo said.

&#8220;That&#8217;s a big no-no for us,&#8221; Mo said.

&#8220;Hell, no,&#8221; Ray said. &#8220;We have receipts. The city can come and inspect [the store] anytime. That’s a lie, and that’s accusing.”

"Hell, no," Ray said. "We have receipts. The city can come and inspect [the store] anytime. That’s a lie, and that’s accusing.”

&#8220;Hell, no,&#8221; Ray said. &#8220;We have receipts. The city can come and inspect [the store] anytime. That’s a lie, and that’s accusing.”

Plaza Snack & Deli co-owner Ray, who declined to share his last name, shows receipts of food he bought to stock his corner store during an interview with The Standard Tuesday.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_1419.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man shows a pile of reciepts." class="wp-image-270030"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Plaza Snack &amp; Deli co-owner Ray, who declined to share his last name, shows receipts of food he bought to stock his corner store during an interview with The Standard Tuesday.</figcaption></figure>

Ray said he buys roughly $1,300 a week of dry goods like Pop-Tarts from a vendor, Pitco Foods, and showed a pile of receipts to The Standard. Ray said the most popular items in his store are milk and snacks like chips, soda, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/18/candy-sells-faster-fentanyl-san-francisco/">candy</a>, cereal and pastries.

Candy sells faster than fentanyl in San Francisco’s open-air drug markets

Ray said he buys roughly $1,300 a week of dry goods like Pop-Tarts from a vendor, Pitco Foods, and showed a pile of receipts to The Standard. Ray said the most popular items in his store are milk and snacks like chips, soda, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/18/candy-sells-faster-fentanyl-san-francisco/">candy</a>, cereal and pastries.

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Shopkeepers and customers both said Breed&#8217;s planned curfew is a waste of time.

Shopkeepers and customers both said Breed's planned curfew is a waste of time.

Shopkeepers and customers both said Breed&#8217;s planned curfew is a waste of time.

&#8220;I don’t think they can really stop the illegal market here,&#8221; Cole said. &#8220;I think it’s a dumb law.&#8221;

"I don’t think they can really stop the illegal market here," Cole said. "I think it’s a dumb law."

&#8220;I don’t think they can really stop the illegal market here,&#8221; Cole said. &#8220;I think it’s a dumb law.&#8221;

Ray also thinks the plan is a waste of time.

Ray also thinks the plan is a waste of time.

&#8220;It’s not going to change anything. These people are homeless; they have nowhere to go,&#8221; he said. &#8220;They should put more officers on the street, clean up the street and not blame the small businesses.&#8221;

"It’s not going to change anything. These people are homeless; they have nowhere to go," he said. "They should put more officers on the street, clean up the street and not blame the small businesses."

&#8220;It’s not going to change anything. These people are homeless; they have nowhere to go,&#8221; he said. &#8220;They should put more officers on the street, clean up the street and not blame the small businesses.&#8221;

Drug user Francis said closing the stores early won&#8217;t prevent people from gathering outside to sell and use drugs.

Drug user Francis said closing the stores early won't prevent people from gathering outside to sell and use drugs.

Drug user Francis said closing the stores early won&#8217;t prevent people from gathering outside to sell and use drugs.

&#8220;People aren’t here for the store. They’re here for the drugs,&#8221; Francis said. &#8220;She wants to cut down the stores&#8217; time, but it’s not their fault what we do.”

"People aren’t here for the store. They’re here for the drugs," Francis said. "She wants to cut down the stores' time, but it’s not their fault what we do.”

&#8220;People aren’t here for the store. They’re here for the drugs,&#8221; Francis said. &#8220;She wants to cut down the stores&#8217; time, but it’s not their fault what we do.”

Unhoused San Franciscans line up outside the Tenderloin Center in San Francisco on June 17, 2022.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/tenderloinLinkageCenter_INLIEND02.jpg?w=2500" alt="The drug center in UN Plaza." class="wp-image-55729"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Drug users lined up outside the Tenderloin Center, a now-closed safe consumption site, in 2022.</figcaption></figure>

Francis said slashing store hours to try and get rid of drug users and dealers amounts to an about-face on drug policy by the city, remembering the ill-fated <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/06/17/a-lifesaver-worries-uncertainty-surround-tenderloin-centers-closure/">Tenderloin Center</a>, which was known as a <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/05/11/much-touted-tenderloin-linkage-center-morphs-into-a-safe-consumption-site-for-drug-use-despite-legal-risks/">de facto safe drug use site</a> before it closed in December 2022. The site <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/11/30/tenderloin-center-clients-warn-of-disaster-as-controversial-drug-site-heads-for-closure/">reversed hundreds</a> of opioid overdoses during the 11 months it was open.

‘A lifesaver’: Worries, uncertainty surround Tenderloin Center’s closure

Much-touted ‘Tenderloin Linkage Center’ morphs into a safe consumption site for drug use, despite legal risks

Tenderloin Center clients warn of disaster as controversial drug site heads for closure

Francis said slashing store hours to try and get rid of drug users and dealers amounts to an about-face on drug policy by the city, remembering the ill-fated <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/06/17/a-lifesaver-worries-uncertainty-surround-tenderloin-centers-closure/">Tenderloin Center</a>, which was known as a <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/05/11/much-touted-tenderloin-linkage-center-morphs-into-a-safe-consumption-site-for-drug-use-despite-legal-risks/">de facto safe drug use site</a> before it closed in December 2022. The site <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/11/30/tenderloin-center-clients-warn-of-disaster-as-controversial-drug-site-heads-for-closure/">reversed hundreds</a> of opioid overdoses during the 11 months it was open.

&#8220;You encourage people to shoot up, and then you take that away,&#8221; Francis said. &#8220;Everyone&#8217;s still addicted.&#8221;

"You encourage people to shoot up, and then you take that away," Francis said. "Everyone's still addicted."

&#8220;You encourage people to shoot up, and then you take that away,&#8221; Francis said. &#8220;Everyone&#8217;s still addicted.&#8221;

Foil, cardboard, crack pipes: What drug users buy at corner stores threatened with curfew

Joe Burn

George Kelly

San Francisco is set to open a new unified command center to combat open-air drug dealing in the Downtown area, city officials said Friday.

San Francisco is set to open a new unified command center to combat open-air drug dealing in the Downtown area, city officials said Friday.

The new center to combat the drug crisis will be named the Drug Market Agency Coordination Center (DMACC), according to the Department of Emergency Management, which will work with San Francisco police and the Department of Public Health to operate the center.

The new center to combat the drug crisis will be named the Drug Market Agency Coordination Center (DMACC), according to the Department of Emergency Management, which will work with San Francisco police and the Department of Public Health to operate the center.

An emergency management department spokesperson confirmed the center would open within the next two weeks at a location on Market Street near Civic Center. The exact location will not be disclosed due to security risks.

An emergency management department spokesperson confirmed the center would open within the next two weeks at a location on Market Street near Civic Center. The exact location will not be disclosed due to security risks.

The emergency management department says the coordinated effort has been in place since April 17 but will move from a virtual to a physical in-person center, allowing the different agencies, including federal and state partners, to work more closely together to direct resources to disrupt open-air drug markets more effectively.

The emergency management department says the coordinated effort has been in place since April 17 but will move from a virtual to a physical in-person center, allowing the different agencies, including federal and state partners, to work more closely together to direct resources to disrupt open-air drug markets more effectively.

New data collection strategies will also be implemented to produce monthly reports on outputs and outcomes related to disrupting San Francisco drug markets.

New data collection strategies will also be implemented to produce monthly reports on outputs and outcomes related to disrupting San Francisco drug markets.

&#8220;The mission of the DMACC is to coordinate all lines of operational effort—including engagement, enforcement and treatment—related to disrupting and reducing the severity and number of open-air drug markets on the streets of San Francisco, with the ultimate objective to identify paths to recovery for those sick with substance use disorder,&#8221; a spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management said.

"The mission of the DMACC is to coordinate all lines of operational effort—including engagement, enforcement and treatment—related to disrupting and reducing the severity and number of open-air drug markets on the streets of San Francisco, with the ultimate objective to identify paths to recovery for those sick with substance use disorder," a spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management said.

&#8220;The mission of the DMACC is to coordinate all lines of operational effort—including engagement, enforcement and treatment—related to disrupting and reducing the severity and number of open-air drug markets on the streets of San Francisco, with the ultimate objective to identify paths to recovery for those sick with substance use disorder,&#8221; a spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management said.

(From left) Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, City Supervisor Shamann Walton City Supervisor Ahsha Safaí and City Supervisor Matt Dorsey attend the Board of Supervisors meeting held in United Nations (UN) Plaza in San Francisco on Tuesday May 23, 2023. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/H61A0160-2500x1667.jpeg" alt="An SFPD vehicle patrols United Nations Plaza in San Francisco on May 11. | Jason Henry for The Standard" class="wp-image-163620"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">San Francisco city officials held a brief meeting at United Nations Plaza on May 23. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard</figcaption></figure>

The announcement comes just 10 days after Board President Aaron Peskin brought Mayor London Breed to an open-air public meeting to grill her on the drug crisis. The meeting was cut short and moved inside after hecklers interrupted proceedings, as the meeting was packing up, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/criminal-justice/woman-throws-brick-at-sf-officials-after-un-plaza-meeting-cut-short-by-heckling/">a woman threw in brick in the direction of city officials</a>, hitting a high school girl, who was not harmed.

The announcement comes just 10 days after Board President Aaron Peskin brought Mayor London Breed to an open-air public meeting to grill her on the drug crisis. The meeting was cut short and moved inside after hecklers interrupted proceedings, as the meeting was packing up, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/criminal-justice/woman-throws-brick-at-sf-officials-after-un-plaza-meeting-cut-short-by-heckling/">a woman threw in brick in the direction of city officials</a>, hitting a high school girl, who was not harmed.

As the meeting continued inside, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/san-francisco-mayor-had-secret-meeting-with-nancy-pelosi-on-citys-drug-crisis/">Breed teased a May 22 meeting with officials including U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi</a> and law enforcement on the drug crisis but refused to provide further details of what was discussed.

As the meeting continued inside, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/san-francisco-mayor-had-secret-meeting-with-nancy-pelosi-on-citys-drug-crisis/">Breed teased a May 22 meeting with officials including U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi</a> and law enforcement on the drug crisis but refused to provide further details of what was discussed.

City officials are also <a href="https://sfstandard.com/criminal-justice/san-francisco-to-address-public-intoxication-under-new-program/">developing a pilot program that could allow for the enforcement of public intoxication laws</a>.

City officials are also <a href="https://sfstandard.com/criminal-justice/san-francisco-to-address-public-intoxication-under-new-program/">developing a pilot program that could allow for the enforcement of public intoxication laws</a>.

An individual yells in protest during a meeting held at UN Plaza in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors and Mayor London Breed held the meeting at the plaza to address city issues including the Fentanyl epidemic. UN Plaza is an area known for open drug use. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/UNPlazaBosMeeting05182023_0850-2500x1667.jpg" alt="An SFPD vehicle patrols United Nations Plaza in San Francisco on May 11. | Jason Henry for The Standard" class="wp-image-163729"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An individual yells in protest during a meeting held at U.N. Plaza in San Francisco on May 23. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard</figcaption></figure>

“Proximity to other law enforcement agencies is not the same as coordination,” said Randy Shaw, director of the nonprofit Tenderloin Housing Clinic and a member of the Tenderloin Business Association.

“Proximity to other law enforcement agencies is not the same as coordination,” said Randy Shaw, director of the nonprofit Tenderloin Housing Clinic and a member of the Tenderloin Business Association.

Shaw said he would prefer to see the mayor appoint someone to command the effort against the drug crisis, rather than have a physical center created for different agencies to work from.

Shaw said he would prefer to see the mayor appoint someone to command the effort against the drug crisis, rather than have a physical center created for different agencies to work from.

&#8220;I want to emphasize that we&#8217;re not making progress, and it&#8217;s gone on too long,” Shaw said.

"I want to emphasize that we're not making progress, and it's gone on too long,” Shaw said.

&#8220;I want to emphasize that we&#8217;re not making progress, and it&#8217;s gone on too long,” Shaw said.

The Mayor&#8217;s Office did not respond to requests for comment by publication time. The San Francisco Police Department declined to comment.

The Mayor's Office did not respond to requests for comment by publication time. The San Francisco Police Department declined to comment.

The Mayor&#8217;s Office did not respond to requests for comment by publication time. The San Francisco Police Department declined to comment.

New downtown San Francisco drug-dealing command center to open

A run-down, graffiti-covered hotel known as the Civic Center Inn on the corner of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/31/san-francisco-activists-pop-up-safe-drug-use-site/">Downtown San Francisco’s</a> Ellis and Polk streets can be yours for a cool $21 million.

San Francisco drug crisis: Activists open safe drug use pop-up site

A run-down, graffiti-covered hotel known as the Civic Center Inn on the corner of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/31/san-francisco-activists-pop-up-safe-drug-use-site/">Downtown San Francisco’s</a> Ellis and Polk streets can be yours for a cool $21 million.

The listing describes the hotel’s location as a “prime San Francisco corner lot” with lots of off-street parking.

The listing describes the hotel’s location as a “prime San Francisco corner lot” with lots of off-street parking.

The <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/12/tiki-bars-and-soul-food-why-you-should-visit-san-franciscos-most-infamous-neighborhood/">Tenderloin neighborhood</a>, where the Civic Center Inn sits, is the area most affected by the city’s drugs and homelessness crises. But despite the hotel’s undesirable location, Jeff Appenrodt, a real estate broker with Laurel Realty and Investments, said he’s been fielding calls from brokers interested in buying it just days after listing it.

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The <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/12/tiki-bars-and-soul-food-why-you-should-visit-san-franciscos-most-infamous-neighborhood/">Tenderloin neighborhood</a>, where the Civic Center Inn sits, is the area most affected by the city’s drugs and homelessness crises. But despite the hotel’s undesirable location, Jeff Appenrodt, a real estate broker with Laurel Realty and Investments, said he’s been fielding calls from brokers interested in buying it just days after listing it.

However, the homeless people living outside the hotel didn’t think it was worth the list price.

However, the homeless people living outside the hotel didn’t think it was worth the list price.

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James Pace stands outside the Civic Center Inn in the Tenderloin on Aug. 31, 2023.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20230831_120500_HDR.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-196896"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">James Pace stands outside the Civic Center Inn in the Tenderloin on Thursday.</figcaption></figure>

“I’d give you $10,000 for it,” said James Pace, who said he has been living on San Francisco’s streets for a year. “But I bet they’re selling it for like $100,000.”

“I’d give you $10,000 for it,” said James Pace, who said he has been living on San Francisco’s streets for a year. “But I bet they’re selling it for like $100,000.”

Brittany Hank said she thought the hotel would be listed for $1 million.

Brittany Hank said she thought the hotel would be listed for $1 million.

“But I don’t think it’s worth it,” Hank said.

“But I don’t think it’s worth it,” Hank said.

Gerald Robinson nearby said he figured the hotel was on sale for $5 million.

Gerald Robinson nearby said he figured the hotel was on sale for $5 million.

The Civic Center Inn, which has been closed for several months and is covered in graffiti, was listed for $21 million in August 2023.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20230831_113716.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-196898"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Civic Center Inn has been closed for several months and is covered in graffiti.</figcaption></figure>

When told the actual listing price, the homeless crowd was left in a state of shock.

When told the actual listing price, the homeless crowd was left in a state of shock.

“Holy sh*t, what the f*ck?” Hank said. “That’s way off!”

“Holy sh*t, what the f*ck?” Hank said. “That’s way off!”

Hank said the run-down hotel has squatters living inside—although she didn’t know how many—a potential headache for any serious buyer.

Hank said the run-down hotel has squatters living inside—although she didn’t know how many—a potential headache for any serious buyer.

Appenrodt said he’s aware of “a handful” of people living inside the dilapidated structure. He doesn’t know if they’re paying rent or have a rental agreement longer than 30 days, which would give them eviction protections, or if they would have to be evicted for nonpayment of rent.

Appenrodt said he’s aware of “a handful” of people living inside the dilapidated structure. He doesn’t know if they’re paying rent or have a rental agreement longer than 30 days, which would give them eviction protections, or if they would have to be evicted for nonpayment of rent.

“The buyer will have to figure out what to do with them,” Appenrodt said.

“The buyer will have to figure out what to do with them,” Appenrodt said.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20230831_122617_HDR.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-196901"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Civic Center Inn has a handful of people living inside it, according to a real estate agent.</figcaption></figure>

Pace said the list price was part of the reason why the city has a burgeoning homeless population of at least 7,000 people.

Pace said the list price was part of the reason why the city has a burgeoning homeless population of at least 7,000 people.

“That’s why we’re having problems right now,” Pace said, gesturing to the encampment around him. “That’s too much for that.”

“That’s why we’re having problems right now,” Pace said, gesturing to the encampment around him. “That’s too much for that.”

But Robinson felt the hotel was fairly priced.

But Robinson felt the hotel was fairly priced.

“It’s worth it,” Robinson said. “It’s a big hotel; there’s money in it.”

“It’s worth it,” Robinson said. “It’s a big hotel; there’s money in it.”

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-price">Why the Price?</h2>

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