David Sjostedt

It’s a late summer morning in the San Leandro Kaiser intensive care unit, and Noah Tesfa is devouring a plate of orange chicken from Panda Express. His bloated stomach is making it impossible for him to sit up, and with every bite, his fork makes a dangerous leap, dropping chow mein against his hospital garb. An empty supply of an opiate called Dilaudid hangs from his arm, and a single teardrop drizzles down his cheek. He knows he is dying but is hardly worried about that. He begs the nurse for another dose.&nbsp;

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<p>It’s a late summer morning in the San Leandro Kaiser intensive care unit, and Noah Tesfa is devouring a plate of orange chicken from Panda Express. His bloated stomach is making it impossible for him to sit up, and with every bite, his fork makes a dangerous leap, dropping chow mein against his hospital garb. An empty supply of an opiate called Dilaudid hangs from his arm, and a single teardrop drizzles down his cheek. He knows he is dying but is hardly worried about that. He begs the nurse for another dose.&nbsp;</p>

“Can I go home,” he asked his mother, Azieb Gebresslasie, earlier in the day.

<p>“Can I go home,” he asked his mother, Azieb Gebresslasie, earlier in the day.</p>

“Where’s home?” Gebresslasie responded.

<p>“Where’s home?” Gebresslasie responded.</p>

“The Civic Center,” Tesfa said.&nbsp;

<p>“The Civic Center,” Tesfa said.&nbsp;</p>

Noah Tesfa lies in a hospital bed in Kaiser’s San Leandro Intensive Care Unit while his kidneys begin to fail on May 30, 2021 in San Leandro, Calif. Tesfa had chosen to be comfortable rather than take the necessary medical procedures to save his life. | Photo by James Wyatt 


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSC_3494-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12157"/><figcaption>Noah Tesfa lies in a hospital bed in Kaiser’s San Leandro intensive care unit while his kidneys begin to fail on May 30, 2021. | <em>Photo by James Wyatt</em></figcaption></figure>


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<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSC_3494-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12157"/><figcaption>Noah Tesfa lies in a hospital bed in Kaiser’s San Leandro intensive care unit while his kidneys begin to fail on May 30, 2021. | <em>Photo by James Wyatt</em></figcaption></figure>

San Francisco’s addiction crisis is on display every day outside the Civic Center. Police, drug dealers and drug users gather seamlessly, the streets sometimes filled with sick and wounded people listlessly wandering or sprawled on the sidewalks.&nbsp;

<p>San Francisco’s addiction crisis is on display every day outside the Civic Center. Police, drug dealers and drug users gather seamlessly, the streets sometimes filled with sick and wounded people listlessly wandering or sprawled on the sidewalks.&nbsp;</p>

Tesfa’s request to go back to the area doesn’t surprise Gebresslasie. A promising student and athlete growing up in Santa Rosa, Calif., Tesfa began abusing prescription opioids while in high school. Since he graduated a decade ago, <meta charset="utf-8">Gebresslasie has been finding and losing her son in the city’s Tenderloin district.

<p>Tesfa’s request to go back to the area doesn’t surprise Gebresslasie. A promising student and athlete growing up in Santa Rosa, Calif., Tesfa began abusing prescription opioids while in high school. Since he graduated a decade ago, <meta charset="utf-8">Gebresslasie has been finding and losing her son in the city’s Tenderloin district.</p>

Gebresslasie quit her job in Santa Rosa to become a cab driver in San Francisco, stopping the car whenever she saw him. If she couldn’t find her son for a few days, she would call former BART police department officer David Touye. 

<p>Gebresslasie quit her job in Santa Rosa to become a cab driver in San Francisco, stopping the car whenever she saw him. If she couldn’t find her son for a few days, she would call former BART police department officer David Touye. </p>

“Officer Touye, to be honest, was a godsend,” Gebresslasie said. “There wasn’t anybody that cared like officer Touye and his partner.” 

<p>“Officer Touye, to be honest, was a godsend,” Gebresslasie said. “There wasn’t anybody that cared like officer Touye and his partner.” </p>

Touye and his partner Eric Hofstein, who have both since retired, had enrolled Tesfa in a pilot program called Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion. LEAD reimagined how law enforcement officers interacted with drug users, allowing police to refer eligible low–level offenders to social services. 

<p>Touye and his partner Eric Hofstein, who have both since retired, had enrolled Tesfa in a pilot program called Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion. LEAD reimagined how law enforcement officers interacted with drug users, allowing police to refer eligible low–level offenders to social services. </p>

But even though the program was a godsend for Gebresslasie and showed promising early results, LEAD foundered after two years, undone by distrust between police and social service workers. Its demise shows some of the barriers that stand in the way of addressing the city’s twin crises of homelessness and drug addiction—not the least being that sometimes, for some people like Tesfa, there is not a lot that can be done.

<p>But even though the program was a godsend for Gebresslasie and showed promising early results, LEAD foundered after two years, undone by distrust between police and social service workers. Its demise shows some of the barriers that stand in the way of addressing the city’s twin crises of homelessness and drug addiction—not the least being that sometimes, for some people like Tesfa, there is not a lot that can be done.</p>

With a lighter and straw in hand, blood rolls down Tesfa's thigh as he stands on the corner of Larkin Street and Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco in February 2020. Itching is a common side effect of opioids and would lead Tesfa to itch and pick for hours at times. | Photo by James Wyatt 


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Finding-Noah-Here_say-final-02-copy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12130"/><figcaption>With a lighter and straw in hand, blood rolls down Tesfa&#8217;s thigh as he stands on the corner of Larkin Street and Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco in February 2020. <meta charset="utf-8">| <em>Photo by James Wyatt</em></figcaption></figure>


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Finding-Noah-Here_say-final-02-copy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12130"/><figcaption>With a lighter and straw in hand, blood rolls down Tesfa's thigh as he stands on the corner of Larkin Street and Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco in February 2020. <meta charset="utf-8">| <em>Photo by James Wyatt</em></figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Finding-Noah-Here_say-final-02-copy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12130"/><figcaption>With a lighter and straw in hand, blood rolls down Tesfa&#8217;s thigh as he stands on the corner of Larkin Street and Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco in February 2020. <meta charset="utf-8">| <em>Photo by James Wyatt</em></figcaption></figure>

Established through a $6.9 million grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections in 2017, LEAD provided training for officers on harm reduction—the practice of providing compassionate care to people struggling with addiction.&nbsp;

<p>Established through a $6.9 million grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections in 2017, LEAD provided training for officers on harm reduction—the practice of providing compassionate care to people struggling with addiction.&nbsp;</p>

“LEAD, the way it was designed, was a great place to refer people who were hard to refer elsewhere,” said GLIDE case manager Jason Norelli. “If you think about it, cops are actually outreach workers. They’re on the streets, they know what’s going on.”&nbsp;

<p>“LEAD, the way it was designed, was a great place to refer people who were hard to refer elsewhere,” said GLIDE case manager Jason Norelli. “If you think about it, cops are actually outreach workers. They’re on the streets, they know what’s going on.”&nbsp;</p>

Touye and Hofstein were among a group of officers who traveled to Seattle—the birthplace of the program—to learn how to introduce LEAD to San Francisco. The city’s program was ultimately run by the Department of Public Health through partnerships with the District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement agencies and outreach services provided by the Felton Institute and GLIDE. Officers would bring LEAD clients to a health department intake center, where they were evaluated and assigned a case manager from GLIDE or the Felton Institute. 

<p>Touye and Hofstein were among a group of officers who traveled to Seattle—the birthplace of the program—to learn how to introduce LEAD to San Francisco. The city’s program was ultimately run by the Department of Public Health through partnerships with the District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement agencies and outreach services provided by the Felton Institute and GLIDE. Officers would bring LEAD clients to a health department intake center, where they were evaluated and assigned a case manager from GLIDE or the Felton Institute. </p>

“It was just this constant game of cat and mouse … [Tesfa] was always getting high in our station,” Touye said. “Officers understood that we’re not going to be able to arrest our way out of this problem, so let’s try to dig a little deeper.” 

<p>“It was just this constant game of cat and mouse … [Tesfa] was always getting high in our station,” Touye said. “Officers understood that we’re not going to be able to arrest our way out of this problem, so let’s try to dig a little deeper.” </p>

Noah Tesfa, the son of Eritrean immigrants, sits at a bus stop on Market Street in San Francisco while high on fentanyl in April 2020. Azieb Gebresslasie, Tesfa’s Mother, explained that, “it was no longer safe to live in our country, so we came to the U.S. for a better life.” | Photo by James Wyatt 


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Finding-Noah-Here_say-final-03-copy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12133"/><figcaption>Tesfa, the son of Eritrean immigrants, sits at a bus stop on Market Street in San Francisco while high on fentanyl in April 2020. | <em>Photo by James Wyatt</em></figcaption></figure>


The LEAD program saw some clear early successes. After 12 months, 98 surveyed LEAD clients were over six times less likely to be arrested for misdemeanors and more than three times less likely to be involved in felony cases than members of a comparable control group, according to a <a href="https://www.bscc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/CSULB-LEAD-REPORT-TO-LEGISLATURE-1-15-2020.pdf">report</a> by California State University of Long Beach.&nbsp;

<p>The LEAD program saw some clear early successes. After 12 months, 98 surveyed LEAD clients were over six times less likely to be arrested for misdemeanors and more than three times less likely to be involved in felony cases than members of a comparable control group, according to a <a href="https://www.bscc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/CSULB-LEAD-REPORT-TO-LEGISLATURE-1-15-2020.pdf">report</a> by California State University of Long Beach.&nbsp;</p>

Many people involved with LEAD said it helped build rapport between police officers and outreach workers, who previously viewed one another with suspicion. LEAD stakeholders met bi-weekly to discuss their client’s progress and work together on strategies—a type of collaboration that was absent before the program.&nbsp;

<p>Many people involved with LEAD said it helped build rapport between police officers and outreach workers, who previously viewed one another with suspicion. LEAD stakeholders met bi-weekly to discuss their client’s progress and work together on strategies—a type of collaboration that was absent before the program.&nbsp;</p>

“There are harm reduction people who were horrified when I decided to do LEAD. There are people who were anti–LEAD, because they’re anti–cop,” Norelli said. “We were so divergent … I feel like it was a learning process for all of us.”&nbsp;

<p>“There are harm reduction people who were horrified when I decided to do LEAD. There are people who were anti–LEAD, because they’re anti–cop,” Norelli said. “We were so divergent … I feel like it was a learning process for all of us.”&nbsp;</p>

Critics of the program said that LEAD unnecessarily involved law enforcement in issues that shouldn’t be considered criminal matters. In their eyes, the program itself was a compromise.

<p>Critics of the program said that LEAD unnecessarily involved law enforcement in issues that shouldn’t be considered criminal matters. In their eyes, the program itself was a compromise.</p>

“It’s still rooted in the criminalization of homelessness. You become a criminal once you catch this charge and you negotiate your way out of that,” said former LEAD intern Jade Arellano. “I don’t think that the police should be involved in any kind of response.”&nbsp;

<p>“It’s still rooted in the criminalization of homelessness. You become a criminal once you catch this charge and you negotiate your way out of that,” said former LEAD intern Jade Arellano. “I don’t think that the police should be involved in any kind of response.”&nbsp;</p>

A San Francisco Bart P.D. Officer watches Tesfa walk up the steps of the Civic Center Muni Station in San Francisco. “San Francisco makes it so easy to get drugs and use drugs, you can’t break away,” said retired BART P.D. officer Eric Hofstein. “[Tesfa] was that classic example … There was nothing to rein him in.” | Photo by James Wyatt 


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Finding-Noah-Here_say-final-04-copy-2500x1663.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12136"/><figcaption>A San Francisco Bart P.D. Officer watches Tesfa walk up the steps of the Civic Center Muni Station in San Francisco. | <em>Photo by James Wyatt</em></figcaption></figure>


Most law enforcement officers were skeptical of harm reduction. Of the 2,000 police officers in the city working for several different agencies, no more than 60 attended a single training.&nbsp;

<p>Most law enforcement officers were skeptical of harm reduction. Of the 2,000 police officers in the city working for several different agencies, no more than 60 attended a single training.&nbsp;</p>

LEAD represented a radical shift for law enforcement, which has traditionally focused on abstinence as the only treatment for addiction. But better understanding began to emerge among those who bought into the program.

<p>LEAD represented a radical shift for law enforcement, which has traditionally focused on abstinence as the only treatment for addiction. But better understanding began to emerge among those who bought into the program.</p>

“The most amazing thing that happened to me during this process, over three years of working on the LEAD program, was that cops used to call me and ask me how to talk to people,” Norelli said. “A couple of the officers willing to try it had some amazing successes using this approach of harm reduction.”&nbsp;

<p>“The most amazing thing that happened to me during this process, over three years of working on the LEAD program, was that cops used to call me and ask me how to talk to people,” Norelli said. “A couple of the officers willing to try it had some amazing successes using this approach of harm reduction.”&nbsp;</p>

Despite many stakeholders seeing potential in LEAD, the program ultimately foundered. Most officers were untrained in harm reduction practices. Case managers were overloaded. The officers who did participate reported feeling stigmatized by some of their harm reduction counterparts. Touye, for one, said it was difficult to collaborate with people who defamed his work. 

<p>Despite many stakeholders seeing potential in LEAD, the program ultimately foundered. Most officers were untrained in harm reduction practices. Case managers were overloaded. The officers who did participate reported feeling stigmatized by some of their harm reduction counterparts. Touye, for one, said it was difficult to collaborate with people who defamed his work. </p>

Tesfa bargains with a woman at the U.N. Plaza in San Francisco in April 2020.Tesfa sold stolen goods to sustain his addiction at the U.N Plaza — a hub for drug dealers, addicts, shoplifters and people looking to buy inexpensive stolen goods. | Photo by James Wyatt 


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Finding-Noah-Here_say-final-05-copy-2500x1663.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12139"/><figcaption>Tesfa bargains with a woman at the U.N. Plaza in San Francisco in April 2020. Tesfa sold stolen goods to sustain his addiction. <meta charset="utf-8">| <em>Photo by James Wyatt</em></figcaption></figure>


“If we don’t have an effective voice in this matter, then what are we doing? [LEAD] was ultimately doomed to fail,” Touye said. “Everybody vilifies the police, but when it comes to homelessness, we’re a viable tool.” 

<p>“If we don’t have an effective voice in this matter, then what are we doing? [LEAD] was ultimately doomed to fail,” Touye said. “Everybody vilifies the police, but when it comes to homelessness, we’re a viable tool.” </p>

The city decided not to continue LEAD after the two-year pilot expired, though it continues to run in over 50 cities around the country. New programs in San Francisco such as the Street Crisis Response Team, which stemmed from LEAD, have moved away from involving law enforcement.&nbsp;

<p>The city decided not to continue LEAD after the two-year pilot expired, though it continues to run in over 50 cities around the country. New programs in San Francisco such as the Street Crisis Response Team, which stemmed from LEAD, have moved away from involving law enforcement.&nbsp;</p>

“It was definitely not easy to see it dismantled … We all have a responsibility, and working together is the most effective way that I’ve seen,” said BART Police Department community outreach liaison Armando Sandoval.&nbsp;

<p>“It was definitely not easy to see it dismantled … We all have a responsibility, and working together is the most effective way that I’ve seen,” said BART Police Department community outreach liaison Armando Sandoval.&nbsp;</p>

City officials felt differently and moved on from LEAD to spare police the added responsibility of acting as outreach workers, according to Dr. Angelica Almeida, a director at the Department of Public Health.

<p>City officials felt differently and moved on from LEAD to spare police the added responsibility of acting as outreach workers, according to Dr. Angelica Almeida, a director at the Department of Public Health.</p>

Gebresslasie comforts Tesfa’s aunt Genet Haley in a San Leandro Kaiser Hospital waiting room in June 2021. Haley and Gebresslasie had to accept  that Tesfa  had refused treatment and chose to live comfortably until his death. “I call San Francisco, especially the Tenderloin, where hopes and dreams go to die,” Gebresslasie said. | Photo by James Wyatt 


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Finding-Noah-Here_say-final-07-copy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12145"/><figcaption>Azieb Gebresslasie comforts Tesfa’s aunt Genet Haley in a San Leandro Kaiser Hospital waiting room in June 2021. <meta charset="utf-8">| <em>Photo by James Wyatt</em></figcaption></figure>


“The LEAD program, and its structure and the types of charges it included, didn&#8217;t make sense for the landscape of San Francisco,” Almeida said. “That responsibility for treating those individuals with behavioral health needs should not fall on law enforcement.”

<p>“The LEAD program, and its structure and the types of charges it included, didn't make sense for the landscape of San Francisco,” Almeida said. “That responsibility for treating those individuals with behavioral health needs should not fall on law enforcement.”</p>

<p>“The LEAD program, and its structure and the types of charges it included, didn&#8217;t make sense for the landscape of San Francisco,” Almeida said. “That responsibility for treating those individuals with behavioral health needs should not fall on law enforcement.”</p>

Supervisors Matt Haney and Hillary Ronen did not return messages seeking comment on LEAD.

<p>Supervisors Matt Haney and Hillary Ronen did not return messages seeking comment on LEAD.</p>

The Street Crisis Response Team now handles many low-level crime calls, and outreach workers say that their relationship with law enforcement has decayed.&nbsp;

<p>The Street Crisis Response Team now handles many low-level crime calls, and outreach workers say that their relationship with law enforcement has decayed.&nbsp;</p>

 “[Touye and Hofstein] were great, those guys were like the dynamic duo of BART police,” Norelli said. “I’m not having direct conversations with the police anymore &#8230; It died out after LEAD fell out.” 

<p> “[Touye and Hofstein] were great, those guys were like the dynamic duo of BART police,” Norelli said. “I’m not having direct conversations with the police anymore ... It died out after LEAD fell out.” </p>

<p> “[Touye and Hofstein] were great, those guys were like the dynamic duo of BART police,” Norelli said. “I’m not having direct conversations with the police anymore &#8230; It died out after LEAD fell out.” </p>

The program also marked the tail end of Touye and Hofstein’s careers in San Francisco. 

<p>The program also marked the tail end of Touye and Hofstein’s careers in San Francisco. </p>

“They won’t listen to us … So it burned me out, burned Dave out. Dave quit early,” Hofstein said. “We started off with a room full of cops … By the end of the program, I was the only one left.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

<p>“They won’t listen to us … So it burned me out, burned Dave out. Dave quit early,” Hofstein said. “We started off with a room full of cops … By the end of the program, I was the only one left.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Azieb Gebresslasie and Noah Tesfa share a moment while glancing at each other in the San Leandro Kaiser in June of 2021. Azieb Gebresslasie worked as a cab driver in San Francisco to be close to her son at all times. Worried that her son could be hungry, inadequately clothed, or simply overdose any moment, Gebresslasie tracked her son by constantly speaking with police officers, drug dealers and door attendants to find clues to where her son had gone next. “When I would go looking for him. I would tell him, ‘Can I just speak to my son for five minutes? Can I speak to my Noah? Not the drug addict Noah,’” said Gebresslasie. Tesfa died a week later in the hospital. | Photo by James Wyatt 


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Finding-Noah-Here_say-final-08.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12148"/><figcaption>Azieb Gebresslasie and Noah Tesfa in the San Leandro Kaiser in June 2021. <meta charset="utf-8">| <em>Photo by James Wyatt</em></figcaption></figure>


For Gebresslasie, the end of the LEAD program, and Touye’s resignation, were huge blows. Other outreach programs fell short in their ability to find Tesfa, and Gebresslasie could no longer ask Touye for help. 

<p>For Gebresslasie, the end of the LEAD program, and Touye’s resignation, were huge blows. Other outreach programs fell short in their ability to find Tesfa, and Gebresslasie could no longer ask Touye for help. </p>

“After he retired, I walked the whole Tenderloin up and down looking for [Tesfa] and couldn’t find him,” Gebreslassie said. “There were outreach programs that were looking for him, and they would ask me where he was at.”&nbsp;

<p>“After he retired, I walked the whole Tenderloin up and down looking for [Tesfa] and couldn’t find him,” Gebreslassie said. “There were outreach programs that were looking for him, and they would ask me where he was at.”&nbsp;</p>

The COVID-19 health emergency then made it too dangerous for Gebresslasie to wander the streets searching for her son. Apart from the occasional call from a friend or relative who spotted him, she lost contact with Tesfa entirely.&nbsp;

<p>The COVID-19 health emergency then made it too dangerous for Gebresslasie to wander the streets searching for her son. Apart from the occasional call from a friend or relative who spotted him, she lost contact with Tesfa entirely.&nbsp;</p>

One day, moved by a dream she had the night before, Gebresslasie started her car and resumed her usual route. First, she started at the Civic Center, but he wasn’t there. She searched every corner of the Tenderloin that day, but no one had seen him. Upon returning home that evening, she received a call from the hospital. A doctor informed her that they had a patient with the name Noah Tesfa, whose kidney function was at three percent.&nbsp;

<p>One day, moved by a dream she had the night before, Gebresslasie started her car and resumed her usual route. First, she started at the Civic Center, but he wasn’t there. She searched every corner of the Tenderloin that day, but no one had seen him. Upon returning home that evening, she received a call from the hospital. A doctor informed her that they had a patient with the name Noah Tesfa, whose kidney function was at three percent.&nbsp;</p>

They gave him two weeks to live without immediate medical intervention.&nbsp;

<p>They gave him two weeks to live without immediate medical intervention.&nbsp;</p>

“There’s pills he has to take for six months for a kidney transplant to work,” Gebresslasie said. “He’s not going to do that.”

<p>“There’s pills he has to take for six months for a kidney transplant to work,” Gebresslasie said. “He’s not going to do that.”</p>

Thomas Tesfa, Noah Tesfa’s brother, releases a dove on July 24, 2021, what would have been Tesfa’s 30th birthday.  
Thomas Tesfa, Noah Tesfa’s brother, releases a dove on July 24, 2021, what would have been Tesfa’s 30th birthday. | Photo by James Wyatt 


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Finding-Noah-Here_say-final-10-copy-2500x1657.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12154"/><figcaption>Thomas Tesfa, Noah Tesfa&#8217;s brother, releases a dove on July 24, 2021, on what would have been Tesfa&#8217;s 30th birthday. <meta charset="utf-8">| <em>Photo by James Wyatt</em></figcaption></figure>


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Finding-Noah-Here_say-final-10-copy-2500x1657.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12154"/><figcaption>Thomas Tesfa, Noah Tesfa's brother, releases a dove on July 24, 2021, on what would have been Tesfa's 30th birthday. <meta charset="utf-8">| <em>Photo by James Wyatt</em></figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Finding-Noah-Here_say-final-10-copy-2500x1657.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12154"/><figcaption>Thomas Tesfa, Noah Tesfa&#8217;s brother, releases a dove on July 24, 2021, on what would have been Tesfa&#8217;s 30th birthday. <meta charset="utf-8">| <em>Photo by James Wyatt</em></figcaption></figure>

Two weeks later, Tesfa died, a month shy of his 30th birthday. His funeral service was flooded with the sounds of sobbing family and friends, who remember him for his smile, his intelligence and the vast potential he possessed.&nbsp;

<p>Two weeks later, Tesfa died, a month shy of his 30th birthday. His funeral service was flooded with the sounds of sobbing family and friends, who remember him for his smile, his intelligence and the vast potential he possessed.&nbsp;</p>

“I’m at peace as far as knowing he’s not in pain anymore,” Gebresslasie said. “God didn’t let him die in the streets … He let me have the time I needed.”&nbsp;

<p>“I’m at peace as far as knowing he’s not in pain anymore,” Gebresslasie said. “God didn’t let him die in the streets … He let me have the time I needed.”&nbsp;</p>

<em>Photography by James Wyatt. Editing by Jonathan Weber.</em>

<p><em>Photography by James Wyatt. Editing by Jonathan Weber.</em></p>

A mother, an officer, a heartbreaking death: How a program for addicts stumbled on the streets of the Tenderloin

The Standard Staff

Election Day is behind us. Voters nationwide and in San Francisco are processing the results, with many races still up in the air.

<p>Election Day is behind us. Voters nationwide and in San Francisco are processing the results, with many races still up in the air.</p>

<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-franciscans-prepare-trump-victory/">Donald Trump</a> will be the next president. Daniel Lurie will be the next mayor. And voters have said yes to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/31/sf-election-2024-prop-k-great-highway/">closing a stretch of the Upper Great Highway</a> to private vehicles.

SF braces for Trump’s return: ‘It’s a little triggering’

Prop. K passes; stretch of Great Highway will close to cars

<p><a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-franciscans-prepare-trump-victory/">Donald Trump</a> will be the next president. Daniel Lurie will be the next mayor. And voters have said yes to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/31/sf-election-2024-prop-k-great-highway/">closing a stretch of the Upper Great Highway</a> to private vehicles. </p>

Among the still-undecided races, Prop. D, which aims to dramatically reduce the number of city commissions, is on track to lose.

<p>Among the still-undecided races, Prop. D, which aims to dramatically reduce the number of city commissions, is on track to lose.</p>

And then there is the hotly contested battle for District 5. The supervisor race is one of the most expensive ever. Incumbent Dean Preston holds the slimmest of leads in first-choice votes, but Bilal Mahmood has the edge in ranked-choice results.

<p>And then there is the hotly contested battle for District 5. The supervisor race is one of the most expensive ever. Incumbent Dean Preston holds the slimmest of leads in first-choice votes, but Bilal Mahmood has the edge in ranked-choice results.</p>

<em>This story will be updated with more local and national election results as soon as they are available.</em>

<p><em>This story will be updated with more local and national election results as soon as they are available.</em></p>

<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-2024-live-results/#chan-wins">Monday, 4:30 p.m.: Chan wins in D1</a>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="chan-wins"><a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-2024-live-results/#chan-wins">Monday, 4:30 p.m.: Chan wins in D1</a></h2>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="chan-wins"><a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-2024-live-results/#chan-wins">Monday, 4:30 p.m.: Chan wins in D1</a></h2>

Supervisor Connie Chan has won a hotly contested election battle to keep her job representing District 1, which includes the Richmond neighborhood.

<p>Supervisor Connie Chan has won a hotly contested election battle to keep her job representing District 1, which includes the Richmond neighborhood.</p>

Chan beat out Marjan Philhour by 1,167 votes as of Monday’s ranked-choice tally.

<p>Chan beat out Marjan Philhour by 1,167 votes as of Monday’s ranked-choice tally.</p>

Both Chan and Philhour received 11,001 votes (including a ranked-choice tally) in earlier returns, with the incumbent pulling ahead by 976 votes on Sunday.

<p>Both Chan and Philhour received 11,001 votes (including a ranked-choice tally) in earlier returns, with the incumbent pulling ahead by 976 votes on Sunday.</p>

Supe Connie Chan wins tight race to keep her job

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<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-2024-live-results/#preston-concedes-in-d5">Sunday, 6:45 p.m.: Preston concedes in D5</a>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="preston-concedes-in-d5"><a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-2024-live-results/#preston-concedes-in-d5">Sunday, 6:45 p.m.: Preston concedes in D5</a></h2>


With challenger Bilal Mahmood lead widening over Supervisor Dean Preston, the incumbent conceded the race in District 5 Sunday evening.

<p>With challenger Bilal Mahmood lead widening over Supervisor Dean Preston, the incumbent conceded the race in District 5 Sunday evening.</p>

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Sunday, 4:15 p.m.: Myrna Melgar fends off challenger in D7


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sunday-4-15-p-m-myrna-melgar-fends-off-challenger-in-d7">Sunday, 4:15 p.m.: Myrna Melgar fends off challenger in D7</h2>


Supervisor Myrna Melgar successfully fended off her challenger in District 7, with the incumbent garnering 52.7% of the vote to Matt Boschetto&#8217;s 47.3% in the latest round of returns.

<p>Supervisor Myrna Melgar successfully fended off her challenger in District 7, with the incumbent garnering 52.7% of the vote to Matt Boschetto's 47.3% in the latest round of returns.</p>

<p>Supervisor Myrna Melgar successfully fended off her challenger in District 7, with the incumbent garnering 52.7% of the vote to Matt Boschetto&#8217;s 47.3% in the latest round of returns.</p>

Friday, 4:10 p.m.: Prop. K passes; stretch of Great Highway will close to cars


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-friday-4-10-p-m-prop-k-passes-stretch-of-great-highway-will-close-to-cars">Friday, 4:10 p.m.: Prop. K passes; stretch of Great Highway will close to cars</h2>


Proposition K —&nbsp;the proposal to close a portion of the Upper Great Highway to cars, with the idea that it will eventually become a new park —&nbsp;was <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/02/great-highway-controversy-race-class/">the most controversial</a> of a raft of San Francisco ballot measures, and naturally it came down to the wire. But after three days of tallying the votes, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/31/sf-election-2024-prop-k-great-highway/">it has passed</a> with more than 54% of the vote.

The war over the Great Highway is tearing the Sunset apart

<p>Proposition K —&nbsp;the proposal to close a portion of the Upper Great Highway to cars, with the idea that it will eventually become a new park —&nbsp;was <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/02/great-highway-controversy-race-class/">the most controversial</a> of a raft of San Francisco ballot measures, and naturally it came down to the wire. But after three days of tallying the votes, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/31/sf-election-2024-prop-k-great-highway/">it has passed</a> with more than 54% of the vote.</p>

Thursday, 4:13 p.m. | <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-2024-live-results/#lurie-wins">Daniel Lurie wins mayor&#8217;s race</a>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="lurie-wins">Thursday, 4:13 p.m. | <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-2024-live-results/#lurie-wins">Daniel Lurie wins mayor&#8217;s race</a></h2>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="lurie-wins">Thursday, 4:13 p.m. | <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-2024-live-results/#lurie-wins">Daniel Lurie wins mayor's race</a></h2>

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="lurie-wins">Thursday, 4:13 p.m. | <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-2024-live-results/#lurie-wins">Daniel Lurie wins mayor&#8217;s race</a></h2>

Daniel Lurie, the Tipping Point nonprofit founder and heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, has succeeded in his bid to upset incumbent London Breed in the San Francisco mayoral race.

<p>Daniel Lurie, the Tipping Point nonprofit founder and heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, has succeeded in his bid to upset incumbent London Breed in the San Francisco mayoral race.</p>

With nearly 250,000 votes counted, Lurie has 69,005 first-place votes to Breed&#8217;s 60,818. His advantage in ranked-choice votes, roughly 56% of the total to Breed&#8217;s 44%, hasn&#8217;t budged significantly since initial election-night tallies.

<p>With nearly 250,000 votes counted, Lurie has 69,005 first-place votes to Breed's 60,818. His advantage in ranked-choice votes, roughly 56% of the total to Breed's 44%, hasn't budged significantly since initial election-night tallies.</p>

<p>With nearly 250,000 votes counted, Lurie has 69,005 first-place votes to Breed&#8217;s 60,818. His advantage in ranked-choice votes, roughly 56% of the total to Breed&#8217;s 44%, hasn&#8217;t budged significantly since initial election-night tallies.</p>

Aaron Peskin, president of the Board of Supervisors, remains third in first-place votes with more than 53,000, followed by former Supervisor Mark Farrell at nearly 46,000.

<p>Aaron Peskin, president of the Board of Supervisors, remains third in first-place votes with more than 53,000, followed by former Supervisor Mark Farrell at nearly 46,000.</p>

Mayor

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Wednesday, 6:45 p.m. | LGBTQ+ community holds rally-vigil


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wednesday-6-45-p-m-lgbtq-community-holds-rally-vigil">Wednesday, 6:45 p.m. | LGBTQ+ community holds rally-vigil</h2>


Alternating between defiance and mournfulness, dozens of LGBTQ+ people and allies gathered Wednesday evening in the Castro in a hybrid rally-vigil. Organized by the Harvey Milk Democratic Club, attendees lit candles, screamed in unison, and took turns speaking about what Donald Trump’s impending second term might mean for an embattled queer community.

<p>Alternating between defiance and mournfulness, dozens of LGBTQ+ people and allies gathered Wednesday evening in the Castro in a hybrid rally-vigil. Organized by the Harvey Milk Democratic Club, attendees lit candles, screamed in unison, and took turns speaking about what Donald Trump’s impending second term might mean for an embattled queer community.</p>

Club president Gary McCoy noted that transgender Americans are particularly at risk, given the national GOP’s hostility to gender-affirming care.

<p>Club president Gary McCoy noted that transgender Americans are particularly at risk, given the national GOP’s hostility to gender-affirming care.</p>

VV Evasco listens to speakers during a post-election vigil hosted by the Harvey Milk Democratic Club at Harvey Milk Plaza in San Francisco on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. The vigil included an open mic, where people discussed their grief and braced for a future under a second Trump presidency.


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241106-lgbtqia-post-election-gathering_aar_5.jpg?w=2500" alt="A person with styled hair and makeup holds pink flowers, standing amidst a candlelit gathering. The background has colorful lights and blurred figures." class="wp-image-330304"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">VV Evasco listens to speakers during the vigil at Harvey Milk Plaza.</figcaption></figure>


Speaking to The Standard, newly reelected Scott Wiener offered his thoughts on the nation’s sudden rightward lurch. “It’s not surprising, but it’s devastating,” he said, noting that his hopes now rested on the possibility that Democrats might retake the House of Representatives.

<p>Speaking to The Standard, newly reelected Scott Wiener offered his thoughts on the nation’s sudden rightward lurch. “It’s not surprising, but it’s devastating,” he said, noting that his hopes now rested on the possibility that Democrats might retake the House of Representatives.</p>

“This community has been through so much for so many years — severe crisis, on and off again,&#8221; Wiener added. &#8220;It’s very depressing, but it motivates me to do everything in my power to keep fighting.”

<p>“This community has been through so much for so many years — severe crisis, on and off again," Wiener added. "It’s very depressing, but it motivates me to do everything in my power to keep fighting.”</p>

<p>“This community has been through so much for so many years — severe crisis, on and off again,&#8221; Wiener added. &#8220;It’s very depressing, but it motivates me to do everything in my power to keep fighting.”</p>

The crowd, audibly tearful, clutched their candles.

<p>The crowd, audibly tearful, clutched their candles.</p>

Wednesday, 3 p.m. | Women fear life under Trump


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wednesday-3-p-m-women-fear-life-under-trump">Wednesday, 3 p.m. | Women fear life under Trump</h2>


Sitting inside Tempest Bar &amp; Box Kitchen, sniffling, Caitlin Liversidge said that after Donald Trump’s victory, she fears for her 8-month-old daughter, Lola, saying that abortion is a “big issue” for her.

<p>Sitting inside Tempest Bar &amp; Box Kitchen, sniffling, Caitlin Liversidge said that after Donald Trump’s victory, she fears for her 8-month-old daughter, Lola, saying that abortion is a “big issue” for her.</p>

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A mother, an officer, a heartbreaking death: How a program for addicts stumbled on the streets of the Tenderloin

Live blog: Connie Chan wins in D1, and other election updates