Kate Robinson

The Tenderloin has been run through the wringer these past few years, consistently maligned as a containment zone, an open-air drug market, even a lost cause—and we have experienced real collective hardship with loss of lives and businesses, each further straining the strands of this community’s delicate fabric.&nbsp;

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The Tenderloin has been run through the wringer these past few years, consistently maligned as a containment zone, an open-air drug market, even a lost cause—and we have experienced real collective hardship with loss of lives and businesses, each further straining the strands of this community’s delicate fabric.&nbsp;

What we truly are is a densely packed <a href="https://sfplanning.org/project/tenderloin-community-action-plan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neighborhood</a> with more than 300 small businesses and 3,500 children, families, seniors and single-room occupancy residents, speaking 112 languages. We are a living, breathing dichotomy, too: In an instant, you might experience revelatory belonging or unspeakable brutality. Humanity’s bleakest and brightest is concentrated here.

What we truly are is a densely packed <a href="https://sfplanning.org/project/tenderloin-community-action-plan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neighborhood</a> with more than 300 small businesses and 3,500 children, families, seniors and single-room occupancy residents, speaking 112 languages. We are a living, breathing dichotomy, too: In an instant, you might experience revelatory belonging or unspeakable brutality. Humanity’s bleakest and brightest is concentrated here.

As the stewards of this incredible neighborhood, the <a href="https://tlcbd.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenderloin Community Benefit District</a> is calling on San Francisco and the state of California to do more for our community and its stakeholders. The recent infusion of <a href="https://sfplanning.org/sites/default/files/documents/citywide/tenderloin-community-action-plan/TL_Action_Grants_Brochure.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenderloin Community Action Plan</a> resources is important, but it’s a Band-Aid. To provide immediate relief and strategic thinking for a sustainable Tenderloin, the city and state should jointly take three actions:&nbsp;

As the stewards of this incredible neighborhood, the <a href="https://tlcbd.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenderloin Community Benefit District</a> is calling on San Francisco and the state of California to do more for our community and its stakeholders. The recent infusion of <a href="https://sfplanning.org/sites/default/files/documents/citywide/tenderloin-community-action-plan/TL_Action_Grants_Brochure.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenderloin Community Action Plan</a> resources is important, but it’s a Band-Aid. To provide immediate relief and strategic thinking for a sustainable Tenderloin, the city and state should jointly take three actions:&nbsp;

<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Declare another <a href="https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2022-01/Tenderloin%20Emergency%20Initiative%20Strategic%20Plan%20and%20Operation_12.27.21.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">state of emergency</a> to build on <a href="https://www.sf.gov/news/san-francisco-issues-six-month-update-operation-dismantle-open-air-drug-markets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent successes</a> in halting open-air drug sales.</li>



<li>Provide dedicated city funding to take care of our parks.</li>



<li>Address long-standing issues with graffiti, illegal dumping, street cleaning and trash.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

Declare another <a href="https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2022-01/Tenderloin%20Emergency%20Initiative%20Strategic%20Plan%20and%20Operation_12.27.21.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">state of emergency</a> to build on <a href="https://www.sf.gov/news/san-francisco-issues-six-month-update-operation-dismantle-open-air-drug-markets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent successes</a> in halting open-air drug sales.

core/list-item

<li>Declare another <a href="https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2022-01/Tenderloin%20Emergency%20Initiative%20Strategic%20Plan%20and%20Operation_12.27.21.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">state of emergency</a> to build on <a href="https://www.sf.gov/news/san-francisco-issues-six-month-update-operation-dismantle-open-air-drug-markets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent successes</a> in halting open-air drug sales.</li>

Provide dedicated city funding to take care of our parks.

<li>Provide dedicated city funding to take care of our parks.</li>

Address long-standing issues with graffiti, illegal dumping, street cleaning and trash.&nbsp;

<li>Address long-standing issues with graffiti, illegal dumping, street cleaning and trash.&nbsp;</li>

core/list

<ol><li>Declare another <a href="https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2022-01/Tenderloin%20Emergency%20Initiative%20Strategic%20Plan%20and%20Operation_12.27.21.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">state of emergency</a> to build on <a href="https://www.sf.gov/news/san-francisco-issues-six-month-update-operation-dismantle-open-air-drug-markets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent successes</a> in halting open-air drug sales.</li><li>Provide dedicated city funding to take care of our parks.</li><li>Address long-standing issues with graffiti, illegal dumping, street cleaning and trash.&nbsp;</li></ol>

For 15 years, I’ve worked in the Tenderloin and cherished it. I encourage people to get to know the neighborhood I feel so privileged to serve, but it&#8217;s getting harder. The <a href="https://www.visittenderloin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenderloin contains multitudes</a>, but many merely see a containment zone: a vulnerable community held hostage by drug trade violence too pervasive for one city to handle alone. Two summers ago, we were shaken when five neighborhood teens were shot in the street. Last Thanksgiving, back-to-back double shootings traumatized us. Then we had a New Year&#8217;s <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/18/san-francisco-fatal-shooting-tenderloin/">mass shooting</a>. These are examples of many headlines that leave lasting scars across this community.

1 dead, 4 critically injured in San Francisco mass shooting

For 15 years, I’ve worked in the Tenderloin and cherished it. I encourage people to get to know the neighborhood I feel so privileged to serve, but it's getting harder. The <a href="https://www.visittenderloin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenderloin contains multitudes</a>, but many merely see a containment zone: a vulnerable community held hostage by drug trade violence too pervasive for one city to handle alone. Two summers ago, we were shaken when five neighborhood teens were shot in the street. Last Thanksgiving, back-to-back double shootings traumatized us. Then we had a New Year's <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/18/san-francisco-fatal-shooting-tenderloin/">mass shooting</a>. These are examples of many headlines that leave lasting scars across this community.

For 15 years, I’ve worked in the Tenderloin and cherished it. I encourage people to get to know the neighborhood I feel so privileged to serve, but it&#8217;s getting harder. The <a href="https://www.visittenderloin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenderloin contains multitudes</a>, but many merely see a containment zone: a vulnerable community held hostage by drug trade violence too pervasive for one city to handle alone. Two summers ago, we were shaken when five neighborhood teens were shot in the street. Last Thanksgiving, back-to-back double shootings traumatized us. Then we had a New Year&#8217;s <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/18/san-francisco-fatal-shooting-tenderloin/">mass shooting</a>. These are examples of many headlines that leave lasting scars across this community.

Our public safety conversations include counterinsurgency terms like “clearing and holding” ground. The community shows up to protect our spaces, but the drug market effectively owns the night. The <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/02/new-downtown-san-francisco-drug-dealing-command-center-to-open/">Drug Market Agency Coordination Center</a> deserves credit for coordinating and bringing in local, state and federal law enforcement, treatment strategies and data collection.&nbsp;

New downtown San Francisco drug-dealing command center to open

Our public safety conversations include counterinsurgency terms like “clearing and holding” ground. The community shows up to protect our spaces, but the drug market effectively owns the night. The <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/02/new-downtown-san-francisco-drug-dealing-command-center-to-open/">Drug Market Agency Coordination Center</a> deserves credit for coordinating and bringing in local, state and federal law enforcement, treatment strategies and data collection.&nbsp;

But constant “triaging” reflects a deficit mindset that keeps us in the emergency room. We need strategic resources that only the state can bring to this neighborhood to cover everything, everywhere, all at once.

But constant “triaging” reflects a deficit mindset that keeps us in the emergency room. We need strategic resources that only the state can bring to this neighborhood to cover everything, everywhere, all at once.

We all know a transformative intervention is possible if it’s prioritized: Political will came together to make our city shine on the world stage during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. But the APEC legacy didn’t last, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/22/san-francisco-homeless-after-apec/">leaving persistent challenges</a> and even aggravating harmful street conditions and business closures.

Will San Francisco’s cleanup for APEC last, or was it a temporary face-lift?

We all know a transformative intervention is possible if it’s prioritized: Political will came together to make our city shine on the world stage during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. But the APEC legacy didn’t last, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/22/san-francisco-homeless-after-apec/">leaving persistent challenges</a> and even aggravating harmful street conditions and business closures.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-inequities-persist">Why the inequities persist</h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-inequities-persist">Why the inequities persist</h2>

People living only one mile from one another should not have such vastly different outcomes. <a href="https://www.rwjf.org/en/insights/our-research/interactives/whereyouliveaffectshowlongyoulive.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public health studies by ZIP code</a> show the <a href="https://www.sfdph.org/dph/files/sfchip/SF_SupervisorialPrintableHealthProfiles/D6_Health_Profile.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life expectancy for Tenderloin residents drops</a> by 10 years from Nob Hill to Turk Street due to crime, drugs, poverty and health and safety issues. Privilege provides a buffer from trauma. Because the Tenderloin is the city’s landing pad for immigrants, many already carrying trauma, it’s our responsibility to not exacerbate but rather ameliorate troubles and elevate opportunity. We have never walked away from this purpose.&nbsp;

People living only one mile from one another should not have such vastly different outcomes. <a href="https://www.rwjf.org/en/insights/our-research/interactives/whereyouliveaffectshowlongyoulive.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public health studies by ZIP code</a> show the <a href="https://www.sfdph.org/dph/files/sfchip/SF_SupervisorialPrintableHealthProfiles/D6_Health_Profile.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life expectancy for Tenderloin residents drops</a> by 10 years from Nob Hill to Turk Street due to crime, drugs, poverty and health and safety issues. Privilege provides a buffer from trauma. Because the Tenderloin is the city’s landing pad for immigrants, many already carrying trauma, it’s our responsibility to not exacerbate but rather ameliorate troubles and elevate opportunity. We have never walked away from this purpose.&nbsp;

Our three small parks in the Tenderloin are a lifeline for residents: welcoming, safe spaces for everyone that we have leveraged as critical community resource hubs. The gates of Tenderloin parks would not open in the morning or get locked again at night if not for the community benefit district park stewards. Our team manages neighborhood park operations all day, every day, picking up trash, needles, sex toys and weapons before kids come to play.&nbsp;

Our three small parks in the Tenderloin are a lifeline for residents: welcoming, safe spaces for everyone that we have leveraged as critical community resource hubs. The gates of Tenderloin parks would not open in the morning or get locked again at night if not for the community benefit district park stewards. Our team manages neighborhood park operations all day, every day, picking up trash, needles, sex toys and weapons before kids come to play.&nbsp;

We do this work without knowing whether funding will be renewed for the program every July. We’ve seen what’s possible with the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/27/un-plaza-drug-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent conversion of U.N. Plaza</a>, which the parks department creatively transformed with thin resources. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220714010935/https://hmpi.org/2017/02/27/transforming-health-outcomes-in-san-franciscos-most-vulnerable-neighborhood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Less than 4% of the Tenderloin is open space</a> compared with 23% citywide. The same determination demonstrated at U.N. Plaza should apply to Tenderloin parks. Equity requires the city to lead this stewardship conversation.

UN Plaza was long the epicenter of San Francisco’s drug crisis. Skaters have brought a new vibe

We do this work without knowing whether funding will be renewed for the program every July. We’ve seen what’s possible with the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/27/un-plaza-drug-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent conversion of U.N. Plaza</a>, which the parks department creatively transformed with thin resources. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220714010935/https://hmpi.org/2017/02/27/transforming-health-outcomes-in-san-franciscos-most-vulnerable-neighborhood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Less than 4% of the Tenderloin is open space</a> compared with 23% citywide. The same determination demonstrated at U.N. Plaza should apply to Tenderloin parks. Equity requires the city to lead this stewardship conversation.

The Tenderloin Community Benefit District has responded to <a href="https://app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrIjoiZGYzOGMzOWEtZDBkNC00MGE3LWIxMTgtNzRiY2I1Mjc2ZDc1IiwidCI6IjIyZDVjMmNmLWNlM2UtNDQzZC05YTdmLWRmY2MwMjMxZjczZiJ9&amp;pageName=ReportSection" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">90% of public clean-up requests on 311</a> for more than two years, mitigating unsafe and unhealthy sidewalk hazards within 24 hours of each call. With only 16 staff members, our clean team consistently responds to 311 calls without city funding. Though SF Public Works received additional funding in the budget, Tenderloin residents have yet to feel any meaningful uptick in cleaning services.&nbsp;

The Tenderloin Community Benefit District has responded to <a href="https://app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrIjoiZGYzOGMzOWEtZDBkNC00MGE3LWIxMTgtNzRiY2I1Mjc2ZDc1IiwidCI6IjIyZDVjMmNmLWNlM2UtNDQzZC05YTdmLWRmY2MwMjMxZjczZiJ9&amp;pageName=ReportSection" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">90% of public clean-up requests on 311</a> for more than two years, mitigating unsafe and unhealthy sidewalk hazards within 24 hours of each call. With only 16 staff members, our clean team consistently responds to 311 calls without city funding. Though SF Public Works received additional funding in the budget, Tenderloin residents have yet to feel any meaningful uptick in cleaning services.&nbsp;

Our organization, funded by property assessments and private contributions, is supposed to supplement city services. But we persist in answering more calls amid the ever-growing piles of trash, feces and graffiti. We need all hands on deck to solve these intractable issues for the whole neighborhood. Cleanliness and safety are inextricably linked.

Our organization, funded by property assessments and private contributions, is supposed to supplement city services. But we persist in answering more calls amid the ever-growing piles of trash, feces and graffiti. We need all hands on deck to solve these intractable issues for the whole neighborhood. Cleanliness and safety are inextricably linked.

We know city departments are doing more with less, and the cuts will continue. But for too long, underinvestment has ruled this neighborhood, and now is not the time to cut funding.&nbsp;

We know city departments are doing more with less, and the cuts will continue. But for too long, underinvestment has ruled this neighborhood, and now is not the time to cut funding.&nbsp;

Equity requires us to show up the most when times are the toughest, and we&#8217;ve seen what this city is capable of where there&#8217;s a will. Hope alone is not a strategy. We will continue to show up for Tenderloin residents who deserve self-determination and nighttime strolls just as much as people in other neighborhoods.&nbsp;

Equity requires us to show up the most when times are the toughest, and we've seen what this city is capable of where there's a will. Hope alone is not a strategy. We will continue to show up for Tenderloin residents who deserve self-determination and nighttime strolls just as much as people in other neighborhoods.&nbsp;

Equity requires us to show up the most when times are the toughest, and we&#8217;ve seen what this city is capable of where there&#8217;s a will. Hope alone is not a strategy. We will continue to show up for Tenderloin residents who deserve self-determination and nighttime strolls just as much as people in other neighborhoods.&nbsp;

We ask state and city officials to do the same and never give up on The Tenderloin. San Francisco&#8217;s success relies upon it.

We ask state and city officials to do the same and never give up on The Tenderloin. San Francisco's success relies upon it.

We ask state and city officials to do the same and never give up on The Tenderloin. San Francisco&#8217;s success relies upon it.

Robinson is the executive director of the <a href="https://tlcbd.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenderloin Community Benefit District</a> and has been a nonprofit leader for over 20 years.&nbsp;

Robinson is the executive director of the <a href="https://tlcbd.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenderloin Community Benefit District</a> and has been a nonprofit leader for over 20 years.&nbsp;

Troubled Tenderloin needs a new state of emergency, funding infusion

Opinion: Troubled Tenderloin needs a new state of emergency, funding infusion

Annie Gaus

After the California Department of Motor Vehicles abruptly suspended driverless Cruise vehicles from operating on San Francisco streets, city officials—many of whom had spoken out against the company&#8217;s expansion—celebrated the move Tuesday.

After the California Department of Motor Vehicles abruptly suspended driverless Cruise vehicles from operating on San Francisco streets, city officials—many of whom had spoken out against the company's expansion—celebrated the move Tuesday.

After the California Department of Motor Vehicles abruptly suspended driverless Cruise vehicles from operating on San Francisco streets, city officials—many of whom had spoken out against the company&#8217;s expansion—celebrated the move Tuesday.

“Thanks to the DMV for putting safety first,” said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman at a meeting of the county&#8217;s transportation authority.

“Thanks to the DMV for putting safety first,” said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman at a meeting of the county's transportation authority.

“Thanks to the DMV for putting safety first,” said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman at a meeting of the county&#8217;s transportation authority.

The body received an update about autonomous vehicles&nbsp;at its Tuesday meeting, which included a presentation noting an <a href="https://www.sfcta.org/sites/default/files/2023-10/SFCTA_Board_AutonomousVehicleReportPRESENTATION_2023-10-24_1.pdf">increasing number of reported incidents</a> involving robotaxis between January and August of this year. A majority of those reports involved Cruise vehicles.

The body received an update about autonomous vehicles&nbsp;at its Tuesday meeting, which included a presentation noting an <a href="https://www.sfcta.org/sites/default/files/2023-10/SFCTA_Board_AutonomousVehicleReportPRESENTATION_2023-10-24_1.pdf">increasing number of reported incidents</a> involving robotaxis between January and August of this year. A majority of those reports involved Cruise vehicles.

&#8220;Ultimately, you know, safety is the most important,&#8221; Mayor London Breed said at a Tuesday press conference about the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November.

"Ultimately, you know, safety is the most important," Mayor London Breed said at a Tuesday press conference about the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November.

&#8220;Ultimately, you know, safety is the most important,&#8221; Mayor London Breed said at a Tuesday press conference about the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November.

Breed tempered her remarks by saying that she&#8217;s &#8220;really excited&#8221; about the potential of driverless technology but emphasized caution in not &#8220;[oversaturating] our streets when we&#8217;re not necessarily ready.&#8221;

Breed tempered her remarks by saying that she's "really excited" about the potential of driverless technology but emphasized caution in not "[oversaturating] our streets when we're not necessarily ready."

Breed tempered her remarks by saying that she&#8217;s &#8220;really excited&#8221; about the potential of driverless technology but emphasized caution in not &#8220;[oversaturating] our streets when we&#8217;re not necessarily ready.&#8221;

&#8220;My hope is that, as a result of this, they can spend some time working on improving their safety measures because we want to welcome this technology, but we want to do so responsibly and safely,&#8221; Breed said.

"My hope is that, as a result of this, they can spend some time working on improving their safety measures because we want to welcome this technology, but we want to do so responsibly and safely," Breed said.

&#8220;My hope is that, as a result of this, they can spend some time working on improving their safety measures because we want to welcome this technology, but we want to do so responsibly and safely,&#8221; Breed said.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-allegations-of-hidden-video">Allegations of Hidden Video </h2>

In a statement Tuesday, the DMV said it had suspended Cruise&#8217;s deployment and driverless testing permits and cited four California codes related to vehicle regulations and safety practices. Among other rules, the agency said that Cruise violated a code prohibiting the misrepresentation of information related to driverless technology.

In a statement Tuesday, the DMV said it had suspended Cruise's deployment and driverless testing permits and cited four California codes related to vehicle regulations and safety practices. Among other rules, the agency said that Cruise violated a code prohibiting the misrepresentation of information related to driverless technology.

In a statement Tuesday, the DMV said it had suspended Cruise&#8217;s deployment and driverless testing permits and cited four California codes related to vehicle regulations and safety practices. Among other rules, the agency said that Cruise violated a code prohibiting the misrepresentation of information related to driverless technology.

The DMV later said that Cruise didn&#8217;t show regulators complete footage of an Oct. 2 incident in which a robotaxi dragged a woman after she was struck by a human driver. In that incident, the woman was thrown into the path of the Cruise vehicle near Fifth and Market streets. Cruise disputes that it <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/24/cruise-robotaxi-dmv-suspension-video/">hid footage or information from the DMV</a>.

Cruise hid video of woman being dragged along San Francisco street, DMV says

The DMV later said that Cruise didn't show regulators complete footage of an Oct. 2 incident in which a robotaxi dragged a woman after she was struck by a human driver. In that incident, the woman was thrown into the path of the Cruise vehicle near Fifth and Market streets. Cruise disputes that it <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/24/cruise-robotaxi-dmv-suspension-video/">hid footage or information from the DMV</a>.

The DMV later said that Cruise didn&#8217;t show regulators complete footage of an Oct. 2 incident in which a robotaxi dragged a woman after she was struck by a human driver. In that incident, the woman was thrown into the path of the Cruise vehicle near Fifth and Market streets. Cruise disputes that it <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/24/cruise-robotaxi-dmv-suspension-video/">hid footage or information from the DMV</a>.

Firefighters responded to a report of a woman trapped under a Cruise robotaxi on Oct. 2, 2023.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-02-at-10.41.14-PM.png?w=998" alt="" class="wp-image-207496"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Firefighters responded to a report of a woman trapped under a Cruise robotaxi on Oct. 2.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-02-at-10.41.14-PM.png?w=998" alt="" class="wp-image-207496"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Firefighters responded to a report of a woman trapped under a Cruise robotaxi on Oct. 2.</figcaption></figure>

San Francisco officials, namely the fire department and other first responders, have vociferously opposed the expansion of robotaxis this year, pointing to incidents in which the vehicles interfered with emergency responses.

San Francisco officials, namely the fire department and other first responders, have vociferously opposed the expansion of robotaxis this year, pointing to incidents in which the vehicles interfered with emergency responses.

On Aug. 10, the California Public Utilities Commission voted to allow Cruise and Waymo to operate across the city 24/7 and charge passengers for rides. City Attorney David Chiu later <a href="https://www.sfcityattorney.org/2023/08/17/san-francisco-seeks-reprieve-from-cpuc-decision-allowing-unfettered-autonomous-vehicle-expansion/">filed a motion to pause the rollout</a>.

On Aug. 10, the California Public Utilities Commission voted to allow Cruise and Waymo to operate across the city 24/7 and charge passengers for rides. City Attorney David Chiu later <a href="https://www.sfcityattorney.org/2023/08/17/san-francisco-seeks-reprieve-from-cpuc-decision-allowing-unfettered-autonomous-vehicle-expansion/">filed a motion to pause the rollout</a>.

On Aug. 18, at the DMV&#8217;s request, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/18/california-dmv-reduces-san-francisco-cruise-fleet-by-half/">Cruise agreed to cut its San Francisco fleet in half</a> following an incident in which a Cruise driverless vehicle and a fire truck collided. The agency opened an investigation into the incident.

State puts half of Cruise robotaxi fleet on ice after San Francisco injury crash

On Aug. 18, at the DMV's request, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/18/california-dmv-reduces-san-francisco-cruise-fleet-by-half/">Cruise agreed to cut its San Francisco fleet in half</a> following an incident in which a Cruise driverless vehicle and a fire truck collided. The agency opened an investigation into the incident.

On Aug. 18, at the DMV&#8217;s request, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/18/california-dmv-reduces-san-francisco-cruise-fleet-by-half/">Cruise agreed to cut its San Francisco fleet in half</a> following an incident in which a Cruise driverless vehicle and a fire truck collided. The agency opened an investigation into the incident.

Earlier this month, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/17/cruise-gm-federal-investigation-safety/#">federal regulators opened a probe into Cruise</a> after receiving reports that its driverless vehicles may not have exercised proper caution around pedestrians in roadways.

Cruise under investigation by federal regulators over robotaxi safety

Earlier this month, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/17/cruise-gm-federal-investigation-safety/#">federal regulators opened a probe into Cruise</a> after receiving reports that its driverless vehicles may not have exercised proper caution around pedestrians in roadways.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-better-late-than-never">&#8216;Better Late Than Never&#8217;</h2>

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-better-late-than-never">'Better Late Than Never'</h2>

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-better-late-than-never">&#8216;Better Late Than Never&#8217;</h2>

Adam Wood, secretary-treasurer at San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798, a union representing city firefighters, said the&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/18/california-dmv-reduces-san-francisco-cruise-fleet-by-half/">forced halving of Cruise’s fleet in September</a>&nbsp;was a sign the DMV had concerns about the driverless car company.

Adam Wood, secretary-treasurer at San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798, a union representing city firefighters, said the&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/18/california-dmv-reduces-san-francisco-cruise-fleet-by-half/">forced halving of Cruise’s fleet in September</a>&nbsp;was a sign the DMV had concerns about the driverless car company.

At a July 14 rally, members of the Teamsters Union and San Francisco officials backed regulations for autonomous vehicles. 

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1684" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AVProtest_1.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-182135"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">At a July 14 rally, members of the Teamsters Union and San Francisco officials backed regulations for autonomous vehicles. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AVProtest_1.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-182135"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">At a July 14 rally, members of the Teamsters Union and San Francisco officials backed regulations for autonomous vehicles. </figcaption></figure>

“I guess this indicates that they remained concerned and haven’t seen the fixes they needed to see,” Wood said, adding that Local 798 is relieved at the news.&nbsp;

“I guess this indicates that they remained concerned and haven’t seen the fixes they needed to see,” Wood said, adding that Local 798 is relieved at the news.&nbsp;

&#8220;Better late than never,&#8221; said Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin about the Cruise suspension. &#8220;San Francisco has long held that Cruise vehicles were not ready for prime time, and the state should never have allowed their unlimited deployment in the first place.&#8221;

"Better late than never," said Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin about the Cruise suspension. "San Francisco has long held that Cruise vehicles were not ready for prime time, and the state should never have allowed their unlimited deployment in the first place."

&#8220;Better late than never,&#8221; said Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin about the Cruise suspension. &#8220;San Francisco has long held that Cruise vehicles were not ready for prime time, and the state should never have allowed their unlimited deployment in the first place.&#8221;

In a statement, Chiu wrote that the DMV&#8217;s suspension of Cruise permits &#8220;vindicates the significant public safety concerns raised by the City.&#8221;

In a statement, Chiu wrote that the DMV's suspension of Cruise permits "vindicates the significant public safety concerns raised by the City."

In a statement, Chiu wrote that the DMV&#8217;s suspension of Cruise permits &#8220;vindicates the significant public safety concerns raised by the City.&#8221;

&#8220;While we support the promise of this technology to improve transportation, we urge the CPUC to come up with a sensible, measured plan for the future based on safety and performance metrics,&#8221; Chiu said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"While we support the promise of this technology to improve transportation, we urge the CPUC to come up with a sensible, measured plan for the future based on safety and performance metrics," Chiu said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

&#8220;While we support the promise of this technology to improve transportation, we urge the CPUC to come up with a sensible, measured plan for the future based on safety and performance metrics,&#8221; Chiu said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Roughly 90 minutes before the DMV&#8217;s announcement, teamsters staged an anti-Cruise protest at the company’s San Francisco headquarters. The protest, which primarily focused on safety and labor concerns, had Supervisors Shamann Walton and Connie Chan in attendance. Walton led the crowd in a chant of “Cruise will lose!”

Roughly 90 minutes before the DMV's announcement, teamsters staged an anti-Cruise protest at the company’s San Francisco headquarters. The protest, which primarily focused on safety and labor concerns, had Supervisors Shamann Walton and Connie Chan in attendance. Walton led the crowd in a chant of “Cruise will lose!”

Roughly 90 minutes before the DMV&#8217;s announcement, teamsters staged an anti-Cruise protest at the company’s San Francisco headquarters. The protest, which primarily focused on safety and labor concerns, had Supervisors Shamann Walton and Connie Chan in attendance. Walton led the crowd in a chant of “Cruise will lose!”

Chan, who represents the Richmond, described the neighborhood as “the testing ground” for robotaxis.

Chan, who represents the Richmond, described the neighborhood as “the testing ground” for robotaxis.

“We’re here, we’re making noise, but most importantly, we’re here to remind our governor where he comes from because he forgot where he came from,” Chan said.

“We’re here, we’re making noise, but most importantly, we’re here to remind our governor where he comes from because he forgot where he came from,” Chan said.

Chan was likely taking Newsom to task for vetoing Assembly Bill 316, a bill that would have required driverless trucks to have human operators. In his veto, Newsom stated that existing law is “sufficient” for regulating these vehicles.

Chan was likely taking Newsom to task for vetoing Assembly Bill 316, a bill that would have required driverless trucks to have human operators. In his veto, Newsom stated that existing law is “sufficient” for regulating these vehicles.

San Francisco officials praise Cruise robotaxi suspension: ‘Better late than never’

Astrid Kane

San Francisco, it’s fair to say, has a lot of quirks. First-time visitors <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/07/san-francisco-apec-security-maps-transit-traffic/">arriving for next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference</a> may be left scratching their heads that Golden Gate Park is more than two miles from the Golden Gate Bridge. Or that North Beach doesn’t have a beach. Or that Mission Dolores isn’t really in the Mission District.

APEC San Francisco: Everything to know about security, traffic and transit in 10 maps

San Francisco, it’s fair to say, has a lot of quirks. First-time visitors <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/07/san-francisco-apec-security-maps-transit-traffic/">arriving for next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference</a> may be left scratching their heads that Golden Gate Park is more than two miles from the Golden Gate Bridge. Or that North Beach doesn’t have a beach. Or that Mission Dolores isn’t really in the Mission District.

In a city whose namesake football team plays an hour away and where 69 Uranus St. is a real-life, actual address, The Standard has <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/07/san-francisco-apec-security-maps-transit-traffic/">some helpful pointers for navigating around town</a>—both geographically and culturally.

In a city whose namesake football team plays an hour away and where 69 Uranus St. is a real-life, actual address, The Standard has <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/07/san-francisco-apec-security-maps-transit-traffic/">some helpful pointers for navigating around town</a>—both geographically and culturally.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-street-grid-is-weird">The Street Grid Is Weird</h2>

This is not Manhattan, where the predictable numbered streets and avenues run north-south, east-west and make for easy navigation even for the first-time visitor. San Francisco has a curious pivot point in the armpit of SoMa—that’s what we call the neighborhood south of Market Street—in the vicinity of the city’s only Costco, where the numbered streets go from a northwest-southeast orientation Downtown to running east-west in the Mission.

This is not Manhattan, where the predictable numbered streets and avenues run north-south, east-west and make for easy navigation even for the first-time visitor. San Francisco has a curious pivot point in the armpit of SoMa—that’s what we call the neighborhood south of Market Street—in the vicinity of the city’s only Costco, where the numbered streets go from a northwest-southeast orientation Downtown to running east-west in the Mission.

Also, Third Street somehow intersects with 16th Street near the fancy new basketball arena. Just roll with it. Adding to the confusion, there’s a whole other set of numbered avenues on the West Side—and you should eat there, if you have the chance (although a beautiful sunset is not always guaranteed in the foggy Sunset District).&nbsp;

Also, Third Street somehow intersects with 16th Street near the fancy new basketball arena. Just roll with it. Adding to the confusion, there’s a whole other set of numbered avenues on the West Side—and you should eat there, if you have the chance (although a beautiful sunset is not always guaranteed in the foggy Sunset District).&nbsp;

Our Big Fight Is About Planters Right Now

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-our-big-fight-is-about-planters-right-now">Our Big Fight Is About Planters Right Now</h2>

More often than not, San Francisco is in the middle of a citywide, existentially pitched battle over something that will likely strike outsiders as relatively inconsequential. A few years back, it was $4 toast. Later, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/04/fnnch-is-still-here-making-and-supporting-street-art-whether-you-like-him-or-not/">it was honeybear murals</a>. Right now, it’s about <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/17/san-francisco-homelessness-planters-wa/">galvanized metal sidewalk planters</a> from Nebraska. You can see them on Van Ness Avenue, in SoMa and around other parts of town.

The artist behind San Francisco’s honey bears shares the wealth with Alamo Square Mural Project

How planters shipped from 1,600 miles away are changing San Francisco&#8217;s homelessness debate

More often than not, San Francisco is in the middle of a citywide, existentially pitched battle over something that will likely strike outsiders as relatively inconsequential. A few years back, it was $4 toast. Later, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/04/fnnch-is-still-here-making-and-supporting-street-art-whether-you-like-him-or-not/">it was honeybear murals</a>. Right now, it’s about <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/17/san-francisco-homelessness-planters-wa/">galvanized metal sidewalk planters</a> from Nebraska. You can see them on Van Ness Avenue, in SoMa and around other parts of town.

The admitted reason people install them is to deter unhoused people from pitching tents. Critics refer to them as “hostile architecture.” Defenders reply that both those words are inaccurate. Critics fire back that they’re inevitably going to become de facto garbage cans, and it’s uncertain whether anyone will actually water the plants. Defenders insist that having flowers on their street is a good thing, full stop.

The admitted reason people install them is to deter unhoused people from pitching tents. Critics refer to them as “hostile architecture.” Defenders reply that both those words are inaccurate. Critics fire back that they’re inevitably going to become de facto garbage cans, and it’s uncertain whether anyone will actually water the plants. Defenders insist that having flowers on their street is a good thing, full stop.

Please excuse us, as we’re all fighting right now. If the whole meshugas feels tedious and you’d rather skip ahead to San Francisco’s next civil war, the topic is <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/26/no-turn-on-red-san-francisco-moves-to-expand-the-ban-citywide/">quite likely to be No Right Turn on Red</a>.&nbsp;

No turn on red: San Francisco moves to expand the ban citywide

Please excuse us, as we’re all fighting right now. If the whole meshugas feels tedious and you’d rather skip ahead to San Francisco’s next civil war, the topic is <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/26/no-turn-on-red-san-francisco-moves-to-expand-the-ban-citywide/">quite likely to be No Right Turn on Red</a>.&nbsp;

Bikers and walkers utilize Clay St., which is one of the city’s Slow Streets, on Jan. 11, 2022. | Camille Cohen

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SlowStreets.jpg?w=2500" alt="A pedestrian crosses a city street near a &quot;Slow Streets&quot; sign." class="wp-image-96622"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">San Francisco&#8217;s disconnected network of Slow Streets is one element of our quirky city that may leave first-time visitors confused.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SlowStreets.jpg?w=2500" alt="A pedestrian crosses a city street near a &quot;Slow Streets&quot; sign." class="wp-image-96622"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">San Francisco's disconnected network of Slow Streets is one element of our quirky city that may leave first-time visitors confused.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SlowStreets.jpg?w=2500" alt="A pedestrian crosses a city street near a &quot;Slow Streets&quot; sign." class="wp-image-96622"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">San Francisco&#8217;s disconnected network of Slow Streets is one element of our quirky city that may leave first-time visitors confused.</figcaption></figure>

Also, We Have ‘Slow Streets.’ You Can Probably Ignore Them

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-also-we-have-slow-streets-you-can-probably-ignore-them">Also, We Have ‘Slow Streets.’ You Can Probably Ignore Them</h2>

During the pandemic, San Francisco transit authorities implemented a patchy network of “<a href="https://www.sfmta.com/projects/slow-streets-program" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">safe, comfortable, low-vehicle traffic</a>” Slow Streets to give a Covid-weary city a bit of space to breathe and safely congregate outdoors. You might see their signs around town, but the thing is, Slow Streets don’t actually have lower speed limits.&nbsp;

During the pandemic, San Francisco transit authorities implemented a patchy network of “<a href="https://www.sfmta.com/projects/slow-streets-program" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">safe, comfortable, low-vehicle traffic</a>” Slow Streets to give a Covid-weary city a bit of space to breathe and safely congregate outdoors. You might see their signs around town, but the thing is, Slow Streets don’t actually have lower speed limits.&nbsp;

In contrast to cities like Barcelona and Paris, which reclaimed central thoroughfares and pedestrianized them to great success, San Francisco quasi-converted a disconnected set of residential streets, occasionally installing some flimsy traffic bollards that are almost as thin as a butterfly proboscis or laboratory pipette.&nbsp;

In contrast to cities like Barcelona and Paris, which reclaimed central thoroughfares and pedestrianized them to great success, San Francisco quasi-converted a disconnected set of residential streets, occasionally installing some flimsy traffic bollards that are almost as thin as a butterfly proboscis or laboratory pipette.&nbsp;

Some Slow Streets are loved, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/11/29/ambitious-peoples-slow-streets-proposal-calls-for-changes-to-100-miles-of-sf-roadways/">while others are hated</a>—but confusingly, you can still drive on them. Which means you can mostly ignore the signs—everyone else does!

Ambitious &#8216;People&#8217;s Slow Streets&#8217; proposal calls for changes to 100 miles of SF roadways

Some Slow Streets are loved, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/11/29/ambitious-peoples-slow-streets-proposal-calls-for-changes-to-100-miles-of-sf-roadways/">while others are hated</a>—but confusingly, you can still drive on them. Which means you can mostly ignore the signs—everyone else does!

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-don-t-really-have-an-accent-but">We Don’t Really Have an Accent, But…</h2>

Does San Francisco have a distinct accent? It’s true <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrLH-uN6OtY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">we butcher Spanish words and place names daily</a>—San Rafael is “san ruff-FELL,” and locals will tell you Arguello is “arr-GWELL-oh.” But beyond that, the answer is debatable.

Does San Francisco have a distinct accent? It’s true <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrLH-uN6OtY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">we butcher Spanish words and place names daily</a>—San Rafael is “san ruff-FELL,” and locals will tell you Arguello is “arr-GWELL-oh.” But beyond that, the answer is debatable.

What we do have are peculiar definitions for a few common terms that outsiders could have trouble deciphering. In Northern California vernacular English, “Yeah, no” means no and “No, yeah” means yes. “Yeah, no, yeah” means “don’t worry, it’s OK,” while “No, yeah, no” means “absolutely out of the question.”&nbsp;

What we do have are peculiar definitions for a few common terms that outsiders could have trouble deciphering. In Northern California vernacular English, “Yeah, no” means no and “No, yeah” means yes. “Yeah, no, yeah” means “don’t worry, it’s OK,” while “No, yeah, no” means “absolutely out of the question.”&nbsp;

More importantly <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/08/san-francisco-apec-events-parties-food-nightlife/">during this party-filled week</a>, visitors should know that when a San Francisco resident RSVPs with a “maybe,” that means they’re not coming.

Forget boring, exclusive APEC meetings. Here&#8217;s where the fun parties will be in San Francisco

More importantly <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/08/san-francisco-apec-events-parties-food-nightlife/">during this party-filled week</a>, visitors should know that when a San Francisco resident RSVPs with a “maybe,” that means they’re not coming.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lastly-this-is-not-a-late-night-town">Lastly, This Is Not a Late-Night Town</h2>

If New York is the city that never sleeps, then San Francisco gets a solid eight hours then goes to SoulCycle. You may have heard of the Barbary Coast, the Summer of Love, the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/23/new-film-reveals-all-about-san-francisco-topless-dancer-carol-doda/">topless dancer who descended from the ceiling on a grand piano</a>—all that is true San Francisco history. But these days, San Francisco is a resolutely responsible place where fewer people than ever seem to be going out.

New film reveals all about San Francisco topless dancer Carol Doda

If New York is the city that never sleeps, then San Francisco gets a solid eight hours then goes to SoulCycle. You may have heard of the Barbary Coast, the Summer of Love, the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/23/new-film-reveals-all-about-san-francisco-topless-dancer-carol-doda/">topless dancer who descended from the ceiling on a grand piano</a>—all that is true San Francisco history. But these days, San Francisco is a resolutely responsible place where fewer people than ever seem to be going out.

Visitors from a cosmopolitan city where any meal before 8 p.m. is considered lunch will need to make an adjustment. Or consider <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/04/08/late-night-eats-food-san-francisco-map-neighborhoods/">The Standard’s guide to late-night eating</a>. Because 9:30 p.m. practically qualifies as after-hours around here these days.

Hungry after hours? A map of late night eats around San Francisco

Visitors from a cosmopolitan city where any meal before 8 p.m. is considered lunch will need to make an adjustment. Or consider <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/04/08/late-night-eats-food-san-francisco-map-neighborhoods/">The Standard’s guide to late-night eating</a>. Because 9:30 p.m. practically qualifies as after-hours around here these days.

Welcome to San Francisco, APEC visitors! Here are some quirks you should know about our city

Garrett Leahy

The latest development in the battle for San Francisco sidewalk dominance is no longer heavy <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/17/san-francisco-homelessness-planters-wa/">metal planters</a>—designed to either beautify a neighborhood or block homeless encampments, depending on who you ask. Now, residents say speakers are blasting the Star Wars title theme, jazz, classical and what one unhoused man describes as “circus music.”

The latest development in the battle for San Francisco sidewalk dominance is no longer heavy <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/17/san-francisco-homelessness-planters-wa/">metal planters</a>—designed to either beautify a neighborhood or block homeless encampments, depending on who you ask. Now, residents say speakers are blasting the Star Wars title theme, jazz, classical and what one unhoused man describes as “circus music.”

The phenomenon of blasting music to deter antisocial behavior is not new in the city, but it is seemingly a first at Van Ness Avenue and Eddy Street, a bustling intersection on the edge of the Tenderloin, the epicenter of San Francisco’s drug and homelessness crises.&nbsp;

The phenomenon of blasting music to deter antisocial behavior is not new in the city, but it is seemingly a first at Van Ness Avenue and Eddy Street, a bustling intersection on the edge of the Tenderloin, the epicenter of San Francisco’s drug and homelessness crises.&nbsp;

The building located at the corner of Van Ness Avenue and Eddy Street has two speakers right above the bus stop facing Eddy Street in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1875" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/musicvshomelessvanness.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-217792"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The building located at the corner of Van Ness Avenue and Eddy Street has two speakers right above the bus stop facing Eddy Street on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/musicvshomelessvanness.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-217792"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The building located at the corner of Van Ness Avenue and Eddy Street has two speakers right above the bus stop facing Eddy Street on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023.</figcaption></figure>

Unlike a Fillmore <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/san-francisco-safeway-blasts-music-in-parking-lot-18136448.php">Safeway</a> that deployed classical music at night to deter unwanted activity, the speakers at 790 Van Ness Ave. play intermittently through the day, seemingly whenever a large group of people congregate along the Eddy Street side of the building, where two speakers have appeared. Another speaker has also popped up around 40 feet away, on the side of an apartment building at 755 Eddy St.

Unlike a Fillmore <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/san-francisco-safeway-blasts-music-in-parking-lot-18136448.php">Safeway</a> that deployed classical music at night to deter unwanted activity, the speakers at 790 Van Ness Ave. play intermittently through the day, seemingly whenever a large group of people congregate along the Eddy Street side of the building, where two speakers have appeared. Another speaker has also popped up around 40 feet away, on the side of an apartment building at 755 Eddy St.

“It’s fucking annoying,” said Oscar Pancho, an unhoused man who lives across the street from the speakers. “It’s like jazz or circus music, or something. It doesn’t work anyway; they still shit over there with the music on.”

“It’s fucking annoying,” said Oscar Pancho, an unhoused man who lives across the street from the speakers. “It’s like jazz or circus music, or something. It doesn’t work anyway; they still shit over there with the music on.”

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/02/22/this-soundtrack-keeps-the-peace-in-downtown-sf-fights-break-out-when-it-stops/">This Soundtrack Keeps the Peace in Downtown Francisco</a>&nbsp;

This soundtrack keeps the peace in downtown SF. Fights break out when it stops

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/02/22/this-soundtrack-keeps-the-peace-in-downtown-sf-fights-break-out-when-it-stops/">This Soundtrack Keeps the Peace in Downtown Francisco</a>&nbsp;

“It just plays the same thing over and over and over,” said Danielle Hardesty, a formerly homeless woman who lives in a subsidized Tenderloin apartment. “They’ll make dog parks for people to walk their dogs, with grass, but we don’t get no respect like that, no space.”&nbsp;

“It just plays the same thing over and over and over,” said Danielle Hardesty, a formerly homeless woman who lives in a subsidized Tenderloin apartment. “They’ll make dog parks for people to walk their dogs, with grass, but we don’t get no respect like that, no space.”&nbsp;

Daneille Hardesty said she has heard the speakers on Eddy Street playing the Star Wars opening theme.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1875" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_6174-1.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-217715"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Daneille Hardesty said she has heard the speakers on Eddy Street playing the &#8220;Star Wars&#8221; opening theme.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_6174-1.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-217715"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Daneille Hardesty said she has heard the speakers on Eddy Street playing the "Star Wars" opening theme.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_6174-1.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-217715"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Daneille Hardesty said she has heard the speakers on Eddy Street playing the &#8220;Star Wars&#8221; opening theme.</figcaption></figure>

Opinion: Troubled Tenderloin needs a new state of emergency, funding infusion

San Francisco officials praise Cruise robotaxi suspension: ‘Better late than never’

Welcome to San Francisco, APEC visitors! Here are some quirks you should know about our city

San Francisco homelessness battle heats up as Star Wars theme deployed from speakers

From art bazaars to joy rides, San Francisco puts Asian heritage front and center

Search Results for: apec

Opinion: Troubled Tenderloin needs a new state of emergency, funding infusion

San Francisco officials praise Cruise robotaxi suspension: ‘Better late than never’

Welcome to San Francisco, APEC visitors! Here are some quirks you should know about our city

San Francisco homelessness battle heats up as Star Wars theme deployed from speakers

From art bazaars to joy rides, San Francisco puts Asian heritage front and center