San Francisco District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill proposed a resolution on November 13 calling for the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) to strengthen law enforcement to curb illegal drug activities within 250 feet (approximately 76 meters) of parks, playgrounds, schools, and youth centers. The aim is to ensure children and families have a safe public space in the city.
This resolution urges the SFPD to develop and implement a comprehensive enforcement plan, including issuing citations, removing individuals engaged in related activities, and providing them with drug rehabilitation or treatment services to ensure the safety of children and families in the city’s public spaces.
At a gathering held at City Hall that day, three other city council members showed up to support the initiative.
Initiator and organizer of the resolution, Sherrill, stated in a press release that the resolution is a clear message to the city government and residents: ensuring the safety of children is non-negotiable.
“Our children should grow up in safe and caring communities,” Sherrill said. “Parents should be able to take their children to parks, walk them to school, or go to community playgrounds without worrying about the dangers of drugs.”
Sherrill believes that the existing measures in San Francisco are insufficient to combat rampant drug crimes, emphasizing the need for coordination between public safety and public health departments to achieve a balance between enforcement, care, and treatment.
He recounted an incident that occurred several years ago at Masonic Park, where a baby came into contact with fentanyl at the playground. Although the baby’s life was saved by naloxone, it served as a warning that drug use not only harms the individual but also poses a threat to others.
“Therefore, today, we come together to voice our support for San Franciscans to lead healthy, drug-free lives; we support rehabilitation not only for those in need of treatment but also for every person around them,” Sherrill stated. “This concerns my family, your family, and everyone present.”
During the press conference that day, officials discussed the severity of San Francisco’s drug problem and the significance of rehabilitation in breaking the vicious cycle.
Sixth District Supervisor Matt Dorsey, a long-time advocate for rehabilitation who had struggled with addiction himself before becoming a council member, shared his perspective on drug policy reform in San Francisco.
He recalled a letter he had written to former Mayor London Breed two and a half years ago, requesting the withdrawal of funding for a safe injection site in his district, facing fierce opposition from his colleagues.
“I firmly believe that this money should be allocated to places where life-saving interventions can be implemented, such as treatment programs in correctional facilities, rather than exacerbating the drug problem,” Dorsey said.
Despite having few allies at the time, Dorsey expressed gratitude for the collaboration with fellow council members Stephen Sherrill, Danny Sauter, and Bilal Mahmood, in listening to the voices of San Franciscans, which meant everything to him.
Third District Supervisor Danny Sauter stated, “Outdoor drug use is never acceptable, yet we allow such behavior to occur in broad daylight within a stone’s throw from schools, playgrounds, and parks, it’s a moral failure!”
“We have the resources, and now we need to work together in unity with determination and strategies. I know we can do it. I am more determined than ever to commit to tackling this issue together with all of you. This issue continues to weigh on our city,” Sauter added.
“Just recently becoming a father, I have been asking myself if we can make improvements in time so that my daughter can experience a better San Francisco when she grows up,” Sauter said. “On days like today, seeing all of us here working together fills me with hope and optimism.”
Fifth District Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, residing in the drug-stricken Tenderloin district, mentioned that 3,500 children and teenagers live in the area who have to walk the streets and witness those tormented by addiction and involved in drug transactions.
Mahmood recounted a conversation he had with a refugee family in the area a month ago who had lost their son. “Although they had escaped a war, they cannot escape the tragedies happening on the streets of Tenderloin… a few months ago, they lost their son; in the same week, their friend fell victim to gun violence; and in the same week, another friend graduated from the police academy.”
“Three friends growing up in the same neighborhood in Tenderloin experienced different realities and ended up with dramatically different lives. Every death is preventable! Every lost life could have been as miraculous and wonderful as many others in our city,” Mahmood continued. “Therefore, we urge that every child in the Tenderloin district deserves a childhood similar to children in other communities of San Francisco.”
Following the gathering, the resolution (Document Number 250991) received unanimous approval at the Neighborhood and Public Services Committee and will be submitted for a vote at the city council.