San Francisco Sun

San Francisco, CA — Today, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve legislation introduced by Mayor N. Breed to prohibit retail establishments selling prepackaged food or tobacco products from operating between 12 a.m. (midnight) to 5 a.m., or from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. for businesses that sell liquor, in an effort to discourage loitering and crowding in part of the Tenderloin. The vote aims to provide San Francisco with another tool to help prevent drug-related crimes and crowds, which contribute to unsafe street conditions in the Tenderloin.

During City outreach efforts, Tenderloin residents shared feedback noting the late-night operation of retail shops as a contributing factor to the drug markets in the area. The legislation was developed in partnership with residents, community-serving organizations, and businesses as part of Mayor London N. Breed’s strategy to disrupt open-air drug markets fueling the overdose crisis in San Francisco.

Small businesses in the Tenderloin hope this effort will encourage residents to shop during daytime and early evening hours, creating a more vibrant neighborhood for locals and visitors.

“The drug markets happening at night in this neighborhood are unacceptable and must be met with increased law enforcement and new strategies, but this must be done in partnership with community, which we are doing,” said Mayor London Breed. “Residents, business owners and workers have raised their concerns again and again, and it is imperative that we listen to them as we continue our efforts to make the Tenderloin safer for everyone.”

San Francisco’s Tenderloin district experiences significant drug-related crime including narcotics offenses often connected with gun-related crimes. This neighborhood is home to many lower-income and immigrant families who primarily do their shopping during morning or early evening hours.

Late-night drug markets result in large crowds involved in illicit activity, increasing environmental hazards like needles and waste while leading to criminal behavior that hinders law enforcement efforts. Prohibiting these businesses from operating between midnight and 5 a.m. strikes a balance between supporting shops and ensuring community safety with minimal financial impact.

The legislation will create a two-year pilot program prohibiting retail food and tobacco establishments from opening between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., or from 2 a.m. if regulated by California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control within specific areas of the Tenderloin police district defined as between O’Farrell Street, McAllister Street, Polk Street, and Jones Street.

Violations will incur administrative citations carrying fines up to $1,000 per hour of violation after warnings are issued; repeat violators may face lawsuits seeking compliance orders from the City Attorney's office.

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) will issue fines based on evidence collected by San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), which will conduct investigations into ordinance violations.

"San Francisco is making progress in dismantling pernicious drug markets," said SFPD Chief Bill Scott. "This legislation will assist our officers in holding drug dealers accountable."

City Attorney David Chiu stated: “The City is working alongside the community... there are late-night retail establishments attracting significant nighttime drug activity; this legislation provides an additional tool.”

Mayor Breed launched DMACC (Drug Market Agency Coordination Center) in May 2023 activating resources across city departments along with state/federal partners resulting in numerous arrests/seizures related predominantly targeting daytime operations initially now extended into nighttime due worsening conditions recently observed necessitating expanded enforcement activities coordinated through SFDPH/SFPD ongoing outreach efforts engaging regularly local stakeholders seeking collaborative solutions improving overall community welfare.

Community support remains strong reflected voices such Johana Ramirez La Voz Latina leader expressing relief potential policy changes promising safer environment benefiting children majority working night shifts similarly echoed sentiments Imam Khaled Ghaleb Darussalam Mosque reinforcing collective responsibility nurturing safe welcoming neighborhoods all inclusive representative diverse demographics tenderloins multilingual mosaic fostering sustainable future emphasized Kate Robinson TLCBD Executive Director noting enhanced coordination yielding tangible results further reinforced Abdul Alrammah Yemen Kitchen highlighting initiative crucial step revitalizing focus quality service enhancing overall vibrancy security benefiting both local business residential communities alike.

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