Portsmouth Square, often called the “living room of Chinatown,” has served as a crucial hub for outdoor activities and political engagement in the community for over a century. However, recent concerns have emerged from residents regarding an uptick in the homeless population in the square, which has particularly worried the area’s elderly visitors. This pressing issue was addressed during a recent city council meeting, where San Francisco Mayor London Breed spoke about the city’s ongoing efforts to combat homelessness over the past three years. She highlighted increased investments in building shelters that have allowed more homeless individuals to be identified and to receive treatment and support. “I am optimistic about San Francisco’s future,” Breed stated, believing that positive changes are on the horizon.
Nevertheless, the mayor recognized that significant challenges persist in the battle against homelessness. She mentioned that some individuals are resistant to public services and refuse to seek shelter. “There is at least one friendly homeless person in Chinatown who consistently declines our services,” she noted.
Breed also discussed proactive proposals being advanced at the state level that, if enacted, would enable local law enforcement to compel homeless individuals to enter shelters for necessary treatment. “Our statistics show that thirty percent of the homeless population accepts our services, while sixty percent refuse, and only ten percent transition successfully into permanent housing,” she explained. She stressed that with enhanced legal tools, the city could better assist those grappling with mental health issues who are experiencing homelessness, thereby allowing for a more effective response to the crisis.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who has a background in prosecuting hate crimes and providing victim services, shared her insights. After her appointment as district attorney, she established a victim services department, spearheaded by Nancy Tung, aimed at recruiting Cantonese and Mandarin speakers to support the community in hate-related incidents involving verbal and physical assaults. They are also engaged in educating residents on the importance of collecting critical evidence right after such incidents and differentiating between hate incidents and crimes.
On that particular day, both the District Attorney’s Office and the police department set up service stations at Portsmouth Square to assist the elderly, distributing materials on crime prevention.
In her closing remarks, Breed reflected on her tenure as mayor, noting the challenges she faced when taking office following the sudden loss of the city’s first Asian American mayor, Ed Lee. She recalled that the city was grappling with the dual crises of a pandemic and rising anti-Asian sentiment. “The city was under tremendous strain, and public policies and resources were not adequately prepared,” Breed acknowledged. “However, I am honored to collaborate with the district attorney and the police chief to induce real change in the city, as we celebrate the lowest crime rates we’ve seen in a decade alongside a steadily decreasing homeless population.”
Breed reaffirmed her dedication to implementing bold changes as San Francisco charts its course toward recovery. “San Francisco will only continue to improve from here,” she concluded.
