(PatriotNews.net) – San Francisco faces growing legal trouble as residents and businesses accuse the city of turning the Tenderloin district into a chaotic hub for drug use and crime. A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that the lawsuit, which blames city and county officials for enabling illegal drug activity, can proceed.
The complaint, filed by local residents and business owners, claims that San Francisco’s policies created an unsafe environment by attracting addicts and dealers. The lawsuit points out that the city provided housing, drug paraphernalia, and street support, making it easier for drug users to stay in the area. City officials argued in court that these policies weren’t directly responsible for the conditions in Tenderloin, but U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar disagreed, allowing most of the lawsuit’s claims to move forward.
One part of the complaint focuses on city-run shelters and a now-closed supervised drug consumption site. The site allegedly allowed people to use drugs openly and provided them with the necessary tools to do so. According to the lawsuit, these policies led to a spike in both petty and violent crimes, disrupting everyday life for residents and hurting businesses in the area.
The complaint paints a grim picture of life in the Tenderloin. It claims that addicts support their drug habits by stealing from stores, breaking into cars, and committing robberies. The plaintiffs describe a neighborhood filled with trash, people behaving erratically, and addicts going without clothes or medical care. The sidewalks, they say, are unsafe, with drug dealers blocking entrances to businesses and starting smoky bonfires on the streets.
Business owners are also angry about a new curfew imposed by the city, which limits operations in response to rising crime. They argue that the city should be enforcing the law instead of restricting their businesses. San Francisco officials, however, claim police can’t keep up with the criminals, who far outnumber officers in the area.
Judge Tigar allowed five out of the six claims against the city to move forward. He wrote that the city’s actions—like dropping off addicts at shelters, distributing drug paraphernalia, and tolerating street-based drug use—played a key role in the crisis. Residents and businesses now hope the lawsuit will force San Francisco to change its approach to tackling crime and addiction.
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