On Wednesday, San Francisco authorities announced new measures to combat illegal prostitution on Shotwell Street in the Mission District. These measures include sending “Dear John” letters to owners of vehicles caught soliciting prostitutes in the area.
Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Hillary Ronen presented a number of strategies to address safety concerns on Shotwell Street. While police increased its enforcement efforts in the mission last yearResidents have complained to the city administration that the problems continue to exist.
Last spring, a Shotwell resident called for more police following an incident in which a suspected sex worker attacked a homeless man. The police also installed Concrete barriers at a hotspot to keep clients away.
The announcement said the new measures were the result of numerous meetings between city officials and members of the local community and reflected the city’s responsiveness to their demands. It noted that the SFPD has made 2 arrests in multiple enforcement actions around 7 Shotwell Street over the past four months.
“By working with the community, we have developed solutions that make the mission safer for everyone,” Breed said.
The “Dear John” letters described in the announcement involve sending warning letters to the registered owners of vehicles involved in soliciting prostitution. The goal is to discourage this behavior by informing drivers that vehicle activity in the area is being monitored and that the contents of the letter, upon arrival, could be received by other people residing at the vehicle owner’s address. City officials also encourage community members to report anyone involved in soliciting prostitution or other forms of prostitution.
As part of the new strategies, the city plans to install additional barriers along Shotwell Street, similar to those on Capp Street. There will also be new license plate reading cameras approved under Prop E was established to deter persons from inciting prostitution and committing related crimes.
“My office has paid close attention to these neighbors and this issue, and we have worked with city departments to find meaningful solutions, including reaching out to sex workers to provide them with support and protection, and ultimately get them off the streets,” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen.
The San Francisco Police Department will continue to enforce the law by issuing citations and arresting people involved in illegal prostitution. The “Dear John” letters, which have proven effective in other jurisdictions, will be another part of the city’s efforts.
“Illegal sex work degrades the quality of life in our city and cannot be tolerated,” said SFPD Chief Bill Scott.
