My mom informed me there was a police raid recently in their townhome building. Thankfully this time it was not for my felonious brother (no joke). Rather, it was for the son of our downstairs neighbor, who is about my age. Apparently (and allegedly) he was a major fentanyl dealer. The feds came bright and early to smash in and arrest him. San Francisco’s new district attorney - Brooke Jenkins - is not messing around!
It was kind of a surprise to hear about this because I’d always thought the son was a stand-up guy. A regular dude with a job, a wife, and a baby daughter. Growing up in Visitation valley’s public housing, I expect to be amongst some criminal elements. For over twenty years there wasn’t a peep of bad news from our direct neighbors. If anything, it was my own brother who’s had trouble with the law. It’s sad to see.
At least it wasn’t strong-arm robbery or killing a guy. Just distributing some illicit substances to willing customers (again, allegedly). Victimless crime? These are consenting adults making transactions with one another, after all. Sure, I live in a neighbor now where I don’t see any drug users on the streets. People who live in the Tenderloin would say there’s definitely victims to this whole drug thing. The blocked sidewalks, the human excrement, and the street harassment.
These quality of life stuff is hugely important. Residents ought to feel safe and protected in their own neighborhoods. The reason we recalled the previous district attorney is because we largely did not feel safe. It doesn’t matter of crime statistics show otherwise. Often times, feelings don’t care about your facts, and not the other way around. Good to hear that DA Jenkins is on it.
Just a trickle.