San Francisco's police response to 16th St. plaza needs long term strategy, experts say
Briefly

The SFPD has deployed a mobile command unit at 16th and Mission BART plaza, which has led to a temporary decrease in visible crime in the area. However, experts warn that without ongoing enforcement and strategic action, the results may be fleeting. Captain Liza Johansen has expressed a desire for the unit's indefinite presence, yet critiques highlight that mere police visibility won't solve underlying issues like drug dealing and extortion. Consequently, some crime activity appears to be relocating to nearby streets, underscoring the need for comprehensive, long-term policing strategies to ensure sustained public safety.
Hotspot policing, as seen with the SFPD's deployment of the mobile command unit, has temporarily reduced visible crime in crowded areas but lacks lasting impact without ongoing enforcement.
Mission Station Captain Liza Johansen emphasized agency collaboration, stating, "This is multiple agencies working together; we want to take the city back," highlighting their goal to improve safety.
Experts, including former police captain James Dudley, cautioned that without arrests and sustained enforcement, crime will likely just relocate rather than diminish.
The mobile command unit's presence deters nearby criminal activity momentarily, but residents report increased disturbances in nearby streets, indicating the need for strategic enforcement.
Read at Mission Local
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