San Francisco Public Press (https://www.sfpublicpress.org/2019/12/)
As PG&E plans its reorganization after declaring bankruptcy, cities around Northern California are working to figure out how to take over the distribution of electricity, hoping to better serve residents. A coalition of city leaders and advocates made a statement this month pushing for PG&E to be turned into a co-op. » Read more
The San Francisco Police Department held a town hall meeting to share preliminary information about an incident in which two officers shot and gravely injured Jamaica Hampton. His confrontation with and subsequent attempt to escape two police officers on Dec. 7, ended with Hampton in life-threatening condition and an officer seriously injured. » Read more
As London Breed celebrated victory after her first mayoral race in June 2018, she vowed to rid San Francisco of homeless encampments within a year. That November, less than four months after she took office, she announced a 34 percent reduction in the number of tents and improvised structures citywide. » Read more
When Chloe Jackman-Buitrago was pregnant with her son Alonzo, she got word that the building she’d lived in for nine years, 369 3rd Avenue, was for sale. As more details emerged, there was a possibility she might be having a baby and getting evicted at the same time. » Read more
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to take up – and will thereby let stand – a ruling that if there aren’t enough shelter beds or housing for homeless people, governments can’t cite them for sleeping or camping in public. » Read more
After police shot and injured 24-year-old Jamaica Hampton, reporters for Mission Local were able to review video of the incident which shows he was not shot during his alleged assault of an officer. Rather, the reporting indicates, he was attempting to run away. » Read more
The Department of Emergency Management announced toward the end of November that the city’s Outdoor Public Warning System is shutting down for upgrades for up to two years. You probably know it as the siren that goes off every Tuesday at noon. » Read more
In the late 1800s, Chinese women and girls were arriving by the boatload in San Francisco, and immediately being forced to work as prostitutes or indentured servants while officials turned a blind eye, or even enabled the practice. A group of women began to rescue them through what came to be known as the Cameron House, which still stands today. » Read more
At this year’s FRESH festival of experimental dance, music and performance, artists are fostering healing from trauma such as domestic violence and sex trafficking through creative expression. Co-curator José Navarrete and exchange artist Regina Y. Evans discuss their interpretations of the festival’s theme, “tender,” and how they’re bringing this work to the stage. » Read more
Displacement pressures are intense and affordable housing is in high demand in San Francisco’s market. The San Francisco Community Land Trust pioneered a method of keeping people in housing they can afford: Buying small multi-unit buildings and turning them into cooperatives. » Read more