This Spring, an Urban Alchemy ambassador was shot on the 300 Block of Turk, in the heart of San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. Urban Alchemy ambassadors have proven to be an essential part of the system that helps to keep the neighborhood streets safe. We all share in the shock and sadness around this event.
In addition to expressing M3’s sincere condolences for those impacted by crime, it spotlights the Tenderloin’s continued need for attention from the city of San Francisco to put an end to the rampant drug dealing, open drug use, crime and homelessness that Mayor Breed tried to tackle with her 90-day State of Emergency declaration that expired in March.
As a housing provider, we fully support the families in the Tenderloin. While we saw a difference on the streets in the Tenderloin, as a result of the State of Emergency, it wasn’t enough. The work in the Tenderloin is not over and the city must continue to push solutions forward to protect the thousands of residents who call the Tenderloin home and the family businesses who serve this community. Whenever we can have a voice on behalf of residents, we will use it to their benefit—and now is one of those times.
We take our commitment seriously to provide safe, affordable workforce housing to the families who live in these buildings. For safety around our buildings, we fund a SF Police department patrol service which includes SFPD drive-by patrols and safety and security neighborhood walkthroughs. M3 has long-employed security guards inside and outside our buildings and loitering deterrents, including security camera systems and well-lit entrances and common areas. We also work closely with community-based organizations that help residents and beautify the neighborhood, including San Francisco’s Homeless Prenatal Program, The Tenderloin Housing Clinic, The Tenderloin Museum, The Q Foundation, various arts organizations and many others.
M3 is part of the fabric of this community pushing for a better quality of life inside and outside our buildings. We want the city to take note of the ongoing tragedies and do as much as they can to clean up this neighborhood that comes with so much history, diversity and affordable living options that are close to downtown and transportation, including BART, MUNI and the ferry.
M3 remains fully committed to supporting Urban Alchemy and the impact they have in improving cleanliness and safety in the Tenderloin. Urban Alchemy ambassadors, some who have experienced the very challenges they’re working to address, clean the sidewalks of needles and human waste, reach out to help people on the street and create more public safety. They have the unique ability to relate to the people on the street who they seek to help.
On behalf of Tenderloin residents, and others who care deeply about this neighborhood, we expect support for improvement in the Tenderloin will press on with investment, attention and solutions. We will continue to take positive action and support those who work hard to keep people here safe. We hope the momentum of the first part of 2022 keeps moving San Francisco and the Tenderloin in the right—and safer–direction.
