cops would say they need to keep a lid on everything so as to manage the overall simmer.

i think that’s a bunch of bullshit. but it’s not solely the cops fault.

there are 2 issues i see:

1, there aren’t enough cops to have them make judgment calls or become part of the community – to actually know people & scenes – only “enforce” the “law” in a robotic manner – because your average beat cop is overworked and underpaid and generally disrespected in sf.

so they can’t (or won’t) tell the difference between harmless chillin & grillin (and drinkin and smokin), and a potentially violent scene that will create danger even for the most grit-loving mission dweller (bullets kill grit-lovers too, even by accident).

2, is the abhorrent situation with the SF DA. cops work all day & night to bring in bad guys, and in many many cases – particularly for things like hard drug peddling and prostitution – they’re back on the street in the same day.

can’t make for an uplifting life for a cop. most of em just want to keep the peace, not get killed, and then go home to chill & grill (and drink & smoke).

It’s the Fourth of July people! And you’re hassling people over some paper-bagged beer and wine and a couple low profile gas grills. They made a Frenchman pour out his wine! We are talking dangerous territory here.

lots more folks tripping into the hood from all over, to experience the well documented hip & happening mission scene these days (we’ve been my generation’s “north beach” for 20 years already)…and often to peddle their wares, whatever they may be.

drug sales (and prostitution sales) are always up in a down economy. maybe vegan baked goods too…i hope so.

hope the assertion regarding an imminent “shooting” is incorrect though. (duh).

a shooting – bad in its own right of course – might beget a law enforcement crackdown on the DP scene (yeah right), which might then beget a “progressive” riot regarding…i dunno…

right to assemble?
right to litter?
right to shoot?
tenant’s rights?
a hobo’s right to his favorite patch of nappin’ grass? ((c) beth spotswood)

going to be an interesting summer regardless.

let’s hope everyone stays safe & has fun.