San Francisco Farmers Market Loses Vendors as Drug Dealers and Addicts Take Over Streets

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A resident in San Francisco warned that one of the city’s most beloved farmers’ markets could be at risk of being taken over by street drug dealers and addicts from nearby homeless camps.

Jenny Chan shared a photo online of the Civic Center encampments and called the city’s progress “the next Detroit”.

“People have moved on. Many businesses are closing. Chan said Tuesday that the farmers market used to be the heart and soul of our city.

Chan explained that drug dealers had replaced much Heart of the City Farmers Market vendors. Chan stated that only five vendors are left.

“We used to have rows upon rows of fresh vegetable crates; however, now a portion is being taken over and sold by street drug dealers. ”

Chan said that farmers are scared to sell their produce at the market and that the area is dangerous because of the influx of homeless and drug addicts.

“Would this make you want to shop at such a place?” “Or would you want to buy vegetables in a place where addicts suffer?

“They were offering free needles and free foil and also free snacks if you’re going in there to do drugs. And they really put it next to the farmer’s market. Why did we decide to do that? I don’t remember voting on it and I have no idea why they put it there. But then drug dealers started coming in and started selling their goods.”

Chan said that it was time that the city got its act together to allow the farmers’ market to thrive again.

“I think someone was just arrested recently for being violent on the street at the farmers market. And I mean the overdoses, too. There are so many people who overdose from using drugs at the tents right next to the farmers market; this has been going on for maybe three years now,” she added.

Chan noted that even with worsening economic conditions it is still very expensive to live in The Golden City.

In June, San Francisco voted to recall then-District Attorney Chesa Boudin, whose critics said he implemented progressive policies, such as eliminating cash bail and had a soft-handed approach toward drug crimes. Boudin’s replacement, Brooke Jenkins, has reversed many of her predecessor’s policies since being appointed, but that hasn’t made the city noticeably safer, residents stated last year.

“Crime in the city is worse right now,” says “John,” who has lived in San Francisco for more than 50 years. “We do have a new DA, so maybe things will get better.”

“But I’ve been assaulted recently, so I’m kind of leery about that getting better right away,” the 74-year-old continued.