The GrowSF Report: SFPD crack down at 16th and Mission
PLUS: 22 city departments defy budget cut order
What You Need To Know
Here’s what happened around the city for the week of March 2, 2025:
- SFPD crack down at 16th and Mission
- 22 city departments defy budget cut order
- Mattie Scott joins Police Commission, bringing decades of anti-violence advocacy
- Supervisor Mahmood pushes for faster access to essential data tools in SF
- Supreme Court sides with SF on wastewater treatment case
Recent & upcoming openings:
- Arsicault Bakery expands to Mission Rock
SFPD crack down at 16th and Mission
After the 6th street and Tenderloin drug markets were busted, the corner of 16th & Mission got dramatically worse. It had been bad and getting worse for years, but the latest influx of drug dealers was felt hard. The editor of this newsletter lives just two blocks from this corner, and experienced the rapid deterioration first-hand.
But this week Mayor Lurie ordered SFPD to crack down on the notorious corner. “We are just getting started,” Mayor Daniel Lurie said at a news conference on Thursday. “People need to understand that we are going to enforce the laws and that we are going to protect our families and our children going forward.”
This isn’t a one-time sweep—SFPD pledged a sustained campaign to keep 16th and Mission clean. Likewise, last week’s raid at Jefferson Square Park showed they’re ready to bring that same pressure anywhere San Francisco needs enforcement. Police Chief Bill Scott said drug markets will no longer play musical chairs across San Francisco.
“This game that the dealers have been playing — it’s coming to an end,” Scott said in The Chronicle.
22 city departments defy budget cut order
San Francisco’s looming $800M budget deficit requires that every City department cut expenses by roughly 15%. But 22 departments have defied this order and some are even doing the opposite by requesting more money instead.
The City’s full budget proposal comes out in June, with the Board of Supervisors set to vote on it in July. We’re sure there will be more drama to come!
Mattie Scott joins Police Commission, bringing decades of anti-violence advocacy
San Francisco’s Police Commission is getting a new voice with deep roots in anti-violence work. Mattie Scott, a longtime activist against gun violence, has been appointed by Mayor Lurie to replace Max Carter-Oberstone, who was removed last week in a 9–2 Board of Supervisors vote.
Scott spent decades working to reduce gun violence after losing her son to a shooting in 1996. She leads Healing 4 Our Families & Our Nation and serves as California president of Brady United Against Gun Violence, working closely with victims’ families and communities.
She set the right tone for her tenure right away, in a clear message departing from Carter-Oberstone: “Defunding the police is not the answer. We need more police who are trained well.”
Alongside Scott, Lurie’s office also appointed Wilson Leung, a former federal prosecutor who has spent more than a decade handling corruption, fraud, and organized crime cases, to the Police Commission.
Mahmood pushes for faster access to essential data tools in SF
San Francisco can’t buy basic data tools without months of paperwork—and Supervisor Bilal Mahmood is done waiting.
“It’s a very nerdy, bureaucratic thing that’s having a big impact on the city,” he said. “We’re the tech capital of the country, and yet we’re unable to buy the software that makes it possible for us to function in the 21st century.”
At 31 pages, San Francisco’s standard contract terms are far more complex than those of other cities and counties, according to The Chronicle. That makes the process for a cheap contract the same for a multi-million-dollar deal, Mahmood said.
This is a critical bottleneck in a city that prides itself on innovation, and the legislation could dramatically speed up city work.
Supreme Court sides with SF on wastewater treatment case
The Supreme Court just ruled in favor of San Francisco in our case versus the EPA. That may be a surprising sentence, but the facts of the case are fairly straightforward.
The EPA was going to penalize San Francisco for occasionally discharging unprocessed water into the bay, which only happens during rain storms. Core to the case was that San Francisco would be held liable for the overall water quality in the Bay, not just the water quality that we discharge – meaning that if Oakland stopped treating its water, we’d pay the fine. Additionally, the EPA was penalizing us without identifying the specific limits we needed to adhere to, or the method by which we needed to comply, and that the EPA’s rules violated the Clean Water Act and the EPA’s own rules. In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court agreed with San Francisco.
Our sewer systems weren’t built for lots of rain, and when the sewers fill up, that extra rain water has to go somewhere. In those rare cases, some of the water flowing through the streets bypasses the treatment centers and goes straight to the bay. The City completed construction of its sewer overflow treatment systems in 1997, but even the best laid plans sometimes fall short.
If you’re interested in reading more, check out the write-up at oyez (pronounced oh-yay) or scotusblog.
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Recent & upcoming openings
A great city is constantly changing and growing, let’s celebrate what’s new!
Arsicault Bakery Expands to Mission Rock
Renowned for its flaky croissants and long lines, Arsicault Bakery is set to open its third San Francisco location on March 10. Situated in the burgeoning Mission Rock neighborhood across from Oracle Park, this new airy corner space at 1070 Bridgeview Way in the Verde building will offer the bakery's signature pastries, including croissants, kouign-amann, and savory scones. Initially, the bakery will operate Monday through Friday, with weekend hours commencing on April 5, coinciding with the San Francisco Giants' first home game.
WHERE: Mission Rock, 1070 Bridgeview Way, San Francisco
The Spirit of San Francisco
There’s a lot to love about our city and the Bay Area. Here’s what makes it great. Brought to you by The Bold Italic.
What we’re doing this week
Ocean Beach Sand Art Party
Join renowned earthscape artist Andres Amador for a giant collaborative sand art session on Ocean Beach. This free event invites all ages to help rake a beautiful, large-scale design into the sand. No experience needed – just bring creativity and enthusiasm to participate in a quirky outdoor art happening that’s become a beloved local tradition whenever low tides and good weather align.
WHEN: March 9
WHERE: Ocean Beach, San Francisco
What we’re writing about
My favorite way to bike in Golden Gate Park
Biking through Golden Gate Park is one of San Francisco’s greatest joys— no stress, just miles of open road, scenic views, and maybe even a surprise bison sighting. This guide takes you through the park’s best cycling routes, from the breezy ride west to the ocean to the steady climb back east, with stops for coffee, museums, and roller discos along the way. Whether you're here for the workout, the adventure, or just an excuse to avoid real life for an hour, this is the ultimate two-wheeled escape.
Raymonda wants love and a career — SF Ballet gives her both
SF Ballet’s Raymonda gives its heroine more choices, but does it raise the stakes? Tamara Rojo’s update transforms the 19th-century ballet into a feminist reimagining, swapping medieval knights for wartime ambition. Raymonda is no longer just the prize in a love triangle—now, she balances romance with the desire for something more.
SF Oasis brings back ‘Fresh Prince’— and yes, there’s a Carlton dance
SF Oasis brings back its Fresh Prince of Bel-Air drag parody, mixing ’90s nostalgia with sharp humor and theatrical flair. The show recreates familiar moments with over-the-top performances, lip-syncs, and a self-aware twist that nods to both the past and present. It’s a playful reimagining of the sitcom, capturing its humor while adding a fresh perspective.
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