It has more
billionaires per capita than anywhere else in the world, but it also has a homeless problem so severe that it rivals some third-world nations. On any given day you can see souped-up Lamborghinis and blinged-out trophy wives in one part of the city, then walk over a few blocks and see piles of human feces, puddles of urine and vomit caked on the sidewalks. The misery of homelessness, mental illness and drug addiction hits deep in San Francisco and has turned parts of a beautiful city into
a public toilet.
Lately, the cases of citizens being harassed by mentally ill street people has taken a dangerous turn.
Last week,
Austin Vincent, a homeless man, was caught on camera attacking a 26-year-old woman outside her condo complex. As he threw Paneez Kosarian on the ground, he allegedly talked about saving her from robots and offered to kill another woman nearby so he could earn her trust.
Vincent was arrested and pleaded not guilty to a false imprisonment charge and two counts of battery and attempted robbery. Instead of being thrown in jail, Superior Court Judge Christine Van Aken released Vincent over the objections of the district attorney's office. Her decision caused a
huge backlash in the community and was slammed by Mayor London Breed and other city officials. The judge eventually ordered Vincent to wear an ankle monitor.
On Monday,
Vincent was arrested again for an alleged assault that occurred in February. The police said he was armed with a knife and approached a woman and her friends as they waited for a ride. Vincent allegedly threatened to kill the woman and lunged at the group.
The controversy over Vincent's initial release is just the latest example prompting people in the City by the Bay to say they don't feel safe on the streets. Outraged residents Fox News spoke to in late June said they're tired of waiting for their elected officials to come up with a plan and complain no one ever seems to be on the same page.
What's equally frustrating is that the city still manages to blow through hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars each year to address the crisis and blames everyone but themselves when the homeless count rises.
San Francisco homeless stats soar:
city blames big business, residents blame officials
San Francisco plans to reserve parking lot
for homeless living out of vehicles: reports
The City by the Bay spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year trying to help an estimated
7,500 homeless people; critics say what's needed isn't more money, but a bold new approach.
A
California city with a rising homeless population is reportedly planning to open its first facility to serve those who are living out of their cars and recreational vehicles.
A San Francisco parking lot will be turned into a place where people can park their vehicles overnight and access bathrooms, showers and services to help them find other housing options, according to the
San Francisco Chronicle.
The city-owned parking lot is near the Bay Area Rapid Transit’s Balboa Park Station. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is a public transportation system serving the San Francisco Bay Area.