Shotwell Street neighbors in Mission District sue SF city for failing to enforce laws against sex trafficking, prostitution, and public disorder

SAN FRANCISCO — Five residents of the Shotwell Street neighborhood in the Mission District filed a lawsuit against the City and County of San Francisco for failure to maintain a safe and clean environment for them. Instead they are facing challenges where they reside and work including sex trafficking, prostitution, tent encampments and public disorder.

The lawsuit was filed on August 27 with the San Francisco Superior Court. A group of plaintiffs, residents, and merchants called for a press conference to announce the lawsuit on the next day, August 28.

In the meantime on August 28, Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Hillary Ronen, who represents the Mission District, issued a joint press release to announce a series of new measures to address the illegal prostitution surrounding the Shotwell Street neighborhood.

The press conference was held at the Jose Coronado Playground, which is a city park and also one of the spots that the lawsuit claimed the city has failed to protect the children and residents from illegal activities and public disorder.

"The group of neighbors has been meeting for years to request help and to be treated like other neighborhoods with representatives from the Mayor’s Office, San Francisco Police Department, District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen, and more. But, the lack of meaningful action and response has caused us to sue the City," said Ayman Farahat, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit.

The focus of the lawsuit is around the area on Shotwell Street between 19th and 21st Streets. There has been an epidemic of sex trafficking and prostitution since 2023, according to the lawsuit.

"While the area has experienced problems with sex trafficking and prostitution in the past, the problem became exponentially worse when the City blocked off nearby Capp Street, where the problem had been focused, in early 2023," plaintiffs stated in the complaint. "Instead of solving the problem, the City simply moved the nuisance to Shotwell Street between 19th and 21st Streets."

"Residents have been propositioned, threatened, and physically attacked, and have had their property defiled and damaged as a result of this nuisance," the complaint further stated. "The sex trafficking and prostitution has also led to a dramatic increase in late-night and early-morning traffic on this block."

The increased traffic and loud music especially in late hours have directly led to a reduction in residents' sleep quality and quality of life, Farahat and other plaintiffs said in the press conference.

Farahat used to call the police, but he said he stopped because police officers would not show up.

At the Jose Coronado Playground which is in front of Farahat's house, Farahat regularly observes men publicly drinking, drug uses, and urinating at the playground and on the sidewalks in front of the park.

"Although reported crime in San Francisco has been decreasing—a statistic touted by city officials—that decrease has resulted directly from residents fleeing the City and because many residents no longer report certain crimes like sex trafficking and prostitution," plaintiffs wrote in the complaint.

"San Francisco’s government has failed to respond to this crisis and failed to enforce its laws against sex trafficking and prostitution, as well as other laws against public disorder." Plaintiffs seek relief in the lawsuit from constant sex trafficking, violence, poor street conditions, and to ensure clean and safe access to public spaces.

On the other hand, Mayor Breed and Supervisor Ronen said in the press release that new measures for the Shotwell Street area would include new barriers to prevent individuals from using their vehicles for prostitution similar to Capp Street, new public safety cameras, and the issuance of Dear John letters which are warning letters to be sent to the registered owners of vehicles seen in the area related to prostitution activities.

This was not the first time that San Francisco was sued for unsafe conditions on the streets and public areas. In 2020, University of California Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) had filed a lawsuit against the city over street conditions in the Tenderloin where its main campus is located.