Drug complaints used to fall into the void. Now, San Francisco will report them to police – The San Francisco Standard

Drug complaints used to fall into the void. Now, San Francisco will report them to police  The San Francisco Standard

The city used to cancel reports of public drug use to 311, despite officials telling residents to report those complaints to the non-emergency service. No more. The city’s 311 app now has a “public drug activity” category, enabling officials to better track the frequency and location of drug use. The information is shared with the San Francisco Police Department and can be used to decide where to boost drug enforcement, according to the city administrator’s office, which runs 311. Previously, San Franciscans had to call the police non-emergency line or call 311, then wait to be transferred to the SFPD to make a report. Drug-use reports filed through the app were closed without being acted upon, other than telling the complainant to call police, even as officials urged residents to report drug use to 311 , causing confusion.

Anyone who files a drug use report to 311 and wants an officer to respond, for a wellness check or other reason, still has to call the SFPD. District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood had called on the city to improve the user experience. He said the automatic cancelation of drug use complaints made via 311 was a common complaint among his constituents. “Public drug activity is a complex issue that could require a different city response depending on the case,” Mahmood posted