Jefferson Square Park, The Cathedral Hill’s Emerald
February 26 marked the first anniversary of the high-profile drug raid at Jefferson Square Park.
In response to many community complaints of criminal and drug-related activity in Jefferson Square Park, the San Francisco Police Department led an enforcement operation on February 26, 2025, that involved the Sheriff Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the National Guard, San Francisco Recreation and Park Rangers, the Department of Public Works, the San Francisco Fire Department, and Animal Care and Control (ACC), resulting in 90 arrests and over 1.21 pounds of narcotics were seized.
“I want everyone to hear this: if you are selling drugs in this city, we are coming after you,” Mayor Daniel Lurie wrote on X after the drug raid. Even though no drug dealers or users were convicted in the end, the raid sent a loud and clear message to them to stay away from the park. And, one year after the drug intervention by the city, the park is still “clean and sober.”
It’s the only neighborhood in the city that had drug problems when Mayor Lurie took office, and no longer has them now.
Jefferson Square Park Is Not Completely Out Of The Woods
The drug problems have been under control, but there is still one more problem at the park that the city needs to address.
A machete-wielding homeless man named Ignacio Dzul, who has been terrorizing the park since 2024, as the SF Chronicle’s Emily Hoeven reports, is still troubling the community. He has destroyed approximately 75 plants in the park and several other plants along the sidewalk by the park. And city officials have no idea what to do with him. He keeps getting released from jail after getting arrested and goes straight back to the park. And the cycle goes on and on.
Shortly after the SF Chronicle story on him had been published, he was arrested on February 2 and charged with contempt of court and unauthorized lodging. He currently remains in jail and is due back in court on March 5.
It Takes A Community To Build A Community
San Franciscans deserve safe, clean, and vibrant streets to live and work.
Our Mayor, Board of Supervisors, law enforcement agencies, and city departments can’t do it alone. They need the participation, enthusiasm, and support from our whole community to build the city block by block.
We need to feel we belong to our community. If we don’t care about our neighborhood and city, who will?
Take ownership of your neighborhood. Plant a tree on your block or park, nurture it, and let it flourish!
Both Supervisors Bilal Mahmood and Stephen Sherrill, who share jurisdiction over the park, have rolled up their sleeves and planted trees in Jefferson Square Park.
To celebrate the first anniversary of reclaiming their beloved emerald, a precious green space, the Jefferson Square Park neighbors plan to pick up trash, spread wildflower seeds, and plant trees in the park on Earth Day in April, in collaboration with the Recreation and Park Department and the neighborhood cleanup group Refuse Refuse.
Mayor Daniel Lurie, SF’s First Lady, Becca Prowda, and SFFP Chief Dean Crispen at the Supervisor Stephen Sherrill’s swearing-in ceremony in the Presidio Officers’ Club, January 16, 2025
For those who crave human connection, this event will be the perfect opportunity to meet people and combat loneliness, as described by the First Lady of San Francisco, Becca Prowda, who will be leading her own initiative, a citywide day of service called “One City Day” on July 11, which involves park cleanups, food giveaways, and work with the homeless population.
Speaking of working with the homeless population, why not get them involved in park and street cleanups, tree planting, and handing out food to other homeless people? This will give them a sense of ownership and a sense of being part of their community.
“Paint The Town Almond Blossoms Like Van Gogh”
Almond blossoms are in full bloom in Oakdale, CA
Cherry and almond blossom seasons are critical economic drivers, bringing over 1.5 million visitors and millions in revenue to Washington D.C. and California’s Central Valley, respectively, during the post-holiday, early-spring slow season.
During a recent visit to a sleepy little town, Oakdale, in the Central Valley, to see almond blossoms, I witnessed that the local businesses were blooming as well during the almond blossom season.
Taco trucks were everywhere. Pies were flying off the shelves at Bloomingcamp Ranch. And, almond butter milkshakes were flowing at Roberts Ferry Gourmet.
Almond blossoms, a major, yet mostly untapped, tourist draw for the Bay Area, could be another economic driver to bring visitors and revenue into San Francisco. The First Lady of San Francisco could initiate the planting of almond blossoms all over parks and neighborhoods in the city to inspire walking tours and cruises, like in the Central Valley, to help the Mayor boost the local economy. And, we could start with Jefferson Square Park.
Plants, urban greening, and community gardens provide significant positive comfort, safety, and psychological benefits in “bad” or high-crime, low-income neighborhoods in the city. Far from just being aesthetic, intentional greening acts as a form of social infrastructure that reduces stress, fosters community, and decreases crime.
Success Is Watching Hope Take Root Again
A man is playing with his bunny at Jefferson Square Park
Critics said that the Jefferson Square Park’s high-profile drug raid was a dud.
But the raid was not all about how many arrests and convictions the city could rack up. It was about returning the park to the community and inspiring ownership and volunteerism.
Non-enforcement doesn’t protect vulnerable communities. It abandoned them, as Mission Local reports, “Kids dodge drugs, feces, near 16th and Mission elementary school.”
Taking action on the drug problems in the Mission, Mayor Daniel Lurie says on X:
“More SFPD foot patrols are coming to the BART plazas in the Mission. We’re adding officers walking between the 16th and 24th Street plazas and deploying a sergeant to manage the plazas and surrounding corridors. We’re also changing the street cleaning schedule and expanding our community ambassador presence to keep this corridor welcoming and well cared for. The Mission deserves public spaces that reflect the pride of the people who live here—and we’re committed to making that the standard every single day.”
Success is a park safe for kids to play. Success is a park for all to enjoy a lazy Sunday. “Vamos, San Francisco!”
