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JK, What areas of SF do you frequent? If all you see is prostitution, drugs and trash maybe you are in the wrong areas? Or do you LIKE watching the prostitutes and drug users? Are you really crying out for help due to your own situation? Makes you wonder why you're constantly bringing up these topics.

xx, Many of the areas downtown, specifically Union Square, you will find many of these illicit activities in plain view even during the day. It is absolutely disgusating.

xx, Many of the areas downtown, specifically Union Square, you will find many of these illicit activities in plain view even during the day. It is absolutely disgusting.

Jack, I was just down there this past weekend and took in the opening of the newly remodeled UnSq. They did a nice job and a SFPD "promised me" they'd do their best to keep it clean. Only time will tell, especially since the local hotels and other businesses are getting behind the "clean up SF" movement. Will you at least wish them luck in their attempts to clean it up to your standards? I recall all of the horror stories about NYC before I went. Almost the same as what you say about SF. Found just the opposite. While there was the usual "abnormal street culture" it was not as bad as everybody painted it out to be. Many Mahalos, Kal

Oh don't you worry about it Sharc. I lived in SF for five years and theh crime/homeless problem there isn't any different than any other big city. Rule of thumb: always be aware of your surroundings. Anyway, I'd like to add the suggestion that you Do NOT go to Pier 39 or the Wharf. Total tourist trap, does not show you what the city is really like. Go to www.sfcityguides.org to get the schedule for a fun, interesting FREE (well, they ask for donations at the end but it's a low pressure thing) walking tour of a section of the city. I've taken two of them and they are wonderful.

I heard horror stories about New Orleans being a filthy, crime-ridden city before I went there as well. Although it was a little dirty in some areas - to be expected in a working city - I did not find it filthy or fear for my safety at anytime. Had a great time and can't wait to go back.

Jeff, How can you say that SF's homeless problem is no different than any other city's? I have been living in SF for 15 years and have never seen the city's homeless population and filth in the streets as bad as it is now. I go to NYC at least twice per year and am amazed at how Mayor Giuliani cleaned up the city.

Cal, I think you've got it!! The City's problems, like those in many parts of the state, are directly related to the politics of the last several decades. Maybe it's time to do something more than just ponder political activism.

See post below "Changes in NYC since Rudy left office" JK's logic is quite a joke. Homeless= mental illness=drugs abuse/alcohol abuse=prostitution=criminal behavior. I don't get it.

Seamus, So what you are saying is that cleaning up that dirty run down streets do not provide an environment for crime? Any law enforcement agency will conclude otherwise. Criminal activity breeds in the run down areas of cities. Every since the Mayor cleaned up NYC, the crime rate has plummetted. You can't argue with the facts.

Cal - I have to agree. Try supporting Gavin Newsom's Care not Cash plan and quit handing out money to be spent on booze and drugs. You're helping to propogate the problem by being an enabler. Besides, you already give the right kind of help through taxes.

I'm actually a tourist in SF now and I find this city no different from many others and a lot better than LA. If you want to see a homeless problem try Santa Monica Park. Bye

JK, Just give me one reliable, scientific study that proves homeless people eventually turn criminal. They beg for their money, they don't shoot people.

Seamus, There is no arguing with the facts!! Here is the information about the relationship of homelessness and crime "I was on the streets fending for myself from the age of nine. When I came out of prison after nine years inside, I was literally on the streets. I felt like the whole world was against me, like society wanted me to go back inside." These words of a 34-year-old resident of a housing project run by the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (Nacro) show the link between housing and crime more clearly than any set of research statistics. While many homeless people are law-abiding, vulnerable people without a home are more likely to drift into crime - and prisoners are more likely to re-offend if they have no home to go to on release. Over the last three decades, surveys and research studies have reinforced this message. Recent examples include a 1997 survey by the Prisons Inspectorate which found that a quarter of young prisoners were homeless on reception; a 1998 Nacro research study of juveniles in young offender institutions, 60% of whom had unstable living conditions; and the Social Exclusion Unit's finding in the same year that half of rough sleepers had atsome time been in a prison or remand center. Yet prisoners released homeless are much more likely to reoffend. One home office research study, which followed up nearly 600 men for two years after release, found that less than a third of those with homes to go to were reconvicted, compared with 69% of those with no home. There are many obstacles to housing offenders and those at risk of offending. These include the serious shortage of affordable rented accommodation; changes in benefit arrangements which have made it harder for single people with low incomes to find housing; and delays in processing housing benefit claims so that people can wait months before getting their benefit. The message is clear: when housing and criminal justice agencies work together to cut homelessness, they are also working to cut crime.

My goodness--homeless people are all over--they are in nyc where I live--in North Carolina chicago and everyplace in the world. just go about your business-walk in safe areas and trust to good sense and stop dwelling on the homeless!!

Thanks for those words, Judy. I think I don't really need to go out and buy that big dog after all.:~) I do hope we have not put Sharc off from her plans to come to SF and enjoy the day with her senior companion. And, to clarify, only park across from pier 39---I didn't mean for you to visit it. It's mostly for kids.

Jack: You are right you better just stay home in Salt Lake City. But Sharc wanted advice not ranting. Sure some homeless commit crimes, but so do some middle class folks, Enron employees, postal workers, and Catholic Priests. The homeless like it here because we have terrific weather and beautiful views--who can blame them. I have worked in the city for 10 years and have yet to be assaulted by a homeless person, but have witnessed plenty of people driving their Lexuses or BMWs in a state of road rage. Do not let fear and negative propagana spoil your vacation plans. Do try to take a trip on the Bay--Fery or trip to Alcatraz to enjoy the views.

Soohelp, I think that that Sharc also needs to be made aware of what SF is really like before coming here. There are people on this board who do nothing but mislead tourists into thinking that SF is some perfect place with no more of a homeless and filth problem than any other city, which is not true. The homeless can be very agressive to passersby, and many people will find this intimidating. The problem is that many of these vagrants like to populate the popular tourist spots in SF.