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San Francisco to install barriers on Shotwell Street to deter sex work

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – San Francisco is expanding its strategy against illegal prostitution. Just like what it did on Capp Street in the Mission District, the city is putting up barriers on another street to stop the traffic flow that’s caused by sex work.

The barriers are set to be installed on a few blocks of Shotwell Street. People who have lived and worked there for decades say they are very relieved.

During daytime, Shotwell Street can be seen full of families walking and biking. But at night, people who live there say it’s a different story.

“It’s not safe to leave your place after dark around here,” said Shotwell Street resident Ira Woodhead. “The altercations, the cackling, the screaming, the stabbings, the shootings. The noise is every night.”

This corridor has become a hot spot for illegal prostitution. The owners of Shotwell’s Bar say they changed closing time to midnight instead of 2 a.m. to keep their customers safe. 

“Friday and Saturday they stare out the window and say ‘What is happening? This is crazy!’” said Tom Madonna, a co-owner of the bar. 

The city had success with driving away johns and sex workers by installing mid-block barriers on Capp Street last year. But then the city started getting complaints from people who live and work two blocks over on Shotwell Street, saying it’s now happening there.

“It’s definitely the worst right now,” said Shotwell Street resident John Bove. “We see them driving around. We know their traffic patterns. They’ve knocked down our slow street barriers.”

The city’s transit agency voted Tuesday to install barriers along Shotwell Street between 19th and 21st Streets, and police recently installed public safety cameras there as well. 

“I am 100% in favor of these barriers going up. I’m really looking forward to the calm that they will bring,” Woodhead said.

But now, people who live on surrounding streets are worried prostitution will just be pushed towards them. 

“This is going to effectively make two dead-end streets, which is just going to kick it to streets you can drive through,” said Madonna. 

Police say they’ve made 72 arrests in the last four months around Shotwell Street, and they will continue to have patrols in the area. The barriers are set to be installed sometime next week, KRON4 has learned. 

KRON4 reached out to Sup. Hillary Ronen’s office and has not heard back. 

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