SF tent city shrinking, but some homeless defy threat of a sweep

SF tent city shrinking, but some homeless defy threat of a sweep

Despite a fast approaching deadline to clear the area, scores of homeless campers remained on Division Street on the northern edge of San Francisco's Mission District Friday, though their numbers seemed to diminish by the hour.

Though wary of the sweeps promised by city officials earlier this week, many of the street campers were making their exit.

Nobody wants to set up a tent in front of a giant business, said Brown, pointing toward the Best Buy across the street.

There was a new tent on Thursday night, though, set up by volunteers to provide support to some of the homeless under threat of evacuation.

Free bananas, muffins and, by morning, hot coffee and oatmeal were available for anyone who was in need as well as sockets with phone chargers and a portable toilet.

In his opinion, responsibility for the situation under the freeway belonged squarely on the shoulders of San Francisco's elected officials.

There are 6,000 homeless people, but all the mayor wants to talk about is new building and development.

Before Lindo could continue, a police car rolled up and Lt. Mike Nevin got out and addressed the group of 40 to 50 people who had gathered around the support tent.