SFPD faces Twitter backlash after 'tackling' tent-filled street in Tenderloin

SFPD's Tenderloin station shared before-and-after images of a tent removal in the Tenderloin on April 25, 2018. SFPD's Tenderloin station shared before-and-after images of a tent removal in the Tenderloin on April 25, 2018. Photo: @SFPDTenderloin Photo: @SFPDTenderloin Image 1 of / 25 Caption Close SFPD faces Twitter backlash after 'tackling' tent-filled street in Tenderloin 1 / 25 Back to Gallery

The San Francisco Police Department tweeted before-and-after images of a homeless encampment raid in the Tenderloin Wednesday, leading many to wonder where the people living in tents moved.

In one photo, a half-dozen tents are seen in a row along a sidewalk on Ellis Street. In the subsequent image, the same sidewalk is shown clear of the encampment and hosed down with water.

On Twitter, SFPD touted the effort writing, "We tackled the 300 block of Ellis Street and the 400 block of Stevenson Street with @sfpublicworks this morning,"

Many in social media expressed concern over the raid and criticized and questioned SFPD's use of the word "tackle."

"'Tackled'? Are you for real? These are residents of our city and members of our community and we're supposed to thank you for hosing them away?" asked @lipstick_denim.

Twitter users also wondered whether people who lived in the tents were provided other housing or were offered services.

"Where are these people now," Twitter user Cathy Reisenwitz asked.

"So you made helpless and homeless citizens go somewhere else??? But where?? But did you actually help those in need??" Damon Oliver chimed in.

"This is not something to brag about. What happened to the PEOPLE who you shoved away? What happened to the PEOPLE?" @JimYoull asked.

Some also applauded SFPD in the comments for cleaning up the streets.

SFGATE reached out to SFPD for comment on this specific operation and didn't hear back before publishing this story.

The raids took place days after San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell vowed to clean up San Francisco's streets and unveiled a plan to increase spending on street cleaning.

On Wednesday, the city sent out teams of cleaners, counselors and police to remove tent camps, in an effort focused on the Mission District and ordered by Farrell.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that people were given notice and many moved before the raid happened.

Of the situation, Jeff Kositsky, told the Chronicle, "We always lead with our services, and we are doing consistent and loving outreach, but at some point we need to let people know that what they're doing by keeping tent camps on the sidewalk is not legal, safe or healthy."