Overview
- Mayor Daniel Lurie signed legislation enabling police and sheriff’s deputies to take publicly intoxicated people to a new health-focused facility instead of jail.
- The Board of Supervisors authorized the Sheriff’s Office to contract with Connections California to run the site under sheriff and public health oversight.
- The center is slated to open this spring at 444 Sixth Street in SoMa with roughly 25 beds as an initial capacity.
- Individuals brought in would receive on-site medical care and detox for about 24 hours, then be offered transfer to stabilization programs that can last up to 90 days.
- A confidential memo from the city attorney’s office questions whether the site could be deemed a detention facility; Sheriff Paul Miyamoto disputes that view and officials say they will proceed, with Board President Rafael Mandelman urging state-law changes if needed.