Authorities Urged to Cite Public Drunkenness
Dist. Atty. Terence Hallinan is urging the city’s police and sheriff’s departments to cite people found drunk in public so that repeat offenders can be charged. Hallinan hopes those charged can then be placed in treatment programs.
The city recently said that 3,100 people live on the streets of San Francisco, and that many of them are addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Hallinan wants police to arrest those found drunk in public after they have received a public warning and three citations. Sheriff’s employees and hospital officials, however, have expressed concern that they may run out of room.
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