San Francisco Grapples with Resurgence of Grime and Crime Post Xi Jinping Visit Cleanup

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
27/11/2023 21h06

Weeks after the cleanup efforts in preparation for Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to San Francisco, the city finds itself once again battling with issues of grime, crime, and homelessness. New resident Jeremy Bernier expressed shock at the state of the city, stating that he had never seen anything like it in his extensive travels to over 50 countries.

Bernier highlighted the prevalence of drug use, particularly the fentanyl crisis, with people openly smoking the dangerous substances on the streets. The presence of tents and camps near a playground where children played was particularly worrisome to him. What baffled Bernier the most was the stark contrast between the immense wealth of the city and the blatant poverty and suffering on display.

Bernier's observations echo the long-standing complaints from residents and business owners about issues of crime, filth, drug use, and homelessness that have plagued San Francisco for years. In recent times, popular vegan eatery Gracias Madre had to shut its doors after more than a decade due to the city's challenges.

Restaurant owner Tony Pankaew, who witnessed the city's decline after the cleanup for Jinping's visit, expressed his disappointment at San Francisco's deteriorating state. The contrast between the cleaned-up city he saw upon Bernier's arrival and the current situation was disheartening, leading to speculation that the cleanup was primarily done for the high-profile visit.

Governor Gavin Newsom faced criticism for focusing on the cleanup effort in preparation for Jinping's visit rather than addressing the ongoing problems faced by Californians. While acknowledging the correlation between the cleanup and the visit, Newsom stressed that the expectations for cleanliness had been raised for months before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

The issue of the city's state before and after the visit has drawn political attention, with the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) questioning why the city prioritized cleanliness for China but not for its own residents.

However, Jeremy Bernier emphasized that this issue should be viewed as a humanitarian crisis rather than a partisan one. Regardless of political affiliation, Bernier called for unity and collective efforts to solve the ongoing problems that plague San Francisco.

As the city grapples with the resurgence of grime and crime, it remains to be seen how authorities and residents will come together to address these pressing issues. San Francisco, known for its wealth and innovation, now faces the urgent task of finding lasting solutions to the problems that have plagued it for years.

Note: This news article has been generated based on the provided information and does not include any additional research beyond the given context.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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