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| Residents of Justin Herman Plaza |
A city health official declared the OccupySF encampment in Justin Herman Plaza an "imminent public health hazard" Tuesday after observing that the site has become a Port-A-Potty for protesters, filled with poop, piss, and vomit.
Department of Public Health officials have been inspecting the camp twice daily -- and working with the Homeless Outreach Team to offer
protesters shelter. On Tuesday, Richard Lee, the DPH director of environmental health regulatory programs, penned a memo to the city's Rec and Park Department, which has jurisdiction over the plaza, that reads like a report from the poopy heart of darkness.
Here's the text of the memo, which DPH released to SF Weekly Tuesday night:
"Evidence of excrement, urine, and vomit were observed throughout the park and
surrounding areas. Fecal material was observed on stairs and grass. A container of
human waste was observed along the Embarcadero side of the park. Containers of
urine were transported by occupants to the Decaux Public Restroom. The Public
Restroom is currently inoperable. Several piles of vomit were observed along
the Embarcadero side of the park. Pile of feces and tampons found at a nearby
pathway. Flies and urine odor observed along pathway.
These conditions constitute an Imminent Public Health Hazard.
The DPH isn't the only agency complaining about the camp. According to the
OccupySF website, Police Chief Greg Suhr delivered the camp a letter Tuesday entitled "You Are Subject To Arrest," complaining about the temporary structures, open flames and unsanitary conditions. The protesters don't seem too worried, according to
news reports.
DPH spokeswoman Eileen Shields didn't respond to a message on Tuesday night as to what all this shit means for San Francisco's camp.
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