San Francisco’s only human trafficking case involves a nanny, not a drug dealer

“These people are victims of labor trafficking. They are told there are construction jobs in the U.S., then they are trapped and told if they don’t sell drugs the gangs will h... Read More

Nathaniel Roye (left) Garret Doty (right, red cap) buy drugs in the Marina District.

Reynolds Rap

‘They all knew’

Could brutal attack on Don Carmignani have been prevented? Marina neighbors say yes.

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Garret Doty is back in the Marina just weeks after a brutal attack on former fire commissioner Don Carmignani. When images of a transient trio allegedly involved in the brutal,... Read More

In 1911, Teddy Roosevelt said something in San Francisco that applies to today. In 1932, Franklin Delano Roosevelt came to San Francisco and took the idea even further. Photos: Library of Congress

Politics as Usual

Spaghetti time

Taking a cue from FDR and seeing what works

By John Zipperer

Note to myself: Stop making political predictions on stage. Last month, during a live political roundtable, I predicted that the voters of Chicago would elect the tough-on-cr... Read More

Authorities used screenshots from Fernando Madrigal’s Instagram as evidence in the federal case against him. (Northern District Court Records)

Reynolds Rap

Ronen’s thin blue lie

Supervisor Hillary Ronen begs for more police after calling for defunding and asking judge to help a Mission gang member

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

“I’ve been begging this department to give the Mission what it deserves in terms of police presence all year long … In the Mission people are getting shot and kill... Read More

Politics as Usual

51 years

The long life that came after

By John Zipperer

It wasn’t wintertime, because the water would have been iced over. I don’t know the exact date, but it was an evening about 51 years ago — I know that. It is one of my e... Read More

Reynolds Rap

Ramsey the ringer

Close ties with City Family could derail corruption probe

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

On Jan. 29, 2020, I awoke to texts, emails, and calls from workers, City Hall insiders, and loyal readers of this column. Just 10 months prior I penned a piece about Mohammed Nur... Read More

Politics as Usual

Mayor HAL 9000

It’s time San Francisco really leads on city governance

By John Zipperer

“I keep coming back to the love thing, because I love you. . . . You’re married, but you don’t love your spouse. You don’t love your spouse, because your spouse doesn’t ... Read More

Reynolds Rap

Business owner hosing homeless woman highlights city’s failures

Millions go to nonprofits, yet ‘Q’ remained on the streets for years

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

“My office is well acquainted w/the victim + have been trying for many months to get her support from @SF_DPH”— Aaron Peskin, five-term member and current president of the S... Read More

The Marina Times endorsed District 6 supervisor Matt Dorsey, and he won big. Photo: facebook.com/mattdorseysf

Reynolds Rap

A word to San Francisco’s newly elected supervisors, and the inaugural Hypocrite Hill Awards

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

“‘Housing First’ isn’t dead yet, but it’ll be in an induced coma for the foreseeable future — because neither permanent supportive housing nor an unenforceable free-fo... Read More

Downtown is more than just a dense area of offices and stores; it is a cultural center fed by the coming together of people, businesses, artists, ideas, and activities. Photo: John Zipperer

Politics as Usual

Downtown’s up and down

By John Zipperer

As someone who grew up in small cities, I’ve always had a fascination with big cities, and particularly their downtowns. Tall buildings, lots of people, the energy of hundreds o... Read More

Politics as Usual

Ho-ho-who?

What a justice-involved Santa taught me about the real meaning of democracy

By John Zipperer

’Twas the month before Christmas, when all through the townNot a creature was stirring, as voting wound down.The people cast ballots with caution and care,In hopes of results th... Read More

People gather on the streets of the Tenderloin to buy, sell and use drugs just blocks from the Tenderloin Linkage Center.

Reynolds Rap

The grift that keeps on giving

From fudging failed figures to spending $500,000 on a self-serving study, harm reduction provider HealthRIGHT 360 wants to keep their golden goose

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

“Eisen visibly bristles when people, even in jest, refer to the organization as an ‘empire,’ but acknowledges that her vision all along has been to expand HealthRight 360’... Read More

Candidates-for-San-Francisco-District-Attorney

Reynolds Rap

Is John Hamasaki fit to serve as San Francisco’s top cop?

From tax liens to credit card lawsuits, the district attorney candidate’s personal finances are a mess; plus, an updated district attorney endorsement

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

“That ‘if’ is doing a lot of work. Just pay some damn taxes, bro.”— District attorney candidate John Hamasaki to Elon Musk in a since-deleted tweet Much has been made... Read More

Politics as Usual

Who asked you?

Ballot measures give you the illusion of being in charge

By John Zipperer

When Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer got sick of whitewashing a fence, he came up with the great idea of tricking other kids into doing the work for him. Problem solved! When special... Read More

Candidates for San Francisco District Attorney (left to right): Civil rights attorney Joe Alioto Veronese, incumbent DA Brooke Jenkins, private defense attorney John Hamasaki

Reynolds Rap

San Francisco still needs big change

Candidate endorsements for the November 2022 election

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

The fact the Marina Times is still going is proof that god doesn’t exist.— Tweet by former police commissioner John Hamasaki, who deleted nearly 9,000 tweets just before decla... Read More