The library's free Wi-Fi was turned off at night for homeless measures

It turns out that the public library in San Francisco has taken measures to turn off free Wi-Fi at night. Although there was a petition from the person who used the Wi-Fi, ``I do not want you to take it because it is a lifeline,'' the library does not seem to have any plans to cancel the measure.

Public records show SF city Supervisor Mandelman plotting with residents to shut down wireless internet at public libraries to get rid of homeless people who rely on it, despite being told by the library that it is critical for equal access to Internet and has no impact on crime

pic.twitter.com/MsKh4JZRsm

— HDizz (@dizz_h) May 10, 2023

A San Francisco library is turning off Wi-Fi at night to keep people without housing from using it
https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/14/23760787/san-francisco-public-library-wifi-homeless-castro-district-8

In the United States, 4 million people visit libraries every day, but not everyone is visiting for the original usage of the library, and some people are forced to come to the library because there is no house to live in. included.

In San Francisco, instead of using the library as a 'evacuation center' for these homeless people, a social worker is hired to respond. We have a track record of providing housing for 150 people and other social services for 800 people.

Library social worker helps homeless seeking quiet refuge | PBS NewsHour
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/library-social-worker-helps-homeless-seeking-quiet-refuge

However, it turned out that from the summer of 2022 , the Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch Library had taken measures to turn off the free public Wi-Fi service during closing.

According to activist HDizz, at a meeting between Superintendent Raphael Mandelman, the director of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors ' 8th Ward, and residents of the library's neighborhood, residents said drugs were being used openly around the library. , along with complaints that sidewalks are unusable by the homeless, public Wi-Fi installed in libraries is a factor that attracts such people, so it is recommended to limit Wi-Fi usage time. It is said that there was a request to.

Public records show SF city Supervisor Mandelman plotting with residents to shut down wireless internet at public libraries to get rid of homeless people who rely on it, despite being told by the library that it is critical for equal access to Internet and has no impact on crime pic.twitter.com/MsKh4JZRsm

—HDizz (@dizz_h) May 10, 2023

The library side explained that the opening of Wi-Fi would not affect crime, but after all, Wi-Fi was restricted from the day after Director Mandelman met with Mr. Michael Lambert of the library. became.

A local resident commented, ``The library claims to eliminate the digital divide with public Wi-Fi, but there is no evidence that it is doing anything concrete.'' While there are voices denying the value of Wi-Fi, it is also difficult to prove that Wi-Fi restrictions have reduced local crime and nuisance.

Jeff Sheehy , the predecessor of Mandelman's supervisor, requested an investigation in 2017 about the effects of Wi-Fi restrictions, but the library reported that ``there was not enough data to draw meaningful conclusions.'' doing.

After-Hours Wi-Fi Report – Eureka Valley, Mission Bay & Glen Park
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23830242-2017-sfpl-study-report

Also, in 2021, an extensive survey was conducted again at the request of the residents of the district, but the result was that no relevance was found.

Legislative Assistant Jackie Thornhill told news site The Verge, ``Whether or not you have Wi-Fi available all day doesn't make a big difference,'' while showing emergency call data, ``Past Crime has decreased in nine months,' he said.

“The homeless are destitute and have no other choice,” said Jennifer Friedenbach of the San Francisco Homeless Coalition. , it would be much more effective to pour it into the fight for housing for its homeless neighbors.'