San Francisco launches crackdown on homeless encampments after SCOTUS ruling says it’s not ‘cruel’ to prevent public camping

Breed told reporters on Thursday that the city will be taking a "very aggressive and assertive" approach to tackle the unprecedented homeless crisis that has resulted in the mass exodus of businesses from the once-beloved city. The mayor praised the SCOTUS decision, said it's time to get to work, and even suggested criminal charges, per the Daily Mail.

"We have had to move from a compassionate city to a city of accountability, and I have been leading the efforts to ensure that we are addressing this issue differently than we have before," said Mayor Breed, a Democrat running for reelection.

"We are going to be very aggressive and assertive in moving encampments which may even include criminal penalties," she explained.

The homeless encampment sweeps are expected to begin in two weeks, said Breed, who acknowledged that the crisis plaguing her city is not caused by affordable housing, a false claim often repeated by the mayor's fellow Democratic lawmakers.

"The problem is not going to be solved by building more housing," Breed told reporters. "Thank goodness for the Supreme Court decision."

The city of San Francisco has descended into scenes reminiscent of AMC's "The Walking Dead," as homeless vagrants "zombied" out on illicit drugs wreak havoc in the streets, which has brought an added increase in crime to the city over the past eight years.

Hundreds of businesses and residents have fled the Golden City as a result of the crisis. One store owner who was the victim of a major armed robbery said San Francisco was worse than Afghanistan, a country he fled for the US in the hope of a better life. Mayor Breed hopes the encampment sweeps improve public safety, thus preventing further businesses from departing the city.

The Supreme Court's 6-3 verdict gave the city additional power to evict encampments. Officials aim to provide those evicted with shelter and support.

The SCOTUS ruling was the most significant relating to the homeless crisis in decades as cities across the country struggle with the politically complicated issue of how to deal with a growing number of homeless people and public frustration over health and safety issues.

"We will continue to lead with services, but we also can't continue to allow people to do what they want on the streets of San Francisco, especially when we have a place for them to go," said Breed.