Transportation

What Ends Up On the Sidewalk

Sidewalks are a last shred of safe public space. No wonder we’re fighting over them.
In the absence of housing, health services, and protected lanes, the sidewalk is where squeezed-out people land.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Whatever the Poop Patrol will be wearing as they power-wash feces off San Francisco’s sidewalks, let’s hope they get a great embroidered patch.

Armed with steam cleaners, a crew from the city’s Department of Public Works will target downtown alleys and sidewalks for human and animal droppings starting next month, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. They’ll start their vigil in the afternoon, aiming to clear deposits that appear after overnight crews have done their cleaning, but before any residents complain.