I lived in tenderloin about 6 years ago, and the police really don't care. For example, every Sunday at 11pm a rival gang would throw explosives from their cars at rival street dealers. We called the police many times, and we where told more than once that "these things usual sort themselves out between these gangs." Meanwhile we wanted as an ambulance took our corner dealer after having an explosive thrown in their face.

We ultimately left that otherwise nice apartment, because of this situation combined with the landlord not caring about a new bedbug infestation. SF could be a wonderful place if they built more middle density housing and improved city institutions.