A video shared by a San Francisco father has ignited a firestorm of online criticism, but many have missed the larger, more heartbreaking issue at play.
Andrés Wiken, a father of two, posted a clip of his three-year-old daughter scootering through the drug-ridden streets of the Mission District, a neighborhood now heavily affected by addiction and homelessness.
Despite the backlash from online critics calling him an irresponsible parent, Wiken is using his video as a form of protest, hoping to shed light on the harsh realities his family faces daily.
Wiken Defends His Actions and Calls for Change
While many commenters harshly judged Wiken’s decision to let his young daughter navigate the dangerous streets, he pointed out that the real problem isn’t just about a video – it’s the tragic state of his neighborhood.
“I didn’t want to post the video,” Wiken admitted.
“But I did it to protest what’s happening here.” For Wiken, this isn’t about being a bad parent; it’s about the devastating changes he’s seen in his city over the past decade.
Having lived in the Mission District for over 11 years, Wiken describes how, after saving for a decade to afford a home in San Francisco, his neighborhood turned into a drug haven.
Fentanyl, meth, and heroin have become daily fixtures in what was once a vibrant, family-friendly area.
Wiken often finds himself confronting drug users right outside his home—whether it’s a person picking at their skin on his doorstep or drug users relieving themselves on the sidewalk in front of his children.
The Reality of Life in San Francisco’s Mission District
Despite the viral backlash, Wiken stresses that this is his family’s reality.
“We can’t walk down the street without seeing this,” he said.
The problem isn’t confined to just a few blocks—Wiken points to a nearby hotel, bank, and church that have become hotspots for addicts and dealers.
The situation has become so unbearable that some locals are afraid to speak out due to fear of losing their rent-controlled apartments or facing other repercussions.
Wiken’s frustration isn’t just with the drug problem; it’s with the lack of meaningful action.
Despite his attempts to reach out to Mayor Daniel Lurie and District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder, Wiken says little has been done to address the root causes of the issues.
Wiken referred to Lurie as “wishy-washy” for failing to follow through on promises to tackle the city’s growing problems.
Growing Support Amidst Harsh Criticism
While many online commentators scolded Wiken for exposing his child to this environment, others rallied behind him.
Some sympathized with his plight, acknowledging the helplessness that many feel living in areas plagued by addiction and crime. “
Anyone who lives in these neighborhoods knows nothing is being done.
It’s sad that people think things are getting better when they aren’t,” one commenter wrote.
This wasn’t the first time Wiken has posted about his experiences.
Earlier this month, he shared another video showing children sitting on the sidewalk near drug users, further highlighting the challenges families in his neighborhood face.
The response has been a mix of concern for the children’s safety and outrage at the lack of effective action from local authorities.
Wiken’s Plea for Change and His Frustration With City Leaders
Wiken’s frustration is palpable, as he calls out the city’s leadership for not taking stronger action.
“We just want to walk down to the store and not pass 20 drug addicts,” he said.
His passionate plea to the San Francisco Police Department and local politicians like Lurie and Fielder to take immediate action has fallen on deaf ears, leaving him feeling like he is fighting a losing battle.
“I love this city, but I can’t stand by and watch it fall apart,” he added.
Wiken’s message is clear: the city he once cherished is becoming unrecognizable, and the people in power are not doing enough to stop it.
Looking for Solutions: What’s Next for San Francisco?
As the city’s drug crisis continues to worsen, Wiken is not alone in his frustration.
Many residents are demanding immediate action to clean up the streets, push for stricter laws against drug dealers, and provide better support for those struggling with addiction.
However, with the city’s political landscape shifting and leadership still grappling with the issue, it remains to be seen if change will come soon enough for families like Wiken’s who are living in a city on the edge.