• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • The Magazine
  • Events
  • Partners
  • Products
  • Contact
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Advertise
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Subscribe
American Police Beat

American Police Beat Magazine

Law Enforcement Publication

  • Home
  • Leadership
    • Do you know your emotional intelligence?
      Addressing racism in the workplace
      Supervisory actions: Deliberate style or weak skills?
      Are performance evaluations worth the effort?
      Leaders — the good, the bad and the horrible
  • Topics
    • Leadership
      • Do you know your emotional intelligence?
        Addressing racism in the workplace
        Supervisory actions: Deliberate style or weak skills?
        Are performance evaluations worth the effort?
        Leaders — the good, the bad and the horrible
    • Editor’s Picks
      • The future is here
        A winding road
        Do you know your emotional intelligence?
        Law enforcement responds to tragic Texas flooding
        “Hold my beer”
    • On the Job
      • A winding road
        Law enforcement responds to tragic Texas flooding
        I brought home a dog
        Six Mexican cartels designated as terrorist organizations
        Police chief: Officers likely prevented further violence in Minnesota...
    • Labor
      • Building positive media relations
        LEO labor and community outreach — make the haters scoff
        Racing with a purpose
        Dallas Police Department drops college requirement for police...
        Small Texas town left without a police force after firing its last...
    • Tech
      • The future is here
        How local police departments can combat cybercrime
        Your website is your front desk
        Telegram investigations
        Florida sheriff’s office deploys cutting-edge forensic tool to...
    • Training
      • Using critical thinking to crack the case
        Navigating cultural and language barriers
        Why you should pocket carry
        The future is here
        Training for tomorrow
    • Policy
      • California lawmakers push mask ban for officers, raising safety...
        Proactive policing: What it is and how to do it
        California makes police misconduct records publicly available
        A bold idea for reducing homelessness in America
        No degree, no badge?
    • Health/Wellness
      • A golden key to suicide prevention
        The urgency to protect those who protect us
        Wellness for warriors: C.O.P.S. can help
        When knowing isn’t enough
        The mindfulness practice of conscious awareness to enhance resilience
    • Community
      • A bold idea for reducing homelessness in America
        Operation Brain Freeze keeps community cool
        Turning over a new leaf
        Bridging the Gap Between Cops and Kids
        An unexpected reunion
    • Offbeat
      • Not eggzactly a perfect heist
        Pizza … with a side of alligator?
        Wisconsin man charged with impersonating Border Patrol agent twice in...
        Only in California?
        Durango, Colorado, police hop into action after unusual 9-1-1 call
    • We Remember
      • York County ambush leaves three officers dead, others critically...
        Honoring the Fallen Heroes of 9/11
        Team Romeo
        National Police Week 2025
        Honoring Fallen Heroes
    • HOT Mail
      • The War on Cops Continues Unabated
  • On the Job
    • A winding road
      Law enforcement responds to tragic Texas flooding
      I brought home a dog
      Six Mexican cartels designated as terrorist organizations
      Police chief: Officers likely prevented further violence in Minnesota...
  • Labor
    • Building positive media relations
      LEO labor and community outreach — make the haters scoff
      Racing with a purpose
      Dallas Police Department drops college requirement for police...
      Small Texas town left without a police force after firing its last...
  • Tech
    • The future is here
      How local police departments can combat cybercrime
      Your website is your front desk
      Telegram investigations
      Florida sheriff’s office deploys cutting-edge forensic tool to...
  • Training
    • Using critical thinking to crack the case
      Navigating cultural and language barriers
      Why you should pocket carry
      The future is here
      Training for tomorrow
  • Policy
    • California lawmakers push mask ban for officers, raising safety...
      Proactive policing: What it is and how to do it
      California makes police misconduct records publicly available
      A bold idea for reducing homelessness in America
      No degree, no badge?
  • Health/Wellness
    • A golden key to suicide prevention
      The urgency to protect those who protect us
      Wellness for warriors: C.O.P.S. can help
      When knowing isn’t enough
      The mindfulness practice of conscious awareness to enhance resilience
  • Community
    • A bold idea for reducing homelessness in America
      Operation Brain Freeze keeps community cool
      Turning over a new leaf
      Bridging the Gap Between Cops and Kids
      An unexpected reunion
  • Offbeat
    • Not eggzactly a perfect heist
      Pizza … with a side of alligator?
      Wisconsin man charged with impersonating Border Patrol agent twice in...
      Only in California?
      Durango, Colorado, police hop into action after unusual 9-1-1 call
  • We Remember
    • York County ambush leaves three officers dead, others critically...
      Honoring the Fallen Heroes of 9/11
      Team Romeo
      National Police Week 2025
      Honoring Fallen Heroes
  • HOT Mail
    • The War on Cops Continues Unabated
  • About
  • The Magazine
  • Events
  • Partners
  • Products
  • Contact
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
Search

Community

“It’s not a joke”: Homeless man’s controversial signs spark outrage in San Francisco neighborhood

APB Team Published November 3, 2023 @ 6:00 am PDT

iStock.com/Spondylolithesis

In a quiet residential neighborhood in San Francisco, a homeless man’s controversial signs have ignited a wave of anger and concern among residents and parents.

The man, identified as Joseph Adam Moore, 46, has placed two signs outside his tent residence that read “Free fentanyl 4 new users” and “Meth for stolen items.”

The signs, which were placed nearby a local school, shocked and angered many in the community.

Despite the outrage, Moore defended his decision to display the signs.

“It’s not a joke. It’s happening, right? Why can’t I do it? Is this sacred ground?”

Moore’s nonchalant approach to advertising illicit drugs has left residents and parents deeply disturbed.

In addition to the controversial signs, Moore revealed that he is a registered sex offender, with court records from Santa Cruz County showing a 1997 conviction for unlawful sex with a minor. He declined to confirm whether he carried illicit drugs.

Moore’s tent has become a gathering spot for up to six other individuals, who have turned the area into a party-like atmosphere. Residents have reported the presence of barbecues, a beach umbrella and even a dune buggy.

Nathaniel Weiner, a concerned parent, expressed his dismay at the situation.

“It’s horrible. Some of these people brought barbecues, a beach umbrella and even a dune buggy that sat on the pavement, creating a Burning Man-style party in a quiet residential neighborhood where people are just trying to live their lives,” Weiner said.

Peter Marlow, the executive director for communications and media relations at the Archdiocese of San Francisco, initially thought the signs were a social experiment.

Although Marlow called for compassion and support for the homeless, he also said something needed to be done to fix the “outrageous” situation.

“We want to have compassion,” Marlow explained. “We want to pray for these homeless people and do what we can. But this is ridiculous. The parents are complaining. The students are seeing this. It’s outrageous.”

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and Supervisor Connie Chan, who represents constituents in the Richmond District, have not responded to requests for comment.

Adam Moore, the homeless man at the center of the controversy, has been living near a local Catholic grade school for over two years.

According to reports, an altercation occurred when a parent from the school confronted Moore after the signs were reported, which led to Moore being issued a misdemeanor battery citation.

Moore also filed a complaint of assault against the parent.

The following day, Moore had another run in with the law after he was arrested for a probation violation.

However, due to a medical complaint, he was transported to a hospital, leading to a delay in pursuing the probation violation. Moore was released from custody that night.

In a conversation with investigative reporter Dan Noyes, Moore explained that he was merely passing on drugs that others gave him in exchange for blankets and supplies.

“I’ve been homeless in San Francisco for basically 26 years,” Moore said.

Despite being a registered sex offender, Moore does not fall under the category of “high-risk” offenders, allowing him to remain within proximity of the school.

While he claims innocence regarding his past convictions, his presence in the neighborhood remains a source of distress for many.

Local law enforcement even attempted an undercover sting operation to catch Moore with drugs, but it was unsuccessful. However, they did enforce rules against camping on sidewalks, resulting in Moore being asked to move.

Moore declined offers of shelter, adding, “I will never voluntarily incarcerate myself.”

Authorities have since confiscated some of his belongings and encouraged him to relocate willingly, hoping to relieve local residents.

Categories: Community Tags: fentanyl, sex offender, homeless man, meth, signs, child molester, Joseph Adam Moore, sting operation, San Francisco Police Department, drug dealer

Primary Sidebar

Recent Articles

  • National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund launches 2025 Bid for the Badge online auction
  • National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund announces “Restoring the Ranks” conference on recruitment and retention
  • York County ambush leaves three officers dead, others critically wounded
  • California lawmakers push mask ban for officers, raising safety concerns
  • A golden key to suicide prevention
  • Building positive media relations
  • The urgency to protect those who protect us
  • Wellness for warriors: C.O.P.S. can help
  • When knowing isn’t enough
  • Honoring the Fallen Heroes of 9/11

Footer

Our Mission
To serve as a trusted voice of the nation’s law enforcement community, providing informative, entertaining and inspiring content on interesting and engaging topics affecting peace officers today.

Contact us: info@apbweb.com | (800) 234-0056.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Categories

  • Editor’s Picks
  • On the Job
  • Labor
  • Tech
  • Training
  • Policy
  • Health/Wellness
  • Community
  • Offbeat
  • We Remember
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Events

Editor’s Picks

The future is here

The future is here

August 21, 2025

A winding road

A winding road

August 20, 2025

Do you know your emotional intelligence?

Do you know your emotional intelligence?

August 17, 2025

Law enforcement responds to tragic Texas flooding

Law enforcement responds to tragic Texas flooding

August 11, 2025

Policies | Consent Preferences | Copyright © 2025 APB Media, LLC | Website design, development and maintenance by 911MEDIA

Open

Subscribe

Close

Receive the latest news and updates from American Police Beat directly to your inbox!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.