SF’s Silent Sirens and the Cost of Inaction | Oakland News

San Francisco’s century-old emergency siren system, silent since 2019 after a hacking scare, is now under fire from a Civil Grand Jury demanding action — fix it or scrap it. Once a weekly noon ritual, the 119-siren network has fallen into disrepair, with corroded equipment, safety hazards, and maintenance halted due to lack of funding. Originally budgeted at $20 million, upgrades now likely cost far more. Critics argue the system remains vital for coastal neighborhoods like the Sunset District, especially during tsunamis, where sirens offer a critical backup for those without cell phones. Meanwhile, the city’s mobile alert system, AlertSF, often fails to deliver clear, actionable instructions — leaving residents confused in emergencies. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/047b32e4ca7128bf