Mystery Amazon Prime logos appear on Tenderloin sidewalks

Mystery Amazon Prime logos appear on Tenderloin sidewalksPrime logos spray painted on the sidewalk near the southeast corner of Larkin and Geary | Photo: Carrie Sisto/Hoodline
Carrie Sisto
Published on November 21, 2019

The Amazon Prime logos recently spray-painted across Tenderloin sidewalks are a mystery to the company, but are adding work for the local teams working to keep the neighborhood’s streets clean.

The Tenderloin Community Benefit District (TLCBD) received reports of at least four locations where Prime logos were painted on sidewalks along Larkin Street, according to director of communications Fernando Pujals.

TLCBD tweeted out a photo of one logo, asking Amazon to stop, that has “really gotten some attention,” Pujals said.

It was retweeted by District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney, who represents the Tenderloin, with a request for Amazon to “stop. And pay your taxes.”

The logo painting wasn’t sanctioned or supported in any way by Amazon, according to a company spokesperson. 

"Amazon pays all the taxes we are required to pay in the U.S. and every country where we operate, including paying $2.6 billion in corporate tax and reporting $3.4 billion in tax expense over the last three years," the spokesperson said. 

According to a report by the non-partisan Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Amazon paid $0 in Federal income taxes in 2017 and 2018.

It’s unclear who painted the logos, even to TLCBD.

"If you find out who did it, please let me know ," Pujals said.

Some respondents to Haney’s tweet suspect the logos are ironic or an effort to raise ire against the corporation.

TLCBD's initial tweet was largely an effort to recognize the hard work of the Clean Team, which works every day to keep the neighborhood’s sidewalks safe and clean, Pujals said.

Image: TLCBD

The team power washes every sidewalk in the Tenderloin at least once a week currently, and having things painted directly onto their turf makes their job just that much harder, he added. 

Just last month, the Clean Team collected and properly disposed of more than 23,200 pounds of trash, including 1,805 used syringes. It also pressure washed 370 public surfaces to remove stickers, graffiti, human and animal waste, and other stains in October 2019 alone. 

“Every team member gives it their all every day ... and they all keep a good attitude,” Pujals said.

Anyone can call or text the Clean Team to report any issues that pose a health or safety concern at 415-385-5490, or file an online report