San Francisco’s Democratic mayor is pushing two controversial public safety proposals on the March 5 ballot. These include requiring single adults on welfare to be tested and treated for illegal drug addiction or lose their cash assistance.
Mayor London Breed also supports a ballot measure that would give police more powers to fight crime, including the use of drones and surveillance cameras. In November, he will face finicky voters in his re-election race.
San Francisco is struggling to redefine itself after the pandemic left its economy in tatters and exposed longstanding problems like homelessness, drugs and property crime. Opponents argue that both ballot measures stray far from San Francisco’s support for privacy and civil liberties and will only hurt marginalized communities the city prides itself on supporting.
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But Breed, the first Black woman to lead the city of San Francisco, was suspended from campaigning in January after more than 800 people died from accidental overdoses last year. has petitioned for more staff, and recovery advocates say they want change. This record was supported by the abundance of cheap and powerful fentanyl.
“They’re saying we need to be more proactive in San Francisco because it’s too easy for people to access and use drugs on the city’s streets,” Breed said. Mentioned in Shoe Store Footprint. He was robbed.
Although Breed’s name is not on the ballot for the current presidential primary (in San Francisco, residents rank their mayoral candidates once every November), she is promoting two measures. They serve as the opening salvo of her re-election campaign against her moderate allies who say her approach to city issues is weak.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed is pictured during a press conference promoting anti-crime efforts at the Footprints retail store, where multiple break-ins have occurred on Thursday, January 25, 2024 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Although violent crime is low in San Francisco, quality-of-life crimes have long plagued San Francisco.
Breed said retail theft and motor vehicle crash rates have decreased recently, thanks in large part to strategic operations by city police. Similarly, police have stepped up enforcement of drug laws and are using drugs in public places as a means of disrupting their behavior and as an opportunity to persuade those cited to seek help. As a result, summonses have been issued.
But she said San Francisco needs to do more.
If approved by voters, Proposition F would provide another way to force treatment by allowing cities to test single adults on community services for substance abuse. People found to be abusing illegal drugs must enroll in treatment to receive cash assistance from the city, which is capped at just over $700 a month.
Opponents argue that if the bill passes, enforcement will not work and homelessness could increase. Drug addicts are not criminals, they say, and there are currently not enough treatment beds or counseling services.
Chris Ballard, co-executive director of Coleman Advocates, which works for improvements for San Francisco’s black and Latino youth, said the drug crackdown is reminiscent of the failed war on drugs that disproportionately harmed black families.
“Aside from punitive measures, there are more ethical ways to deal with this issue. That is the proper way to care for the community and show real support,” he said.
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But Trent Lawler, executive director of the San Francisco Human Services Agency, which provides cash assistance and employment services to low-income residents without dependents, said the current situation is inconsistent with the agency’s mission to improve lives. .
“I don’t think giving fentanyl addicts $700 a month is going to help improve their lives,” he said. “Actually, I think it’s the opposite.”
Democratic Californians see more acceptance of forced treatment despite fears over potential loss of civil liberties as visible signs of homelessness, mental illness, fentanyl addiction and dangerous street behavior soar It’s starting to look like this.
Last year, several counties introduced alternative mental health courts, created by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom (former San Francisco Mayor), to provide early care for people with untreated schizophrenia and related disorders, and in March In , voters will create a statewide mental health court. Some have made health suggestions that would increase involuntary treatment.
Lawler said the Single Adult Benefits program, which serves about 9,000 people a year, already asks applicants about substance abuse, and about 20% self-report substance abuse. He said a Department of Public Health data review found that nearly one-third of recipients have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder.
The voting method would replace that question with a more rigorous screening test tested by addiction experts. If substance abuse is found, experts and applicants will agree on treatment options that include residential care, 12-step programs, individual counseling and alternative medications, Lawler said.
Drinkers don’t have to be sober, only that they make a good faith effort to participate in the program “with the hope that one day the light bulb will go off,” Lawler said.
The measure requires the city to require those accepted into the program to pay at least 30 days of rent to avoid eviction. Approximately 30% of people who fatally overdosed in 2023 were homeless, and many more were living in subsidized municipal housing.
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In addition to authorizing drones, cameras and other cutting-edge technology, Prop. E would cut red tape and give police more time on patrol. It would also allow police to pursue more suspects in vehicles, not just in cases of violent felonies or imminent threats to public safety. Insurance shop owner Michael Hsu learned the hard way.
Since Hsu took over in 2020, Footprint stores have been broken into multiple times, most recently on January 1st. Police arrived as the suspects were leaving, but were unable to pursue them as their lives were not in danger. Sue, who lost about $20,000 in merchandise and damages, said she was disappointed.
“You’re sending the wrong message to criminals,” he said.
