One of America’s most liberal cities may soon agree to give police more freedom to fight crime and force some welfare recipients into some kind of drug treatment program.
On Tuesday, residents of San Francisco, California, will have the opportunity to vote on two measures designed to curb the city’s growing crime and drug problems.
The first measure, Proposition E, would ease some of the restrictions placed on police officers. If passed, police officers would be allowed to use vehicles to pursue suspects in the following cases: violent misdemeanorIt’s not just violent felonies that are allowed under current law.
This measure will also make it easier for police to purchase monitoring device, drones and cameras to help find and identify suspects. Currently, before purchasing such products, companies must first obtain approval from the supervisory board.
The second, Prop. F, would require single adults receiving state pensions to take a drug test to continue receiving assistance, amounting to about $700 a month. Recipients who test positive for illegal drugs will lose their monthly welfare checks unless they seek treatment.
However, such welfare recipients are not required to pass a drug test. They just need to successfully complete the program and work towards staying sober.according to telegramthose who lose support are given 30 days of shelter or housing benefits to avoid living on the streets.
Applications for the welfare program for single adults already ask prospective recipients about illegal drugs, with nearly 20% of applicants admitting to using illegal drugs, the Daily Mail reported. However, data from the Department of Public Health shows that as many as a third have been diagnosed with some kind of substance abuse disorder, the outlet said.
More than 60% of San Franciscans support both proposals, according to recent polls, leading some to wonder if the city is tired of feel-good, far-left policies on law and order. “The pendulum is swinging,” said Malcolm Weitz, 41, a cannabis store owner who plans to vote in favor of both. “It’s coming back to the center in hardcore.”
But Democratic Mayor London Breed, who supports both policies, opposes it. “People keep making this argument about being liberal or conservative, but it’s really about being compassionate and including some tough love in the process,” she said.
“They argued that San Francisco makes it far too easy for people to access and use drugs on the city’s streets, and we need to take more aggressive action.” she added.
Breed faces a tough re-election battle this year. As San Francisco’s first Black female mayor, she took office in 2018 with much fanfare, but her increasing drug and crime problems quickly caused her to lose support from her constituents.
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