Voters in San Francisco passed several law-and-order ballot measures Tuesday night, including a measure that would require welfare recipients suspected of drug use to be tested in order to receive benefits.
This follows the recall of far-left District Attorney Chesa Boudin in 2022, and represents yet another rebuke of progressive policies in a city known for its liberalism.
The welfare requirements, known as Prop. F, had 63 percent support as of Wednesday morning, according to the latest election results online. Proposition E, which expands some police surveillance powers and curbs some surveillance, received support from 60 percent of voters. While votes still remain to be counted, the bill’s proponents have declared victory, while left-wing opponents complained about the result, saying it would backfire and reverse progress.
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Voters in San Francisco passed several law-and-order ballot measures Tuesday night, including a measure that would require welfare recipients suspected of drug use to be tested in order to receive benefits. (Getty Images)
Democratic Mayor London Breed, who is up for re-election this year and put the measure on the ballot for voters’ consideration, celebrated Tuesday night.
“It’s clear that people want change when it comes to public safety,” Breed told reporters. “What’s interesting about this to me is that we have the tools we need to continue the work that we’re doing. It’s about being able to get in,” he said. Local station KQED.
She said of We can change what’s happening,” he added. She also wrote that Prop. E would give “officials more tools to do their jobs.”
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Democratic Mayor London Breed, who is up for re-election this year and had placed the measure on the ballot for voters’ consideration, celebrated the vote Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Tom Wong, a San Francisco business owner, called for more support from government officials for local police, saying it’s unfair to expect police to pursue and stop crime without community support.
“Elected officials must support local law enforcement,” he said. “It’s not the people.”
Mr. Wong was also active in San Francisco’s political scene, explaining that Mr. Breed’s mayoral re-election campaign was a key factor in motivating him to speak out about drug use and police in the city.
“There’s a good chance she won’t win,” Wong said of Breed’s campaign.
Joe Arellano, a spokesman for San Francisco Mayor Breed, addressed both proposals in a statement. Fox News Digital.
Regarding Proposition E regarding police powers to deal with crime, Arellano said San Franciscans are “fed up and want more action to deal with crime.” ((Photo by Lee Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images))
“Mayor Breed put Prop. F on the ballot to provide San Francisco with new tools to get people struggling with addiction into treatment and save lives,” Arellano said. “Proposition F would increase accountability and eliminate ‘drug tourism’, where outsiders visit San Francisco to secure government-funded benefits or purchase illegal drugs.”
Regarding Proposition E regarding police powers to deal with crime, Arellano said San Franciscans are “fed up and want more action to deal with crime.”
“Our current public safety policies are outdated and make it difficult for officers to pursue suspects, even for felonies and violent misdemeanors,” he said. “Proposition E makes common-sense changes to city regulations to put more police officers in the fight against street crime. It gives police useful new tools, like cameras and drones, to stop criminals. The city’s policies have changed dramatically in recent years. “You’re too far to the left. It’s time to send a message that San Francisco is closed to criminals and that brazen theft will not be tolerated.” It’s time.”
Breed faces angry voters and a strong challenge to re-election as the city slumps in drug deaths and crime.
The first Black woman to lead the city of San Francisco, she suspended her campaign in January after more than 800 people died from accidental overdoses last year in poor, black and immigrant neighborhoods. residents have petitioned for more police, and recovery advocates say they want change. The record was fueled by abundant quantities of cheap and powerful fentanyl, according to the Associated Press.
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FOX News’ Gabriel Hayes and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
