The Democratic mayor of San Francisco is pushing a controversial public safety proposal on the March 5 ballot. The proposal would give police greater crime-fighting powers, such as the use of drones and surveillance cameras, to prevent crime and catch criminals.
For Michael Hsu, a shop owner in San Frascisco, the city's security has been quite worrying lately.
“My shop was broken into at around 3am. The thieves broke in and as they were about to leave, the police arrived just in time, and almost caught them. “But because of police regulations, they couldn't stop the thieves, and let the suspects go,” said Hsu, regarding a recent theft at his shop.
San Francisco's mayor, London Breed, faces a demanding electorate and a competitive re-election in November. He urged voters to pass Prop E while stopping to campaign at a clothing and athletic shoe store that has been repeatedly broken into by thieves.
“This is about ensuring that our police department, like other police departments across the country, can use 21st century technology. Anyone at any given time, can use a cell phone and record whatever they want. Why can’t we use the same kind of technology, not only to deal with crimes after they are committed, but also to prevent them in the first place?” he asked.
In addition to allowing the use of drones, cameras and other modern technology, this policy will also allow police to pursue more suspects using vehicles, not only in cases of serious crimes or direct threats to public safety.
Breed was elected mayor in 2018. She is the first black woman to lead San Francisco. However, the pandemic has caused the city's economy to slump, and has brought back the city's old problems, namely homelessness, drugs and property crime.
Those who will challenge him in November are not members of the left-leaning progressive Democratic Party, but his fellow moderates, Daniel Lurie, heir to clothing brand Levi Strauss, and supervisor Ahsha Safaí, who says they can do their jobs better than Breed to re-secure the city.
Democrats in liberal cities face challenges from voters on police and criminal justice reform, despite falling violent crime rates in the US.
In 2022, voters in San Francisco fired Chesa Boudin, a former public defender and supporter of restorative punishment, as district attorney in a re-election bid, over a theft case, which could be shoplifting or involve a break-in.
Mayor Breed also supports Prop F, which on a welfare issue, would require every adult in the city to be screened and treated for drug or alcohol addiction. Otherwise, they will lose cash assistance.
“We have seen since 2023, a decrease in overall crime, both violent crime and crime in general. But when this happens to you, that number means nothing. And that's what we're trying to convey by being here today, which is to ask voters to support Proposition E,” Breed continued.
FILE – Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón at a news conference in Los Angeles, Feb. 22, 2023. (AP/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Breed's opponents say both plans are deeply out of step with San Francisco's liberal politics, and would only harm the communities they take great pride in helping the city, such as Black, Latino and other marginalized communities.
One of those who asked for this plan to be reviewed was Jose Bernal, Director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.
“To say, hey, police, you can go out and chase someone for theft. Knowing that I might be out there walking, or you might be out there, taking kids home from school, crossing the street, putting them in danger. “This is really one of the key elements of this action that really poses a significant risk to our safety,” Bernal said.
Jose Bernal also said, “We have to be very careful. The violation of our civil liberties, the violation of our right to privacy, that is something that is very concerning. And it's not just about whether or not I'm involved in criminal activity. “I don't know, who walks around and knows that there are drones, which are basically collecting data, and we don't know where that data information will be collected,” added Bernal. (lj/lt)