In an effort to address the ongoing public safety concerns in San Francisco, Mayor London Breed is rallying behind two contentious proposals that will appear on the March 5 ballot. One of these measures aims to require single adults receiving welfare to undergo screening and treatment for illegal drug addiction, with the consequence of losing cash assistance if they refuse. The other proposition seeks to grant the city's police department expanded crime-fighting powers, including the use of drones and surveillance cameras.
San Francisco, like many cities, is at a crucial juncture as it works to recover from the economic fallout of the pandemic while simultaneously grappling with entrenched issues such as homelessness, drug addiction, and property crimes. Critics argue that both ballot measures clash with the city's dedication to privacy and civil liberties and may further marginalize the communities it strives to assist.
However, Mayor Breed, who is San Francisco's first Black female mayor, asserts that residents from impoverished, Black, and immigrant neighborhoods are clamoring for increased police presence. Additionally, recovery advocates are demanding change, as last year recorded a staggering 800 deaths due to accidental drug overdoses, largely fueled by the prevalence of potent and inexpensive fentanyl.
Breed recently stated during a campaign stop at Footprint, a store that has experienced multiple burglaries, 'They said San Francisco makes it too easy for people to access and use drugs on the streets of the city, and we need to do something a lot more aggressive.' While her name won't appear on the current presidential primary ballots, the two measures she supports serve as a prelude to her reelection bid as she faces competitors who argue that her approach to the city's problems has been inadequate.
San Francisco has traditionally wrestled with quality-of-life crimes, even though violent crimes remain comparatively low. Breed contends that due to strategic operations by law enforcement, rates of retail theft and car break-ins have recently decreased. Police have also intensified drug law enforcement by issuing citations to individuals using drugs in public, aiming to disrupt such behavior and encourage individuals to seek help.
Nevertheless, according to the mayor, more needs to be done. Proposition F, if approved by voters, would offer an additional avenue for compelling treatment by allowing the city to screen single adults receiving local welfare for substance abuse. Those found to be abusing illegal drugs would be required to enroll in treatment programs if they wish to continue receiving cash assistance, capped at just over $700 per month. Critics argue that coercion is ineffective in addressing addiction and warn that homelessness may rise if the measure passes. They emphasize that drug addiction should be treated as a health issue rather than a crime, and express concern about the already limited availability of treatment beds and counseling services.
Chris Ballard, co-executive director of Coleman Advocates, an organization focused on improvements for Black and Latino youth in San Francisco, asserts that punitive measures, reminiscent of the failed war on drugs, are not the appropriate approach. He argues that there are ethical alternatives to address the issue and demonstrate genuine support for the community.
On the other hand, Trent Rhorer, executive director of the San Francisco Human Services Agency, which provides cash assistance and employment services to low-income residents without dependent children, believes that the current situation conflicts with the agency's mission of improving lives. He argues, 'To give someone who's addicted to fentanyl $700 a month, I don't think it helps improve their lives. In fact, I think it does the opposite.'
Throughout Democratic California, the idea of compelling treatment has gained more acceptance, despite concerns over potential encroachments on civil liberties, as the visible manifestations of homelessness, mental illness, fentanyl addiction, and unsafe street behavior proliferate. Last year, several counties implemented an alternative mental health court established by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom to expedite care for individuals with untreated schizophrenia and related disorders. In March, voters will consider a statewide mental health proposition that some argue will increase involuntary treatment.
Rhorer notes that the welfare program for single adults, serving approximately 9,000 people annually, already includes inquiries about substance abuse, with around 20% self-reporting an issue. Data analysis conducted with the Department of Public Health reveals that nearly one-third of recipients have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Proposition F would replace the current question with more rigorous screening tests verified by addiction specialists. If substance abuse is detected, the specialist and the applicant would collaboratively establish treatment options, which can include residential care, 12-step programs, individual counseling, and medication replacement. The measure does not require sobriety but necessitates that individuals earnestly engage in their chosen program, with the hope that a breakthrough will occur.
To prevent evictions, the proposition stipulates that the city will cover the rent of program participants for durations exceeding 30 days. Approximately 30% of those who fatally overdosed in 2023 were homeless, and many more lived in subsidized housing provided by the city.
In addition to compelling treatment for drug addiction, Proposition E would equip the San Francisco Police Department with modern crime-fighting tools, such as drones, surveillance cameras, and streamlined paperwork, allowing officers more time for patrol duties. Moreover, it would empower police to pursue suspects by vehicle in cases beyond violent felonies or immediate threats to public safety. The proposal seeks to address incidents like the recent burglary at Footprint, where the suspects escaped despite police arriving on the scene.
Michael Hsu, the store owner, who suffered losses of approximately $20,000 in merchandise and damages, finds the inability of the police to pursue these criminals disheartening. Hsu believes that the current restrictions send the wrong message to perpetrators.
The outcome of these ballot measures remains uncertain, as the proposals have ignited fervent debates among residents, activists, and officials alike. San Francisco stands at a crossroads as it grapples with the complex issues of public safety, drug addiction, and civil liberties, and seeks to strike a balance that will foster a safer, more inclusive and compassionate city for all its residents.
