San Francisco Mayor London Breed held a press conference on Jan. 6 to bring attention to three measures she introduced last year that are slated for the primary election ballot in March.
Seeking to address issues related to housing affordability, public safety, and substance abuse, the mayor said Propositions C, E, and F, respectively, will make the city safer and improve the quality of life for all residents.
“We have made tremendous progress to reduce car break-ins, disrupt fentanyl dealing, and bring people back downtown, but we need to do much more,” Ms. Breed said during the press conference. “Prop C, E, and F are the next steps needed to build on the work we’ve started, continue our post-pandemic recovery, and make our city safer and vibrant for all.”
Proposition C would temporarily waive property transfer taxes to encourage the conversion of empty office buildings into housing.
With a current office vacancy rate in the city of 40 percent or higher, according to some brokers, supporters say the measure seeks to address two problems at once by repurposing existing buildings.
“The pandemic and work from home shift was a catastrophic event that hollowed out our downtown,” state Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat, said during the approximately 45-minute-long press conference. “Rebuilding downtown requires a multi-pronged effort to bring in new investment, increase nightlife, and create more housing. Prop C will jumpstart that effort by repurposing empty offices into homes.”
However, some experts say transforming office buildings in San Francisco into housing can be cost-prohibitive, depending on the footprint of the building and the existing plumbing.
Proposition E would grant police more authority to use surveillance cameras and drones, allow officers to pursue suspects that commit thefts and other crimes, and reduce the paperwork needed to complete a shift.
Supporters say such is needed to counter both criminal activity that’s jeopardizing public safety and criminal justice reform advocates that she said are creating obstacles to policing.
“Our current public safety policies are outdated and make it difficult for police officers to chase suspects, even for a felony or violent misdemeanor,” Nancy Tung, a San Francisco prosecutor, said during the press conference. “Prop E will make commonsense changes that allow police officers to safely pursue suspects, work more efficiently, with better technology, and with less interference from activists on the Police Commission.”
Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union, argue that the proposal would endanger the public and is “ill-conceived” and “irresponsible.”
With fentanyl addiction and substance abuse issues leading to a record number of overdose deaths in 2023 and being blamed for widespread homelessness and crime in some parts of the city, Proposition F would require single adults who receive cash assistance from the city to take drug tests and receive treatment.
Citing a need for accountability and compassion, supporters said the measure will help those addicted to drugs by encouraging rehabilitation.
“People struggling with addiction need to be supported. ... Prop F is another tool we can use to get people to seek treatment and save lives,” Cedric Akbar, director of Positive Directions Equals Change—a San Francisco-based nonprofit focused on treatment and reentry programs—said during the press conference. “If we want to change the dire situation unfolding every day on our streets, then supporting Prop F is the way to do it.”
While some critics say the proposition could threaten funding for those most in need and potentially lead to more homelessness, supporters, including the mayor, said housing support will still be provided even when cash payments are withheld.
Acknowledging that tough decisions must be made to make the city safer, Ms. Breed said she believes that the three propositions are a step in the right direction.
“We are proposing ballot measures necessary to get us to a better place, to help us continue down the path of safety,” she said at the press conference. “I urge all San Franciscans to support Prop C, E, and F this March, to reduce crime, save lives, and rebuild our downtown.”
