Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) fell victim to a vehicle burglary in San Francisco on Thursday, he has confirmed.
The senatorial candidate, who is running to replace the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), had his luggage stolen from inside his vehicle while it was parked in a downtown parking garage, according to multiple reports.
Mr. Schiff has been in San Francisco to attend events alongside his supporters, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The incident left the congressman without proper attire as he attended a dinner party at Ristorante Rocca in nearby Burlingame that same evening.
The lawmaker confirmed the theft to the San Francisco Chronicle but said he did not want to dwell on the incident.
“Yes, they took my bags,” he said. “But I’m here to thank Joe,” he continued, referring to high-profile U.S. lawyer Joe Cotchett, who is backing his bid for the Senate.
He did not provide further details. It is not clear what was taken or if the theft was reported to police.
The Epoch Times has contacted Mr. Schiff’s office for further comment.
It comes as San Francisco has been battling with rampant crime, violence, and drug abuse in recent years.
Over a 30-day period last year, the city witnessed nearly 1,670 car burglaries, according to a report by the New York Post based on data tracked by the San Francisco Police Department.
However, officials claim crime rates in the city, including burglaries, motor thefts, and larceny, are actually declining this year despite the ongoing reports.
Crime Figures Trending Down
Burglaries, which hit a high of 2,384 in the first 100 days of 2021, are down to 1,408 in the same period this year and larceny reports have fallen from the same period in 2018 at 11,812 to 6,118.Not all incidents are reported to the police, however, meaning the data may not provide the most accurate picture of the situation.
The latest data also comes amid Mayor London Breed’s re-election campaign.
Speaking to The San Francisco Standard, one of her rivals in the race for mayor, District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin, said that “overall crime statistics don’t tell the full story of our neighborhoods.”
“What we have seen from this administration and its allies is an effort to make people feel afraid for their own political gain,” he said. “Public safety is a progressive value, and it’s time to be smart on crime.”
Widespread drug use continues to remain a significant issue in San Francisco, particularly in the downtown Tenderloin neighborhood, where locals say drug overdoses— especially those related to the synthetic opioid fentanyl— have soared in recent months.
The proposal, sent by the Democrat to the Board of Supervisors, would require retail establishments, such as corner stores and liquor stores, between O’Farrell and McAllister streets and from Polk to Jones streets, to comply with the new opening and closing times.
“This is an idea for the community, from the community. The drug markets happening at night in this neighborhood are unacceptable and must be met with increased law enforcement and new strategies,” Ms. Breed said.
“Tenderloin residents, businesses, and workers deserve safe streets not just during the day, but also at night,” the mayor added.
