San Francisco officials are pushing for tougher penalties against the resale of stolen goods through a proposed law targeting street vendors. The bill aims to address the growing problem of stolen goods being resold on city sidewalks, particularly in the Mission District and South of Market areas.
San Francisco leaders are intensifying their push for stricter penalties against the resale of stolen goods through a revived proposal in the California State Legislature. Mayor Daniel Lurie is collaborating with state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, on a bill that aims to increase penalties for individuals involved in illegal fencing operations. This practice involves the resale of stolen merchandise for a profit.
The measure specifically targets the escalating problem of vendors selling stolen goods on San Francisco's sidewalks, particularly prevalent in the Mission District and South of Market areas. Elected officials contend that this issue is partly a consequence of a 2018 California law that decriminalized street vending. While the law's intent was to protect vendors, it has inadvertently facilitated the operations of fencers. Leaders assert that the confluence of illegal vending, open-air drug use, and homelessness in certain parts of the city has engendered a chaotic environment that exacerbates other problems, including the city's fentanyl crisis. Rodrigo Lopez, president of the Mission Street Vendors Association, highlights the threat posed by illegal street vendors to both businesses and public safety. Wiener, who is reviving his previous attempt to address this issue, describes illegal fencing operations as 'increasingly disruptive.' The proposed law would specifically target individuals selling frequently stolen items on the street without proof of purchase or a valid permit. It would empower police to issue citations to violators, with repeat offenders facing misdemeanor charges and potential imprisonment for up to six months. The measure would be confined to San Francisco, with the Board of Supervisors responsible for compiling a list of commonly stolen merchandise. Notably, it would not apply to food vendors.'This bill will not punish the vast majority of street vendors who are an integral part of our city,' Mayor Daniel Lurie emphasized, clarifying that the law's purpose is to curtail solely illegal activities. 'We need to ensure that people feel safe and are safe.' Some local business owners, like Faizan Shaikh, view the bill as a positive step but believe it should be accompanied by stronger efforts to combat retail crime at its source. 'If there's enforcement, I think there wouldn't be as much theft, and it wouldn't have a domino effect on businesses,' Shaikh said. 'The city can thrive again and needs all of that together.' Wiener previously introduced a similar bill last year, but it failed to advance beyond committee. It garnered support from former Mayor London Breed. The senator expressed optimism about the bill's prospects this time, stating that it had bipartisan support last year but was introduced too late in the legislative session. 'I've learned to never predict what will happen with any bill in the California Legislature,' he said. 'We have a path to get this passed, and I think we're going to have very broad support.'
STOLEN GOODS SAN FRANCISCO LEGISLATION STREET VENDING CRIME CRACKDOWN
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