A new bill in San Francisco aims to address the growing issue of retail theft by allowing police to enforce regulations against the sale of suspected stolen goods on Mission Street and throughout the city. The bill, SAFE Streets Act, has the support of Mayor Lurie and several supervisors, but faces opposition from some who fear increased police presence.
San Francisco Senator Scott Wiener and Mayor Daniel Lurie are set to announce the reintroduction of a state bill that would empower local police to enforce regulations against the sale of suspected stolen goods on Mission Street and throughout the city. The bill, known as the SAFE Streets Act ( San Francisco Allows Fencing Enforcement on our Streets), aims to address the escalating issue of retail theft and the associated violence, chaos, and displacement of legitimate street vendors.
If approved, the SAFE Streets Act would authorize the Board of Supervisors to compile a list of commonly stolen items. Vendors selling these goods without a vending permit or proof of purchase would be subject to infractions. Accumulating three infractions could lead to further penalties, including misdemeanor charges or up to six months in county jail. Law enforcement agencies would have discretion in determining the specific punishment for the third violation, taking into account factors such as the individual's connection to the neighborhood. The bill does not apply to vendors selling food or those possessing valid receipts or permits for their merchandise. Notably, the SAFE Streets Act would shift the responsibility of enforcing these regulations from Public Works employees to the police. Public Works staff have been experiencing harassment while carrying out their duties and currently only operate when accompanied by law enforcement. The bill effectively reverses the provisions of SB 946, a 2018 state law that decriminalized street vending across California. This legislation, championed by Los Angeles lawmakers, sought to protect street vendors from police harassment.The SAFE Streets Act enjoys support from a coalition of stakeholders, including Mayor Lurie, The Mission Street Vendors Association, Clecha (a Mission-based nonprofit advocating for financial equity for Latinos), District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter, District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, District 3 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, Assembly Members Catherine Stefani and Matt Haney. However, District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder's position remains uncertain. She previously expressed concerns about increased police presence in light of the federal administration's efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.The SAFE Streets Act is a revised version of last year's SB 925, which was blocked at the Assembly's appropriations committee in August 2022. The new bill incorporates two key amendments: an eight-year operational timeframe (compared to five years for SB 925) and a change in the penal code associated with the misdemeanor charge, shifting it to miscellaneous rather than larceny.
Politics San Francisco Retail Theft SAFE Streets Act Police Enforcement Street Vending
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