At Castro town hall, S.F. city agencies present tough-on-crime public safety approach

San Francisco's health chief Kunal Modi called for a renewed focus on families and small businesses at a Castro town hall, emphasizing the city's commitment to a tough-on-crime strategy. Modi plans to increase conservatorships to help drug users and mentally ill individuals, supported by California's Senate Bill 43. Yet, the city lacks sufficient “locked beds,” with only 140-240 currently in operation. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins noted the DA's office prioritizes the fentanyl crisis, expressing frustration with lenient judicial responses to drug offenses. Jenkins explained that Proposition 36 allows for felony charges after repeated misdemeanor drug offenses.

The police department reported nearly 8,000 arrests in the last two years, but it remains unclear how many of these resulted in charges. Jenkins and other officials highlighted the necessity of collaboration between law enforcement and the DA's office to effectively tackle drug-related issues. The ongoing challenge of homelessness and public safety underscores the urgency of these initiatives in San Francisco.