Video: TMZ Interview on the Context of Crime in San Francisco
By Supervisor Joel Engardio
As a city supervisor, I hear from many residents concerned about public safety.
The stabbing murder of tech executive Bob Lee in downtown San Francisco last month made international news. The headlines generated a lot of fear, which is why I did a series of media interviews to put the crime into context.
The most surprising interview was with TMZ. They provided nearly 8 minutes (an eternity in TV) for a measured discussion about crime in San Francisco. Many people watch TMZ and I want to connect with people wherever they're at. I also did an extended interview with SFGate saying the same points.
Crime in context
At the start of the TMZ interview I noted that murder is rare in San Francisco. The most violent year in San Francisco history was 1977. We had 142 murders that year. Last year we had 56.
I also cautioned that we shouldn’t conflate Bob Lee’s murder with other concerns in San Francisco that make residents feel unsafe. I noted in the TMZ interview that Lee’s murder was still under investigation and we shouldn’t jump to conclusions about the cause. Eventually we learned that Lee was killed by someone he knew and it was not a random attack.
In the TMZ interview, I mentioned which crimes are actually on the rise in San Francisco and causing concern. While murder is low, we have to stay focused on the open air drug dealing, property crime, catalytic converter thefts, and assaults on elders and youth that are making residents feel unsafe.
The Sunset neighborhoods, where I’m a supervisor, have seen increased property crimes like burglary. Catalytic converters are stolen for cars most often in the Sunset and those crimes can become violent. Thieves even fired shots at a resident when he ran out of his house to stop the crime. In another incident, shots were fired at police officers who confronted catalytic converter thieves.
I realize it’s no consolation to say we had a third less murders in the 1970s. What matters is how people feel today and they do not feel safe.
Residents are unnerved when they see videos of the groups of teenagers beating up other teens at Stonestown Mall. When a house with an illegal drug lab exploded in the Sunset. When young people are stabbed on Muni buses. And when elders are assaulted.
San Francisco faces a number of problems not related to Bob Lee’s high profile murder. We have to vigorously enforce all laws and arrest drug dealers. We also must provide shelter and treatment — compelled when necessary — to people suffering from homelessness, addiction, and mental illness. It’s the only way we can have clean streets that are safe for everyone.
The teenager who was stabbed in the neck on a Muni bus wasn’t murdered. But it was a serious attack. The crime was unnerving for parents who send their kids to school on Muni — and anyone who rides the bus or train.
While the data tells us murder is not what we need to worry most about, other crimes are on the rise. We need to focus on the crimes residents are experiencing every day.
Frustrated residents
I want to acknowledge that there is a frustration among residents, wondering when things will get better.
Voters took bold action last year. There was an historic recall to replace the district attorney. I am one of two new supervisors who were elected. But patience is wearing thin and voters want to see results.
Things aren’t happening as fast as residents deserve for a number of reasons. We’re short more than 500 police officers and we’re not able to hire enough replacements. Too few people are willing to be police officers in San Francisco. They don’t feel supported. They don’t want the job after politicians have been calling for defund and disband — despite our police department being a leader in reform.
Our new district attorney is still rebuilding a prosecution office dismantled by her predecessor. The mayor struggles to find a majority of supervisors to back her initiatives. Our city attorney is appealing rulings by judges that prevent San Francisco from clearing unsafe encampments, even when we offer shelter and services.
These are explanations, not excuses. Police need to be more efficient with what they have. The district attorney needs to prosecute with what she has.
I believe we must enforce laws, make arrests, and prosecute crime. It’s my job at the Board of Supervisors to fight for the resources our police department and district attorney need to do their job.
To see the fulfillment of change that residents voted for in historic recalls and elections last year, they must continue voting for change. We do not yet have a majority of politicians aligned on how to fix San Francisco.
Reasons for hope
It is important to note that our police department was able to find a suspect and make an arrest quickly in the Bob Lee murder.
This is an example of things working in our city. The police are doing their job well — despite the extreme staff shortages they face. We should be comforted by the fact that our police department is doing extraordinary work despite the challenges they face.
I am also hopeful because our district attorney and police chief are working together. I can’t emphasize enough how important this is. The DA and the police chief need to partner together as our top law enforcement officials.
Yet for a long time in San Francisco history, the DA and police chief did not work together. They openly blamed each other for things that went wrong. There was a lot of animosity. When they were forced to appear together it looked like a hostage video.
This dynamic goes back for a number of DAs and chiefs. And this was unfortunate because it didn’t serve the residents of San Francisco.
For the first time in many years, our DA and police chief like each other. They are aligned on priorities and they are working together as partners. This is a huge breakthrough.
The DA and police chief each need to rebuild their departments, but they are in common cause and I’m here to do everything I can as a city supervisor to support them.
The city we deserve
While I am focused on the need for more police officers and prosecution of crime, I’m also focused on addressing root causes and helping prevent crime in the first place.
We deserve a San Francisco where all residents feel safe — a well-run city where a diverse population of families and small businesses can thrive.
This vision is possible when we realize that lasting public safety depends on more than the number of people we arrest, prosecute, and put in jail. The ultimate way to stop crime is to create an equitable society where education, healthcare, housing and employment are accessible to all.
Solving the underlying causes of crime will take a regional, state, and national effort. It will also take time to transform communities to the point crime is a less appealing option. Until then, we can’t forget about the victims of crime, whose trauma must be addressed.
I also want to remind everyone that San Francisco is not a dystopian city. There is still a lot of beauty and joy here. We must celebrate that joy and encourage more as we work to create our best San Francisco.