San Francisco voters back welfare drug screening, police surveillance

San Francisco Mayor London Breed, D, is counting her victories as she faces reportedly low approval ratings, according to the San Francisco Standard. On March 5, Breed touted a pair of law-and-order voter initiatives she backed. One measure mandated drug screening for welfare recipients, and a second expanded surveillance powers by police to combat crime.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the ballot measures represent a shift to more moderate stances by voters in the Bay Area, known for its progressive politics. The first signs came in 2022 as voters recalled the district attorney and three school board members, accusing them of prioritizing social justice issues over more pressing concerns.

Breed is running for reelection as the fentanyl epidemic and concerns over crime are at the top of voters’ minds.

Proposition F, which forces welfare recipients to undergo drug screenings, was approved with 63% of the vote, according to Fox News. Individuals with addiction issues will have to accept treatment to receive assistance under the new law.

However, progressive members of the board of supervisors claim it will push more people onto the streets. A union representing San Francisco public employees opposed the measure, saying the city broke the law by placing the matter on the ballot without discussing it with them first. Breed’s spokesperson, Joe Arellano, defended her stance.

“Mayor Breed placed Prop F on the ballot to give San Francisco another tool to get people suffering from addiction into treatment and save lives,” Arellano told Fox News.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the city saw a record number of overdose deaths in 2023. More than 800 people died from drug overdoses, surpassing the 2020 record of 752 overdose deaths. The rise is largely blamed on an increase in the supply of fentanyl.

Breed has been under pressure by voters to respond to the drug crisis in San Francisco. The city lacks staffing, beds and funding for treatment centers, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Breed is also being pressured to address crime. Some big-name retailers have recently pulled out of the downtown area. In April, CNN reported that Whole Foods temporarily shut down a store that opened in 2022, citing worker safety in downtown San Francisco.

In May, Nordstrom announced it was not renewing its lease for two downtown locations, reportedly citing the safety of customers and employees. According to CNN, crimes like theft have fallen while violent crime has remained steady.

Reuters reported that after becoming the first major U.S. city to ban the use of facial recognition by law enforcement a few years ago, voters are rescinding that law. Proposition E will allow police to use artificial intelligence-powered facial recognition and public cameras for surveillance. The proposition also aims free police officers up to engage in more vehicle pursuits. Proposition E passed with reportedly 60% in favor.

The American Civil Liberties Union opposes Proposition E, contending the law “dramatically increases secret surveillance.”

Breed is facing an uphill battle to win over voters as she seeks reelection. Polling by Probolosky Research shows that the majority of voters believe the city is headed in the wrong direction.