Latest news with #PropositionE
San Francisco Chronicle
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco arts agencies to unite in historic realignment
San Francisco's three big arts agencies — Grants for the Arts, the San Francisco Arts Commission and the San Francisco Film Commission —will be under one roof starting in January. As part of Mayor Daniel Lurie's budget proposal, expected to be unveiled Friday, May 30, the three will operate side by side under a new super-agency with a newly created position leading the entire operation. 'Our arts community brings people from across the world to San Francisco — keeping them strong and vibrant is critical to our economic recovery,' Lurie said in a statement. 'But our current structure simply isn't doing enough to support them.' He shared hopes that the new structure would 'ensure San Francisco's arts and culture are set up to be resilient and drive our comeback.' The next step is for the Board of Supervisors to revise Lurie's proposal in June, with a finalized budget passed Aug. 1. Kristen Jacobson, director of Grants for the Arts, announced the move in a letter to grantees on Thursday, May 29. She clarified to the Chronicle that the move isn't about shrinking staff but 'a desire to connect the dots more.' She did say, however, that the change would further Lurie's goal of 'making government smaller,' but that it was too early to elaborate on what that meant. Jacobson added that current grants to the city's museums and theater, dance, opera and music companies will not be affected. Leaders of the SFAC, which supports individual artists, cultural equity initiatives and public art projects, and the film commission, which handles permits and incentives for filming in San Francisco, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The idea of uniting the agencies has been around for years. In 2022, Ralph Remington, director of cultural affairs at SFAC, told the Chronicle he brought it up when he was interviewing for his position. But past conversations about combining the agencies have been complicated by law. The SFAC is part of the city charter dating back to 1932, with its leader reporting directly to the mayor, while Proposition E, passed in 2018, solidified GFTA's place in the City Administrator's Office. Jacobson told the Chronicle that the new structure works around that hurdle by keeping GFTA's budget in the City Administrator's Office. Artists and arts leaders have also historically been divided on the proposal. On the one hand, having a centralized agency could make logistical sense and, one day, streamline multiple burdensome grant applications. On the other hand, it could concentrate power in an arena — deciding which art to support — which particularly benefits from an array of perspectives. Z Space Executive Director Shafer Mazow said while he wanted to be optimistic and believe in leaders' good intentions, 'we've seen too many pivots in GFTA in the past few years for me to feel confident that this latest plan can give the beleaguered SF arts community the support it needs,' he wrote via email. The agency's troubled leadership, under former director Vallie Brown, had already abruptly cut off many longtime grantees. Artists and producers worry particularly about the loss of general operating support, which has always been the revered purpose of GFTA. While many funders are keen to underwrite particular projects — a world-premiere play or opera, a new exhibit or initiative — it's much harder for nonprofits to garner support for less glamorous but still essential budget items such as the electric bill or administrative salaries. GFTA helps fill that gap. Jacobson said that while she could not predict the future, she vowed that under the super-agency, "I'll do everything I can within my power, and I know the whole GFTA team will as well, to advocate for how important and how critical and how precious general operating support is.' She also pointed out that the new structure isn't eliminating leadership perspectives. 'The thought process is having a side-by-side agency to hopefully keep strong voices at the head of the Film Commission, at the Head of GFTA, at the head of SFAC,' she explained. Margaret Jenkins, of Margaret Jenkins Dance Company, was among those who in the past told the Chronicle that she worried about centralizing authority. But now she said she trusts Jacobson. 'As long as it doesn't mean less money and a smaller pot that everyone will be fighting over, I think an ongoing conversation among these three organizations could yield more diverse funding in multiple arenas to a variety of artists,' she said Thursday. The change comes at a volatile time in arts funding. Earlier this month, the National Endowment for the Arts terminated a slew of grants to Bay Area arts organizations at the same time that President Donald Trump proposed eliminating the federal agency entirely. Weeks later, Governor Gavin Newsom proposed gutting the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund that would have helped small arts organizations comply with state law requiring them to treat their workers as employees instead of independent contractors. The previous month, multiple city arts organizations were among those affected when the Human Rights Commission canceled $14 million in grant agreements
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
SFPD say new technology is paying off, but does more surveillance equal less crime?
The Brief SFPD have released a video touting the benefits of recent, voter-approved technologies that they say are paying off. The mayor and chief of police embrace technology as the "future of policing." Privacy advocates have concerns about mass surveillance and question if it really means there is less crime. SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco police gave KTVU a behind-the-scenes peek at the new high-tech center officers are using to crack down on crime. Officers say it's already making a major difference, but privacy advocates have concerns. What we know According to the police, the Real-Time Investigation Center is up and running, using 21st century technology. San Francisco police say drone footage is helping to track down criminals. In one case, officers were able to track a vehicle across the Bay Bridge, and later take a suspect into custody. The drone program, along with real-time cameras deployed throughout the city, are all managed through the city's real-time investigation center inside 850 Bryant Street. "The license plate reader program, which is just over a year old, has been a game-changer. The drones are another game changer," said Police Chief Bill Scott. San Francisco police say so far the combined technology has led to more than 500 arrests; among those, more than 160 stolen vehicle arrests and 80 robbery arrests. The chief said while the department is still understaffed, the technology acts as a force multiplier, allowing officers to more quickly locate and arrest suspects, clear cases and get back on the streets. "We know we need more officers to fill our ranks, but these tools will make us more effective," said Chief Scott. "I cannot emphasize that enough. The force-multiplying effect that RTIC has had on this police department and safety of the city has to be highlighted." City leaders say leaning into the new technology has helped drive down crime in the city. Police say property crime is down 35% from last year, and violent crime is down 15%. Mayor Daniel Lurie said the city is committed to keeping up the momentum. "This technology is the future of policing for SFPD officers, using their training and judgment, supported by the best tools available to keep our communities safe," said Mayor Lurie. San Francisco police say embracing the new technology has helped, but it isn't a substitute for officers on the street. The department is still trying to fill more than 500 vacant positions, and said adopting the new technology may help recruit more cadets to the police academy. Tracy Rosenberg, executive director of Media Alliance, calls a video released by SFPD promoting their new technology as "Blade Runner-style." She reminds that the new technology, including drones, was permitted through Proposition E, which was passed by voters in 2024. She says the video "ends with a cop trying to talk a person down from a suicide ledge in a tacit acknowledgment that drones and cameras have their limitations." "The ad describes what is called a real-time crime center, which is a room where multiple surveillance feeds are coordinated. In this case, license plate reader cameras and drones," said Rosenberg. "We can all appreciate the crime rates in San Francisco hitting a 20-year low after a moderate rise during pandemic and post-pandemic conditions, but should be wary of the notion that more surveillance equals less crime and that peppering the city with flying cameras makes for an urban utopia." She says in the days of increasing authoritarianism we should be careful about describing the future of policing as a mass spying machine. "The risks we take by uncritically cheering on an expansive surveillance state can be greater than temporary relief from a wave of stolen cars and property thefts," said Rosenberg. She notes that these technologies can, and in most authoritarian countries are, used to crush dissent, profile protesters and prevent citizen activism. "Not necessarily something to celebrate in this political moment," said Rosenberg. Joshua Richman, communications director with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, agrees constant surveillance is concerning. "What it really comes down to is, do we want to live in a city where all of us – all of us, not just 'criminals,' but all of us - are watched and listened to everywhere we go?" said Richman. He says the all-seeing panopticon is something we once associated with with prisons, but that now it's happening in communities. "Use of these surveillance technologies can infringe on our constitutional rights, including to speak and associate freely under the First Amendment or be free from unlawful search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment," said Richman. He continued, "Law enforcement also tends to deploy surveillance technologies disproportionately against marginalized communities. And these technologies are prone to abuse by rogue officers, and can be subject to error or vulnerability, causing damaging repercussions for those who interact with the criminal justice system."
CBS News
10-04-2025
- CBS News
San Francisco Police's new surveillance hub being credited with 20% drop in crime
SAN FRANCISCO — Tucked away in the bowels of San Francisco's Hall of Justice lies a crime-fighting nerve center bringing the city's police force into the age of changing technology. The San Francisco Police Department said its new Real Time Investigation Center — also known as RTIC — has assisted in more than 500 arrests since its launch, with officials pointing to the facility as a game-changer in reducing crime across the city. "This technology is the future of policing for SFPD officers, using their training and judgment supported by the best tools available to keep our communities safe as we continue to fully staff the RTIC and using drones and first responders will be a force multiplier," said Mayor Daniel Lurie. "It will give officers more support, and it will help ensure that every neighborhood benefits from smarter, faster and more coordinated public safety." RTIC is a 24/7 operations center where teams of analysts monitor live surveillance feeds, license plate readers, and drone footage to guide officers on the ground in real time. According to SFPD, the integration of technology is leading to more efficient response times, less paperwork, and a drop in crime. "We're seeing it happen every day," said Captain Thomas Maguire, who oversees the RTIC. "Every week, we're coming up with success stories. We're watching crime drop in the city, and it's been good." It's tucked away in a 1960s-era, cement building that isn't known for its technological innovation. Often, it's hard to get cell service inside the hall. Even Maguire acknowledged the irony of its placement. "The Hall of Justice. Never thought we'd call it the center of technology here, but that's what we're here for today," he told reporters. Even so, it appears to be enough for the task. Police Chief Bill Scott credited the center, and the technology, with a 20% drop in crime from January through early April, compared to the same period last year, including one of the steepest drops in car theft which is down 42% this year compared to 2024. "In the last year — the last three months — we've had more technological advancements than we've seen in decades," he said. "We have been arresting people that have been prolific, people that have really damaged our city and damaged our retail spaces, damaged our reputation, made people feel unsafe," Scott added. "Those are the people that these officers, these investigators, these analysts, and the collaborative effort of RTIC is put together to address is getting people who harm other people our city off the streets, and I think they have done a fantastic job in doing that." The deployment of the technology was made possible after voters approved Proposition E in 2024, expanding the department's authority to use emerging technologies such as drones and license plate reading systems. Still, not everyone is on board. Privacy advocates, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, warn that such surveillance methods could quickly spiral into privacy violations. Beryl Lipton, a researcher for EFF, raised concerns about potential misuse. "As more real time crime centers are being propped up, there is additional concern about the individual surveillance technologies that are being fed into the crime center, the additional technologies that could be added to the real time crime center in the future," she said. SFPD said it's not using generative AI in its procedures, but didn't rule out the use of AI in policework in the future. And for Lipton, that sounds alarm bells. "This evolving use of artificial intelligence to try to make connections between different pieces of data that may or may not actually be there, but we, the public, have no sense for how it's actually being conducted." The center — and its technologic partner — is also hoping to attract more police talent to the department that remains understaffed by 500 officers. Scott said the cameras have at times proven wrongfully accused people innocent by verifying and tracking the true criminals. For Captain Maguire, the shift is nothing short of revolutionary. "We're just scratching the surface," he said. "This is probably one of the most significant paradigm shifts in policing I've seen in my career."
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Mission District supervisor questions SFPD over chase that injured 7
The Brief Sup. Fielder's Letter of Inquiry seeks accountability and circumstances of SFPD's decision to pursue suspects Fielder questions if drones could have been used instead of pursuing a vehicle across town SFPD have not responded to KTVU about Sup. Fielder letter SAN FRANCISCO - A San Francisco supervisor is questioning the police department's decision to pursue a suspected stolen vehicle across town on Super Bowl Sunday. The end result of the chase was the arrests of two suspects, but also the suspect vehicle crashed into a Mission District parklet, sending seven people to the hospital. District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder, whose district includes the Mission, issued a Letter of Inquiry on Tuesday. The crash started on the west end of town at Stonestown Galleria Shopping Mall and ended at the Napper Tandy, a Mission District Irish pub-sports bar on 24th Street. Among those injured were a mother and child. "I saw the footage of the crash myself and it was horrifying. I am so relived no one was killed and I've been in touch with City officials to connect impacted people to resources," Fielder posted on social media. "The public deserves answers into how this decision was made by SFPD and what accountability mechanisms are in place when innocent bystanders are injured or killed, and small businesses extensively damaged. Fielder says this is an issue of public safety, but it was in March of last year that voters approved a measure placed on the ballot by then-Mayor London Breed, that broadened police powers, including their ability to pursue non-violent felons and those with violent misdemeanors. In her letter addressed to San Francisco Police Department Chief of Police Bill Scott, Fielder asks about the circumstances surrounding the case and for clarification on the existing chase policy and whether officers have been trained on that policy. She also wants to know what the department's protocol is when a chase has resulted in injuries or fatalities. Another pointed question in her letter asks if other options could have been explored rather than carrying out the pursuit. Fielder even offers the suggestion of drone use. This goes back to former Mayor Breed's Proposition E that approved use of new technology such as drones and cameras in a special election last spring. In addition, Fielder asks for what accountability measures are in place when officers decide to pursue vehicles and the end result is injury to bystanders and significantly damaged local businesses. KTVU obtained video of the moment of impact when the Audi SUV slammed into the packed parklet right before the Super Bowl's kickoff. Marissa McGarr, owner of the Napper Tandy, said there was a violent jolt and that everyone at the bar sprang into action. As of Monday, all but one patient had been released from the hospital. The adult patient who remains hospitalized was said to be in serious condition. On Monday, SFPD said two women, ages 32 and 29, were arrested in connection to the pursuit. The suspects were allegedly driving a vehicle that was reported stolen out of Richmond. The district attorney's office did not have a date for the suspects' first court appearance. Fielder's letter includes statistics on the high proportion of collisions that happen as a result of police vehicle pursuits. Fielder said between 2018 and 2023, that SFPD engaged in 150 chases and that 15% of the chases resulted in at least one person getting hurt. "SFPD's car chase policy calls for police to 'safely apprehend a fleeing violator without unnecessarily endangering the public and/or officers.'" Fielder wrote in her letter. "According to state law, members of law enforcement are also supposed to balance the offense and need for immediate capture against the risks to motorists, pedestrians and officers." Fielder says she wants to ensure the city and police department are doing all they can to avoid such incidents from happening in the future. KTVU has reached out the police department about the Letter of Inquiry, but has not yet heard back. Click to open this PDF in a new window.
CBS News
11-02-2025
- CBS News
Horrific crash into San Francisco Mission sports bar parklet raises police pursuit questions
After a police pursuit ended with a suspect vehicle crashing into a parklet outside a popular Mission District bar Sunday afternoon, people are cleaning up and trying to make sense of the situation. The crash that left six people hospitalized happened outside the Napper Tandy located at the corner of 24th St. and South Van Ness Ave. just as the Super Bowl started. The owner of the bar, Marissa McGarr, said initially she didn't know what happened. "I actually thought it was an earthquake or something," said McGarr. "Just a big bang, and then smoke." The damaged remains of the parklet were almost unrecognizable. The roof fell in and a mother and her child were among the injured. San Francisco police officers had spotted a wanted vehicle in the area of Buckingham Way and Winston Drive near the Stonestown Galleria just after 3 p.m. When officers approached, the vehicle took off, leading police in a pursuit that ended with the collision. Everyone who was injured in the Sunday crash is expected to make a full recovery. "I heard the sirens and I got the alert through our cell phones," said Isai Cuevas. Cuevas owns Donaji Restaurant, which has its own parklet just down 24th St. from where the crash happened. Now he's unsure what to do with it. "Is it really worth it?" Cuevas questioned. "Is it really working for us now?" Police say the pursuit reached speeds of 45 miles per hour. Cuevas told CBS News Bay Area thinks the the city should re-evaluate Proposition E, which voters approved in November election last year. It allows police to initiate a pursuit if they believe the suspect is involved in any felony or a violent misdemeanor. The previous policy restricted chases to violent felonies, or if police believed a suspect posed an imminent threat to the public. "I think in neighborhoods it shouldn't happen, to be honest," said Cuevas. "It puts more people in danger. I don't think it will work, and I'm sure there is going to be a review of that situation through this incident." Supporters of Prop E say it helps improve public safety, but Supervisor Jackie Fielder, who represents the district, has concerns. "I continue to have serious questions related to why SFPD needed to engage in a dangerous high-speed chase in a residential neighborhood that sent six people to the hospital and could have killed someone," said Fielder in a statement to CBS Bay Area. SFPD has not commented on whether Sunday's chase was allowed under the updated guidelines. Luke Bornheimer, the executive director of Streets Forward, believes the crash may not have happened if it wasn't for Prop E. "I think this is the unfortunate result of a policy allowing police chases that decreases public safety, ironically, and puts everyone in danger," said Bornheimer. Despite that, Bornheimer is disappointed that multiple businesses are rethinking their parklets. "I think parklets have actually been a tremendous addition to the city," he said. "I think the city should be doing more to incentivize and encourage businesses to create parklets." But Cuevas says at this point it's just too difficult to keep them safe. He noted that his restaurant's parklet has been damaged multiple times. "We have the bumper. This got vandalized. They took part of it. We have the reflecting tapes," said Cuevas. In the end, he believe it may make more sense to remove it. There was no word yet on whether the Napper Tandy plans to rebuild its parklet. The two women who were in the vehicle -- identified as 32-year-old Taylor Ross of San Francisco and 29-year-old Eureeka Abrams of Bay Point -- were arrested.
