SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and California State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced new legislation on Monday called the SAFE Streets Act (San Francisco Allows Fencing Enforcement on our Streets) to aid in the fight to reclaim city streets from dangerous, illegal activity. “Fencing” refers to the sale of stolen goods.
Officials said the SAFE Streets Act is in response to the rampant selling of stolen goods in the city that is tied to increased retail theft, violent incidents and public safety concerns.
The bill protects legitimate vendors who have selling permits. However, it allows law enforcement to issue infractions or misdemeanors after several violations to street vendors who are operating without a permit or proof of purchase. On the third offense, the violator could get up to six months in county jail. The bill’s umbrella does not extend to prepared foods.
“With this bill, we are stopping people from stealing goods and then turning around to sell them on our streets, while also removing a key driver of our public safety crisis,” said Mayor Lurie in a news release. “I want to thank Senator Wiener for his partnership in making San Francisco safer. By taking on fencing, we are addressing retail theft, improving public safety, and adding another tool to help us clean up our streets.”
Senator Wiener added, “We need to end the sale of stolen goods on our streets, while supporting the legitimate street vendors who bring so much vibrancy to our neighborhoods. Criminal organizations are fueling retail theft and bringing violence and chaos to our streets, displacing legitimate street vendors, harming local businesses, and undermining public safety. The SAFE Streets Act holds these disruptors accountable and allows our communities to flourish.”
Officials said the bill’s criminal offenses do not impact to the majority of street vendors who are following the rules, including those who are:
- Selling any goods with a permit
- Selling goods on the list, with a permit or with proof of purchase
- Selling prepared food, with or without a permit
The SAFE Streets Act marks Mayor Lurie’s first state legislative proposal as he enters the first month of his term as San Francisco mayor. Lurie’s Fentanyl State of Emergency Ordinance has also gained traction with the Board of Supervisors, unanimously passing the Budget and Finance Committee last week.
“This bill will help empower vendors, while enabling the city to address fencing,” said Rodrigo Lopez, president of the Mission Street Vendors Association. “I have been a vendor for four years, and I strongly believe that we need this bill so that we can continue to safely make a living.”
Officials said the SAFE Streets Act has been designed to avoid immigration consequences.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and California State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced new legislation on Monday called the SAFE Streets Act (San Francisco Allows Fencing Enforcement on our Streets) to aid in the fight to reclaim city streets from dangerous, illegal activity. “Fencing” refers to the sale of stolen […]
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