By the time this edition of the Journal is published, it will be approximately four days until the March 5, 2024, Primary Election. There are several local measures that will impact the path forward for both our city and the San Francisco Police Department, specifically Measures B (NO) and E (YES).
A funny thing happened over the last two years. While politicians were finger-pointing and the “progressives” were finding new things to label as racist, all of you were doing your jobs. Our new DA was doing her job. Arrests increased. Prosecutions increased. The community noticed and they started speaking up. For many they realized that wanting a safe community wasn’t a race issue or political issue. It wasn’t an issue that divided this city. In fact, based on new poll results, wanting a safe city, and wanting more police officers brings our diverse city together.
The recent GrowSF poll showed that 75% of San Francisco voters support adding 500 more officers. But here’s the blow to our race-baiting progressives: 81% of black voters support adding 500 more officers, 74% of white voters, 71% of Latinos, and 80% of Asian Americans.
And the best part is other poll results show that those voters can tell the difference between real public safety solutions and the BS.
Measure B is a deceptive trick cooked up by politicians who pretend to want a safer city. They are trying to leverage the voters support of police to raise taxes by making them believe they should pay more for getting more police. This is a blatant lie. This measure was never about the police or any of the public safety agencies. This measure will not increase the number of police, sheriff, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, or dispatchers. Originally, this measure wanted to create a fund to help with the recruitment of police officers to the city. Not everyone liked that it was only geared toward police. But instead of coming to the table to create a joint venture that would include everyone, the measure was corrupted to the point that it is deceitful to its core. VOTE NO ON MEASURE B.
Measure E is our best bet to have a tangible impact on improving how we fight crime and operate as a Police Department. Finally, we’d have a commonsense policy on adding technology tools to our ability to prevent, fight, and solve crimes. It will allow us to catch up with other local agencies in the use of technology as a significant crime-fighting tool, helping us to take on organized retail theft criminal enterprises, improving our ability to solve the epidemic of stolen vehicles and help return them quickly and without a parking ticket to their rightful owners. Contrary to what some people want you to believe, there will not be high-speed chases throughout the city. Another lie. Our pursuit policy must still be followed by every officer who engages in a pursuit. Any changes must still go before the commission and then through the meet and confer process. Do not believe the hysteria that some are trying to whip up, because it is not true. VOTE YES ON MEASURE E.
These are only two of the measures up for a vote. Voting is a way for many to express what they believe in and who they believe in. Whether it be a measure, proposition, or person running for an elected office, remember that every single vote counts. Vote wisely, vote your conscience, but most importantly, please vote.
Please see the SFPOA recommendations for the March 5, 2024, election. These recommendations are for some positions and ballot measures in San Francisco, along with the Democrat and Republican Central Committees, and California State races. The SFPOA did make some endorsements and financial donations towards certain candidates and measures appearing on this list (*). These are recommendations to help our members and supporters to make informed decisions. Various voter guides were used in putting out these recommendations: San Francisco Voter guide pamphlet, Together SF Action, SF GOP, SF Public Press, KQED voting guide, Briones Society, The No B.S. Voter Guide, Grow SF etc. For individuals and ballot measures that you don’t see a recommendation for on this list, please seek more information to help you make your choice.
San Francisco Local Propositions:
PROP A: Affordable Housing Bond VOTE NO
PROP B: Police Officer Staffing Level Conditioned on Amending Existing or Future Tax Funding VOTE NO*
PROP C: Real Estate Transfer Tax Exemption and Office Space Allocation VOTE NO
PROP D: Changes to Local Ethics Laws VOTE YES
PROP E: Police Department Policies and Procedures VOTE YES*
PROP F: Illegal Substance Dependence Screening & Treatment for Recipients of City Public Assistance VOTE YES
PROP G: Algebra 1 for 8th graders VOTE YES
Superior Court Judges:
Seat 1: Vote for Chip Zecher*
Seat 13: Vote for Jean Myungjin Roland*
State Assembly, District 19:
Catherine Stefani*
DCCC Assembly District 17:
Supervisor Matt Dorsey*
Nancy Tung
Lily Ho*
DCCC Assembly District 19:
Supervisor Catherine Stefani*
Marjan Philhour*
Michela Alioto-Pier
RCCC Assembly District 17:
Charles Page Chamberlain*
David Cuadro*
Jennie Feldman*
Bill Jackson*
Christopher Lewis*
Christian Foster*
Josh Wolff*
Jamie Wong*
William Shireman*
Larry Marso
Jason Zeng
Min Chang
RCCC Assembly District 19:
Martha Conte*
Nicholas Berg*
Jeremiah Boehner*
Peter Elden*
Jay Donde*
Jan Diamond*
Tom Rapkoch*
Grazia Monares*
Deah Williams*
Jennifer Yan*
Rodney Leong
John Dennis
Howard Epstein
