The recent shooting of 49er Ricky Pearsall was a devastating reminder of the challenges facing our city. My thoughts are with Ricky and his family as he begins his recovery. I also want to acknowledge the SFPD and the medical staff at SF General for their prompt and decisive actions on Saturday.
I launched my campaign for mayor because I believe San Francisco must be safe for everyone who lives, works, and visits here. Sadly, this tragic incident is just one high-profile example of the ongoing public safety crisis we face. Many more incidents happen every day that never make the headlines.
Public safety isn’t just a talking point—it will be my top priority, every single day.
I have a plan to create a new police district focused on our city’s hospitality zone, including Union Square, Yerba Buena Center, and Moscone Center that is backed by Former Central Station Captain Robert Yick. The recent shooting underscores how urgently this is needed. This police district will feature a centrally located station to ensure rapid response times and maintain a strong police presence where it’s needed most.
Through my public safety and law enforcement staffing plan, we will fully staff our police department, enabling us to intensively cover all neighborhoods, while providing specialized training for officers to address the unique challenges of high-traffic areas.
Union Square is the heart of our economy, drawing visitors from across the Bay Area and beyond. I believe in its potential, but we can’t keep electing leaders who allow this decline to continue. The violence, break-ins, open-air drug markets, and homeless encampments that have become the norm are unacceptable. It’s time for real change.
For more information on my public safety initiatives:
Daniel Lurie is a lifelong Democrat, San Franciscan, and founder of Tipping Point Community. He will bring accountable leadership and reform to City Hall.
