A heated debate erupted during a recent San Francisco County government meeting, centering on a proposed charter amendment aimed at addressing the city's public safety crisis. Critics, including Vice Chair Walton, slammed the amendment as ineffective, arguing it merely creates the illusion of action without delivering real solutions.

Walton expressed frustration, stating, "It took you months to come up with a charter amendment that does absolutely nothing." He emphasized that while the police department is fully funded, the real challenge lies in attracting new recruits to the force. "We have the resources to fund the police department... but if you want increases... we need to get people excited about becoming police officers," he said.

The discussion highlighted a broader concern about the city's approach to public safety, with some officials suggesting that the amendment misleads voters into believing that a minimum staffing level for police can be guaranteed. "It's a myth to get the voters to think that we can guarantee a minimum number of staff," Walton asserted, calling for a more comprehensive strategy that goes beyond policing.

As the meeting progressed, the divide among officials became clear, with some advocating for immediate action to address public safety, while others questioned the efficacy of the proposed measures. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for how San Francisco approaches its ongoing public safety challenges.