Mayor Breed urges focus on public safety, praises new district attorney at Board of Supervisors meeting

Mayor London Breed addressed the San Francisco Board of Supervisors during a 2 p.m. special appearance on July 12, 2022, urging action on public safety to support schools, businesses and the city’s tourism recovery.

"As we continue our road to recovery, a critical component is ensuring San Franciscans feel safe to take their kids to school, open their businesses, and to move about the city without fear of harassment or violence," Breed told the board.

Breed said residents want both accountability for people who commit crimes and continued work on criminal justice reform. She noted the appointment of Brooke Jenkins as district attorney and said Jenkins brings prosecutorial experience. "Brooke has real experience as a prosecutor, having prosecuted hate crimes, assaults, and homicides," Breed said, adding Jenkins understands "the inequity in the criminal justice system" through both professional and personal experience.

Why it matters: The mayor framed public safety as integral to economic recovery and community confidence. Breed asked supervisors to support funding and oversight for public safety efforts, and to collaborate with recently appointed public-safety leadership.

What was said and what wasn’t: Breed credited the Budget and Appropriations Committee and its chair, Supervisor Ronan, for collaborative work on funding. She expressed support for setting public-safety agencies up "for success," but did not announce new legislation or funding allocations during the appearance.

Next steps: The mayor said she looks forward to working with the board and recently appointed DA Jenkins in the coming months. The board did not take action tied to the mayor’s remarks during the special order beyond receiving the presentation.