Rising crime stirs question of leadership

San Francisco Business Times - July 27, 2007

by Arthur Bruzzone

Lawlessness permeates the streets of San Francisco. Our city government points to a national increase in violent crimes in our cities. That's only part of the story.

Let's take California's three major cities -- San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego -- and use the FBI's 2006 crime statistics for major U.S. cities. Violent crime (homicides, aggravated assaults, robberies and forcible rape) dropped 4 percent in Los Angeles, 3 percent in San Diego, but in San Francisco, it rose, 1.1 percent. Robberies were up 4 percent in Los Angeles, 16 percent in San Diego, but in San Francisco, they increased nearly a quarter, up 22 percent.

Click here to find out more!

The trend is no different this year. Violent crime grows more intense. There's been a spike in homicides -- 54 slayings this year, up from 45 at the same time last year. It's not gang-related homicides; gang-related homicides are down significantly. Lt. John Murphy, head of the police homicide detail, calls the recent attacks "spontaneous violence" with much more knife violence, the result of family and drug disputes. San Francisco General Hospital reports double the number of stabbing patients from a year ago, and if it weren't for their crack trauma unit, the murder rate would be much higher.

City Hall is in a state of denial and finger pointing, with an array of excuses from a lax District Attorney, ineffective leadership at the top, lenient juries and demoralized police force. In reality it is all of these plus politicized crime fighting. For example, the City Attorney announces injunctions against gang members. A demonstration follows opposing the measure to protect civil liberties. The community demands foot patrols, then complains at the lack of police response time to a crime scene. And the president of the Police Commission asks the police chief at a public hearing what can be done. The chief responds with a four-minute discussion of needed social programs for youth.

They'll be no increase in street safety until the city leaders recognize the problem and mobilize. Changes must be made at the top. When a company fails, the CEO is replaced. When battlefield losses become unacceptable, a new military chief is installed. There must be changes at the top to confront the crime crisis.

Mayor Newsom promised he would find the best and brightest for his administration. Now more than before, he must keep his promise. It would be a strong message that we're committed bringing order back to the streets of San Francisco.