San Francisco voters approve drug screening for welfare recipients
San Francisco voters showed strong support for a ballot measure that requires welfare recipients who receive aid from the city and are “reasonably” suspected of using drugs to be screened and enroll in treatment.
San Francisco voters showed strong support for a ballot measure that requires welfare recipients who receive aid from the city and are “reasonably” suspected of using drugs to be screened and enroll in treatment.
They also favored another measure that eases restrictions on police officers.
The approvals were seen as wins for Mayor London Breed, who faces a tough re-election fight in November over concerns that she has been weak on crime. She put the measures on the ballot with the intention of improving public safety and addressing the city’s drug crisis, she has said.
But opponents say the measures could exacerbate those issues, as well as homelessness, and will not make the public safer.
Mayor London Breed speaks to supporters at an election night party Tuesday in San Francisco.Godofredo A. Vásquez / APProposition E, which reduces the power of the citizen police oversight commission, garnered almost 60% of the vote. It also authorizes the police department to use drones and surveillance cameras; requires written reports for use-of-force incidents only when a physical injury occurred or when a firearm was removed from an officer’s holster; and gives police more freedom to pursue suspects in vehicles.
Rating: 5