From: allin
San Francisco faces significant challenges regarding crime and safety, with discussions highlighting a perceived increase in danger and a breakdown of public order. The tragic death of Cash App creator Bob Lee in April 2023 brought these issues to the forefront, sparking renewed debate among residents and observers [01:10:02].
The Bob Lee Case and Perceptions of Crime
Bob Lee, a well-known figure in the tech industry as former CTO of Square and an early Google Android team member, was fatally stabbed in San Francisco [01:10:02] [01:11:13]. At the time of discussion, no arrests had been made [01:10:35]. Lee was described as an “incredibly kind and generous person” [01:11:24].
The incident occurred in the Soma district near Rincon Center and former Salesforce offices, an area generally considered “nice” and quiet at night, not within the “heart of the camping district” [01:11:32] [01:11:54]. This randomness contributes to the feeling of danger, contrasting with previous eras of crime where one might know “who the gangs were” and “how to avoid trouble” [01:22:43].
”Upside Down Town” Dynamics
Critics describe San Francisco as an “upside down town” where responses to power dynamics have inadvertently led to negative consequences [01:12:26] [01:13:05]. This perspective suggests that while minor infractions like parking tickets are strictly enforced (e.g., 100 tickets for being eight minutes too long at a meter) [01:12:20], serious crimes like open-air drug dealing, walking into stores to steal thousands of dollars of goods, or breaking windows often go unpunished [01:13:00] [01:22:13].
Examples of Perceived Lawlessness
- Car break-ins: A personal anecdote describes a car being broken into on the Embarcadero within 90 minutes while dining [01:12:01].
- Open-air drug markets: Downtown areas are described as “open-air drug markets” where individuals are openly doing and selling drugs, or are incapacitated, with some wearing balaclavas to avoid identification [01:22:13].
This perceived reversal of consequences leads to an environment where citizens become victims, especially those who cannot afford to leave [01:14:35] [01:21:31].
Political and Social Context
The Bob Lee case is seen as a potential “wake-up call” or “crossroads” for the city, similar to the Brianna Kupfer case in Los Angeles, where a person was stabbed by a psychotic homeless individual who had been through the “revolving door of the jail and Criminal Justice System” [01:15:01] [01:15:42]. Critics argue that the push for “decarceration” and the release of individuals who could benefit from mandatory treatment or mental asylums represents an “outrageous abdication of responsibility” by elected officials [01:16:01] [01:16:17].
“The thing I just wish is that I could lock for 24 hours the people alike our supervisors or our governor or the people who basically make these laws or the people who are pushing for decarceration of these violent offenders by these non-profits I wish I could lock them up in a room for 24 hours with the people that they think are safe to release on our streets… it seems to me that these elected leaders and these non-profits are pushing for these outcomes they are setting loose on us a predatory criminal or psychotic element that jeopardizes our safety and makes these cities unlivable” [01:16:26]
The California Governor is criticized for focusing on “culture wars in a distant state” instead of addressing the criminal justice system within California, which has seen prison closures and inmate releases [01:17:21].
The issue of homelessness, addiction, and mental illness is intertwined with crime, with a significant portion of the street population struggling with various combinations of these issues [01:20:00] [01:20:00] [01:28:27].
Political Division and Incompetence
The problem is exacerbated by political division and perceived incompetence within local government, particularly the Board of Supervisors, mayor, and DAs [01:23:19]. The argument is made that “aggressive policing and safety are now viewed as opposite and antithetical to social justice,” hindering effective policy changes [01:20:09]. The recent Chicago mayoral election, where a “social justice candidate” won over a “Law and Order candidate,” is cited as an example of voters prioritizing different concerns [01:20:49].
Path Forward
Solving San Francisco’s crime and safety issues is seen as requiring “regime change” [01:18:54]. Historical examples like New York City, which transformed from lawlessness through “a handful of mayors” who “drew a hard line in the sand” and increased policing (e.g., “broken windows theory”) are offered as models [01:19:07] [01:19:18].
Key proposals include:
- Increased policing and enforcement: Rebuilding police departments, which have been reduced (e.g., San Francisco police department being 50% of its desired size) [01:24:56].
- Addressing systemic issues: Overcoming the complex political structure that makes change difficult (e.g., the power of the Board of Supervisors) [01:25:12].
- Voter engagement: Empowering voters to demand change and support candidates who prioritize law and order [01:17:16] [01:23:33]. Grassroots groups like “Grow SF” and figures like Gary Tan are mentioned as important [01:25:39].
- Courageous leadership: The need for “brave” individuals to run for government and “put their neck out there” to address the issues [01:24:32].
One speaker, Jason, stated he would “never host a conference or any event in San Francisco until this is solved,” highlighting the reluctance of some to engage with the city due to safety concerns [01:21:40].