San Francisco mayoral candidates debate fallout from Ricky Pearsall shooting
SAN FRANCISCO - The impact of the daylight robbery attempt and shooting of San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall continues to reverberate throughout the city.
Mayor London Breed acknowledged that it is another high-profile incident for a city that is attempting to change perceptions about out-of-control crime.
She said that as shocking as the incident was, her recent push to support law enforcement played a role in the quick capture of the 17-year-old suspect from Tracy. The mayor pointed to recent data showing crime trending downward.
"But, I want to say, because everyone says it: when something happens to you, all that number stuff goes out the door," said Breed. "I totally understand that. But, we are not letting up, and the fact is, what we put in place worked, and it sends a strong message that if you come to San Francisco and commit these crimes you will be arrested."
Former Mayor Mark Farrell, who hopes to unseat Breed, described the shooting as yet another high-profile black eye for San Francisco. He said it's a sign that new leadership with an eye on public safety is needed.
"She defunded the police department three years ago," said Farrell. "Stripped $120 million out of our police department budget. Has mismanaged our police department, where now overtime is getting capped and cut and is now blocking reform of our police commission that is making it harder for police officers to do their work on the streets of San Francisco. I'm running for mayor because I'm going to change that."
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Ricky Pearsall shooting: San Francisco police double officers in Union Square
SFPD Chief Bill Scott said the department will double officers to at least 12 in Union Square to ease anxieties, following the attempted robbery and shooting of Ricky Pearsall.
Daniel Lurie said the shooting is a clear indication that previous city leaders have failed. He plans to expand police staffing so that residents and visitors feel safe.
"In order for us to be able to draw conventions back, to draw tourism back, and to build our brand again globally, we have a lot of work to do and the people I'm running against have created this perception, this sense of disorder," said Lurie.
District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safaí lauded the swift action of the officers on the scene. He noted that’s why he has advocated for creative ways to increase police staffing, adding that recent data showing that crime is down does not make anyone feel safer after a high-profile incident like this.
"They want to hear 'What are you going to do about the problem? How are you going to solve it?'" said Safai. "So, my solution is to get them out of their cars on the street. We have the overtime to pay for it, and secondly, to get those numbers back up, let's give incentives like student loan forgiveness to make them want to work in San Francisco."
Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, also running for mayor, told KTVU in a statement that read in part, "Turning this into a political football doesn't make San Francisco safer or represent who we are as a city... I'm representing by focusing on real public safety solutions: retaining 50 experienced officers at less cost than overtime via Prop F and legislating my College to Community Policing recruitment plan with forgivable loans."