Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee – September 28, 2023
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Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting – September 28, 2023
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee held a hybrid meeting on September 28, 2023, chaired by Supervisor Catherine Stefani. The committee reviewed seven agenda items, including liquor license transfers, a resolution supporting gun violence victims, a police code amendment regarding armed guards, a hearing on accidental overdose deaths, and a hearing on traffic enforcement. The meeting ran from approximately 6:15 PM to late evening.
Liquor License Transfers (Items 1 & 2)
- Item 1 (779 Bush Street – Ad Hoc): The committee heard a proposal for a type 48 on-sale general license transfer to 790 Bush Ventures Inc. SFPD reported zero letters of protest or support, and the alcohol liaison unit recommended approval with conditions. Public comment included one caller making antisemitic remarks, which were immediately cut off. The committee voted unanimously to send a positive recommendation to the full board.
- Item 2 (999 Valencia Street – Valencia Whole Foods): A type 20 off-sale beer and wine license transfer to Valencia WF Inc. was considered. SFPD reported 10 letters of protest, 3 letters of support, and 1 petition in favor. The applicant, Lana Nizal, noted the store has been in the Mission for 30 years and seeks to meet customer demand. No public comments were offered. The committee voted unanimously to recommend approval.
Resolution: Urging Creation of Programming and Resources for Victims of Gun Violence (Item 4)
- Presentation: Supervisor Connie Chan introduced the resolution, noting 139 shooting victims in 2022 (67% Black and Brown) and the new state law AB 1594 allowing victims to sue firearm manufacturers. DPH’s Stephanie Felder committed to developing multilingual educational materials by January 2024. Monifa Willis from the DA’s office described victim services and challenges in confidentiality. Dr. Sarah Metz from UCSF Trauma Recovery Center outlined wraparound care. Supervisor Chan offered amendments to correct clerical errors and adjust the timeline to January 2024.
- Public Comment: Several callers spoke; one made racist remarks and was cut off. Another speaker, Joe Cunzler, a gun violence survivor, praised Supervisor Stefani’s leadership.
- Outcome: The committee voted 3-0 to approve amendments and send the resolution to the full board with a positive recommendation.
Ordinance: Police Code – Drawing of Firearms by Armed Guards (Item 3)
- Presentation: Supervisor Dean Preston introduced the ordinance in response to the killing of Banko Brown by a security guard. The measure deletes “or property” from sections 1750.19 and 1750.20 of the Police Code, aligning local law with state standards that allow drawing a firearm only when there is an imminent threat to life. Co-sponsors include Supervisors Walton, Chan, and Peskin.
- Discussion: Supervisor Dorsey noted consistency with police department general orders. Supervisor Safai expressed support and mentioned ongoing work on broader Article 25 reforms. Supervisor Stefani added herself as a co-sponsor.
- Public Comment: Speakers included Jordan (“pass Banko’s Law”), Jafrea Morris (Black Women Revolt), and others. One caller made racist remarks and was cut off.
- Outcome: The committee voted 3-0 to recommend the ordinance to the full board.
Hearing: Accidental Overdose Death Report – Departmental Responses (Item 6)
- Background: Supervisor Ahsha Safai convened the hearing, noting San Francisco has the seventh-highest overdose rate among large U.S. cities. In 2023, the city is on track for its deadliest year, with fentanyl present in 81% of accidental overdose deaths. Data from the Medical Examiner shows 563 deaths in the first eight months of 2023, a 20% increase over 2022.
- Presentations:
- Medical Examiner: Dr. Link Ruther reported that cases have increased fourfold since 2019, with fentanyl driving the crisis. 83.5% of victims were male, 55% people of color, and 68% had a fixed address.
- District Attorney Brooke Jenkins: Noted a 90% filing rate on drug cases, 1,000+ cases filed, and 248 detention motions filed but only 19 granted. She called for thorough death investigations to tie dealers to overdoses and for treating fentanyl sales as a public safety emergency.
- SFPD Commander Derek Louis: Described the Drug Market Agency Coordination Center (DMAC) and reported a 58% increase in drug user arrests and 80% increase in drug trafficking arrests year-to-date. Fentanyl seizures rose 132% to 218 pounds.
- DPH Director Dr. Hillary Kunins: Outlined prevention efforts, including distributing over 72,000 naloxone doses in 2023, expanding medication-assisted treatment, and launching a public data dashboard. She noted racial disparities: Black residents account for 6% of the population but 30-32% of overdose deaths. DPH operates approximately 2,500 beds, with a 5% vacancy rate.
- HSH Deputy Director Emily Cohen: Reported 234 overdoses in shelter and housing programs in FY 2022-23, with 60% documented reversals. She highlighted efforts to increase naloxone access and develop clean-and-sober housing options.
- Public Comment: Speakers advocated for evidence-based public health approaches and criticized enforcement measures. One caller made antisemitic remarks and was cut off.
- Outcome: The committee voted to continue the hearing to the call of the chair for further follow-up on investigations and treatment capacity.
Ordinance: Health Code – Requiring Retail Pharmacies to Stock Opioid Antagonists (Item 5)
- Presentation: Supervisor Dorsey sponsored the ordinance, which requires retail pharmacies to stock at least two boxes of an opioid antagonist (e.g., naloxone). Dr. Jeff Hom from DPH noted that about 25% of pharmacies currently do not stock naloxone, and the legislation mirrors a successful policy in Philadelphia. Over-the-counter naloxone recently became available.
- Public Comment: One caller questioned the approach, suggesting community ambassadors instead.
- Outcome: The committee voted 3-0 to send the ordinance to the full board with a positive recommendation.
Hearing: Traffic Enforcement and Street Safety (Item 7)
- Presentation: Supervisor Rafi Mandelman led the hearing, noting that traffic citations dropped from about 350 per day in 2014 to 10-11 per day currently, while 2022 was the deadliest year for traffic fatalities since 2007. Commander Nicole Jones of SFPD’s Special Operations Bureau presented data showing a 42% decrease in traffic fatalities in the first two quarters of 2023 compared to 2022, but overall citation numbers remain low. Factors include staffing shortages (606 officers short of baseline), increased administrative burdens from state laws (RIPA, body-worn cameras), and a shift toward directed operations and educational enforcement. The traffic division has only 46 sworn officers, down from 77 in 2014. The Vision Zero squad was disbanded in 2020.
- Discussion: Supervisor Mandelman asked about the Valencia Street bike lane enforcement and use of drones for sideshows. Public comment included calls for better data transparency and focus on high-injury network.
- Outcome: The committee voted to continue the hearing to the call of the chair, with Commander Jones expected to present a more detailed enforcement plan in the first quarter of 2024.
Key Outcomes
- Liquor License Transfers (Items 1 & 2): Both recommended to full board with positive recommendation (unanimous).
- Gun Violence Resolution (Item 4): Approved amendments and recommended to full board (3-0).
- Police Code Amendment (Item 3): Recommended to full board (3-0).
- Overdose Hearing (Item 6): Continued to call of the chair for further follow-up.
- Opioid Antagonist Ordinance (Item 5): Recommended to full board (3-0).
- Traffic Enforcement Hearing (Item 7): Continued to call of the chair; enforcement plan expected by early 2024.
Meeting Transcript
This meeting will come to order. Welcome to the September 28th, 2023 regular meeting of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. I'm Supervisor Catherine Stephanie, Chair of the Committee. To my right is Vice Chair Ingario, and to my left is Supervisor Dorsey. The clerk is Mr. John Carroll. And I'd also like to thank Jaime Escaveri at SFW TV for staffing this meeting. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. The Board of Supervisors and its committees are convening hybrid meetings that allow in-person attendance and public comment while still providing remote access and public comment via telephone. The board recognizes that equitable public access is essential. First, public comment will be taken on each of the seven items on today's agenda. Those attending the meeting in person will be allowed to speak first, and then we will hear public comment from those who are waiting on a telephonic public comment line. The public comment call in number for today is 415-655-0001. If you call in, you'll be prompted to enter a meeting ID. And the meeting ID for today's meeting is 2661481 6334. After you've entered the meeting ID, please press the pound symbol two times and you will hear the meeting discussions through your telephone. Your line will be in listening mode only. When your item of interest comes up and public comment is called, those joining us in person should line up to speak along the curtain wall of room 250. And those on the telephone should dial star three to be added to the speaker line to speak on that agenda item. If you're on your telephone, please remember to turn down the volume on your television, your computer, your streaming device, whatever you may be using to access today's proceedings. Alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing. And I invite you to do so by either emailing your comment to me, the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Clerk at J-O-H-N, period C-A-R-R-O-L-L at SFGOV.org, or to send your written comments via U.S. Postal Service to our office in City Hall. That is one Dr. Carlton B. Goodlit Place, the clerk's office, room 244, San Francisco, California 94102. And finally, items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda of October 17th, 2023, unless otherwise stated. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Will you please call the first item? Agenda item number one is a hearing to consider that the premise-to-premise transfer of a type 48 on-sale general public premises liquor license to 790 Bush Street Ventures Incorporated to do business as ad hoc, located at 779 Bush, will serve the public convenience or necessity of the city and county. Thank you. I'd like to welcome Officer Salmussen from the SFPD ABC liaison unit. 790 Bush Ventures has applied for a type 48 license, and if approved, this will allow them to operate an on-sale general public premise. I have zero letters of protest, zero letters of support. They're located on plot 158, which is considered a high crime area. They're in census track 121, which is considered a high saturation area. And Alcall Liaison Unit recommends approval with the following conditions. Number one, that the petitioner shall actively monitor the area under their control in an effort to prevent the loitering of persons on any property adjacent to the licensed premise as depicted on ABC 253 form. And that any entertainment provided shall not be audible at any nearby residence or consideration point. Thank you. Any questions from my colleagues? And are there represent representatives from the applicant present? Good morning, Supervisors David Villobo, CLA Consulting. Uh let me just start off by saying this has been this application's been nine months uh in the pipeline due to the conditional use process requirement. Uh extensive outreach was performed and required by the planning department. We did a pre-application meeting. Uh and no one actually showed up to that meeting.
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