Bay Area/ San Francisco/ Politics & Govt
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Published on September 01, 2024
Mayoral Candidate Mark Farrell Links 49ers' Pearsall Shooting to Shortcomings in Mayor Breed's Public Safety PolicySource: Sup. Mark Farrell (Left) [Mark Farrell for Mayor]
Mayor Breed (Center) [City of San Francisco]
Ricky Pearsall [James Gilbert / Getty Images]

In response to the Union Square shooting of 49ers first-round draft pick Ricky Pearsall, combined with an unsettling string of other gun violence plaguing San Francisco, mayoral candidate Mark Farrell has unequivocally denounced the current administration's approach to public safety. For context, Mayor Breed endorsed the national 'Defund the Police' campaign back in 2020 slashing the department's budget by a whopping $120 million at the time. Within the last year or two, Breed has seemingly changed course with harsher language regarding homelessness and criminality. Nonetheless, San Francisco has become a poster child of mismanagement in the recent times, even earning the unsavory title as the #1 worst managed city in the country by statisicians at WalletHub back in June.

Farrell's statement on social media acknowledged recent incidents, including the shooting that targeted Pearsall, to highlight shortcomings in public safety policy in City Hall.

Following the shooting in Union Square that left Pearsall hospitalized, Farrell castigated Mayor London Breed's leadership, directly correlating the incidents to her presence or lack thereof. In a recent Chronicle article, Farrell was depicted taking a hard stance against an apparent wave of violence on the streets, stating that "if we want public safety in San Francisco, then we need change in City Hall." This sentiment aligns with the concerns of 34% of likely voters who prioritize public safety. It is worth noting that reported statistics indicating a decline in city crime.

Notable figures like Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff have also recently commented on the state of San Francisco, demanding that the city, "REFUND the Police and not continue to DEFUND Police," in Tweet linking to Supervisor Farrell's profile.

Mayor Breed, in defense of her administration, stressed the anomaly of the Pearsall incident against a backdrop of decreasing violent crime rates. She affirmed her commitment to holding perpetrators accountable—a sentiment shared during a joint press conference with District Attorney Brooke Jenkins and Police Chief William Scott. Breed's administration has focused on bolstering the police force and exploring expanded authority for officers in an attempt to quash public concerns about safety.

The conversation on crime and public safety in San Francisco has extended into the realm of professional sports since prior to this specific incident, hinting at broader ramifications due to the city's safety reputation. Giants legend and former player Buster Posey acknowledged that concerns over the state of the city had influenced player decisions, telling The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly, "There was some reservation." This insight was revealed amid revelations that Japanese baseball phenom Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers despite the Giants' competitive offer at the end of last year. The incident with Pearsall cannot serve to improve that public perception.

Amid these tumultuous times, Farrell's rhetoric reflects a polarizing mayoral race where the assurance of public safety has become the fulcrum. As Farrell voices criticisms and positions himself as a harbinger of change, the struggle to frame public safety in policy and perception continues to unfold in San Francisco, with voters poised to decide the narrative that resonates most deeply with their lived experiences.

Pearsall's mother expressed her relief on social media with news that her 49er son had survived the incident because the bullet that struck him in the chest passed through and exited his back without hitting any vital organs. The 49ers also confirmed that he had been released from the hospital. A video circulated the internet showing Ricky Pearsall walking to the ambulance following the incident.