In an ongoing effort to curtail the proliferation of stolen goods sold on the streets of San Francisco, State Senator Scott Wiener announced new legislation that aims to empower law enforcement to hold individuals accountable. According to a social media post from Senator Wiener, the legislation is designed to crack down on organized crime networks responsible for fuelling retail theft and violence, displacing legitimate street vendors, and undermining the local street vendor economy.
Today I’m announcing new legislation to crack down on the sale of stolen goods on San Francisco streets. These organized crime networks are fueling retail theft, driving out legitimate street vendors & leading to violence. 🧵 https://t.co/GeL21qF2b2
— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) February 3, 2025
The proposed SAFE Street Act, standing for San Francisco Allows Fencing Enforcement on our Streets, would grant San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors the authority to compile a list of commonly stolen goods, as detailed in a Mission Local report. If a street vendor is caught selling any of those items without the appropriate vending permit or proof of purchase, they could face an infraction with the potential for a misdemeanor or jail time upon repeated offenses. The SAFE Street Act would amend existing rules enforced by Public Works employees who have reported harassment and threats while carrying out their duties.
Senator Wiener's legislation, specific to San Francisco, revitalizes and reconfigures the state's previous position set by SB 946 in 2018, which sought to decriminalize street vending statewide. As Mission Local noted, the intention is to address and mitigate the negative impacts on public safety and the local economy caused by the illicit sale of stolen goods.
On the streets, the issue of selling ill-gotten merchandise is evident, with Rodrigo Lopez, president of the Mission Street Vendors Association, voicing his support for the legislation to the San Francisco Chronicle, asserting, "I have been a vendor for 4 years, and I strongly believe that we need this bill so that we can continue to safely make a living."
