Broken car window in San Francisco, Calif. on Oct. 19, 2021. | Camille Cohen/The Standard
Nearly half of San Franciscans have been a victim of theft in the past five years and a quarter have been threatened or physically attacked, according to a new poll.
Findings from the SF Chronicle survey underscored the challenges of the city and the unhappiness of its residents, with 65% saying life in SF is worse today than when they moved here.
The survey also found that 39% of residents have had their property damaged in the past five years.
The new poll of residents confirms the findings of The Standard’s poll of voters prior to the June 2022 election. By far, both studies found that the No. 1 reported problem in the city is homelessness, followed by crime/safety.
San Franciscans also feel that racism complicates the city’s ability to solve the problems it faces. Importantly, 73% of Black residents and 70% of Asian residents say racism plays a role in the city’s ability to deal with local issues, while 56% of white residents say so. Overall, only 12% of residents say that racism does not make solving problems more difficult.
Security Guard Paul Davis, left, and SFPD Officer Thomas, right, provide security at the Ross department store located on the corner of 4th Street and Market Street and a security camera protrudes out from an apartment building in San Francisco on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
Many San Franciscans report that they do not plan to stay in the city long-term, with 37% of residents saying they would likely leave the city in the next three years. The Standard’s spring poll found that just 16% of voters plan to move away in the next two years.
Plans to move away were most widespread among residents ages 18 to 34, with 54% saying they would leave in three years compared to 16% of residents above 65.
Cal State execs still say their pay lags behind the national average while it has grown at a greater rate than that of faculty.
University president pay has increased at a greater rate than that of faculty, who are preparing to strike in early December, and the system is raising tuition. Yet, Cal State execs still say their pay lags behind the national average.
Authorities are currently investigating the three separate murders that unfolded between Sunday and Wednesday in which all of the victims were without permanent housing, according to LAPD.
Police are investigating a homicide after a woman was found dead inside a home on a leafy street in San Francisco's Presidio Heights on Wednesday night.
