Gov. Gavin Newsom dropped by San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood unannounced on Wednesday for a “private meeting” with members of his cabinet, followed by a walk around the neighborhood, according to his press office.
“They discussed the state’s ongoing efforts to tackle the fentanyl crisis, homelessness, and other critical issues,” said a spokesperson for Newsom. “Following the meeting, the Governor went for a walk and spoke with community members in the area.”
A local activist known for documenting the city’s drug crisis on Twitter posted a video of a brief exchange with Newsom. The governor was flanked by Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Mayor London Breed’s office confirmed that her chief of staff, Sean Elsbernd, was also present.
Today I was able to ask Gavin Newsom, the governor what is he going to do about the Fentanyl epidemic pic.twitter.com/SkMVuaVsHP
— jj smith (@war24182236) April 19, 2023
The activist, who goes by JJ Smith, said he ran into Newsom during his walk around the neighborhood and he questioned the governor on his plan to address fentanyl.
“It was awkward,” said Smith, who later posted a selfie with Newsom. “He just said he’s here to work on the fentanyl and homeless situation. He didn’t give me any concrete answers or solutions.”
In recent weeks, Breed and other local lawmakers have called for more resources to combat the city’s drug crisis, which has claimed the lives of at least 200 people so far this year.
On March 27, Breed sent a letter to U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey asking for support from the Department of Justice in fighting the “sheer volume of drug dealing on our streets.”
Breed has also met with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who said recently that she would be making remarks on the city’s fentanyl issues.
