Jonah Owen Lamb

California voters approved a measure rolling back reforms that reduced the punishment for minor property and drug offenses, reverting those crimes to felonies once again.

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California voters approved a measure rolling back reforms that reduced the punishment for minor property and drug offenses, reverting those crimes to felonies once again.

Proposition 36 — drafted in response to spiking fentanyl deaths — would also toughen drug-related sentences, force some people into treatment, and threaten convicted drug dealers with murder charges.&nbsp;The measure was leading with a wide margin in <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-results-november-2024/">early results</a> Tuesday night.

San Francisco live election results

Proposition 36 — drafted in response to spiking fentanyl deaths — would also toughen drug-related sentences, force some people into treatment, and threaten convicted drug dealers with murder charges.&nbsp;The measure was leading with a wide margin in <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-results-november-2024/">early results</a> Tuesday night.

<a href="https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2024/general/pdf/prop36-text-proposed-laws.pdf">Prop. 36</a> — officially the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act — would also turn a third misdemeanor theft or drug offense into a felony, the latter requiring treatment or prison.

<a href="https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2024/general/pdf/prop36-text-proposed-laws.pdf">Prop. 36</a> — officially the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act — would also turn a third misdemeanor theft or drug offense into a felony, the latter requiring treatment or prison.

Prop. 36: Increase penalties for drug and theft crimes

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The law will also make a number of other changes, including classifying fentanyl as a “hard drug” like cocaine or heroin, increasing jail time for dealers based on the drugs they sell, and “bundling” the value of stolen merchandise so it can be charged as a felony.

The law will also make a number of other changes, including classifying fentanyl as a “hard drug” like cocaine or heroin, increasing jail time for dealers based on the drugs they sell, and “bundling” the value of stolen merchandise so it can be charged as a felony.

The proposed law’s authors designed it as a reversal of 2014’s Prop. 47, which among other things stopped severe punishments for people found guilty of stealing items with relatively low value.&nbsp;

The proposed law’s authors designed it as a reversal of 2014’s Prop. 47, which among other things stopped severe punishments for people found guilty of stealing items with relatively low value.&nbsp;

Studies about that law’s impacts, along with a number of other criminal justice reforms, are mixed when it comes to their impact on drug sales and retail theft, which have become central issues since the pandemic.&nbsp;

Studies about that law’s impacts, along with a number of other criminal justice reforms, are mixed when it comes to their impact on drug sales and retail theft, which have become central issues since the pandemic.&nbsp;

According to a recent study of Prop. 47 by the <a href="https://www.ppic.org/publication/crime-after-proposition-47-and-the-pandemic/">Public Policy Institute of California</a>, while the law reduced the prison population, some property and drug crimes reclassified as misdemeanors spiked after its passage.&nbsp;

According to a recent study of Prop. 47 by the <a href="https://www.ppic.org/publication/crime-after-proposition-47-and-the-pandemic/">Public Policy Institute of California</a>, while the law reduced the prison population, some property and drug crimes reclassified as misdemeanors spiked after its passage.&nbsp;

Still, the institute included a caveat in its findings: “Prop 47 may not be the most important change to the criminal justice system in recent years; the pandemic brought challenges that have had lasting impacts on incarceration and enforcement.”

Still, the institute included a caveat in its findings: “Prop 47 may not be the most important change to the criminal justice system in recent years; the pandemic brought challenges that have had lasting impacts on incarceration and enforcement.”

Since the passage of Prop. 47, according to the institute, the state saw a decline in jail and prison populations, as well as a drop in arrests for some drug and property crimes that were no longer felonies. Because of the decline in prison populations, the state saved $800 million over that period.

Since the passage of Prop. 47, according to the institute, the state saw a decline in jail and prison populations, as well as a drop in arrests for some drug and property crimes that were no longer felonies. Because of the decline in prison populations, the state saved $800 million over that period.

California could toughen theft laws amid rampant shoplifting concerns

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Supporters of Prop. 36 say the new law will make “California communities safer by addressing rampant theft and drug trafficking. It toughens penalties for fentanyl and drug traffickers and ‘smash-and-grabs’ while holding repeat offenders accountable. It targets serial thieves and encourages treatment for those addicted to drugs, using a balanced approach to fix loopholes in current laws.”

Supporters of Prop. 36 say the new law will make “California communities safer by addressing rampant theft and drug trafficking. It toughens penalties for fentanyl and drug traffickers and ‘smash-and-grabs’ while holding repeat offenders accountable. It targets serial thieves and encourages treatment for those addicted to drugs, using a balanced approach to fix loopholes in current laws.”

The measure was backed by major retailers like Walmart and the state’s prison guard union, but opposed by Gov. Gavin Newson, Contra Costa County’s district attorney, and others.&nbsp;

The measure was backed by major retailers like Walmart and the state’s prison guard union, but opposed by Gov. Gavin Newson, Contra Costa County’s district attorney, and others.&nbsp;

“Don’t be fooled. Proposition 36 will lead to more crime, not less. It reignites the failed war on drugs, makes simple drug possession a felony, and wastes billions on prisons, while slashing crucial funding for victims, crime prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. This puts prisons first and guts treatment. Vote No,” wrote the proposition’s opponents.

“Don’t be fooled. Proposition 36 will lead to more crime, not less. It reignites the failed war on drugs, makes simple drug possession a felony, and wastes billions on prisons, while slashing crucial funding for victims, crime prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. This puts prisons first and guts treatment. Vote No,” wrote the proposition’s opponents.

Californians vote to reverse course on lighter sentencing by passing Prop. 36

The sister of Nima Momeni, who is being tried for the murder of Cash App founder Bob Lee, testified Monday about telling her brother that the victim&#8217;s dealer sexually assaulted her a day before the killing — yet within hours was at her house with more drugs.

The sister of Nima Momeni, who is being tried for the murder of Cash App founder Bob Lee, testified Monday about telling her brother that the victim's dealer sexually assaulted her a day before the killing — yet within hours was at her house with more drugs.

The sister of Nima Momeni, who is being tried for the murder of Cash App founder Bob Lee, testified Monday about telling her brother that the victim&#8217;s dealer sexually assaulted her a day before the killing — yet within hours was at her house with more drugs.

Details Khazar Momeni shared during her second day on the witness stand raised more questions about her relationship with Jeremy Boivin, Lee&#8217;s dealer, and complicated the purported rationale for her brother stabbing the tech CEO.&nbsp;

Details Khazar Momeni shared during her second day on the witness stand raised more questions about her relationship with Jeremy Boivin, Lee's dealer, and complicated the purported rationale for her brother stabbing the tech CEO.&nbsp;

Details Khazar Momeni shared during her second day on the witness stand raised more questions about her relationship with Jeremy Boivin, Lee&#8217;s dealer, and complicated the purported rationale for her brother stabbing the tech CEO.&nbsp;

Prosecutors say Momeni stabbed Lee under the Bay Bridge the morning of April 4, 2023. Momeni&#8217;s legal team contends their client acted in self-defense.&nbsp;The motivation for that killing, according to prosecutors, revolved around an incident at Boivin&#8217;s apartment related to “inappropriate” behavior Lee allowed Khazar to partake in, according to the district attorney’s office.&nbsp;

Prosecutors say Momeni stabbed Lee under the Bay Bridge the morning of April 4, 2023. Momeni's legal team contends their client acted in self-defense.&nbsp;The motivation for that killing, according to prosecutors, revolved around an incident at Boivin's apartment related to “inappropriate” behavior Lee allowed Khazar to partake in, according to the district attorney’s office.&nbsp;

Prosecutors say Momeni stabbed Lee under the Bay Bridge the morning of April 4, 2023. Momeni&#8217;s legal team contends their client acted in self-defense.&nbsp;The motivation for that killing, according to prosecutors, revolved around an incident at Boivin&#8217;s apartment related to “inappropriate” behavior Lee allowed Khazar to partake in, according to the district attorney’s office.&nbsp;

Khazar’s testimony this week has <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/17/bob-lee-nima-momeni-trial-khazar-momeni/">centered on her link</a> to Boivin.

Khazar Momeni says she’s devastated by Bob Lee&#8217;s killing but defends her brother

Khazar’s testimony this week has <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/17/bob-lee-nima-momeni-trial-khazar-momeni/">centered on her link</a> to Boivin.

The prosecution pressed Khazar on that relationship in light of their interactions hours before the killing, in which she, Boivin, and Lee used alcohol, cocaine, and nitrous oxide. At some point, Lee and a friend left, leaving Khazar with Boivin and another woman, Khazar said in court Monday.

The prosecution pressed Khazar on that relationship in light of their interactions hours before the killing, in which she, Boivin, and Lee used alcohol, cocaine, and nitrous oxide. At some point, Lee and a friend left, leaving Khazar with Boivin and another woman, Khazar said in court Monday.

Khazar and her friend took the party drug GHB. At some point, she said, she started to lose consciousness.&nbsp;

Khazar and her friend took the party drug GHB. At some point, she said, she started to lose consciousness.&nbsp;

&#8220;I woke up twice, and [Boivin] pulled down my pants and slapped my ass,&#8221; Khazar testified. &#8220;I was scared. I knew something wrong was happening. &#8230; He&#8217;s a predator.&#8221;

"I woke up twice, and [Boivin] pulled down my pants and slapped my ass," Khazar testified. "I was scared. I knew something wrong was happening. ... He's a predator."

&#8220;I woke up twice, and [Boivin] pulled down my pants and slapped my ass,&#8221; Khazar testified. &#8220;I was scared. I knew something wrong was happening. &#8230; He&#8217;s a predator.&#8221;

Khazar described waking up later naked and face-down in a bed beside her friend and seeing Boivin walk into the room in his underwear.

Khazar described waking up later naked and face-down in a bed beside her friend and seeing Boivin walk into the room in his underwear.

&#8220;He was shaking me, saying, ‘You can&#8217;t get me into trouble,’&#8221; she said.

"He was shaking me, saying, ‘You can't get me into trouble,’" she said.

&#8220;He was shaking me, saying, ‘You can&#8217;t get me into trouble,’&#8221; she said.

&#8220;I didn&#8217;t know what country I was in,&#8221; she continued.

"I didn't know what country I was in," she continued.

&#8220;I didn&#8217;t know what country I was in,&#8221; she continued.

She said she called Nima Momeni, and Boivin and her friend then helped her downstairs and into her brother’s car.&nbsp;

She said she called Nima Momeni, and Boivin and her friend then helped her downstairs and into her brother’s car.&nbsp;

Khazar Momeni, sister of Nima Momeni, walks into the courtroom at the Thomas J. Cahill Hall of Justice where she is expected to testify on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. Nima Momeni has pleaded not guilty to murder charges over the stabbing of tech executive Bob Lee. He faces 26 years to life in prison if convicted.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241021_momenihearing-es-01a.jpg?w=1668" alt="Khazar Momeni in court Oct. 21" class="wp-image-323641"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Khazar Momeni enters the courtroom Monday for her second day of testimony.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241021_momenihearing-es-01a.jpg?w=1668" alt="Khazar Momeni in court Oct. 21" class="wp-image-323641"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Khazar Momeni enters the courtroom Monday for her second day of testimony.</figcaption></figure>

She said that during the drive, she told her brother what she remembered.

She said that during the drive, she told her brother what she remembered.

&#8220;He was very calm and collected,” Khazar told the court. “He just wanted to know what had happened. He asked me if anyone sexually assaulted me.”

"He was very calm and collected,” Khazar told the court. “He just wanted to know what had happened. He asked me if anyone sexually assaulted me.”

&#8220;He was very calm and collected,” Khazar told the court. “He just wanted to know what had happened. He asked me if anyone sexually assaulted me.”

Prosecutors say Momeni blamed Lee for failing to protect his sister — an accusation that led to the fatal stabbing.

Prosecutors say Momeni blamed Lee for failing to protect his sister — an accusation that led to the fatal stabbing.

Despite Khazar’s testimony about being assaulted, she admitted in court that the pair spent a lot of time together in subsequent months. Hours after the alleged assault, Khazar texted Boivin: “Come [over] now. Sorry that was my brother on the phone ripping me [a] new one. He doesn&#8217;t even think I&#8217;m gonna talk to you again. Lol. He just doesn’t want me to talk to Bob anymore.”

Despite Khazar’s testimony about being assaulted, she admitted in court that the pair spent a lot of time together in subsequent months. Hours after the alleged assault, Khazar texted Boivin: “Come [over] now. Sorry that was my brother on the phone ripping me [a] new one. He doesn't even think I'm gonna talk to you again. Lol. He just doesn’t want me to talk to Bob anymore.”

Despite Khazar’s testimony about being assaulted, she admitted in court that the pair spent a lot of time together in subsequent months. Hours after the alleged assault, Khazar texted Boivin: “Come [over] now. Sorry that was my brother on the phone ripping me [a] new one. He doesn&#8217;t even think I&#8217;m gonna talk to you again. Lol. He just doesn’t want me to talk to Bob anymore.”

Khazar Momeni says she’s devastated by Bob Lee’s killing but defends her brother

Nima Momeni’s trial kicks off over death of CashApp founder Bob Lee

Bob Lee killing: What to expect in Nima Momeni’s trial

Khazar said in court that she kept spending time with Boivin under duress.

Khazar said in court that she kept spending time with Boivin under duress.

“It&#8217;s very embarrassing, but I did put myself into that situation many more times, trying to take control of that situation,” she said of meeting up with Boivin after the alleged sexual assault. &#8220;It got worse and worse. He had threatened to kill me if I said anything.”

“It's very embarrassing, but I did put myself into that situation many more times, trying to take control of that situation,” she said of meeting up with Boivin after the alleged sexual assault. "It got worse and worse. He had threatened to kill me if I said anything.”

“It&#8217;s very embarrassing, but I did put myself into that situation many more times, trying to take control of that situation,” she said of meeting up with Boivin after the alleged sexual assault. &#8220;It got worse and worse. He had threatened to kill me if I said anything.”

Khazar could not thoroughly explain why she kept seeing Boivin.&nbsp;

Khazar could not thoroughly explain why she kept seeing Boivin.&nbsp;

&#8220;Do you believe you were raped in Mr. Boivin&#8217;s apartment?&#8221; asked the deputy district attorney. “It could be a possibility,&#8221; she responded, adding that she did not say as much to her brother.&nbsp;

"Do you believe you were raped in Mr. Boivin's apartment?" asked the deputy district attorney. “It could be a possibility," she responded, adding that she did not say as much to her brother.&nbsp;

&#8220;Do you believe you were raped in Mr. Boivin&#8217;s apartment?&#8221; asked the deputy district attorney. “It could be a possibility,&#8221; she responded, adding that she did not say as much to her brother.&nbsp;

Boivin’s attorney Valerie Nechay defended her client in a statement.&nbsp;

Boivin’s attorney Valerie Nechay defended her client in a statement.&nbsp;

&#8220;Khazar Momeni&#8217;s narrative is completely false and riddled with blatant lies,&#8221; Nechay said. &#8220;She should be cross-examined on how long her voluntary sexual relationship with Mr. Boivin continued on for. She is undoubtedly a drug addict, but those struggles with addiction predated her voluntary and consensual encounters with Mr. Boivin. He looks forward to clearing his name at the right time.&#8221;

"Khazar Momeni's narrative is completely false and riddled with blatant lies," Nechay said. "She should be cross-examined on how long her voluntary sexual relationship with Mr. Boivin continued on for. She is undoubtedly a drug addict, but those struggles with addiction predated her voluntary and consensual encounters with Mr. Boivin. He looks forward to clearing his name at the right time."

&#8220;Khazar Momeni&#8217;s narrative is completely false and riddled with blatant lies,&#8221; Nechay said. &#8220;She should be cross-examined on how long her voluntary sexual relationship with Mr. Boivin continued on for. She is undoubtedly a drug addict, but those struggles with addiction predated her voluntary and consensual encounters with Mr. Boivin. He looks forward to clearing his name at the right time.&#8221;

‘He threatened to kill me’: In Momeni trial, sister details relationship with drug dealer

Kevin V. Nguyen

Mark Cuban, fresh off the <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39192071/nba-approves-sale-mavericks-las-vegas-sands-casino-company">$4 billion sale last year of his beloved Dallas Mavericks</a> basketball team to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idSngb_X5nQ&amp;ab_channel=PABLOTORREFINDSOUT">the controversial Adelson family</a>, arrived in San Francisco eager to assume the role of entrepreneur again.

Mark Cuban, fresh off the <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39192071/nba-approves-sale-mavericks-las-vegas-sands-casino-company">$4 billion sale last year of his beloved Dallas Mavericks</a> basketball team to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idSngb_X5nQ&amp;ab_channel=PABLOTORREFINDSOUT">the controversial Adelson family</a>, arrived in San Francisco eager to assume the role of entrepreneur again.

At an onstage Dreamforce appearance Thursday alongside Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, the &#8220;Shark Tank&#8221; star recounted how he started his sales career at age 12, hawking unused garbage bags to neighbors in the Pittsburgh suburbs to raise money for basketball shoes.

At an onstage Dreamforce appearance Thursday alongside Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, the "Shark Tank" star recounted how he started his sales career at age 12, hawking unused garbage bags to neighbors in the Pittsburgh suburbs to raise money for basketball shoes.

At an onstage Dreamforce appearance Thursday alongside Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, the &#8220;Shark Tank&#8221; star recounted how he started his sales career at age 12, hawking unused garbage bags to neighbors in the Pittsburgh suburbs to raise money for basketball shoes.

Five decades later — with a lot more cash on his hands — Cuban is selling medication online. <a href="https://costplusdrugs.com/">Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company</a> is attempting to disrupt the pharmaceutical industry by selling prescription drugs directly to consumers.

Five decades later — with a lot more cash on his hands — Cuban is selling medication online. <a href="https://costplusdrugs.com/">Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company</a> is attempting to disrupt the pharmaceutical industry by selling prescription drugs directly to consumers.

By skipping the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/20/health/ftc-drug-price-inflation-insulin.html#">middleman</a> between a doctor&#8217;s notepad and the pharmacy, Cost Plus eliminates the markup on drugs, Cuban told conference attendees. &#8220;For men our age, that means we can get our Cialis,&#8221; he quipped.

By skipping the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/20/health/ftc-drug-price-inflation-insulin.html#">middleman</a> between a doctor's notepad and the pharmacy, Cost Plus eliminates the markup on drugs, Cuban told conference attendees. "For men our age, that means we can get our Cialis," he quipped.

By skipping the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/20/health/ftc-drug-price-inflation-insulin.html#">middleman</a> between a doctor&#8217;s notepad and the pharmacy, Cost Plus eliminates the markup on drugs, Cuban told conference attendees. &#8220;For men our age, that means we can get our Cialis,&#8221; he quipped.

Benioff uncomfortably glided past the joke and pivoted the conversation. Their relationship dates back to the late 1990s and the emerging dot-com industry: Benioff was trying to move customer service and sales software to the cloud, while Cuban created an innovative streaming service that was <a href="https://www.altaba.com/static-files/d3f11e18-cc91-41e8-96c0-f3ea29599b7f">eventually purchased by Yahoo</a>.

Benioff uncomfortably glided past the joke and pivoted the conversation. Their relationship dates back to the late 1990s and the emerging dot-com industry: Benioff was trying to move customer service and sales software to the cloud, while Cuban created an innovative streaming service that was <a href="https://www.altaba.com/static-files/d3f11e18-cc91-41e8-96c0-f3ea29599b7f">eventually purchased by Yahoo</a>.

Benioff, meanwhile, proclaimed that Salesforce is now firmly in the AI business. Specifically, this year&#8217;s Dreamforce has been about selling the company&#8217;s new Agentforce platform, which allows users to design and deploy autonomous AI-powered agents to handle administrative tasks and front-line customer complaints.

Benioff, meanwhile, proclaimed that Salesforce is now firmly in the AI business. Specifically, this year's Dreamforce has been about selling the company's new Agentforce platform, which allows users to design and deploy autonomous AI-powered agents to handle administrative tasks and front-line customer complaints.

Benioff, meanwhile, proclaimed that Salesforce is now firmly in the AI business. Specifically, this year&#8217;s Dreamforce has been about selling the company&#8217;s new Agentforce platform, which allows users to design and deploy autonomous AI-powered agents to handle administrative tasks and front-line customer complaints.

Mayor says she’s gotten guarantees that Dreamforce will return to SF next year

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&#8220;Did you guys have fun at Pink and Imagine Dragons last night?&#8221; Benioff asked the audience, referring to the conference&#8217;s Dreamfest concert. &#8220;But more importantly, did you all build your own agent yet?&#8221;

"Did you guys have fun at Pink and Imagine Dragons last night?" Benioff asked the audience, referring to the conference's Dreamfest concert. "But more importantly, did you all build your own agent yet?"

&#8220;Did you guys have fun at Pink and Imagine Dragons last night?&#8221; Benioff asked the audience, referring to the conference&#8217;s Dreamfest concert. &#8220;But more importantly, did you all build your own agent yet?&#8221;

On the ground floor of the city&#8217;s biggest convention and trade show, Salesforce laid out rows of laptops where guests were encouraged to design AI-powered assistants.

On the ground floor of the city's biggest convention and trade show, Salesforce laid out rows of laptops where guests were encouraged to design AI-powered assistants.

On the ground floor of the city&#8217;s biggest convention and trade show, Salesforce laid out rows of laptops where guests were encouraged to design AI-powered assistants.

People build AI agents, a part of Sales Force’s new Agent Force product, at Dreamforce, hosted at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, on September 19, 2024. Dreamforce, a tech conference put on by Salesforce, draws tens of thousands of people to San Francisco every year.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240919-dreamforcegeneralfeature_aar_33.jpg?w=2500" alt="People fill a tech conference hall, working on laptops at long tables under signs reading &quot;Platform Park&quot; and &quot;Admin Meadow,&quot; and other designated areas." class="wp-image-313665"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dozens of Dreamforce attendees sat down to build custom AI agents as part of Salesforce’s push of its new Agentforce platform.</figcaption></figure>

Benioff said he tried unsuccessfully to invest $10 million in Cuban&#8217;s drug venture after hearing about it while the pair were at dinner two years ago in Dallas.

Benioff said he tried unsuccessfully to invest $10 million in Cuban's drug venture after hearing about it while the pair were at dinner two years ago in Dallas.

Benioff said he tried unsuccessfully to invest $10 million in Cuban&#8217;s drug venture after hearing about it while the pair were at dinner two years ago in Dallas.

Cuban demurred, saying he felt it was too early in the company&#8217;s lifecycle to take on outside investors. When pressed by Benioff to provide details, Cuban said Cost Plus Drugs is generating more than $100 million in annual revenue.

Cuban demurred, saying he felt it was too early in the company's lifecycle to take on outside investors. When pressed by Benioff to provide details, Cuban said Cost Plus Drugs is generating more than $100 million in annual revenue.

Cuban demurred, saying he felt it was too early in the company&#8217;s lifecycle to take on outside investors. When pressed by Benioff to provide details, Cuban said Cost Plus Drugs is generating more than $100 million in annual revenue.

As Cuban attempted to outline the particulars of drug costs, the host butted in.

As Cuban attempted to outline the particulars of drug costs, the host butted in.

&#8220;You know, with a little outside help, you could scale,&#8221; Benioff said. &#8220;I hear building up your sales force is tough.&#8221;

"You know, with a little outside help, you could scale," Benioff said. "I hear building up your sales force is tough."

&#8220;You know, with a little outside help, you could scale,&#8221; Benioff said. &#8220;I hear building up your sales force is tough.&#8221;

&#8220;I know what you&#8217;re doing, and I&#8217;m not going for it,&#8221; Cuban responded. &#8220;You&#8217;re shutting down my sales pitch.&#8221;

"I know what you're doing, and I'm not going for it," Cuban responded. "You're shutting down my sales pitch."

&#8220;I know what you&#8217;re doing, and I&#8217;m not going for it,&#8221; Cuban responded. &#8220;You&#8217;re shutting down my sales pitch.&#8221;

Mark Cuban at Dreamforce: Thank me for your cheap Cialis, fellas

Garrett Leahy

Dreamforce is back in full swing, and the drug markets of downtown San Francisco have been pushed south, away from the conference action, photos show.&nbsp;

Dreamforce is back in full swing, and the drug markets of downtown San Francisco have been pushed south, away from the conference action, photos show.&nbsp;

The annual tech conference kicked off Tuesday, drawing around 45,000 visitors to San Francisco.

The annual tech conference kicked off Tuesday, drawing around 45,000 visitors to San Francisco.

While a multi-agency drug market crackdown has torn through downtown since spring 2023, swaths of users, dealers, and vendors have been regularly spotted around the infamous intersections of Sixth, Seventh, and Market streets — until this week.

While a multi-agency drug market crackdown has torn through downtown since spring 2023, swaths of users, dealers, and vendors have been regularly spotted around the infamous intersections of Sixth, Seventh, and Market streets — until this week.

Cops and city officials hail the effort as a success, pointing to the number of arrests and kilos of drugs seized. But neighbors’ perspectives and The <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/28/san-francisco-drug-markets-post-crackdown/">Standard’s own visits to the nighttime scene</a> in late August point to a different reality: Very little has changed.

Drug markets persist downtown despite thousands of arrests, police crackdown

Cops and city officials hail the effort as a success, pointing to the number of arrests and kilos of drugs seized. But neighbors’ perspectives and The <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/28/san-francisco-drug-markets-post-crackdown/">Standard’s own visits to the nighttime scene</a> in late August point to a different reality: Very little has changed.

People dressed as Einstein dance to a deejay set by Zedd at Dreamforce, hosted at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, on September 17, 2024. Dreamforce, a tech conference put on by Salesforce, draws tens of thousands of people to San Francisco every year.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240916-dreamforcegeneralfeature_aar_7.jpg?w=2500" alt="A group of people outdoors, many wearing white wigs and fake mustaches, are looking at their phones or cameras. Some are raising their hands, and all wear lanyards." class="wp-image-312724"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dreamforce attendees dressed as Einstein dance Tuesday to a Zedd DJ set.</figcaption></figure>

Hours after Day One of Dreamforce wrapped, The Standard observed an increased police presence in Market Street&#8217;s usual problem zones. This appeared to have worked, as drug users had toddled off to SoMa, where they went about their business away from conference-goers&#8217; eyes.

Hours after Day One of Dreamforce wrapped, The Standard observed an increased police presence in Market Street's usual problem zones. This appeared to have worked, as drug users had toddled off to SoMa, where they went about their business away from conference-goers' eyes.

Hours after Day One of Dreamforce wrapped, The Standard observed an increased police presence in Market Street&#8217;s usual problem zones. This appeared to have worked, as drug users had toddled off to SoMa, where they went about their business away from conference-goers&#8217; eyes.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-there-every-night">‘It’s there every night’</h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-there-every-night">‘It’s there every night’</h2>

Juan Novella, who has lived near the plagued corners since 2006, said the drug markets occur nightly, but police patrols often scatter the crowds.

Juan Novella, who has lived near the plagued corners since 2006, said the drug markets occur nightly, but police patrols often scatter the crowds.

“It hasn’t gone away. It’s there every night,” said Novella. “They just leave when the police are here.”

“It hasn’t gone away. It’s there every night,” said Novella. “They just leave when the police are here.”

Novella said he’s seen more cops outside his condo lately, with patrol vehicles parked outside Monday until midnight. But the crowd trickled back 15 minutes after police left, he said.&nbsp;

Novella said he’s seen more cops outside his condo lately, with patrol vehicles parked outside Monday until midnight. But the crowd trickled back 15 minutes after police left, he said.&nbsp;

Most days, the 55-year-old doesn’t see any cops; the last time there was a presence was when Vice President Kamala Harris was in town <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/11/kamala-harris-meets-donors-at-sanfrancisco-fairmont-hotel-fundraiser/">in mid-August</a>.

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Most days, the 55-year-old doesn’t see any cops; the last time there was a presence was when Vice President Kamala Harris was in town <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/11/kamala-harris-meets-donors-at-sanfrancisco-fairmont-hotel-fundraiser/">in mid-August</a>.

“When I see more police, I think, ‘Oh, do I need to check the news?’ Like,&nbsp; is there some politician here or something?” he said.

“When I see more police, I think, ‘Oh, do I need to check the news?’ Like,&nbsp; is there some politician here or something?” he said.

<figure class="wp-block-jetpack-image-compare"><div class="juxtapose" data-mode="horizontal"><img id="312999" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240822_drugmarkets_-0072.jpg" alt="A nighttime street scene shows a large group of people gathered on the sidewalk near a busy intersection, with various signs and storefronts visible in the background." width="3000" height="2001" class="image-compare__image-before"/><img id="312957" src="https://i0.wp.com/content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917_dreamforcedrugmarketsgone_-0371.jpg?ssl=1" alt="A nighttime street scene shows a police car with flashing lights, an officer standing by, a lit &quot;GAI Chicken &amp; Rice&quot; sign, and people walking on the sidewalk." width="3000" height="2001" class="image-compare__image-after"/></div><figcaption>(Left) A large group of people congregate on the corner of Sixth and Market streets before Dreamforce on Aug. 21, 2024.(Right) An SFPD cruiser parked on the sidewalk at Sixth and Market streets after Dreamforce on Sept. 17, 2024. | Jason Henry for The Standard</figcaption></figure>

jetpack/image-compare

<figure class="wp-block-jetpack-image-compare"><div class="juxtapose" data-mode="horizontal"><img id="312999" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240822_drugmarkets_-0072.jpg" alt="A nighttime street scene shows a large group of people gathered on the sidewalk near a busy intersection, with various signs and storefronts visible in the background." width="3000" height="2001" class="image-compare__image-before"/><img id="312957" src="https://i0.wp.com/content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917_dreamforcedrugmarketsgone_-0371.jpg?ssl=1" alt="A nighttime street scene shows a police car with flashing lights, an officer standing by, a lit &quot;GAI Chicken &amp; Rice&quot; sign, and people walking on the sidewalk." width="3000" height="2001" class="image-compare__image-after"/></div><figcaption>(Left) A large group of people congregate on the corner of Sixth and Market streets before Dreamforce on Aug. 21, 2024.(Right) An SFPD cruiser parked on the sidewalk at Sixth and Market streets after Dreamforce on Sept. 17, 2024. | Jason Henry for The Standard</figcaption></figure>

Crowds gather on Stevenson and 6th Streets on Sept. 17, 2024. SF law enforcement agencies have beefed up nightly patrols of troubled night market locations around the mid-market corridor during Salesforce’s Dreamforce convention.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917_dreamforcedrugmarketsgone_-0478-edited.jpg" alt="People gather outside a brightly lit market on a city street at night, some standing while others sit or lean against the building, with skyscrapers visible in the background." class="wp-image-312918"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">During Dreamfroce, crowds gather Tuesday at Stevenson and Sixth streets, away from where they usually congregate.</figcaption></figure>

Sarai Judge, who has lived near Sixth and Market streets for 18 months, said she hasn’t noticed a change in the police presence or the night market lately. She said nighttime crowds started appearing at Sixth and Market about three months ago, and they’re biggest between 10 p.m. and 12 a.m.

Sarai Judge, who has lived near Sixth and Market streets for 18 months, said she hasn’t noticed a change in the police presence or the night market lately. She said nighttime crowds started appearing at Sixth and Market about three months ago, and they’re biggest between 10 p.m. and 12 a.m.

“It’s, like, 50 to 100 people,” Judge said.

“It’s, like, 50 to 100 people,” Judge said.

She was unaware that Dreamforce had begun but criticized the city for shooing away people during the tech conference last year. She said people were moved from Market between Fifth and Sixth as they began to gather between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., but the crowds would reappear by 10 p.m.

She was unaware that Dreamforce had begun but criticized the city for shooing away people during the tech conference last year. She said people were moved from Market between Fifth and Sixth as they began to gather between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., but the crowds would reappear by 10 p.m.

“They try to pretend the community is safe, but it doesn’t change anything,” she said.

“They try to pretend the community is safe, but it doesn’t change anything,” she said.

A large group of people congregate on the corner of 6th Market Streets on August 21, 2024. The city has had a problem enforcing its laws around drug dealing and using since a crackdown was announced.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240822_drugmarkets_-0331.jpg?w=2371" alt="A crowded city sidewalk at night with people bundled up in jackets, a green traffic light, and a lit-up storefront casting purple light on a building wall." class="wp-image-305410"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Before Dreamforce: The scene Aug. 21 at Sixth and Market streets.</figcaption></figure>

Dreamforce attendee Jimmy Anderson said he didn’t feel unsafe on Sixth Street, just outside the Mint, around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.&nbsp;

Dreamforce attendee Jimmy Anderson said he didn’t feel unsafe on Sixth Street, just outside the Mint, around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.&nbsp;

“It’s like any city; it’s got its dangerous aspects, but it doesn’t particularly bother me,” said Anderson, who declined to share his age and city of residence.&nbsp;

“It’s like any city; it’s got its dangerous aspects, but it doesn’t particularly bother me,” said Anderson, who declined to share his age and city of residence.&nbsp;

SF Sheriffs, SFPD officers, DPW, and SF Fire medics outside The Orpheum Theatre on Sept. 17, 2024. SF law enforcement agencies have beefed up nightly patrols of troubled night market locations around the mid-market corridor during Salesforce’s Dreamforce convention.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917_dreamforcedrugmarketsgone_-0188-edited.jpg" alt="A group of law enforcement officers are gathered near a building with &quot;TRINITY PLACE&quot; sign. They seem to be patrolling or discussing, with one officer standing apart." class="wp-image-312921" style="width:670px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">During Dreamforce: Law enforcement officers are stationed Tuesday outside the Orpheum Theatre.</figcaption></figure>

There was a noticeably higher police presence Tuesday after 10 p.m. than what The Standard observed last month, with 13 patrol cars spotted in the area. Few people were loitering on Market Street, and instead of one large group, smaller groups were spread around the area. At United Nations Plaza, there were two groups of four people; one man was <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/18/candy-sells-faster-fentanyl-san-francisco/">selling small bottles of orange juice</a> from a plastic shopping bag.

Candy sells faster than fentanyl in San Francisco’s open-air drug markets

There was a noticeably higher police presence Tuesday after 10 p.m. than what The Standard observed last month, with 13 patrol cars spotted in the area. Few people were loitering on Market Street, and instead of one large group, smaller groups were spread around the area. At United Nations Plaza, there were two groups of four people; one man was <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/18/candy-sells-faster-fentanyl-san-francisco/">selling small bottles of orange juice</a> from a plastic shopping bag.

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