Brian Hofer

Mayor London Breed wants to appear like she’s tough on crime with a citywide campaign for her ballot measure, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/22/london-breed-prop-e-san-francisco-police-fundraising/">Proposition E</a>, which she claims will make San Francisco safer.

This San Francisco ballot measure would boost police surveillance. It&#8217;s raised $1M

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Mayor London Breed wants to appear like she’s tough on crime with a citywide campaign for her ballot measure, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/22/london-breed-prop-e-san-francisco-police-fundraising/">Proposition E</a>, which she claims will make San Francisco safer.

But while Breed says Prop. E would relieve the police department from cumbersome oversight and paperwork, the measure actually would give San Francisco police a free pass to get around the city’s popular safeguards governing the use of inaccurate and racially biased facial recognition technology.&nbsp;

But while Breed says Prop. E would relieve the police department from cumbersome oversight and paperwork, the measure actually would give San Francisco police a free pass to get around the city’s popular safeguards governing the use of inaccurate and racially biased facial recognition technology.&nbsp;

In 2019, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved by a 10-1 vote an ordinance that made tech-friendly San Francisco the first city in the nation to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/26811969c30a4aa4aee1fe93d47e2370">ban the use of facial recognition</a> by police and other city agencies. The public safety ordinance has been remarkably successful and unobjectionable. About 28 city departments—including the police—have<a href="https://sf.gov/resource/surveillance-technology-inventory"> adopted</a> over 60 public policies covering the city’s use of aerial drones, under-door cameras, call-recording software, juvenile alcohol monitors, social media monitoring software and more.

In 2019, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved by a 10-1 vote an ordinance that made tech-friendly San Francisco the first city in the nation to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/26811969c30a4aa4aee1fe93d47e2370">ban the use of facial recognition</a> by police and other city agencies. The public safety ordinance has been remarkably successful and unobjectionable. About 28 city departments—including the police—have<a href="https://sf.gov/resource/surveillance-technology-inventory"> adopted</a> over 60 public policies covering the city’s use of aerial drones, under-door cameras, call-recording software, juvenile alcohol monitors, social media monitoring software and more.

Now, residents better understand how their personal information is collected, used and potentially shared. Police and other agencies can use this cutting-edge technology within parameters.

Now, residents better understand how their personal information is collected, used and potentially shared. Police and other agencies can use this cutting-edge technology within parameters.

The measure on the March ballot would let police use cameras and drones without being subject to the current requirement that they first be vetted and would give the police more leeway to pursue vehicles.&nbsp;

The measure on the March ballot would let police use cameras and drones without being subject to the current requirement that they first be vetted and would give the police more leeway to pursue vehicles.&nbsp;

But the mayor’s proposition is a fraud and a waste of scarce taxpayer money at a time when San Francisco is facing a <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/13/san-francisco-budget-cuts-800-million-deficit-taxes-spending/">projected historic deficit</a>. Drones are already covered by a state law, AB 481, which requires an impact analysis and use policy similar to the city’s current safeguards. The police can comply with that law and the surveillance ordinance at the same time by getting the Board of Supervisors to approve a policy.

Facing $800M deficit, San Francisco mayor orders steep budget cuts

But the mayor’s proposition is a fraud and a waste of scarce taxpayer money at a time when San Francisco is facing a <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/13/san-francisco-budget-cuts-800-million-deficit-taxes-spending/">projected historic deficit</a>. Drones are already covered by a state law, AB 481, which requires an impact analysis and use policy similar to the city’s current safeguards. The police can comply with that law and the surveillance ordinance at the same time by getting the Board of Supervisors to approve a policy.

Breed claims police haven’t implemented some essential drone and camera technology because they are burdened with excessive paperwork. A committee working with the police department has already drafted a policy on using drones in San Francisco, but Breed has refused to submit it to the board for approval because she wants a win at the ballot box. If the mayor really cared about the city’s safety, she would allow the board to consider adopting the policy.&nbsp;

Breed claims police haven’t implemented some essential drone and camera technology because they are burdened with excessive paperwork. A committee working with the police department has already drafted a policy on using drones in San Francisco, but Breed has refused to submit it to the board for approval because she wants a win at the ballot box. If the mayor really cared about the city’s safety, she would allow the board to consider adopting the policy.&nbsp;

The police haven’t been bogged down by paperwork. They have essentially ignored the surveillance technology ordinance for the past five years, aside from the three times they sought—and received—approval from the city to use <a href="https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/your-sfpd/policies/19b-surveillance-technology-policies">a host of technologies</a>.

The police haven’t been bogged down by paperwork. They have essentially ignored the surveillance technology ordinance for the past five years, aside from the three times they sought—and received—approval from the city to use <a href="https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/your-sfpd/policies/19b-surveillance-technology-policies">a host of technologies</a>.

SFPD already routinely uses facial recognition despite the ban, according to our attorneys at Secure Justice, a civil liberties advocacy group that opposes the unlawful use of surveillance technology.

SFPD already routinely uses facial recognition despite the ban, according to our attorneys at Secure Justice, a civil liberties advocacy group that opposes the unlawful use of surveillance technology.

The mayor’s cynical political calculation to take this issue to the ballot is the worst option for San Francisco residents and visitors. It’s a political cudgel rooted in an allergy to actual governance and refusal to comply with a law that has matured well over the past four years. The ballot measure will heighten the mayor’s profile, but voters should understand it is a brute political instrument designed to distort public dialogue about San Francisco&#8217;s challenges.

The mayor’s cynical political calculation to take this issue to the ballot is the worst option for San Francisco residents and visitors. It’s a political cudgel rooted in an allergy to actual governance and refusal to comply with a law that has matured well over the past four years. The ballot measure will heighten the mayor’s profile, but voters should understand it is a brute political instrument designed to distort public dialogue about San Francisco's challenges.

The mayor’s cynical political calculation to take this issue to the ballot is the worst option for San Francisco residents and visitors. It’s a political cudgel rooted in an allergy to actual governance and refusal to comply with a law that has matured well over the past four years. The ballot measure will heighten the mayor’s profile, but voters should understand it is a brute political instrument designed to distort public dialogue about San Francisco&#8217;s challenges.

Why would the mayor roll back guardrails designed to protect San Franciscans from unwarranted surveillance? The answer is politics. Breed’s<a href="https://www.probolskyresearch.com/2023/06/23/san-francisco-voters-unhappy-with-direction-of-the-city-and-mayor-breed-2/"> approval rating</a> hit a new low of 27% last year. Chris Larsen, a billionaire tech investor who has funded the installation of surveillance cameras throughout San Francisco and is a major Breed backer, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/21/chris-larsen-ripple-labs-san-francisco-london-breed-ballot-measures/">has provided the mayor with a campaign war chest</a>, which she appears to be using to go after civilian oversight bodies as the scapegoat for her public safety failures.

Tech boss tops list of donors to Breed&#8217;s March 2024 ballot measures

Why would the mayor roll back guardrails designed to protect San Franciscans from unwarranted surveillance? The answer is politics. Breed’s<a href="https://www.probolskyresearch.com/2023/06/23/san-francisco-voters-unhappy-with-direction-of-the-city-and-mayor-breed-2/"> approval rating</a> hit a new low of 27% last year. Chris Larsen, a billionaire tech investor who has funded the installation of surveillance cameras throughout San Francisco and is a major Breed backer, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/21/chris-larsen-ripple-labs-san-francisco-london-breed-ballot-measures/">has provided the mayor with a campaign war chest</a>, which she appears to be using to go after civilian oversight bodies as the scapegoat for her public safety failures.

But safeguards that govern data retention and sharing sensitive information with third parties are more important than ever. We live in the era of AI-enabled surveillance, tactical robots and self-driving cars equipped with more cameras than a dragnet. And since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, some states have sought information on people seeking reproductive and gender-affirming care in San Francisco.&nbsp;

But safeguards that govern data retention and sharing sensitive information with third parties are more important than ever. We live in the era of AI-enabled surveillance, tactical robots and self-driving cars equipped with more cameras than a dragnet. And since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, some states have sought information on people seeking reproductive and gender-affirming care in San Francisco.&nbsp;

This wouldn’t be the first time Breed used political opportunism as her guiding principle. Last fall, after the San Francisco Chronicle reported that city agencies were giving parking tickets to many stolen vehicles, creating a double burden for the victims of theft, Breed<a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/s-f-mayor-orders-city-stop-ticketing-stolen-18420531.php"> ordered</a> the San Francisco Police Department and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority to work together to use automated license plate readers to stop ticketing stolen cars, claiming that burdensome red tape from the surveillance ordinance was getting in the way. Even though nothing in the rule prevented city departments from executing the mayor’s plan, at least one super PAC used it to launch a<a href="https://report.growsf.org/p/the-growsf-report-mayor-breed-directs?publication_id=294324&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;r=19q06m"> targeted political campaign</a> against city supervisors and the ordinance itself.

This wouldn’t be the first time Breed used political opportunism as her guiding principle. Last fall, after the San Francisco Chronicle reported that city agencies were giving parking tickets to many stolen vehicles, creating a double burden for the victims of theft, Breed<a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/s-f-mayor-orders-city-stop-ticketing-stolen-18420531.php"> ordered</a> the San Francisco Police Department and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority to work together to use automated license plate readers to stop ticketing stolen cars, claiming that burdensome red tape from the surveillance ordinance was getting in the way. Even though nothing in the rule prevented city departments from executing the mayor’s plan, at least one super PAC used it to launch a<a href="https://report.growsf.org/p/the-growsf-report-mayor-breed-directs?publication_id=294324&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;r=19q06m"> targeted political campaign</a> against city supervisors and the ordinance itself.

SFMTA<a href="https://www.sfmta.com/press-releases/update-stolen-vehicles-and-ticketing-san-francisco"> promptly clarified</a> that it couldn’t carry out the mayor’s directive because it didn’t maintain any database of stolen vehicles. But the foundation for the mayor’s next political gambit was already set.

SFMTA<a href="https://www.sfmta.com/press-releases/update-stolen-vehicles-and-ticketing-san-francisco"> promptly clarified</a> that it couldn’t carry out the mayor’s directive because it didn’t maintain any database of stolen vehicles. But the foundation for the mayor’s next political gambit was already set.

Board President Aaron Peskin, who authored the surveillance safeguards on behalf of some 30 civil rights groups, has indicated he’s willing to work with Breed to tweak the ordinance. If the goal is good governance, not unnecessary political spats, then she could make the changes through the normal legislative process. Blithely dismissing supervisors as unwilling to collaborate without even trying to do so stokes unnecessary division. It also costs taxpayers when officials could simply amend the ordinance.&nbsp;

Board President Aaron Peskin, who authored the surveillance safeguards on behalf of some 30 civil rights groups, has indicated he’s willing to work with Breed to tweak the ordinance. If the goal is good governance, not unnecessary political spats, then she could make the changes through the normal legislative process. Blithely dismissing supervisors as unwilling to collaborate without even trying to do so stokes unnecessary division. It also costs taxpayers when officials could simply amend the ordinance.&nbsp;

Since San Francisco adopted its ordinance in 2019, dozens of cities nationwide have embraced similar surveillance safeguards, enhancing public trust in the government&#8217;s ability to safely use these technologies. The mayor still has time to work with city leaders on reasonable solutions. Doing so will demonstrate that we can put our faith in public institutions and elected leaders to do their jobs, not just play politics.

Since San Francisco adopted its ordinance in 2019, dozens of cities nationwide have embraced similar surveillance safeguards, enhancing public trust in the government's ability to safely use these technologies. The mayor still has time to work with city leaders on reasonable solutions. Doing so will demonstrate that we can put our faith in public institutions and elected leaders to do their jobs, not just play politics.

Since San Francisco adopted its ordinance in 2019, dozens of cities nationwide have embraced similar surveillance safeguards, enhancing public trust in the government&#8217;s ability to safely use these technologies. The mayor still has time to work with city leaders on reasonable solutions. Doing so will demonstrate that we can put our faith in public institutions and elected leaders to do their jobs, not just play politics.

Brian Hofer is executive director of Secure Justice and chair of the Oakland Privacy Commission. He helped draft the 2019 ordinance.

Brian Hofer is executive director of Secure Justice and chair of the Oakland Privacy Commission. He helped draft the 2019 ordinance.

Breed cynically campaigns on police ballot measure, instead of compromising

Opinion: Breed cynically campaigns on police ballot measure, instead of compromising

Michael Barba

This year was supposed to mark the 42nd and final one that Furlishous Wyatt worked at San Francisco SAFE. But when the end finally came, it was nothing like he expected.

This year was supposed to mark the 42nd and final one that Furlishous Wyatt worked at San Francisco SAFE. But when the end finally came, it was nothing like he expected.

Wyatt, 72, was ready to retire after nearly a lifetime spent improving safety and building trust between police and the community. Instead, he lost his job when the nonprofit abruptly collapsed, leaving him with no health insurance to pay for his medications. The loss was devastating.

Wyatt, 72, was ready to retire after nearly a lifetime spent improving safety and building trust between police and the community. Instead, he lost his job when the nonprofit abruptly collapsed, leaving him with no health insurance to pay for his medications. The loss was devastating.

“I look at SAFE as being my baby,” said Wyatt, who joined the nonprofit in 1982 and was by far its longest-serving employee. &#8220;It&#8217;s the death of a child.”

“I look at SAFE as being my baby,” said Wyatt, who joined the nonprofit in 1982 and was by far its longest-serving employee. "It's the death of a child.”

“I look at SAFE as being my baby,” said Wyatt, who joined the nonprofit in 1982 and was by far its longest-serving employee. &#8220;It&#8217;s the death of a child.”

Wyatt is among a core group of former staffers at SF SAFE who feel their voices have not been heard as a scandal involving misspent funding from city coffers and a crypto billionaire unfolds around the nonprofit, spurring <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/02/san-francisco-safe-criminal-investigation-da-confirms/">a criminal investigation</a> into its finances and the Jan. 24 firing of its executive director, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/06/sf-safe-east-bay-instructors-kyra-worthy-richmond/">Kyra Worthy</a>.

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Wyatt is among a core group of former staffers at SF SAFE who feel their voices have not been heard as a scandal involving misspent funding from city coffers and a crypto billionaire unfolds around the nonprofit, spurring <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/02/san-francisco-safe-criminal-investigation-da-confirms/">a criminal investigation</a> into its finances and the Jan. 24 firing of its executive director, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/06/sf-safe-east-bay-instructors-kyra-worthy-richmond/">Kyra Worthy</a>.

Wyatt and his colleagues say they didn’t get their final paychecks when the nonprofit shut down. They lost their health insurance, were not paid out for vacation time and have not received the paperwork they need to file their taxes.

Wyatt and his colleagues say they didn’t get their final paychecks when the nonprofit shut down. They lost their health insurance, were not paid out for vacation time and have not received the paperwork they need to file their taxes.

“We seem like the missing link in this,” Wyatt said. “There&#8217;s no thought that&#8217;s been given to staff and how we&#8217;re suffering and how it&#8217;s affecting us because we have staff members that have to pay their rent, car notes, who have kids.”

“We seem like the missing link in this,” Wyatt said. “There's no thought that's been given to staff and how we're suffering and how it's affecting us because we have staff members that have to pay their rent, car notes, who have kids.”

“We seem like the missing link in this,” Wyatt said. “There&#8217;s no thought that&#8217;s been given to staff and how we&#8217;re suffering and how it&#8217;s affecting us because we have staff members that have to pay their rent, car notes, who have kids.”

Gina Guitron, left, Starr Miles, center, Furlishous Wyatt, right, former employees of San Francisco Safe Inc. (SF Safe) at City Hall in San Francisco on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Former employees of SF Safe employees are filing a complaint with The San Francisco Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) to receive wages SF Safe owes them after the nonprofit abruptly collapsed, leaving them jobless.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1668" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240228-sfsafestaffers16.jpg?w=2500" alt="Three adults stand near an elevator, one holding a phone, with concerned expressions." class="wp-image-254048"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Former San Francisco SAFE employees Gina Guitron, left, Starr Miles, center, and Furlishous Wyatt arrive at City Hall for a meeting about their missing paychecks.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240228-sfsafestaffers16.jpg?w=2500" alt="Three adults stand near an elevator, one holding a phone, with concerned expressions." class="wp-image-254048"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Former San Francisco SAFE employees Gina Guitron, left, Starr Miles, center, and Furlishous Wyatt arrive at City Hall for a meeting about their missing paychecks.</figcaption></figure>

On Thursday, Wyatt and his former colleagues gathered at City Hall for a closed-door meeting with the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement, which is investigating their missing payments. They were also joined by people who patrolled Mission Street as community ambassadors for the nonprofit.

On Thursday, Wyatt and his former colleagues gathered at City Hall for a closed-door meeting with the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement, which is investigating their missing payments. They were also joined by people who patrolled Mission Street as community ambassadors for the nonprofit.

Starr Miles, who worked as an operations manager for SF SAFE, said she hoped she and her colleagues would be made whole for their work.

Starr Miles, who worked as an operations manager for SF SAFE, said she hoped she and her colleagues would be made whole for their work.

&#8220;Somebody&#8217;s got the money,&#8221; Miles said. &#8220;The city&#8217;s got to take care of us.&#8221;

"Somebody's got the money," Miles said. "The city's got to take care of us."

&#8220;Somebody&#8217;s got the money,&#8221; Miles said. &#8220;The city&#8217;s got to take care of us.&#8221;

Miles, who is a minister outside of work, said she was deeply embarrassed by the scandal and worried what people would think of her, despite not knowing anything about the financial problems that were unfolding behind the scenes.

Miles, who is a minister outside of work, said she was deeply embarrassed by the scandal and worried what people would think of her, despite not knowing anything about the financial problems that were unfolding behind the scenes.

&#8220;I still say SF SAFE is a good organization,&#8221; Miles said. &#8220;This organization has integrity. But it&#8217;s unfortunate that this happened, that it destroyed the image.&#8221;

"I still say SF SAFE is a good organization," Miles said. "This organization has integrity. But it's unfortunate that this happened, that it destroyed the image."

&#8220;I still say SF SAFE is a good organization,&#8221; Miles said. &#8220;This organization has integrity. But it&#8217;s unfortunate that this happened, that it destroyed the image.&#8221;

&#8220;I mean, you never heard anything bad about SF SAFE until now, until she took over,&#8221; she added.

"I mean, you never heard anything bad about SF SAFE until now, until she took over," she added.

&#8220;I mean, you never heard anything bad about SF SAFE until now, until she took over,&#8221; she added.

Another staffer, who spoke on the condition that she not be named, was frustrated and heartbroken by the implosion. Born and raised in San Francisco, she said she loved her job organizing neighborhood watch groups. She emphasized the value that SF SAFE provided to the city, despite its financial problems.

Another staffer, who spoke on the condition that she not be named, was frustrated and heartbroken by the implosion. Born and raised in San Francisco, she said she loved her job organizing neighborhood watch groups. She emphasized the value that SF SAFE provided to the city, despite its financial problems.

“We actually cared for the community [while] all this in the background was happening,” she said. “Now, we don&#8217;t want people looking at us like this because of somebody else&#8217;s wrongdoing.”

“We actually cared for the community [while] all this in the background was happening,” she said. “Now, we don't want people looking at us like this because of somebody else's wrongdoing.”

“We actually cared for the community [while] all this in the background was happening,” she said. “Now, we don&#8217;t want people looking at us like this because of somebody else&#8217;s wrongdoing.”

Worthy did not respond to a call and text messages seeking comment.

Worthy did not respond to a call and text messages seeking comment.

A former employee of San Francisco Safe Inc. (SF Safe) shows a close up of a complaint form he is filing to receive wages he is owed by SF Safe during a meeting of former SF Safe employees at Peet’s Coffee on 16th Street in San Francisco on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. Former employees of SF Safe are filing a complaint with The San Francisco Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) to receive wages SF Safe owes them after the nonprofit abruptly collapsed, leaving them jobless.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1668" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240228-sfsafestaffers01.jpg?w=2500" alt="A hand is holding a paper with handwritten text concerning work duties and a mention of neighborhood security." class="wp-image-254059"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A former SF SAFE employee shows a claim form they filled out for the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement, which is investigating the missing paychecks.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240228-sfsafestaffers01.jpg?w=2500" alt="A hand is holding a paper with handwritten text concerning work duties and a mention of neighborhood security." class="wp-image-254059"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A former SF SAFE employee shows a claim form they filled out for the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement, which is investigating the missing paychecks.</figcaption></figure>

SF SAFE ran out of money to pay its staff despite city records showing that the nonprofit raked in $9.4 million from the San Francisco Police Department and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development since 2018, the year Worthy became director. The city contracted with the nonprofit to host community meetings for the police, organize neighborhood watch groups and operate a security camera program. The nonprofit also secured another $1.8 million in security camera funding from Chris Larsen, the co-founder of the crypto firm Ripple, during Worthy’s tenure.

SF SAFE ran out of money to pay its staff despite city records showing that the nonprofit raked in $9.4 million from the San Francisco Police Department and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development since 2018, the year Worthy became director. The city contracted with the nonprofit to host community meetings for the police, organize neighborhood watch groups and operate a security camera program. The nonprofit also secured another $1.8 million in security camera funding from Chris Larsen, the co-founder of the crypto firm Ripple, during Worthy’s tenure.

A city report concluded last month that <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/18/san-francisco-police-wrongly-paid-nonprofit-79k-for-lavish-expenses-report-finds/">the nonprofit misspent at least $79,000</a> of the police funding on expenses such as valet parking at a private club, expensive luxury gift boxes handed out at community events and rides from a limo company to Lake Tahoe for a staff-training symposium, according to a report by the Controller’s Office. Larsen has also questioned <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/23/san-francisco-safe-nonprofit-chris-larsen-grant-funding/">whether the nonprofit misspent as much as $1 million</a> of the grant funding that he gave the organization to install and maintain security cameras.

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A city report concluded last month that <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/18/san-francisco-police-wrongly-paid-nonprofit-79k-for-lavish-expenses-report-finds/">the nonprofit misspent at least $79,000</a> of the police funding on expenses such as valet parking at a private club, expensive luxury gift boxes handed out at community events and rides from a limo company to Lake Tahoe for a staff-training symposium, according to a report by the Controller’s Office. Larsen has also questioned <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/23/san-francisco-safe-nonprofit-chris-larsen-grant-funding/">whether the nonprofit misspent as much as $1 million</a> of the grant funding that he gave the organization to install and maintain security cameras.

While the staffers say the implosion blindsided them, they admit there were red flags.

While the staffers say the implosion blindsided them, they admit there were red flags.

Unlike previous directors, Worthy kept details about the nonprofit’s budget and expenditures from her staff, said Wyatt, and did not introduce them to members of the board.&nbsp;She also had other people on the payroll who did not work in the office and whose jobs were unclear to the core staff members.

Unlike previous directors, Worthy kept details about the nonprofit’s budget and expenditures from her staff, said Wyatt, and did not introduce them to members of the board.&nbsp;She also had other people on the payroll who did not work in the office and whose jobs were unclear to the core staff members.

“Everything became a secret,” Wyatt said.

“Everything became a secret,” Wyatt said.

Last summer, the staffers lost their health insurance for a month. Then in August, problems started with their paychecks. Instead of getting paid through direct deposit as usual, the staffers received paper checks with no pay stubs. It would be the first of many paper checks that they received in the coming months from what appeared to be different bank accounts.

Last summer, the staffers lost their health insurance for a month. Then in August, problems started with their paychecks. Instead of getting paid through direct deposit as usual, the staffers received paper checks with no pay stubs. It would be the first of many paper checks that they received in the coming months from what appeared to be different bank accounts.

Worthy told them she needed to move the money from one bank to the other because of problems with at least one of the banks, staffers said. Wyatt said he and his colleagues took her word because she was the executive director.

Worthy told them she needed to move the money from one bank to the other because of problems with at least one of the banks, staffers said. Wyatt said he and his colleagues took her word because she was the executive director.

“She would always tell us that it&#8217;s the fault of the other people,” Wyatt said. “In retrospect, what I make of it is I did not feel that she would lie to us like that. That&#8217;s just wicked evil.”

“She would always tell us that it's the fault of the other people,” Wyatt said. “In retrospect, what I make of it is I did not feel that she would lie to us like that. That's just wicked evil.”

“She would always tell us that it&#8217;s the fault of the other people,” Wyatt said. “In retrospect, what I make of it is I did not feel that she would lie to us like that. That&#8217;s just wicked evil.”

The last payments some staffers received were not even on paper. In January,&nbsp; three of the staffers were paid through the digital payment apps Venmo and Zelle by Worthy and the attorney who represented the nonprofit at the time.

The last payments some staffers received were not even on paper. In January,&nbsp; three of the staffers were paid through the digital payment apps Venmo and Zelle by Worthy and the attorney who represented the nonprofit at the time.

A former employee of San Francisco Safe Inc. (SF Safe)  shows a Venmo payment sent by Dylan Hackett during a meeting of former SF SAFE employees at Peet’s Coffee on 16th Street in San Francisco on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. Former employees of SF Safe are filing a complaint with The San Francisco Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) to receive wages SF Safe owes them after the nonprofit abruptly collapsed, leaving them jobless.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1668" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240228-sfsafestaffers05.jpg?w=2500" alt="A person holds a phone displaying a payment receipt of $3,045.74, marked complete, from someone named Dylan Hackett." class="wp-image-254057"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Former San Francisco SAFE staffer Starr Miles shows a receipt for a paycheck she received through Venmo from an attorney for the now-defunct nonprofit.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240228-sfsafestaffers05.jpg?w=2500" alt="A person holds a phone displaying a payment receipt of $3,045.74, marked complete, from someone named Dylan Hackett." class="wp-image-254057"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Former San Francisco SAFE staffer Starr Miles shows a receipt for a paycheck she received through Venmo from an attorney for the now-defunct nonprofit.</figcaption></figure>

The staffers aren’t sure what to do next. They have contacted an attorney and are considering filing a lawsuit to get paid, one staffer said.

The staffers aren’t sure what to do next. They have contacted an attorney and are considering filing a lawsuit to get paid, one staffer said.

The problem is SF SAFE doesn&#8217;t have any money.

The problem is SF SAFE doesn't have any money.

The problem is SF SAFE doesn&#8217;t have any money.

In a Feb. 5 email, the president of the board, Dan Lawson, urged the staffers to file for unemployment and told them that, &#8220;all seven board members have directed efforts toward finding resources to pay what salary is owed to you.&#8221;

In a Feb. 5 email, the president of the board, Dan Lawson, urged the staffers to file for unemployment and told them that, "all seven board members have directed efforts toward finding resources to pay what salary is owed to you."

In a Feb. 5 email, the president of the board, Dan Lawson, urged the staffers to file for unemployment and told them that, &#8220;all seven board members have directed efforts toward finding resources to pay what salary is owed to you.&#8221;

&#8220;Frankly and sadly there is no money,&#8221; he wrote. &#8220;That does not mean we haven&#8217;t stopped searching.&#8221;

"Frankly and sadly there is no money," he wrote. "That does not mean we haven't stopped searching."

&#8220;Frankly and sadly there is no money,&#8221; he wrote. &#8220;That does not mean we haven&#8217;t stopped searching.&#8221;

Meanwhile, tensions between them and their former boss have reached a boiling point.

Meanwhile, tensions between them and their former boss have reached a boiling point.

When the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement included her on an email thread to former SF SAFE employees last week about the missing paychecks, Worthy sent a message back to everyone that elicited a fiery response.

When the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement included her on an email thread to former SF SAFE employees last week about the missing paychecks, Worthy sent a message back to everyone that elicited a fiery response.

“I’m fine,” she wrote. “Just trying to get you guys paid since nobody else is.”&nbsp;

“I’m fine,” she wrote. “Just trying to get you guys paid since nobody else is.”&nbsp;

In response, one of the former staffers, Gina Guitron, questioned why the office included Worthy on the thread and said Worthy was “the reason the staff are without a job and have not been paid.” She went on to allege that Worthy had “depleted all accounts leaving SF SAFE in the negative.”&nbsp;

In response, one of the former staffers, Gina Guitron, questioned why the office included Worthy on the thread and said Worthy was “the reason the staff are without a job and have not been paid.” She went on to allege that Worthy had “depleted all accounts leaving SF SAFE in the negative.”&nbsp;

“Be careful what you believe, repeat and say,” Worthy replied. “Especially when you don&#8217;t know the facts.”

“Be careful what you believe, repeat and say,” Worthy replied. “Especially when you don't know the facts.”

“Be careful what you believe, repeat and say,” Worthy replied. “Especially when you don&#8217;t know the facts.”

Angry and jobless: Workers blindsided by collapse of nonprofit SF SAFE

With a looming election threatening to dilute its powers, San Francisco’s Police Commission cast a divided vote Wednesday to push through a controversial policy meant to stop officers from making biased traffic stops.

With a looming election threatening to dilute its powers, San Francisco’s Police Commission cast a divided vote Wednesday to push through a controversial policy meant to stop officers from making biased traffic stops.

The commission voted 4-3 to enact the policy restricting the use of so-called pretext stops by officers, despite the possibility that the police union could file a lawsuit seeking to bar the new rules from going into effect.

The commission voted 4-3 to enact the policy restricting the use of so-called pretext stops by officers, despite the possibility that the police union could file a lawsuit seeking to bar the new rules from going into effect.

The policy is meant to curb the use of pretext stops, which is when an officer pulls over a driver for a low-level offense—using it as a pretext—because they have a hunch that a more serious crime may have been committed. While the police union has argued that pretext stops are <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/05/06/battle-for-police-reform-to-reduce-racial-disparities-sfpd-may-ban-minor-traffic-stops/">a useful tool</a> for seizing guns and drugs, critics worry that police target Black and Latino drivers with the practice.

Battle for police reform: To reduce racial disparities, SFPD may ban minor traffic stops

The policy is meant to curb the use of pretext stops, which is when an officer pulls over a driver for a low-level offense—using it as a pretext—because they have a hunch that a more serious crime may have been committed. While the police union has argued that pretext stops are <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/05/06/battle-for-police-reform-to-reduce-racial-disparities-sfpd-may-ban-minor-traffic-stops/">a useful tool</a> for seizing guns and drugs, critics worry that police target Black and Latino drivers with the practice.

No one mentioned it during the hearing, but the vote comes with less than two weeks to spare before voters will decide on a consequential ballot measure that would dull the body’s ability to pass controversial policies.

No one mentioned it during the hearing, but the vote comes with less than two weeks to spare before voters will decide on a consequential ballot measure that would dull the body’s ability to pass controversial policies.

Beginning in 90 days, the policy will bar officers from pulling over drivers solely for <a href="https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-02/PoliceCommission22124-%20DGO%209.07_4.5.23%20Styleguided%20lp%20edits%201%2023%2024_MCO%20edits.pdf">a small subset</a> of vehicle code violations, such as failing to signal properly or driving with long-expired registration tags. However, the policy leaves some room for officers to enforce these offenses, such as when a vehicle is parked or when the offense is not the only reason for pulling over a driver.

Beginning in 90 days, the policy will bar officers from pulling over drivers solely for <a href="https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-02/PoliceCommission22124-%20DGO%209.07_4.5.23%20Styleguided%20lp%20edits%201%2023%2024_MCO%20edits.pdf">a small subset</a> of vehicle code violations, such as failing to signal properly or driving with long-expired registration tags. However, the policy leaves some room for officers to enforce these offenses, such as when a vehicle is parked or when the offense is not the only reason for pulling over a driver.

Police Commission Vice President Max Carter-Oberstone, one of the leading proponents behind the proposal, said that the policy will deprioritize officers making certain stops that rarely result in arrests or gun seizures.

Police Commission Vice President Max Carter-Oberstone, one of the leading proponents behind the proposal, said that the policy will deprioritize officers making certain stops that rarely result in arrests or gun seizures.

“These stops are wasting time and money,” Carter-Oberstone said ahead of the vote. “We need to be focusing on the core duties of the police department that actually improve people&#8217;s lives.”

“These stops are wasting time and money,” Carter-Oberstone said ahead of the vote. “We need to be focusing on the core duties of the police department that actually improve people's lives.”

“These stops are wasting time and money,” Carter-Oberstone said ahead of the vote. “We need to be focusing on the core duties of the police department that actually improve people&#8217;s lives.”

Wednesday’s vote was split between commissioners who believed the policy was the right way to go about reducing racial disparities in traffic enforcement, and others who seemed as if they weren’t convinced, despite previously supporting a similar version of the proposal in a unanimous vote last April.

Wednesday’s vote was split between commissioners who believed the policy was the right way to go about reducing racial disparities in traffic enforcement, and others who seemed as if they weren’t convinced, despite previously supporting a similar version of the proposal in a unanimous vote last April.

Commissioner Jim Byrne, who joined commissioners Debra Walker and Larry Yee in opposing the policy, said that he supported ending biased stops. But Byrne questioned whether approving the policy would achieve that goal.

Commissioner Jim Byrne, who joined commissioners Debra Walker and Larry Yee in opposing the policy, said that he supported ending biased stops. But Byrne questioned whether approving the policy would achieve that goal.

Byrne said more important than passing a policy that could be used to punish officers for making pretext stops was changing police culture.

Byrne said more important than passing a policy that could be used to punish officers for making pretext stops was changing police culture.

“If the rank and file of the police department cannot be brought along to the importance of this issue and the only way that the commission thinks that they can be brought around is by punishing them if they don&#8217;t, then we have a problem,” Byrne said.

“If the rank and file of the police department cannot be brought along to the importance of this issue and the only way that the commission thinks that they can be brought around is by punishing them if they don't, then we have a problem,” Byrne said.

“If the rank and file of the police department cannot be brought along to the importance of this issue and the only way that the commission thinks that they can be brought around is by punishing them if they don&#8217;t, then we have a problem,” Byrne said.

Walker voted against the policy after expressing trepidation that the policy would restrict officers from enforcing state laws.

Walker voted against the policy after expressing trepidation that the policy would restrict officers from enforcing state laws.

She also noted that, since Jan. 1, officers throughout California have been required to tell drivers their reasons for pulling them over under a new state law that she hoped would have the desired effect of reducing racial disparities.

She also noted that, since Jan. 1, officers throughout California have been required to tell drivers their reasons for pulling them over under a new state law that she hoped would have the desired effect of reducing racial disparities.

“We are doing that now,” Walker said. “That is what we&#8217;re doing without changing a thing.”

“We are doing that now,” Walker said. “That is what we're doing without changing a thing.”

“We are doing that now,” Walker said. “That is what we&#8217;re doing without changing a thing.”

But the commissioners who supported the policy argued that there was ample evidence the policy would reduce racial disparities without impacting public safety. They also emphasized that the proposal had undergone a robust public meeting process that included input from rank-and-file officers.

But the commissioners who supported the policy argued that there was ample evidence the policy would reduce racial disparities without impacting public safety. They also emphasized that the proposal had undergone a robust public meeting process that included input from rank-and-file officers.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looming-election-threat">Looming election threat</h2>

core/heading

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looming-election-threat">Looming election threat</h2>

Wednesday’s vote could mark the last time that the commission, which has long served as a powerful check on the San Francisco Police Department, can independently approve a contentious policy without first enduring <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/27/san-francisco-mayor-breed-march-2024-ballot-measure-explainer/">a cumbersome public meeting process</a> envisioned by Mayor London Breed.

San Francisco mayor wants to give cops a long leash. Here’s what you’ll be voting on

Wednesday’s vote could mark the last time that the commission, which has long served as a powerful check on the San Francisco Police Department, can independently approve a contentious policy without first enduring <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/27/san-francisco-mayor-breed-march-2024-ballot-measure-explainer/">a cumbersome public meeting process</a> envisioned by Mayor London Breed.

Proposition E, which the mayor is asking voters to approve March 5, would require the commission to hold a public meeting at every police station in the city before it even considers changing rules for officers. Only the chief of police would have the power to waive the process.

Proposition E, which the mayor is asking voters to approve March 5, would require the commission to hold a public meeting at every police station in the city before it even considers changing rules for officers. Only the chief of police would have the power to waive the process.

The mayor designed her measure to rein in the progressive-controlled commission, which she accuses of putting reform politics over public safety and making policy decisions that get in the way of officers doing their jobs.

The mayor designed her measure to rein in the progressive-controlled commission, which she accuses of putting reform politics over public safety and making policy decisions that get in the way of officers doing their jobs.

She is proposing her measure in the same year that she faces a tough reelection campaign against other moderates, such as former Supervisor Mark Farrell, who are <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/13/mark-farrell-san-francisco-mayor-police-homeless/">challenging her record on public safety</a>.

Mark Farrell vows to fire police chief, clear homeless camps as mayor

She is proposing her measure in the same year that she faces a tough reelection campaign against other moderates, such as former Supervisor Mark Farrell, who are <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/13/mark-farrell-san-francisco-mayor-police-homeless/">challenging her record on public safety</a>.

Joe Arellano, a spokesperson for the Prop. E campaign <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/21/ron-conway-chris-larsen-police-union-london-breed-public-safety-measure-prop-e/">funded by the police union and tech heavyweights Chris Larsen and Ron Conway</a>, called the pretext stop policy a prime example of the commission going “too far.”

Who is pouring $400K into San Francisco ballot measure empowering cops?

Joe Arellano, a spokesperson for the Prop. E campaign <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/21/ron-conway-chris-larsen-police-union-london-breed-public-safety-measure-prop-e/">funded by the police union and tech heavyweights Chris Larsen and Ron Conway</a>, called the pretext stop policy a prime example of the commission going “too far.”

“The commission continues to meddle in operational matters best decided by the officers that implement the policies in the real world,” Arellano said.

“The commission continues to meddle in operational matters best decided by the officers that implement the policies in the real world,” Arellano said.

A more appealing version of the proposal would have directed officers to avoid using pretext stops while letting the department figure out the more granular details for operationalizing the policy, Arellano said.

A more appealing version of the proposal would have directed officers to avoid using pretext stops while letting the department figure out the more granular details for operationalizing the policy, Arellano said.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-possible-lawsuit-coming">A possible lawsuit coming</h2>

Whether the San Francisco Police Officers Association will move forward with filing a lawsuit to block the policy has yet to be seen.

Whether the San Francisco Police Officers Association will move forward with filing a lawsuit to block the policy has yet to be seen.

In a letter to the city earlier this month, the union <a href="https://mcusercontent.com/6a0707887484bfcead01dcf9d/files/f9af8f70-14c3-084e-e5ef-216c8b18f419/SFPOA_LTR_FINAL.pdf">declared an impasse</a> after bargaining with the city over the proposal to restrict pretext stops for more than a year, demanding that the city enter arbitration over the policy.

In a letter to the city earlier this month, the union <a href="https://mcusercontent.com/6a0707887484bfcead01dcf9d/files/f9af8f70-14c3-084e-e5ef-216c8b18f419/SFPOA_LTR_FINAL.pdf">declared an impasse</a> after bargaining with the city over the proposal to restrict pretext stops for more than a year, demanding that the city enter arbitration over the policy.

The union argued that the Police Commission was overstepping its legal authority by restricting officers from enforcing the vehicle code.

The union argued that the Police Commission was overstepping its legal authority by restricting officers from enforcing the vehicle code.

Ahead of the vote, a Breed spokesperson said the mayor wanted the commission to “work with the union” on the issues it raised.

Ahead of the vote, a Breed spokesperson said the mayor wanted the commission to “work with the union” on the issues it raised.

“This is not about ramming a policy through based on theory,” said Jeff Cretan, a spokesperson for the mayor. “It’s about working with the rank and file to establish rules that can work for officers on the ground.”

“This is not about ramming a policy through based on theory,” said Jeff Cretan, a spokesperson for the mayor. “It’s about working with the rank and file to establish rules that can work for officers on the ground.”

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