Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, a prominent figure in San Francisco's business community, has called on city leaders to "refund the police" amid rising violent crime rates. This demand comes after the San Francisco Police Commission decided to end pretext stops, a policy change that has sparked significant debate.
Benioff's call to action was highlighted in a series of statements he made on X (formerly Twitter), where he criticized the city's decision to halt pretext stops. These stops allow officers to pull over individuals for minor infractions with the suspicion of other criminal activity. Critics argue that such stops disproportionately target people of color, while supporters believe they are essential for broader crime prevention efforts.
Benioff is a major Democratic donor. Salesforce CEO demands San Francisco 'refund the police' as violent crime rises https://t.co/SL7fWpEHiy via @JustTheNews
— Greg Piper (@gregpiper) July 19, 2024
San Francisco, which has faced long-standing issues with crime and homelessness, has seen a recent uptick in certain types of violent crime. In 2023, the city reported an increase in overall violent crime from 5,323 cases in 2022 to 5,559 cases. Notably, while most violent crime categories decreased, robbery incidents rose from 2,371 to 2,738. This context underscores Benioff's concern about public safety and law enforcement capacity.
Benioff has been vocal about the need for San Francisco to adopt a community policing model, which requires a more substantial police presence to build trust and ensure safety in neighborhoods. He stressed the importance of fully funding the police force, empowering officers to enforce all laws, and expanding the police academy to increase staffing levels. Currently, the San Francisco Police Department operates with fewer than 1,400 officers, but Benioff advocates for increasing this number to over 2,000 within 18 months.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff wrote a strongly-worded tweet about police and public safety in San Francisco. https://t.co/rMlowOyo8O
— KRON4 News (@kron4news) July 19, 2024
The Salesforce CEO's concerns are shared by other tech industry leaders, including Elon Musk, who also emphasized the need to respect and honor law enforcement officers while acknowledging the presence of flawed individuals within the profession. Musk described San Francisco's downtown as "post-apocalyptic" due to visible drug use and homelessness, further fueling the debate over the city's public safety policies.
Despite these calls for action, city officials report a different narrative. According to Mayor London Breed, San Francisco has seen a decrease in both property and violent crimes over the past six months, attributing this to coordinated enforcement efforts between local, state, and federal agencies. Breed highlighted a 30% reduction in property crimes and a 4% decrease in violent crimes during this period (SF.gov).
Benioff's public stance comes at a crucial time for San Francisco, as both Mayor Breed and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins face significant challenges in the upcoming November elections. Jenkins, who ran on a platform of being tougher on crime, replaced Chesa Boudin, who was recalled due to dissatisfaction with his approach to criminal prosecution. Breed, originally elected as a moderate, has had to navigate the complex landscape of crime and homelessness in the city.
Benioff's push for "law and order" and increased police funding reflects a broader concern among San Francisco's business leaders about the city's ability to maintain public safety and economic stability. As the city prepares for its annual Dreamforce conference, which attracts thousands of attendees, the spotlight on these issues is more intense than ever.
