San Francisco mayoral candidates debate fallout from Ricky Pearsall shooting

San Francisco – The shock of the attempted daylight robbery and shooting of San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall continues to resonate throughout the city.

Mayor London Breed acknowledged that it was another high-profile incident for a city that is trying to change perceptions about out-of-control crime.

She said that as shocking as the incident was, her recent push to support law enforcement played a role in the quick capture of the 17-year-old suspect from Tracy. The mayor pointed to recent data showing a downward trend in crime.

“But I mean, like everyone says, when something happens to you, all that numbers stuff goes out the door,” Breed said. “I totally understand that, but we’re not going to back down and the fact is that what we put in place worked and it sends a strong message that if you come to San Francisco and commit these crimes, you will be arrested.”

Former Mayor Mark Farrell, who is hoping to unseat Breed, described the shooting as another high-profile scandal for San Francisco. He said it is a sign that new leadership with public safety in mind is needed.

“She’s been defunding the police department for three years,” Farrell said. “She’s taken $120 million out of our police department’s budget. She’s mismanaged our police department, where overtime is now being capped and cut, and now she’s blocking reform of our police commission that’s making it harder for police officers to do their jobs on the streets of San Francisco. I’m running for mayor because I’m going to change that.”

Daniel Lurie said the shooting is a clear indication that previous city leaders have failed. He plans to expand police numbers to make residents and visitors feel safe.

“In order for us to get conventions back, get tourism back and rebuild our brand globally, we have a lot of work to do and the people I’m running against have created this perception, this sense of disarray,” Lurie said.

District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safaí praised the quick response of officers on the scene. She said that’s why she’s been advocating for creative ways to increase police staffing, adding that recent data showing crime is down doesn’t make anyone feel safer after a high-profile incident like this.

“They want to hear, ‘What are you going to do about the problem? How are you going to solve it?'” Safai said. “So my solution is to get them out of their cars on the road. We have the overtime to pay for them, and secondly, to get those numbers back up, let’s offer incentives like student loan forgiveness so they want to work in San Francisco.”

Board of Supervisors Chairman Aaron Peskin, who is also running for mayor, told KTVU in a statement that read in part: “Turning this into a political football does not make San Francisco safer or represent who we are as a city… I am standing up by focusing on real public safety solutions: retaining 50 experienced officers at a cost less than overtime through Prop F and legislating my community college police recruitment plan with forgivable loans.”