SFPD Chief Scott hails overwhelming public support for more police officers in annual CityBeat poll 21-120

By a three-to-one margin, San Francisco voters want to see more police officers deployed to high-crime areas, expanded community policing in their own neighborhoods citywide

Chief of Police Bill Scott highlighted key results from a new citywide voter survey released this morning at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce’s 171st Annual CityBeat Breakfast. The annual CityBeat Poll, presented by Dignity Health, provides detailed insights into voter attitudes on a wide array of issues, including public safety and crime. Among major takeaways from poll results released this morning:

• 76 percent of San Francisco voters agree that “Increasing the Number of Police Officers in High Crime Areas” is an overall high priority;
• 76 percent of San Francisco voters identify “Expanding Community-Based Police Work in Neighborhoods” as an overall high priority;
• 64 percent of San Francisco voters report that “Increasing the Number of Police Officers in Busy Areas” is an overall high priority; and
• 60 percent of San Francisco voters agree that “Maintaining Funding for Police Academy Classes” is an overall high priority.

"Although safety concerns explain some support for more police officers, San Franciscans’ equally strong support for more community-based policing in their own neighborhoods shows that SFPD’s progress on 21st-century police reforms is resonating,” Chief Scott said. “We’re als0 encouraged by voters’ strong support for recruitment — and continuing to hire new police officers who reflect San Franciscans’ values of a more diverse and inclusive police department.”

Chief Scott concluded: “After one of the toughest years in policing I’ve seen in my nearly 32-year career, I am moved and gratified to see this kind of public support for our police officers from the San Franciscans they’re sworn to safeguard. This means the world to our cops. On their behalf, we’re incredibly grateful to San Franciscans for their support — and to the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and Dignity Health for commissioning this comprehensive, informative public opinion survey.”