S.F.'s system for chronic offenders broken

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 7/24/8 | C.W. Nevius

[SmithL]

How is it possible that chronic behavioral malcontent George Miley assaulted a female police officer three weeks ago, but only ended up spending four days in jail? After all, his July 6 attack on Officer Lisa Frazer was followed by his 106th arrest since 2001.

Most everyone says the system for punishing quality-of-life crimes like public drunkenness and aggressive panhandling is broken in San Francisco, but Miley seems like an extraordinary case. How can he be on the streets today?

The answer is both complicated and simple: Lenient San Francisco juries, clogged courts, and judges who are more willing to settle cases than impose consequential sentences are among the problems.

And certainly, some of the blame has to fall on the office of District Attorney Kamala Harris. She is a supporter of the Community Justice Center, a pilot program pushed forward by city supervisors on Tuesday. It would punish blight crimes in the Tenderloin and SoMa but also offer chronic offenders like Miley targeted services such as drug counseling or job training and monitor their progress.

Harris knows the court program's offer of services for chronic offenders instead of jail time may be the carrot, but that her office also needs to provide the stick. People who don't get help and commit more crimes need to face real penalties.

That's how a frustrated police force sees it.

[goldstategop]

San Francisco is the nation's laboratory for soft on crime policies. So why should people be surprised to find career criminals don't pay the price in San Francisco?

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[skeeter]

SF can solve its problem easily - by outlawing panhandling outright and revoking its sanctuary city status.

[HereInTheHeartland]

I am in SF right now. Had 2 experiences yesterday with these types.
This was not the case when I lived here in the late 80’s.

It needs to be fixed

[wally_bert]

Even Commissioner McMillan wasn't a total pushover on crime considering it seemed like it was only him and Sgt. Enright were the only two cops in SF on that show sometimes. I still haven't finished watching the DVD's.

[Right Cal Gal]

And certainly, some most of the blame has to fall on the office of District Attorney Kamala Harris. There, fixed it.

Last year, I got smacked around by a homeless moron and called the cops from my building. They were sympathetic, but told me that they really couldn't do anything. That even if I swore out a complaint, the DA wouldn't prosecute.

[TexasCajun]

"With just a little Love, Understanding & Compassion... "

[Chuckster]

Last year, I got smacked around by a homeless moron and called the cops from my building. They were sympathetic, but told me that they really couldn't do anything. That even if I swore out a complaint, the DA wouldn't prosecute.

Begs the question: Why would anyone live in a city that refuses to prosecute offenders and denies law abiding citizens the right to self defense?

No offense FRiend but there are other cities to live in, other jobs. Your life is not on rails. Take the next off ramp. d8^)

[TheBattman]

There is something persuasive about bullets that prevent or seriously curtail bums from slapping folks around...