We need more on the street in order to sort of get this situation under control and we don't have enough. I think you have to go at it again from all angles. The drug dealing begets the addiction. It contributes to exacerbating mental health problems that then have people acting out in ways that they wouldn't if they weren't on drugs. And so we have to work to decrease supply and demand.
From Donald Trump to George Floyd and Tyre Nichols, the last five years have changed our national conversation about public safety and policing. That’s particularly true in San Francisco, where progressive prosecutor Chesa Boudin lost his seat in a heated recall election last year, and today’s guest — SF District Attorney Brooke Jenkins — stepped into the powerful role. In the months since she assumed office, the Black and Latina DA has spoken of the city’s “lawlessness,” revoked plea deals, allowed more teenagers to be prosecuted as adults and pushed for more policing of drug dealing. Her critics say she’s too conservative for the notoriously liberal city. She says she’s creating consequences for those who break the law.
As Kara tells Jenkins, “Only in a city like San Francisco could they call you a conservative.”
You can find Kara and Nayeema on Twitter @karaswisher and @nayeema.
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