Inmates in San Francisco county jails will be allowed to make free telephone calls, which is expected to reduce these costs passed on to their family and friends. In June, the city’s mayor, London Breed, and sheriff, Vicki Hennessy, announced plans to cut costs of phone calls and commissary items sold to inmates, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. In a statement, Breed said “This change is an important continuation of our efforts to reform fines and fees that disproportionately impact low-income people and communities of color.” … [Read more...] about San Francisco adopts free phone calls for inmates
San Francisco
Noncitizens allowed to vote in local San Francisco elections
San Francisco became the largest city in the nation to allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, according to the Los Angeles Times. Noncitizens were only allowed to vote Nov. 6 for a single school board race. That was widely criticized by conservatives. The Times reported that only a little more than 40 noncitizens had registered to vote by Oct. 28. The change carries symbolic force, according to Louis Desipio, a professor of political science at the University of California at Irvine. He said, “It will speak to that sort of … [Read more...] about Noncitizens allowed to vote in local San Francisco elections
Homeless center helps to reduce overdoses of addicted teens
A homeless center for youths in San Francisco has found success reducing overdoses and helping addicted teens find sobriety through harm reduction. “(We) now have a suboxone clinic at our syringe access site! This is a huge lifesaver, removing bureaucratic roadblocks from the paths of people who want to get off opiates,” said Mary Howe, executive director of Homeless Youth Alliance (HYA) in San Francisco. “Now young people, who are in withdrawal, can come to HYA’s site—a place where they already feel safe—and have a consultation with our … [Read more...] about Homeless center helps to reduce overdoses of addicted teens
New CA laws may erase pot convictions
If other counties follow San Francisco’s lead, district attorneys’ offices across the state can erase pot convictions under California’s new legal marijuana laws. “Our vision is to help government clear all eligible criminal records starting with convictions under Prop. 64,” said Jennifer Pahlka, executive director of Code for America, a non-profit with the goal of making government more efficient, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The November 2016 passage of Proposition 64 prompted San Francisco’s District Attorney (DA) to announce … [Read more...] about New CA laws may erase pot convictions
Marijuana convictions can be erased
If other counties follow San Francisco’s lead, district attorneys’ offices across the state can erase pot convictions under California’s new legal marijuana laws. “Our vision is to help government clear all eligible criminal records starting with convictions under Prop. 64,” said Jennifer Pahlka, executive director of Code for America, a non-profit with the goal of making government more efficient, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The November 2016 passage of Proposition 64 prompted San Francisco’s District Attorney to announce in … [Read more...] about Marijuana convictions can be erased
San Francisco offers safe injection sites
If you can’t stop using heroin, San Francisco is willing to violate state and federal law so you can do it safely. In July, the city plans to open two sites that will allow shooting up under secure conditions. “I’m fully supportive of the city moving forward, just like we did with needle exchange before it was technically legal,” state Sen. Scott Wiener (D) said in a San Francisco Chronicle column. “We need to do everything in our power to keep people healthy, to get people off the streets so they’re injecting in a safe space indoors … [Read more...] about San Francisco offers safe injection sites
DA Gascon’s Reforms Encounter Roadblocks
San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon’s attempt to reform law enforcement is generating an all-out battle with police officers and deputy sheriffs, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Gascon is a former career cop, who ascended to become the city’s top prosecutor. He finds himself in an ugly dispute with Police Chief Greg Suhr and the police officers’ union. This animosity stems from how he proposes to set priorities for fighting crime in the city, according to the Chronicle. The rift escalated when Gascon lambasted the Police … [Read more...] about DA Gascon’s Reforms Encounter Roadblocks