Watch CBS News

Police Say Promised Prop. 47 Financial Benefits Aren't Being Seen In San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— Proposition 47, passed by California voters last year, reduced a slew of non-violent felony crimes to misdemeanors, but police say the expected cost savings for law enforcement in San Francisco hasn't yet materialized.

The Board of Supervisors held a hearing Thursday to assess the impact of the law, which passed by an 80 percent-margin last November, and whether it's producing the promised cost savings for law enforcement.

The law reduced many low-level drug offenses and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors where the suspect is cited and released.

The District Attorney's office said Prop. 47 will save as much as $250 million statewide, with the bulk of the savings seen in the courts and that San Francisco would reap those financial benefits. However, Police Commander Robert Moser told the supervisor's committee it won't be at the SFPD.

"Really the anticipated cost savings are expected to be negligible," Moser told the committee.

At adult probation, the response was the same, basically stating the impact of Prop. 47 on that department's clientele have been negligible thus far.

Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi said most inmates who would be eligible were diverted way before Prop. 47 came along.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.