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San Francisco Poll Ranks Homelessness, Panhandling As Top Concern

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) A new poll by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce has ranked a decades-long problem as the top concern for voters in the city.

The 2011 CityBeat poll found that 32 percent of city residents believe homelessness is San Francisco's most pressing issue. That's up from 29 percent a year ago.

The poll was conducted among 500 San Francisco voters last month. Homelessness and panhandling ranked ahead of jobs and the economy and the city budget.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said everyone needs to work together to solve the problem.

"Running a city is no longer just about government. The public-private partnerships that many of you are a part of is essential to the way we run government and essential to the way we present ourselves throughout our communities," said Lee.

The CityBeat poll also found that 44 percent found that Muni service was worse than the previous year.

Despite all the concerns, 44 percent of San Franciscans said they are confident that the city is headed in the right direction.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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