Mayor London Breed's office has countered a recent news report that deemed downtown San Francisco "too dangerous" for filming, emphasizing the impact such portrayals have on the city's image. The report, aired on "Good Morning America," featured ABC correspondent Matt Gutman stating his crew was advised against filming downtown early in the morning due to safety concerns.
Breed's office, in a statement to SFGATE, argued that the report presented an incomplete picture of the challenges facing San Francisco businesses. They cited the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on foot traffic as a key factor, while also highlighting a decrease in reported violent crimes in the downtown and Tenderloin areas compared to the same period last year. The mayor's office further asserted that San Francisco's overall violent crime rate is lower than that of other major cities.
Gutman's report, which aired last week, stated that he and his crew were advised against filming live in downtown San Francisco at 4 a.m. due to safety concerns. The mayor's office responded by pointing to crime statistics that indicate a stable or decreasing trend in several crime categories.
This incident comes amidst ongoing debate in San Francisco regarding law enforcement and public safety. Mayor Breed has faced criticism from various sides, including a recent exchange with Supervisor Dean Preston concerning police arrests in the city. Breed has pledged to address open-air drug markets, announcing a series of arrests made in June. Preston criticized Breed's approach, arguing that it contradicts the city's overdose prevention plan and disproportionately affects minority communities. Breed responded by defending law enforcement's role in addressing the city's drug crisis.
