In America: Balancing Reform And Safety - How San Francisco’s Moderation Defied the Trend
L - Brooke jenkins [da -san francisco]
r - Nathan Hochman [da - Los angeles]
San Francisco’s Moderate Approach
San Francisco's shift toward a more conservative law enforcement tactic began in July 2022 with the recall of District Attorney Chesa Boudin. Boudin, known for his progressive convictions, sought to revamp the criminal justice system by establishing a diversion program for primary caregiver parents and abolishing cash bail in favor of a risk-based approach. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he managed to dramatically lower the jail population, thus minimizing outbreaks and creating the possibility to concentrate instead on police accountability. Boudin argued for a ban on police union campaign contributions and enacted measures to prevent recruiting officers who previously engaged in misconduct from rejoining law enforcement.
Despite these attempts, Boudin's authority was riddled with controversy. A notable example is the case against Officer Terrance Stangel for excessive force, which resulted in his acquittal. Critics have said that Boudin's moderate approach has contributed to increased crime rates and instances of police violence - particularly for property crimes and narcotics offenses. High-profile incidents and broad dissatisfaction with his policies have fueled the recall campaign. In December 2020, SFPD data showed a 46% rise in burglaries, which Boudin attributed to economic desperation from the pandemic. His handling of specific cases, such as trying Deshaune Lumpkin as a minor and releasing Eric Ramos-Hernandez on mental health diversion, drew significant public and media criticism.
Boudin's management of the District Attorney's office also came under scrutiny. In September 2021, Judge Bruce Chan criticized the office as disorganized and plagued by constant turnover. Former prosecutors Brooke Jenkins and Don du Bain left the DA’s office and joined the recall campaign, citing Boudin’s lack of commitment to prosecuting crimes. The high turnover rate, with nearly a third of lawyers leaving or being dismissed, revealed internal strife. Furthermore, Boudin faced criticism for releasing repeat prisoners who committed additional crimes, such as Troy Ramon McAlister and Jerry Lyons, which fueled calls for his resignation and contributed to his recall.
sf Crime data during During DA jenkins’ initial term
The situation worsened for Boudin when his assistant DA, Brooke Jenkins, began vying for his job. Jenkins resigned as an assistant prosecutor and became the figurehead of the recall campaign against Boudin. San Francisco's then-mayor, London Breed, appointed Jenkins to the office in July 2022. By the end of 2023, and in the lead-up to her re-election campaign, Jenkins had managed to reduce San Francisco’s violent and property crime rates by 7%.
Following her year-and-a-half tenure as an appointed DA, 2024 marked Jenkins’ first public election test. Her main competitor was her former colleague, Ryan Khojasteh, who generally agreed with her principles but emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of crime and preventing repeat offenses. "Striking the right balance means focusing our limited resources and courtroom space on serious violent and repeat offenders to secure incarceration," Khojasteh told reporters. "For everyone else, before they can become serious repeat or violent offenders, we can get them treatment to get them back on the right track," he added, according to ABC 7, San Francisco.
SF District attorney election results - via cbs news
Jenkins won the election by a margin of more than 100,000 votes, pledging to "move the City forward and build upon the progress we’ve made addressing our most pressing issues: the deadly fentanyl crisis, organized retail theft, and protecting our most vulnerable. I will continue to implement responsible reforms and invest in uplifting our youth,” she said in a post on Instagram.
Gascon, Hochman and LA’s Shift From Progressivism
In Los Angeles County, District Attorney George Gascón's tenure faced significant controversy and criticism, ultimately resulting in a decline in public trust and his defeat in the 2024 election. One major point of contention was his practice of charging teenagers as adults. This policy sparked outrage when violent juveniles reoffended after their release. For instance, a 16-year-old involved in a murder was released after five years, only to be accused of another murder, while a 17-year-old gang member convicted of a double homicide was arrested for another murder just six months after his release. These incidents, coupled with resistance from victims' families and even some of Gascón's prosecutors—who at times actively opposed him in court—fueled the perception that his policies were excessively lenient and jeopardized public safety.
Efforts to recall Gascón began almost immediately after he assumed office, with numerous campaigns aiming to collect enough signatures to put a recall measure on the ballot. Although earlier attempts in 2021 failed to collect the needed number of signatures, a third attempt in 2022 came near but eventually fell short due to invalidated signatures. This laid the groundwork for Nathan Hochman's successful campaign, which emphasized a harder approach to crime and appealed to people worried about safety and accountability.
Per our previous coverage of Californians’ message to progressive DAs, incumbent Democratic DA George Gascón was defeated by Nathan Hochman. “It’s time to stop playing politics with people’s lives. It’s time we had a DA who fights for victims—not criminals. It’s time for an independent prosecutor who will protect public safety and ensure equal justice for all LA County residents,” said Hochman in April 2024 when announcing his campaign against Gascón. Hochman, who served as Assistant US Attorney under the Bush administration, successfully ran as an independent in this election to attract centrist LA County voters away from mainstream Republicanism.
Incidences of Propert & Violent Crime - LA County
Some of Hochman's charges against Gascón are Some of Hochman's charges against Gascón are supported by data from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Since Gascón took office, there has been an increase in crime, both violent and property-related, culminating in his eventual election loss in 2024. Nathan Hochman won substantially in his county, with approximately 60% of the vote. The 2024 California elections saw a huge shift as voters distanced themselves from progressive District Attorneys via recalls and elections. In Alameda County, DA Pamela Price was recalled due to increased crime rates, public dissatisfaction with her lenient policies, and allegations of corruption.
Similarly, in Los Angeles County, DA George Gascón's defeat to Republican Nathan Hochman highlighted voter concerns over public safety. Hochman, promising to overturn Gascón’s policies and adopt tougher stances, resonated with voters wary of leniency. "What Hochman threatens for Los Angeles County is a new era of lock ‘em up—and devastating and decimating Black communities especially," Lemina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter LA, said to Bolts Magazine. She believes the Democrats atop the ticket should have backed Gascon more fervently.
In contrast, San Francisco took a moderate approach, choosing Brooke Jenkins after recalling leftist DA Chesa Boudin. Jenkins, who balanced reform and accountability, appealed to those dissatisfied with Boudin's policies but unprepared for a conservative DA. This nuanced voter behavior reflects a larger trend of finding pragmatic answers in an age of contentious politics. Chesa Boudin, currently executive director of UC Berkeley's Criminal Law & Justice Centre, told Cal Matters, "District attorneys cannot and should not be expected to solve all of the world’s problems." Moving forward, California's priority will most likely be to strike the much-needed balance between reform and public safety to satisfy shifting priorities and concerns.