As your District 2 Supervisor and a concerned San Franciscan, I want to address a vital public safety issue voters will decide upon in the November election through Propositions L and M. While the two are separate measures, they are linked by what is quite simply politics at their worst – the addition of a “poison pill” in Measure M that is designed to defeat Measure L, the sit/lie measure proposed to address certain types of behavior on our city streets.

Despite San Francisco’s extraordinary public and mental health services, our commercial corridors are not immune to certain types of aggressive behavior. Our small business owners and neighborhood organizations have pleaded with elected officials to address the issue of individuals sitting and lying for hours in front of businesses and homes, blocking the sidewalk, deterring individuals from frequenting commercial corridors and businesses, and being aggressive with people passing by. When elected members of the board of supervisors blocked attempts to respond to their concerns, the mayor introduced Measure L, Civil Sidewalks, to be decided by the voters on November’s ballot.

As an advocate for the disabled, small business owners, and neighborhood residents concerned about verbal and physical abuse from those blocking the public right of way, I urge you to vote YES on L, for Civil Sidewalks, and NO on M, the poison pill. The increasing levels of aggressiveness pose a threat to the civility of our city and may lessen the safety and vitality of our neighborhood thoroughfares. This is a commonsense law being used with success in 60 other U.S. cities including Berkeley, Santa Cruz and Seattle.

Remember, Proposition M is a poison pill designed to nullify Proposition L if M receives more votes. Don’t be fooled by false promises of increased foot patrols or community policing. We already have foot patrols and Prop M doesn’t increase resources or deployment. Prop M is playing politics with your public safety.

Please vote Yes on L and No on M to keep our city safe and accessible for San Francisco’s residents, visitors, the disabled, and small business owners.

Supervisor Alioto-Pier can be reached at 415-554-7752 or [email protected].