San Francisco has experienced significant drug and safety incidents as the year turned. Over 9 million lethal doses of fentanyl were seized in the city during 2023, with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) issuing more than 4,468 citations and making 428 arrests for illegal activities related to the drug. The magnitude of the fentanyl problem has raised concerns among residents and critics of local policies, including those of Chesa and John, with some SF/CA politicians being blamed for enabling the crisis. The Los Angeles Public Health Department's 'Party Responsibly' ads with fentanyl warnings for New Year's, critiqued by Jon Caulkins for the use of tax dollars, highlight the widespread concern. Additionally, San Francisco faced a deadly fireworks accident on Treasure Island shortly after the New Year began, resulting in one fatality. The San Francisco Police Department responded to the incident at 12:40 a.m., where the individual was pronounced dead after receiving first aid. Meanwhile, Florida's capital recorded its 1st homicide of the new year, which police determined to possibly be an accidental death caused by fireworks. These incidents have sparked a conversation about public safety and law enforcement effectiveness in the city.
Slinging Fentanyl in San Francisco to ring in the new year. Great. ๐ https://t.co/7OH2qgp1oJ
#Florida's capital records 1st homicide of new year, but cops โdetermined this is possibly an accidental death caused by fireworks.โ https://t.co/A08EdK7Mfb via @WhatfieldTD
SFPD officers responded at 12:40 a.m. Monday to someone injured by fireworks on Treasure Island who was pronounced dead after being given first aid. https://t.co/JB2bcue4De https://t.co/JB2bcue4De
A person died after suffering firework-related injuries on San Francisco's Treasure Island, barely an hour after the New Year arrived, police said. https://t.co/cqssw94Hj5
LIVE VIDEO: Deadly fireworks accident in San Francisco under investigation. Live report from the scene on "Today in the Bay," streaming now. https://t.co/KsZN4OIkpR https://t.co/Cwdv7UhCW5
NEW: A person died after suffering firework-related injuries in San Francisco, barely an hour after the new year arrived, police said. https://t.co/f8LetMmfFr
Los Angeles Public Health Department has "Party Responsibly" with fentanyl ads out for New Year's. In @TheAtlantic (at link) Jon Caulkins and I raise questions about spending your tax dollars in this way. https://t.co/E3oBlcqKI6 https://t.co/vCaDiORmxw
SF is under siege. Let the magnitude of these numbers sink in for a second. 9 million lethal doses of fentanyl in one arrest. Every SF/CA politician should feel immense shame in enabling this mess. https://t.co/djYosFMyJq
Canโt help but wonder how much more fentanyl would be in circulation in San Francisco today if Chesa and John got their way. https://t.co/vD0uohWAES https://t.co/wwLBcqVsDr
Over 9 million lethal doses of fentanyl seized in San Francisco during 2023 In that span, CHP has issued over 4,468 citations, resulting in 428 arrests for illegal activity. Read more โฌ๏ธ https://t.co/aWUs97dPrh