She specifically took issue with a report by ABC's "Good Morning America" that aired on June 14, 2023, in which reporter Matt Gutman claimed that San Francisco "could turn into a so-called zombie with its downtown hollowed out by a fentanyl epidemic, pervasive homelessness, and fleeing retailers."
During the interview, Gutman asked Mayor Breed if San Francisco was dangerous. She acknowledged that the city has challenges but emphasized that it is significant with people who are staying, expanding, and coming to San Francisco.
However, Mayor Breed took issue with the conclusion of the news piece, in which Gutman noted that they were not filming at Union Square or the Westfield Mall because it was "too dangerous" to be there at that hour. The report took place at about 4:00 a.m. local time.
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In response, the mayor's office released a statement to SFGate, stating that some news coverage had conflated the reasons or failed to provide the complete picture of why big retailers and other businesses in San Francisco are deciding to leave or transfer ownership of their operations. The statement cited work-from-home habits, shifting shopping trends, and the pandemic as contributing factors.
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The statement also claimed that the number of reported violent crimes in Downtown and the Tenderloin is down this year compared to last year. While some crimes, such as homicide and robbery, have increased in the city compared to 2022, total offense is down almost 7%.
However, drug overdose deaths in the city have increased 41% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year.
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