In San Francisco’s latest effort to crack down on fencing – the sale of stolen goods — lawmakers are reintroducing legislation now known as the SAFE Streets Act, a California bill that has been met with both hope and hesitation among street vendors.
Introduced by State Senator Scott Wiener and backed by Mayor Daniel Lurie, the bill would give police authority to lead enforcement in suspected fencing operations, a role currently held by public works officers.
If passed, street vendors selling items from a list of commonly stolen goods — determined by the Board of Supervisors — would need to show a permit or proof of purchase to avoid penalties. Those unable to prove they obtained goods legally could face fines, escalating to a misdemeanor and up to six months in jail on the third offense. Food vendors, such as those selling hot dogs or fruit, would be exempt — even if they don’t have a permit.
Since November of 2023, San Franciscohas attempted to curb fencing through a blanket moratorium on all street vending on Mission Street, leaving many permitted Latinx vendors without a reliable source of income. Senator Wiener said the SAFE Street Act would protect “legitimate street vendors” while cracking down on fencing by focusing enforcement on permitting. A previous version of the bill, endorsed by former Mayor London Breed, failed to pass last summer.
Mission street vendors hope for reform
Several Mission District community groups, including CLECHA and the Mission Street Vendors Association (MSVA), joined Lurie and Wiener on Monday to endorse the bill. They gathered in a packed El Tiangue, a city-leased indoor vending site that was meant to support permitted vendors displaced from selling along Mission Street, but was later closed down in April, after failing to generate a clientele.
MSVA President Rodrigo Lopez said he saw the bill as a way to “empower vendors” and make it easier for them to “safely make a living.” His group has been advocating for permitted vendors’ rights since the ban was first enacted.
Many longtime vendors hope the bill will enable a full return to legal street vending on Mission Street. Currently, only a handful are allowed to sell under a city-run pilot program launched last summer. Other Mission vendors sell goods at La Placita, a nearby market, but have complained of lower sales.
“Vending is a crucial part of our community and culture,” said jewelry vendor Luz Ledesma. “While there’s no perfect solution, we’re working with city and state leaders to push for changes that could better the situation in the district.”
Supporters of the SAFE Streets Act also hope the bill will address burglaries and violent street altercations near the 16th and 24th Street BART Plazas.
“It’s about time,” said Roberto Hernández, who is a board member of the Mission Merchants Association. To Hernández, fencing on the plazas has had a “ripple effect” on those living and working nearby.
Concerns remain over immigration risks
Although some supervisors support the bill, District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder, who represents the Mission, said she will not comment until she receives the full text for review. During her election campaign, Fielder warned against further criminalization, especially for undocumented vendors.
Wiener and Lurie insist the bill was crafted to avoid immigration consequences, but critics argue that key details remain unclear. Some residents fear that, coupled with new federal mandates, the SAFE Streets Act could increase deportation risks for undocumented vendors.
“A vague press release claiming it addresses immigration concerns isn’t enough — actual immigrant advocates must vet it,” said San Francisco Latinx Democratic Club President Kevin Ortiz. He warned that increasing law enforcement involvement could also heighten police profiling of Latinx residents, calling the bill a “forced compromise.”
Announced the same week the city advanced a Fentanyl State of Emergency Ordinance, the bill is yet another reflection of Mayor Lurie’s broader public safety agenda. Though the SAFE Act faces a long road to implementation, it also signals the new administration’s effort to engage Latinx community leaders in policy discussions.
“We are all coming together to make sure that we help legitimate business owners and small business vendors and people that care deeply about this community,” Lurie said.
In the meantime, the Mission Street vending moratorium is set to expire in June, and officials have not indicated whether they will extend the ban again.
“We hope that these aren’t just words, but actions,” said Juana Perez Badillo, a street vendor who sells children’s toys, and who, like many others, are eagerly awaiting for a permanent return to selling on Mission Street.
Correction: The Latino Task Force was not among the groups that endorsed the bill.