California Governor Gavin Newsom is under fire for supporting San Francisco’s controversial move to clear homeless camps and drug hotspots just before the APEC 2023 summit. At a recent event, Newsom compared the cleanup to tidying up before guests arrive at your house.
The APEC 2023 summit, often called the Super Bowl of World Economies, is bringing leaders from 21 countries to San Francisco from November 11 to 17, including President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Newsom sees this as a chance to showcase San Francisco globally, but critics argue that the cleanup highlights the city’s ongoing struggles with homelessness, drugs, and rising crime. The homeless population in the Bay Area has surged by 35% since 2019, with an estimated 38,000 people homeless on any given night.
While crime rates in the city have slightly dropped overall this year, violent crimes like murder and robbery have seen an increase, as reported by The Daily Wire. A recent Gallup poll indicates a shift in public perception, with 48% of Americans now considering San Francisco unsafe, a significant jump from 30% in 2006.
Despite these challenges, San Francisco is set to host APEC 2023, a decision met with both excitement and concern. The city faced criticism during Super Bowl 50 in 2016 when the homeless crisis was spotlighted on TV broadcasts.
Videos on social media capture cleared sidewalks, some now adorned with new planters. Newsom admits the cleanup is partly due to the upcoming summit but claims ongoing efforts to address the issue.
As San Francisco balances hosting a global summit and tackling its persistent humanitarian problems, questions linger about the city’s long-term solutions for homelessness.
