San Francisco Sun

San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed and State Senator Scott Wiener have announced legislation aimed at curbing the sale of stolen goods on San Francisco streets. Senate Bill 925 (SB 925), authored by Senator Wiener and sponsored by Mayor Breed, seeks to establish permitting requirements for vendors selling items frequently obtained through retail theft and to impose criminal penalties on those violating these regulations.

The sale of stolen items has contributed to unsafe street conditions and health hazards, affecting residents, businesses, city workers, and legitimate street vendors. Under SB 925, vendors would need a permit to sell items deemed frequently stolen and must provide proof of purchase for such merchandise.

Violators of the proposed law would face an infraction for the first two offenses and either an infraction or a misdemeanor with up to six months in county jail for the third offense. The bill allows individuals to sell goods with a permit, sell prepared food with a permit, and sell frequently stolen items with both a permit and proof of purchase.

“In San Francisco we are working hard to make our streets safer and more welcoming for all. SB 925 would greatly help us get a handle on the sale of stolen goods, all while taking a narrow approach that specifically targets bad actors,” said Mayor Breed. “I would like to thank Senator Wiener for authoring this legislation and helping us gain an effective tool to address fencing here in San Francisco.”

“San Francisco’s vibrant culture of street vending supports many families and showcases the diversity of our communities. But that cultural richness is threatened when bad actors are allowed to openly sell stolen goods on our streets, often pushing out legitimate street vendors and undermining public safety,” said Senator Wiener. “With this bill we’re taking a balanced approach that respects the critical role street vending plays in our community while holding fencing operations accountable for the disruption they cause.”

SB 925 builds on existing efforts in San Francisco to address fencing and unsafe street conditions. Permanent vending moratoriums are already in place in UN Plaza and Hallidie Plaza. In November 2023, Mayor Breed and Supervisor Hillary Ronen implemented a street vending moratorium along Mission Street targeting illegal goods sales. This moratorium was extended through August 22 due to improvements observed in neighborhood safety metrics.

"Our neighborhood residents, permitted street vendors, transit riders, and small businesses deserve safe sidewalks along our commercial corridors,” said Supervisor Ronen. “This state bill provides San Francisco an essential tool in tackling the rampant sale of stolen goods."

“Selling stolen goods is unacceptable in San Francisco. The SFPD has supercharged our efforts to address organized retail crime," said SFPD Chief Bill Scott.

Public Works Director Carla Short emphasized that "Senator Wiener’s bill takes direct aim at the harmful sale of fenced items" while Rodrigo Lopez from the Mission Street Vendors Association supported it as it helps permitted vendors continue their trade legally.

Iván Lopez from Artillery Ceramics also expressed support: "We need solutions like this to ensure it is people breaking the law who face legal consequences."

California's decriminalization of sidewalk vending with SB 946 led San Francisco towards administrative enforcement which proved challenging amid rising criminal activity. SB 925 aims to equip law enforcement with targeted measures for public safety protection.

Next steps involve referring SB 925 to policy committees as it progresses through the State Assembly.

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