As District Attorney of San Francisco in 2005, Kamala Harris introduced a program that would have allowed drug dealers to be arrested and released twice before facing charges on their third offense. Known as “Operation Safe Streets,” the proposal was immediately rejected by then-police chief Heather Fong, who warned it would allow narcotics dealers to continue operating without fear of consequences.
In an October 24, 2005 letter to Harris, Fong outlined her concerns, stating, “This proposal asks us not to arrest, but instead detain and release observed narcotics sales suspects.” Fong added that the policy could lead to increased violent crime and send a harmful message to children witnessing drug deals near schools. She also pointed out the double standard of allowing adults to go free while juveniles would still be booked.
Harris’s office defended the proposal, claiming it was designed to give prosecutors more time to build stronger cases against drug dealers. However, the plan faced widespread criticism from both law enforcement and defense attorneys. Police officers feared the policy would demoralize the force, while defense attorneys questioned its effectiveness, calling it “unworkable.”
The proposal was ultimately scrapped, but it has resurfaced as Harris continues to promote her record as a tough-on-crime prosecutor. Critics argue that the policy was a clear example of her soft-on-crime approach, undermining public safety.
