After security camera footage helped track down the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, Police Chief Greg Suhr said law enforcement here could live-monitor a network of private and public surveillance cameras to patrol large events. The April 15 bombing in Boston has local law enforcement reassessing security measures for the 300 special events that occur in San Francisco annually. As this broader discussion continues, adjustments have already been made for the Craigslist Bay to Breakers footrace that is expected to attract 100,000 attendees to The City on May 19. Read More

Local-hire law supporters such as Mayor Ed Lee and the law’s author, Supervisor John Avalos, have celebrated its success, but the real test is yet to come. San Francisco’s groundbreaking ordinance could change as a result of an ongoing review of how the requirements have impacted the construction industry during its first two years. Read More

Enforcement of San Francisco’s 2010 law to reduce city government vehicles was supposed to begin two years ago. Now that it has finally started, the requirement is being put to the test. Nine city department heads have submitted waivers to protect hundreds of trucks, sedans and other vehicles from elimination. The total number of vehicles in The City’s fleet is not exact, but an indication comes through a $29 million annual fuel contract for 6,000 vehicles and 700 pieces of equipment, including generators. Read More

Many people working in the shadows of City Hall to land government contracts, obtain permits and sway decision-makers could soon be forced into the public eye. Permit expeditors and attorneys doing routine business with city departments can operate with little public scrutiny under The City’s existing regulations, but City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Board of Supervisors President David Chiu announced a proposal Tuesday to expose more of the inner workings of City Hall. Read More

As Mayor Ed Lee is drafting his proposed two-year city budget, questions are being raised about whether San Francisco should advance plans for four separate public safety communication systems totaling about $270 million during the next five years. The debate over the investment comes as The City is attempting to turn around a long-troubled technology history, rife with wasteful spending, duplicative efforts and outdated software. Read More

New bars along Lower Polk Street were banned Tuesday as The City attempts to mitigate the rowdy nightlife scene that has increased there in recent years. While the legislation was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors with little debate, the proposal had inspired a spirited back-and-forth among community members and bar owners about the proper character of Polk Street and how best to address the impacts of the popular nightlife scene. Read More

San Francisco’s publicly funded employment programs remain “too fragmented” and pressure is mounting to make improvements as the technology industry booms and the local economy improves. The City spends tens of millions of dollars annually on employment programs, but inefficiencies and lack of job placements have plagued the effort. These employment programs are seen as crucial efforts to help those struggling as housing prices and other cost-of-living expenses increase in San Francisco. Read More