Newsom Calls in National Guard to Stem San Francisco's Drug Crisis

Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed the state’s National Guard and California Highway Patrol to assist San Francisco in its battle against illegal drug trafficking.

Newsom made the announcement Friday alongside Mayor London Breed, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, and Police Chief Bill Scott.

"Two truths can coexist at the same time,” Newsom said. “San Francisco’s violent crime rate is below comparably sized cities like Jacksonville and Fort Worth—and there is also more we must do to address public safety concerns, especially the fentanyl crisis.”

“THE CAVALRY IS COMING!" San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey tweeted in response to the news. The state’s assistance comes amid major staffing shortages at SFPD.

San Francisco currently has the second-highest fatal overdose rate among the nation's 50 most populous counties. Mayor Breed has requested federal assistance to address the city’s drug crisis.