THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2026
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by Mike Ege
Editor in chief, The Voice of San Francisco
Mayor Daniel Lurie’s introduction of Mike Levine, his new director of the Office of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, was a well-done set piece that telegraphs the uphill course Levine faces in reforming the city’s homelessness policies. The mayor held the press conference at the tiny home shelter village at 300 Gough Street, built by DignityMoves and staffed by Urban Alchemy. Some say that alone exemplifies the new versus old approaches the agency will have to navigate to accomplish its mission.
“We had three goals: get people the care they need, make our public spaces safer for everyone, and make government accountable for results. One year in, our work is far from done, but our city is moving in the right direction,” Lurie told reporters in his introduction.
Levine’s appointment represents a doubling down by Lurie on the management approach he pivoted to with his appointment of Daniel Tsai as head of the Department of Public Health. The two worked together at MassHealth, Massachusetts’s Medicaid agency.
Levine spent nine years at MassHealth, where he spent much of his time modernizing service infrastructure and navigating federal funding cuts while dealing with continuing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“My experience in Medicaid has taught me that homelessness is more than a housing issue. We will only succeed in getting people stabilized if we treat addiction and mental health issues,” Levine told reporters. “In Massachusetts, we have retooled our system so that the healthcare and homelessness services providers work hand in glove. And we recognize providers who successfully engage the hardest to serve clients.”
Among those standing behind Levine were Homeless Oversight Commissioners Sharky Laguana and Bevan Dufty, again, representing new versus old policies and priorities. Speaking with ABC7, Laguana emphasized the importance of federal support and Levine and Tsai’s experience with Medicaid in the policy transition. At the same time, recently ousted commissioner Christin Evans told the San Francisco Standard that Levine was not “a person who’s really going to be accepted within the (homeless advocacy) community.”
Meanwhile, District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey announced at this week’s roll call for new business that he requested a hearing on “staffing challenges” at the San Francisco Police Department’s Southern District Station.
“Simply stated, Southern is not staffed at levels that reflect its workload or its complexity,” Dorsey told colleagues. “It has become evident that Southern is stretched far too thin, far too often … according to the 2025 SFPD analysis, Southern patrol officers respond to 390, calls per officer, the 2nd highest workload in the city, and its sector patrol is currently staffed at only 78% of its recommended level, while other districts meet or even exceed their recommended number. This imbalance has real consequences. It means longer response times, fewer opportunities for proactive policing, increasing strain on the officers who are assigned there.”
Not to mention increased chafing by district residents as exemplified by the Soma West Neighborhood Association’s complaint against the city, which outright alleges that city leaders deliberately consigned their neighborhood to be what used to be called a “combat zone.”
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Top News
LAW AND ORDER
District Attorney Jenkins slams local judges as biased against her office
In rare open dispute, D.A. calls on public to keep fighting for victims and justice.
by John Trasviña
An intense and growing battle between District Attorney Brooke Jenkins and judges of the San Francisco Superior Court erupted Friday night before an in-person crowd of over 100 and more on-line at the Commonwealth Club of California.
VOICE BOX
San Francisco is now considering a citywide mandatory spay-and-neuter law (File No. 251162).
It could cut down on dogs being bred for quick money. It could prevent a lot of suffering — for both animals and people.
by Amber Reid Richmond
ELECTIONS 2026
Congressional Candidate showdown in Golden Gate Park
California State Senator Scott Wiener, San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, political adviser Saikat Chakrabarti, and community advocate Marie Hurabiell took the stage. It followed the previous evening’s forum hosted by KQED, which did not include Hurabiell because she announced her candidacy after the deadline.
by Erica Sandberg
Quote of the week
“There’s no simple pill to get us out of this mess. It took us a good two generations to get here. We weren’t always this way. “
— Political Scientist Dr. Larry Gerston on reeling the nation back in from Trumpism, in “‘Our democracy’s too important’: An interview with Dr. Larry Gerston, Part 2”
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
POLITICS
‘What have you done about it?’: An interview with Dr. Larry Gerston, Part 1
The political scientist on how Americans have failed democracy
by John Zipperer
TRANSPORT
SFMTA board OKs curbside EV charging permit program
The new program addresses the needs of residents who cannot charge their vehicles at home.
by Jerold Chinn
CITY HALL
This week at City Hall, it’s about the money, and dogs
Supervisors clear another big business tax settlement, and more
by Mike Ege
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EVENTS
Out and about April 9–15, 2026
What to do this weekend and beyond.
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
Events are springing up appropriately for the season — from the Cherry Blossom Festival to lunchtime concerts, and even spring training. Inside, there’s jazz, dance, a film festival, and more.
Thursday, April 9
The legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which tours worldwide with a mission of nurturing and perpetuating the art of New Orleans jazz, will perform tonight and Friday with special guest funk and jazz saxophonist Karl Denson and on Saturday and Sunday with special guest multi-instrumentalist musician, singer, and songwriter Ivan Neville, (son of Aaron Neville). The band’s last performances were sold out, so don’t wait. Arrive early to enjoy New Orleans-inspired concessions. Through Sunday at the Presidio Theatre. Tickets from $61.
Friday, April 10
I was drawn to this Spring Garden Market hosted by the Gardens of the Golden Gate Park because it has a theme: a connection to the natural world. So you’ll find local makers, small businesses, and artists offering plant-related items (and plants), garden-inspired art, sustainable products, handmade goods and the like “all selected for their quality, creativity, and environmental responsibility.” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sunday at the County Fair Building next to the Botanical Gardens. Free admission (but the Gardens of Golden Park would welcome your donation).
The 23rd Annual International Ocean Film Festival opens tonight and will screen 30 films from around the globe through its three-day run. Films will focus on all things ocean from marine environments to puffins, sea shells, and more. Special programming will feature climate resilience, coral reef restoration, oceans around the world, and other topics. Today four short films comprise Program 1, Sea Change and Sanctuary at 4 p.m. and three films comprise Program 2, Guardians of the Blue Planet at 7 p.m.; additional films through Sunday at Fort Mason Center. Tickets from $20.
Saturday, April 11
I love Japantown and its annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Enjoy cultural programs like a tea ceremony, ikebana demonstrations, Japanese folk dancing, doll making, martial artists, traditional music, and so much more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Japantown Peace Plaza through Sunday and next weekend. Free admission.
Farm football fans will surely want to head to the Cardinal Spring Practice, the first here in the city in 14 years. Grab the family (I’ll bet there’s more than one divided household out there with a Cal fan) and enjoy food trucks, inflatables, games, kiddo fun, and autographs. 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Kezar Stadium; public transportation encouraged. Free admission.
Here’s my pick of the week: the world premiere of Grammy Award-winning bassist, vocalist, and composer Esperanza Spalding along with Alonzo King’s renowned choreography. In addition, returning by popular demand will be the Lines Ballet’s acclaimed Ode to Alice Coltrane, a tribute to the legendary composer whose legacy continues to inspire. 7:30 p.m. at Blue Shield of California Theater at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Tickets from $46.ng restaurants here. Through Nov. 9. Brunch/lunch from $10; dinner from $30.
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