By Suzie Ziegler
SAN FRANCISCO — The City of San Francisco will now allow county deputies to work voluntary overtime shifts at local retailers. The move is aimed at deterring retail theft after a series of brazen, Bay Area robberies made national headlines.
According to CBS Bay Area, the agreement involves a partnership between the San Francisco Police Department and the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office. The legislation authorizes on-duty deputies to serve as private security for businesses.
San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott welcomed the decision.
“The fact of the matter is the San Francisco Police Department was unable to meet the demand for what was asked for us. And now we have partners from the SF Sheriff’s Department,” Scott told reporters.
[RELATED: Trying times for law enforcement may call for alternate work schedules]
The legislation was introduced by Supervisor Ahsha Safai, who says the overtime will be paid by the businesses, according to FOX 2.
Sheriff Paul Miyamoto says he doesn’t anticipate the extra work to impact his staffing levels.
“We are not looking to make a lot of arrests. We are looking to prevent people from committing the crime in the first place just by being there,” Miyamoto told FOX 2.
[RELATED: San Francisco residents hire private security amid run of car break-ins]
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