State Senator Scott Wiener and San Francisco Mayor London Breed have announced a proposed law aimed at making it easier to prosecute car break-in thieves by closing a legal loophole. The legislation, set to be introduced in January when the Legislature reconvenes, would remove the requirement of proving a locked car door beyond a reasonable doubt to convict for auto burglary.

San Francisco has been grappling with a significant rise in car break-ins over the years, surpassing other large cities in California. To address this issue, Wiener and Breed believe that by removing the need to prove a locked car door, evidence of forcible entry would be sufficient to prove the crime of auto burglary.

Wiener stated in a press release, "San Francisco's high rate of car break-ins is unacceptable, and we need to ensure our police and district attorney have all the tools they need to address it and hold people accountable for committing this crime."

Mayor Breed called the proposed law a "commonsense solution," emphasizing the need for laws that make it difficult for criminals to get away with car break-ins. Currently, the requirement to prove locked cars often relies on victims testifying in court, which can be challenging, especially for tourists or individuals with work obligations.

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins affirmed that the new measure will simplify the prosecution of suspected car thieves, particularly those who operate in organized groups. Jenkins also revealed that there have been 15,000 reported auto burglaries in San Francisco in 2023 alone.

In an effort to combat the issue, San Francisco police have implemented a bait car program to catch thieves in the act. Police Chief Bill Scott indicated that the reported number of break-in cases, 15,000, is likely an underestimate. He expressed belief that Wiener's proposed law will be an instrumental asset in combating the problem.

Car break-in issues in San Francisco have not discriminated among vehicle makes and models. However, a recent social media challenge has led to a higher rate of Kia and Hyundai cars being broken into and stolen. Additionally, Audis with valet keys in the glove box have also become targets for theft.

Wiener hopes to have his bill signed into law next year, aiming to enhance safety in not only San Francisco but also cities throughout California. The proposed legislation aims to streamline the process of prosecuting car break-in thieves and discourage criminal activity in the area.