During TNT's alternative broadcast of the NBA All-Star Game, former NBA player Charles Barkley made disparaging comments about the city of San Francisco, comparing it negatively to Indianapolis in terms of safety. This led to backlash from local sports figures, with Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green calling Barkley "crazy" and asserting that the former player was not "welcome" in the city.

Barkley's comments came amidst heightened concerns about crime and drug use in San Francisco, with reports indicating a surge in incidents in the Tenderloin neighborhood. Business owners expressed fears for their safety and the future of their establishments due to the prevalent crime, including motor vehicle thefts which saw an increase from 2022.

San Francisco officials have pushed back on the negative narrative, highlighting a decrease in overall crime rates compared to recent years. Mayor London Breed emphasized ongoing efforts to improve public safety in the city, including increasing police staffing and providing enforcement agencies with necessary resources.

Despite the city's efforts to address the concerns raised by Barkley and others, the debate over San Francisco's crime rates continues, prompting a broader discussion on the challenges of balancing public safety in a city with significant wealth and persistent pockets of poverty and suffering.