Poll Shows Strong Support For San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) -- An exclusive poll gave San Francisco's residents a chance to weigh in on embattled police chief Greg Suhr, and it might surprise many that 50-percent said the chief should stay.
"He needs to go. Too much bull going on," Andrea Rivers told KPIX 5.
But, that sentiment isn't shared by all the city's residents.
"Most of the problems are created by other individuals I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt," another resident said.
Residents are split over the chief.
31-percent want him to resign, while 19-percent aren't sure.
"We don't govern by the polls, but at the same time I'm sensitive to what people think," San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said.
The poll found that about 42-percent approve of how the chief is doing his job in the wake of the Mario Woods shooting, and the racial text scandal. 36-percent disapprove.
Suhr's biggest support comes from whites and Asians,
But, that support drops among blacks, and really tumbles among Latinos - with 52 percent saying he should go.
Supervisor David Campos is one of four board members to call for the chief to step aside.
"I don't think he will be in a position to be in a position to implement the change that is needed," Campos said.
Blacks appear split, with 41-percent saying this chief should stay, and 38-percent saying he should go.
"Obviously I'm encouraged that there are more people who want me to stay than go," Police Chief Greg Suhr said.
But, it's not just the questionable police shootings, or the racially charged texts that may be driving the numbers. There is another problem out there for the chief even among his supporters.
"There have been several break-ins in this area - my car has been stolen twice," one San Francisco resident said.