Kamala Harris Wanted to Give Drug Dealers Multiple Arrests Before Prosecution

Kamala Harris’ record as a prosecutor has always been a point of contention, but her 2005 proposal as District Attorney of San Francisco might be one of her most baffling decisions yet. Harris proposed a plan, "Operation Safe Streets," that would have allowed drug dealers to avoid prosecution until their third arrest. In other words, criminals caught selling narcotics would be detained and released—twice—before facing any charges.

San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong wasted no time rejecting the idea. In a letter dated October 24, 2005, Fong warned Harris that her proposal would essentially allow drug dealers to return to the streets without consequences, sending the wrong message to the community. The police chief feared the plan would turn San Francisco into a haven for drug traffickers, undermine law enforcement, and even increase violent crime.

Key Issues With Harris' Proposal:

• Harris’ plan would have let drug dealers walk free after their first two arrests, only prosecuting them on the third.

• Narcotics sellers operating near schools could have been released after a brief detention, normalizing drug activity in front of children.

• The police department, defense attorneys, and media widely criticized the proposal as ineffective and dangerous.

Harris’ office claimed the intention was to build stronger cases against drug dealers. But critics saw the plan as an obvious attempt to go soft on crime, a pattern that has defined much of Harris’ political career. Even Harris’ criminal division chief, Jeff Ross, suggested moving forward with the program, dismissing concerns that it would attract negative media coverage.

This policy revelation comes at a time when Kamala Harris is attempting to rebrand herself as a tough-on-crime candidate, touting her experience as a prosecutor who “took on predators.” Yet her track record, from avoiding the death penalty in serious cases to supporting bail policies that release violent offenders, tells a different story.

A report by The Heritage Foundation further exposes Harris’ weak stance on crime, showing her support for defunding the police and ending cash bail, along with policies that have endangered public safety. These decisions have only grown more concerning as Harris has shifted her rhetoric to fit the political moment, leaving Americans wondering whether her true priorities align with the safety of our communities.

Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates.