Reactions have continued to unfold following Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff’s controversial suggestion last week to involve the National Guard in San Francisco just ahead of the annual Dreamforce convention. The remark drew swift backlash, leading to abrupt cancellations by comedians Iliana Glazer and Kumail Nanjiani, who were scheduled to perform at the Moscone Center.
Billionaire venture capitalist Ron Conway, known for his close ties with past San Francisco mayors Ed Lee and London Breed, also distanced himself from Salesforce’s philanthropic efforts. In a scathing email to Benioff, Conway criticized the CEO’s statements regarding moving the convention to Las Vegas, a city with a higher crime rate, and accused him of seeking federal assistance primarily to cut costs.
Conway’s email stated, “San Francisco does not need a federal invasion because you don’t like paying for extra security for Dreamforce.” This line of thought shed light on the ongoing conversation about public safety at large events in the city.
Following the uproar, Benioff attempted to clarify his position, stating that his intention was solely to support San Francisco’s under-resourced police force. Notably, Salesforce has contributed significantly to local law enforcement, shelling out approximately $1 million in overtime costs for off-duty police over the past 18 months to ensure security during Dreamforce events. This spending accounted for a mere 0.02 percent of Salesforce’s net income, which was approximately $4.1 billion last year.
Between 2018 and 2023, Salesforce emerged as a top employer of off-duty San Francisco police, outpacing several high-profile companies, although still coming in behind others like Lululemon and Walgreens. This year, with Dreamforce being one of five major events prompting the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) to alter officers’ regular schedules for enhanced security, the city’s law enforcement confirmed that a considerable presence would be maintained both inside the Moscone Center and at adjoining venues.
Despite Benioff’s claims that Dreamforce represents a peak period of safety in San Francisco, police sources pointed out a reality that complicates this assertion. Veteran officers noted that while security measures, including SWAT and plainclothes teams, heighten safety, the reality of needing to allocate officers elsewhere in the city during emergencies poses a challenge.
California Highway Patrol troopers were also observed patrolling various parts of San Francisco alongside local law enforcement. Police representatives conducted interviews that highlighted their disapproval of Benioff’s notion to involve the National Guard, stressing the differentiations in authority and responsibilities between local police and federal military forces.
As San Francisco navigates the complexities of hosting large-scale events, including Dreamforce, the intricate balance between security logistics and community needs continues to garner attention and debate. The dynamics of corporate contributions to public safety and the ongoing discussions about appropriate responses to urban safety issues are likely to remain in focus as the convention unfolds and beyond.