California Rep. Adam Schiff found out firsthand about San Francisco crime when his luggage was swiped from his car in a parking garage Thursday – forcing him to attend a fancy dinner in casual wear, according to a report.
The Democrat, who is also running to replace the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in the Senate, was in the city for a few days and had parked his car in a downtown garage before a gathering with supporters, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
But before the dinner at Ristorante Rocca in nearby Burlingame, he fell victim to a car break-in, losing his bags which left him without a suit for the occasion.
“Yes, they took my bags,” Schiff confirmed to the Chronicle. “But I’m here to thank Joe,” he added, referring to high-profile lawyer Joe Cotchett, who’s backing his Senate bid.
“I guess it’s ‘Welcome to San Francisco,’” Cotchett’s spokesperson Lee Houskeeper bluntly told the newspaper.
A photo from the restaurant obtained by the publication shows Schiff was the most dressed-down diner at his table.
The lawmaker was spotted standing up and offering remarks while wearing a long-sleeved shirt under a hiking vest.
But despite the car burglary and subsequent wardrobe emergency, Cotchett said Schiff didn’t seem bothered.
“Adam really showed himself tonight,” Cotchett told the Chronicle. “He’ll be a great senator — he’s going to change the Senate tremendously.”
San Francisco has gained national attention in recent years for its rampant crime, especially car break-ins.
In one 30-day period last year, the city saw a whopping 1,670 car burglaries.
But crime, including larcenies – the category in which car break-ins are counted – have trended down this year, according to police stats.
In the first quarter of 2024, larcenies in the city dropped by 35% over the same period last year – from 8,389 to 5,402, according to the Chronicle.
