ABC News correspondent Matt Gutman revealed a concerning reality about San Francisco's downtown area: it's considered too risky for live morning broadcasts. While covering the closure of Westfield Mall, a story attributed to declining sales and foot traffic, Gutman highlighted the city's growing reputation as a "so-called zombie city" due to escalating robberies and the pervasive fentanyl crisis. He explicitly stated that his team was advised against filming live near Union Square or the mall at 4 a.m. due to safety concerns.
Gutman's on-air statement, "We have been advised it is simply too dangerous to be there at this hour," underscores the severity of the situation, drawing a surprised reaction from host Michael Strahan. Gutman also interviewed Mayor London Breed, questioning her about the perceived danger and the exodus of businesses from San Francisco. Breed countered by emphasizing the city's continued appeal, highlighting those staying, expanding, and arriving in San Francisco.
However, recent statistics paint a grim picture. Robberies have reportedly increased by 11.4%, and homicides have seen a staggering 83% surge compared to the previous year. 
Adding another layer to the narrative, Charles "Cully" Stimson, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation and a former San Francisco prosecutor, cautioned that official crime statistics might downplay the actual situation. He argued that underreporting is rampant due to a perceived lack of prosecutorial action, discouraging both citizens and law enforcement from pursuing cases.
Westfield Mall's closure follows a string of departures by major retailers like Nordstrom, Old Navy, and Whole Foods, further fueling concerns about the city's future. Even Twitter CEO Elon Musk weighed in, sharing his employees' apprehension about working downtown due to personal safety concerns and the perceived ineffectiveness of law enforcement. 
