Lurie defends street-level outreach after Tenderloin scuffle

"I've probably gone out and talked to people on the street a few hundred times and I'm not going to stop doing that."
— Mayor Daniel Lurie.

Following an incident in which a member of his security detail was injured in a street confrontation last week, Lurie told reporters yesterday that he doesn't plan on scaling back his street-level interactions.

Why it matters: The Tenderloin scuffle — resulting in charges against two men — has raised questions about police use of force and safety as Lurie makes regular, unannounced visits to neighborhoods grappling with homelessness, addiction and open-air drug activity.

This hands-on approach — scrutinized in the wake of the altercation — has become a defining feature of his tenure.

• "I believe as mayor that I should go and try to help people," Lurie said, adding that residents and businesses have to deal with such conditions daily.
• He insisted that it's important for him to see those realities firsthand rather than "stay cloistered up."

Catch up quick: The confrontation occurred last Thursday when Lurie and his security pulled over to ask a group of people to move out of the street.

• Officers said Tony Phillips, 44, refused to comply, threatening, "I'll Bruce Lee kick your ass," per the police report obtained by the SF Standard.

• A viral social media video showed the bodyguard forcefully pushed Phillips to the ground before the confrontation escalated.

The city's Department of Police Accountability has also launched a probe into what happened, per the San Francisco Chronicle.

What's next: Lurie said he'll consult with his security detail to ensure visits are conducted safely.

Axios reporter Shawna Chen contributed to this report.