But the surge in San Francisco homicides, according to the Deputy Police Chief, is a "blip."

He said the killings stemmed mainly from personal spats rather than gang disputes, which accounted for many of the homicides in early 2004. Last year's homicide rate eased in the second half of the year as police focused on hot-spot areas and chronic criminals.

Happily, the firefighters' union is having none of it:

Firefighters union chief John Hanley [said],"We're firefighters. We're not armed. My guys don't have bulletproof vests,'' Hanley said. And the one weapon firefighters do have readily available isn't an option, Hanley said. "We don't train fire hoses on people in San Francisco,'' he said.

Even the Police Chief is opposed:

... Police Chief Heather Fong is concerned that stationing fire trucks at potential crime scenes could mean crews would be tied up as crime witnesses rather than being available to respond to an emergency, Suhr said.

What's next? Ambulance drivers and paramedics with guns drawn, reading suspects their Miranda rights? Probably not, given the opposition of the firefighters themselves:

One firefighter, who didn't want his name used for fear of retribution, said his job is to put out fires, not fight crime. Fire engine companies won't respond to shootings or stabbings until police tell them the scene is secure, the firefighter said. "Nobody signed up for this job to sit on the corner and play security guard," he said.

Sorry, but Joe Firefighter playing cops and robbers is a recipe for disaster, on both ends. Mayor Newsom should focus on addressing the root cause of crime. Providing housing for the homeless and encouraging businesses to hire ex-offenders would be a good start.