Is the problem with progressive criminal justice and policing reform that the solutions are long-term?

I know there are a number of SF Bay Area jellies here, so I’d be interested to hear their input as it pertains to the successful recall of Chesa Boudin.

Chesa Boudin was San Francisco’s recently-elected progressive district attorney who was just recalled by a wide margin yesterday, thanks in large part to the efforts of the Asian American community in the city. SF is one of the most progressive cities in the U.S., but even its citizens recalled a progressive D.A. who was seen by many as not doing enough about a rise in crime in the wake of the pandemic (in particular, property crime and anti-Asian hate crimes). I often hear from the “defund” crowd that more policing is not a solution to an increase in crime, that we need to invest in other services instead. Yet it seems pretty clear that the people, when confronted with a rise in crime (or certain types of crime) and homelessness and an overall decrease in quality of life, turn toward strengthening the police force and the carceral system, no matter how progressive they may claim to be.

A similar effort succeeded in L.A. where a former Republican who promised to increase the number of police officers and sanitation workers to clean the streets of homeless encampments won the Democratic primary (Eric Adams’s victory in NYC could be seen as another parallel). Why are progressives losing to moderate “tough on crime” Democrats? Do progressive criminal justice reform policies lead to a temporary increase in crime that most people are not willing to put up with?