SAN FRANCISCO -- Oakland Mayor Jean Quan spoke publicly for the first time Tuesday about the recall petition submitted this week by a group of city residents, saying she has been too busy to examine the petition.

In an interview with KGO radio, the mayor said she assumes those behind the recall believe she hasn't done enough to create jobs.

"I haven't had a chance to read it," she said. "I've only been mayor for about 10 months. I understand they are criticizing me on a couple points, and all I can say is that I am working really hard and have been fairly successful in getting new funds for Oakland and organizing the community.

"But right now, quite frankly, I'm too busy. ... I haven't even had a chance to look at the petitions," she said.

Quan was calling from Washington, where she is lobbying for federal funding to support the Port of Oakland.

In the recall petition, the residents said they primarily wanted to recall Quan for "willfully ignoring the city's most pressing issue: public safety."

The petition also criticizes Quan for her stand on development issues. Quan has "exhibited no leadership or insight to develop or implement a sustainable solution to our growing unemployment," the petition states.

The city will have to verify that at least 50 of the 71 signatures are valid. Recall proponents will then have 160 days to get roughly 19,800 signatures. Once those signatures are verified, an election would be called.