FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications, 415-554-6131

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MAYOR BREED ANNOUNCES INCREASE IN MID-MARKET AND CIVIC CENTER FOOT PATROLS

SFPD has expanded community policing efforts alongside an multi-departmental effort to address quality of life issues and help unhoused individuals

San Francisco, CA — Today Mayor London N. Breed announced that the San Francisco Police Department is expanding foot patrols in the Mid-Market area. San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott is in the process of adding 10 new officers, a second lieutenant, and two sergeants to walk the area. This will increase the number of foot beat officers in the Tenderloin/Mid-Market area by nearly 50%, for a total of 43 personnel assigned to foot patrols in the area once staffing is complete in the next two weeks.

“Community policing and service outreach are key to making our streets safer and cleaner for all of our residents and visitors,” said Mayor Breed. “Not only can these officers focus on deterring criminal behavior, but they can strengthen ties and build trust with community members to ensure that we are all working together to make our streets safe for all.”

“The presence of our foot beat officers sends a strong signal that we prioritize community safety and engagement with the public,” said Chief Scott. “Residents, workers and merchants have let us know that our foot beats and mobile command center on UN Plaza have made the area safer and more family friendly. By stepping up our foot beat presence, we can continue to work with community members to ensure our public spaces are clean, safe and more welcoming for everyone.”

The additional foot beats will focus generally on the area of Market Street between 4th Street and 8th Street. These areas include a mix of dense housing and commercial buildings, and are heavily frequented by residents, workers, and tourists. The Powell Street Station has an average of 40,000 people exiting BART and Muni daily, and the Civic Center Station has an average of more than 33,000 people exiting daily during the week. The area is also heavily served by surface bus lines and the F Market line. San Francisco Travel reports that 18% of the nearly 26 million visitors to San Francisco visited Central Market in their last survey done in 2017.

“We are grateful for Mayor Breed’s leadership and responsiveness in addressing public safety and health concerns in the Mid-Market neighborhood where A.C.T.’s The Strand Theater is located,” said Jennifer Bielstein, Executive Director of American Conservatory Theater. “This comprehensive approach will help support us as well as other neighborhood small businesses and residents, and provide critical services to those who need them most.”

The officers will work in coordination with the multi-departmental Healthy Streets Operation Center, which is focused on quality of life issues and helping unhoused individuals into stable living conditions.

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