More police officers and community safety ambassadors are coming to the streets of the Tenderloin and Mid-Market area of San Francisco as part of an effort to beef up public safety.
Mayor London Breed announced Tuesday the launch of the Mid-Market Vibrancy and Safety Plan, a new program aimed at creating a safer and more welcoming environment in the Tenderloin and Mid-Market area.
It’s an area of the city that can be dicey at the best of times and even more so with many storefronts closed.
Mayor Breed said she has personally noticed the prevalence of illegal activity in this part of the city.
“Sadly in broad daylight there’s too much drug using and drug dealing going on,” Mayor Breed said. “That’s really unacceptable at any time and I want everyone in this city to feel safe, no matter what neighborhood they’re walking through or live in.”
The eight million dollar plan, paid for in part by UC Hastings, will see community ambassadors on every block in some stretches around Market and the Tenderloin.
“This is a way for people who are afraid to walk down the street, including members of our API community, some of whom have been attacked, to have people out there who are looking out for them and protecting them,” District Supervisor Matt Haney said.
Starting Wednesday, more police officers will patrol on foot, bicycles, motorbikes and horseback throughout the area. Community Ambassadors will start June 15 and will ramp up to full coverage over the summer.
“Some role for the police is important, foot patrols around safety and visibility,” Haney said. “But to the extent that a lot of the problems out there are people who are homeless or who are addicted to drugs, those folks need real robust public health and homelessness outreach.”
Related
