Public Safety Update

By Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi

To reduce crime in Hayes Valley, Western Addition, and in the City, a multifaceted tailored approach involving both the community and local government is required. A combination of violence prevention and effective crime fighting measures warrant an accountable synergy. Wrap-around services that I insist on as a neighborhood constant such as: work force job training and placement, truancy alternatives, and vertical ex-offender rehabilitation will work well, but risk setbacks if violence continues without concern for the consequences.

While it helps organized efforts to exercise an insistent tone for neighborhood safety by calling on the SFPD, DA, Adult and Juvenile Probation, Courts, the Mayor, and others, it’s also important to note where local progress is being made. This includes the beginning of a police foot patrol program, the formation of a Community Policing Advisory Board within the Mayor’s Office, ensuring San Francisco Police Department access to Housing Authority properties, and our work late last year to increase funding and other support for violence prevention programs in our community.

Mayor Newsom speaking at Hayes Valley South with Captain Dillon, Supervisor Ammiano and Supervisor Mirkarimi. Photo: Frances Neagley

On February 15, in my role as chair of the newly formed Board of Supervisor’s Public Safety Committee, I held a hearing on critical improvements needed to address the level of crime on and contiguous to San Francisco Housing Authority property. Nothing short of a Kafkaesque problem, there appeared to be a long-standing need to unravel any confusion that impeded SFPD patrolling public housing (which is Federal property). It was determined that Housing Authority sites must provide written permission to enable the SFPD to enter the properties to enforce trespassing laws. On March 6th, an impressive display of force from the SFPD, Housing Authority officials, City agencies, Mayor Newsom, Supervisor Ammiano and myself announced at Hayes Valley South that SFPD would begin to patrol multiple housing developments... it’s a start.