Chinatown Night Out a Shining Example of Community Policing

SFPD Central’s community policing event—Chinatown Night Out—made a spectacular return to Portsmouth Square Wed., Sept. 7, 2022 with more than 1,000 community members joining SF SAFE, the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), local leaders and numerous sponsors for the 8^th annual event.

The singularly unique afternoon event, which aims to build community connections toward a safer San Francisco, included remarks from numerous city and state leaders, including SFPD Assistant Chief David Lazar, District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin, District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton, City Administrator Carmen Chu, CA Assembleymembers Matt Haney and Phil Ting, SFPD Central Station A/Captain Farmer, Rev. Norman Fong, Chinese Chamber President Donald Luu and many other stakeholders.

“So what is Chinatown Night Out?” asked SFPD Assistant Chief David Lazar rhetorically. “This is an opportunity for the police, for the City officials, for the community to come together to say that we are against AAPI hate, we are against crime in our community,” he explained to the large crowd. “We want you to meet your officers here tonight and introduce yourself and be willing to report crime and come to the police station if you need help or call 911.”

The assistant chief also took time to introduce numerous SFPD leadership to the crowd, including SFPD Central Station A/Captain Farmer, who also served as the event MC, and SF SAFE Executive Director Kyra Worthy.

Amidst gorgeous September weather and a joyful, culturally rich atmosphere, multigenerational attendees enjoyed a complimentary meal distributed in purple SF SAFE tote bags by SFPD recruits, while taking in the sights and sounds of the event. Special highlights included raffles and the SFPD’s SWAT team, Marine Unit, Bomb Squad and quad on display, as well as numerous police officers ready to meet & greet locals. The SFFD fire truck also made an appearance, as did numerous informational vendors. Standout moments of the event included the “roaring performance” of a traditional Chinese lion dance to the beat of accompanying drummers and a male/female Chinese dance troupe in yellow costumes.

For his part, District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin—whose district includes the event location—took time to give a shout out to the SFPD and SFPD Central Station officers for their efforts. “We have the best captains. We have the best rank and file officers. So to each and every one of you at the SFPD, I want to thank you for making this district and Chinatown safe.”

The supervisor added, “You walk the walk, by which I mean you walk the beats in Chinatown and North Beach, and you talk the talk, and I mean in Cantonese and in English and in Mandarin. So on behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I want to thank you for making a very special Chinatown Night Out.”

Chinese Chamber of Commerce President Donald Luu also addressed the crowd briefly and remarked that the Chamber and all the sponsors are “very proud” of what Chinatown Night Out has become and its capacity to “raise awareness” about public safety issues in the community that are “of great concern to us.” He said the event is “a great opportunity for residents, merchants, employees to build trust over good conversations and entertainment…”

Assemblymember Matt Haney, who represents the 17^th District in the CA State Assembly, remarked that he is proud to represent this community, in part, “because of the way that we come out and support each other.” He went on to underscore that “making sure everyone is safe” is the most important issue in our city. “If people can’t feel safe, they won’t go out on the bus, they won’t go to the store, they won’t come and visit this neighborhood. Everything has to start with everyone in our community feeling safe,” he said.

“And that’s why we’re out here tonight—the show of force matters, not only from our police officers who are here walking the beat building community with us, but also having the full display of the City family here—our elected officials, our department heads, everyone with the same message, which is that we are here for you. We support you and everyone in our community needs to feel safe in their city.”

Want to find out how you can get involved in community policing toward a safer San Francisco in your own neighborhood? Contact SF SAFE today at info@sfsafe.org or 415-416-6435.