Mayor Announces Efforts to Combat Anti-Asian Violence in San Francisco

May is API Heritage Month, which makes it an apropos time to share Mayor London Breed’s latest efforts to improve public safety in San Francisco and provide targeted support to members of San Francisco’s Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community. The efforts include expanding a Community Safety Teams program that will provide outreach, support and engagement in key neighborhood corridors around the city, as well as a Senior Escort Program to accompany seniors to medical and personal appointments.

“San Francisco, like many areas around California and the country, has seen unacceptable violence targeting our Asian and Pacific Islander residents,” said Mayor Breed. “In an effort to create a meaningful and sustainable response to protect our residents, we’re providing a proactive, culturally competent, community-based response. Our goal with these two programs is to build trust among our diverse communities and increase public safety for everyone in San Francisco.”

As part of the mayor’s plans, she will launch a new initiative to create Community Safety Teams as a proactive presence to offer the aforementioned various types of support in key San Francisco neighborhoods, per her office. The initiative will come to fruition via an expansion of the Street Violence Intervention Program (SVIP) and partnerships with community organizations rooted in the city’s API communities.

“The collaboration between SVIP and API community-based organizations will ensure these teams are culturally-competent and can collectively advance the work of building racial solidarity while also increasing public safety,” per a statement from the Mayor’s Office.

The Community Safety Teams will begin working in the following neighborhood corridors no later than the beginning of the summer: Leland Avenue in Visitacion Valley; Grant and Stockton Streets in Chinatown; Clement Street in the Richmond; San Bruno Avenue in the Portola; and Larkin, Eddy, Turk, Ellis and Golden Gate Streets in the Tenderloin.

After the program's launch, the City may expand it to encompass other corridors and neighborhoods including those in the Sunset, Outer Mission and OMI communities, per Mayor Breed's Office.

Also as part of Mayor Breed’s efforts, she is investing in continuing a Senior Escort Program, which coordinates people to accompany seniors to medical and personal appointments, i.e., going to the bank, grocery store, or doctor’s office, to offer them added security, per her office. While the program is currently concentrated in Chinatown, the City will connect with senior service centers and providers in other communities to determine interest in expanding to other city areas.

Seniors interested in the Senior Escort Program should call the Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS) Resource Hub at (415) 355-6700.

“San Francisco is stepping up to combat anti-Asian violence and provide our most vulnerable with real resources during this difficult time,” said Assemblymember David Chiu. “I applaud Mayor Breed for taking this action to protect our API communities and keep all San Franciscans safe."