The City plans to expand community safety teams and escort senior citizens to and from appointments.
Mayor London Breed announced Wednesday several new efforts to protect the City’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. The Community Safety Teams program will expand support and resources in key neighborhoods, and the Senior Escort Program will accompany senior citizens to and from appointments. Both programs will work in partnership with local AAPI nonprofits.
Stop AAPI Hate released a report documenting 3,795 incidents of anti-Asian hate in the U.S. during the past year. These hate crimes reflect the national rise in xenophobia and racist rhetoric against Asian communities during the pandemic.
“San Francisco, like many areas around California and the country, has seen unacceptable violence targeting out 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 it to build trust among our diverse communities and increase public safety for everyone in San Francisco.”
Community Safety Teams Program
- Creates more culturally-competent teams to expand upon existing Street Violence Intervention Program (SVIP).
- To begin patrolling new neighborhoods by the beginning of the summer.
- Engages and supports the following key neighborhoods in the City:
- Leland Avenue in Visitacion Valley
- Grant and Stockton Streets in Chinatown
- Clement Street in the Richmond
- San Bruno Avenue in the Portola
- Larkin, Eddy, Turk, Ellis, Golden Gate Streets in the Tenderloin
Senior Escort Program
- Provides individuals to escort senior citizens to medical and personal appointments (including going to the bank, grocery store, and doctor’s office).
- Provides companion for senior citizens both walking around and taking public transportation.
- Currently focused in Chinatown, but will expand to other areas after assessment.
- Available through the Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS) Resource Hub at (415) 355-6700.
The rise in anti-Asian violence cannot continue. In addition to police, we’re creating new community safety teams and a senior escort program.
We’ll have people who know our communities doing the work to build relationships and provide a visible presence on our streets. https://t.co/54A05blqe6 pic.twitter.com/iVm5sW0E0N
— London Breed (@LondonBreed) March 24, 2021
The City has received $1.5 million over the next 3 years as part of the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant. The money is meant to help reduce shootings, break the recidivism cycle, and build community trust in the police. It will go toward mentorship and guidance programs through the Street Violence Intervention Program.
Wondering how you can help? Consider donating to any of these 20 AAPI Community Organizations in SF.