Mayor Daniel Lurie's public safety push ahead of jam-packed weekend
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San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie speaks about security measures at a press conference surrounded by public safety personnel. Photo: Nadia Lopez/Axios
Mayor Daniel Lurie announced a series of security measures on Thursday ahead of a major weekend packed with events expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to San Francisco.
Why it matters: Lurie's public safety push comes as the city prepares to host the NBA All-Star tournament and Lunar New Year festivities this weekend.
The big picture: The move is part of a wider effort to spur economic activity and tourism — goals Lurie said won't happen unless city streets are "safe and clean."
The latest: The campaign includes:
- Increased police presence around event areas in Chinatown and near the Chase Center, plus more patrols in tourist zones along the Market Street and Powell Street corridors.
- An Emergency Operations Center, which was opened Wednesday, to monitor events, manage 911 call volume and provide additional support if a critical incident occurs.
- More Department of Public Works crews to maintain street cleanliness around event areas.
What they're saying: "We will ensure that everyone can celebrate with peace of mind. Let's embrace this moment for our city. San Francisco, we are coming back. We are ready and together we will make this a weekend to remember," Lurie said at a press conference outside of the San Francisco Police Department's headquarters in Mission Bay.
Between the lines: The new mayor is rolling out the anti-crime initiatives amid a challenging time for a city that's facing ongoing homelessness, a fentanyl crisis, increased retail theft and other public safety issues.
Catch up quick: The announcement comes about a week after Lurie announced the creation of a new "hospitality zone task force" to deploy more police in tourist destinations in downtown near Union Square, the Yerba Buena Gardens and Moscone Center and days since he signed an emergency fentanyl ordinance to tackle the widespread use of the opioid.
- Unlike other patrol officers, task force personnel will not respond to radio calls and instead focus on preventative policing in designated areas. These teams may be present as much as 20 hours per day in high-traffic zones.
What's next: AlertSF provides updates on transit disruptions and emergencies via email, text or phone. Sign up by texting "NBASF2025" to 888-777.
- To report a non-emergency situation, call 311 to keep 911 lines open.
The bottom line: "Big events don't scare us, because we know what the city can do. If you see something that doesn't look right or looks suspicious, please report that to us. We are ready," police chief Bill Scott added.