Building a Safer Future Together

San Francisco must ensure that armed police officers are focused on emergencies and violent crimes, instead of being tied up with non-emergency calls and administrative tasks. Each year, the city receives over 60,000 non-urgent calls, and many highly paid officers are assigned to desk jobs. Reallocating resources would help improve response times for serious incidents. Non-violent issues such as traffic enforcement, nuisance complaints, and mental health crises should be handled by unarmed professionals, freeing up officers to respond to genuine emergencies. Expanding and organizing non-police response teams under the 3-1-1 system would make public safety efforts more efficient and targeted. Retired officers serving as community liaisons could also help strengthen trust between residents and law enforcement.

Law enforcement spending in San Francisco has grown to over $1.1 billion, pulling critical resources away from crime prevention programs. Over the past 12 years, overtime pay has increased by 400 percent, with some officers earning up to $40,000 annually in overtime alone. Incidents like the 2023 Dolores Park Hill Bomb event have cost the city millions in unnecessary overtime spending, placing additional strain on public funds. On top of this, an SFPD-affiliated nonprofit misused $4 million on luxury expenses while failing to pay local vendors. This level of fiscal mismanagement demands serious action through stronger budget oversight, clear auditing protocols, and strict accountability measures to ensure public money is used responsibly.

A major shortage of emergency personnel is putting lives at risk. Dispatchers, ER nurses, medics, behavioral outreach workers, and therapists are critically understaffed, leading to delayed response times and higher mortality rates. To attract and retain staff in these essential roles, the city must offer competitive wages, create local housing options for emergency workers, and establish a college endowment program for graduates who commit to careers in emergency response and public health.

Investing in Community-Led Crime Prevention Programs

Effective public safety is not just about responding to crime but preventing it before it occurs. Supervisor Fielder supports expanding proven programs like Cure Violence, which has successfully reduced violent crime in cities across the country. Richmond’s Office of Neighborhood Safety, founded in 2007, significantly lowered homicide rates by engaging high-risk individuals and offering them support and opportunities. Similar targeted intervention strategies should be implemented across District 9 to reduce violence and enhance community safety.

Expanding Community Ambassador Programs

Research shows that a visible community presence helps deter crime. Supervisor Fielder supports expanding the Community Ambassador Program—launched in the Mission in 2023—to increase non-police presence in high-traffic areas. Strengthening these initiatives will build on the program’s early success in improving neighborhood safety.

Providing Small Business Grants for Crime Prevention

Small businesses are often hit hardest by vandalism, theft, and break-ins, frequently forced to cover the cost of repairs out of pocket. The City should provide grants for preventive security measures, including improved lighting, reinforced doors and locks, alarms, and surveillance systems. SF SAFE, the nonprofit offering free security assessments, is currently under scrutiny for mismanagement—ensuring transparency and accountability in these services is essential to rebuilding trust with small business owners.

Enhancing Youth Mental Health and Expanding Violence Prevention in Schools

The post-pandemic youth mental health crisis is closely tied to rising violence in schools. With over 100 student conflicts reported, including 31 involving firearms, immediate intervention is critical. Prioritizing school-based mental health counselors and social workers, deploying Prop G community school funds, and strengthening collaboration between SFUSD and city agencies will help create safer school environments and healthier outcomes for students.

Crime victims should not be left to shoulder the financial and emotional burden of their experiences alone. Supervisor Fielder supports expanding financial assistance programs, modeled after existing state-level initiatives, to ensure victims receive support for property damage, medical expenses, and recovery services. Family-run businesses, in particular, often struggle to stay afloat after experiencing crime. Providing direct assistance would help them recover, remain open, and continue contributing to the local economy. Expanding victim advocate programs is also essential, offering emotional support, legal guidance, and critical resources to those affected by violent crime.

Prioritizing Rehabilitation Over Incarceration

Research from Norway shows that investment in rehabilitation can reduce recidivism rates by up to 50 percent. San Francisco must direct more resources toward rehabilitation programs, particularly for first-time offenders, to provide the support needed to rebuild their lives rather than pushing them further into the prison system. Prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment leads to safer communities and better long-term outcomes.

Strengthening Accountability in Law Enforcement and Government

Public trust in the justice system depends on strong accountability for both law enforcement and elected officials. Police officers must be held responsible for excessive force, racial profiling, and financial misconduct through transparent investigations, independent audits, and public reporting. At the same time, city officials must commit to full budget transparency and ensure that contracts and funding decisions follow open, democratic processes. Preventing corruption and misuse of public funds is essential to restoring public confidence.

Ensuring Shelter Access and 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Domestic violence survivors face a 79 percent rejection rate from shelters due to staff shortages and limited capacity. Increasing funding for shelters, hiring additional staff, and creating dedicated workforce housing for survivors would provide urgently needed relief. Establishing a 24-hour emergency navigation hub would ensure that survivors can access safe spaces and critical support at any time, preventing situations where individuals are forced to remain with their abusers overnight due to service closures.

Strengthening Community-Based Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Response

Supervisor Fielder supports partnering with organizations such as San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR) to deploy trained, non-police victim advocates in response to domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. Survivors deserve compassionate, expert support that centers their safety and autonomy—not law enforcement-led responses that risk retraumatization.

Public spaces, especially those surrounding BART stations, require dedicated safety improvements to support community well-being. Deploying trained peacekeepers and navigators offers an alternative to aggressive policing while creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere. A comprehensive plaza revitalization plan, informed by grassroots community input, can help transform high-traffic areas into vibrant, well-maintained public spaces. Addressing open-air drug use through accessible, community-based treatment centers, while clearing sidewalks and connecting unhoused individuals to supportive services, will enhance safety for both residents and those in need of care.

San Francisco continues to overspend on ineffective law enforcement strategies while underfunding critical public safety initiatives. The combined budget of SFPD and the Sheriff’s Department exceeds $1.1 billion, yet many essential programs remain neglected. Redirecting excessive overtime spending and reallocating funds toward proven community-based safety initiatives would help create a more balanced and effective public safety approach. Consolidating non-police street response teams under the 3-1-1 system would improve efficiency, reduce redundancy, and ensure quicker response times for non-emergency interventions.

A truly just public safety system must include strong re-entry programs to support individuals transitioning after incarceration. Access to transitional housing, job training in skilled trades, and entrepreneurial support can help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society and contribute positively to their communities. Many residents of District 9 have successfully rebuilt their lives after incarceration. Investing in community-led rehabilitation programs will ensure that others have the same opportunity for a second chance.