May 31, 2024
A Message From Supervisor Ahsha Safaí:

I'm thrilled to announce that CHOW FUN 2024 is back to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with a culinary extravaganza. I was thrilled to join the opening community kickoff on Saturday, May 25 at the Excelsior Branch Library. The week-long festivities are happening along Mission Street, Ocean Avenue, and Geneva Avenue business corridors in the Excelsior and OMI neighborhoods. 

This event, presented by the Filipino American Arts Exposition, is an amazing opportunity to experience the vibrant flavors and rich cultural heritage of our AANHPI communities during this special holiday weekend.

CHOW FUN 2024 is more than just a food festival; it's about supporting local businesses and celebrating the diverse culinary traditions of our city. With over 40 participating restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and bars, you'll have the chance to taste delicious dishes from Hawaii, China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. 

Mark your calendars for CHOW FUN Closing Culinary Event tomorrow, June 1 at the Upper Yard.

I hope to see you there!

As always, my office is available by email: safaistaff@sfgov.org or by phone 415-554-6975 (leave a message and we will call you back).  

Sincerely,

IMPROVING OUR CITY'S PUBLIC SAFETY

My office has taken a major step towards improving public safety in San Francisco by addressing the shortage of our dedicated first responders and nurses. Last week, I introduced a charter amendment that, if approved by the Board of Supervisors, will appear on the November 5, 2024, ballot.

This proposal is not just about enhancing the retention and recruitment of full-time nurses and 911 operators, but also about reducing the financial burden on taxpayers caused by hiring shortages and excessive overtime costs.

This measure will allow full-time registered nurses employed by the City and County of San Francisco to buy back previous time worked as temporary nurses, counting these periods toward their city retirement plan. It also provides 911 operators with the same safety retirement benefits as other first responders. 

I urge you to support this ballot measure in the November election. By ensuring our first responders and nurses have the benefits and support they need, we can retain our dedicated professionals, attract new talent, and improve our city's care and emergency services.

We owe it to them — and to every resident of San Francisco — to make our city a safer place for everyone.

CREATING A MORE INCLUSIVE SAN FRANCISCO

 
I'm excited to co-sponsor an ordinance that will make it easier for everyone in our community to access vital information and services, regardless of their language.

The ordinance will ensure our city departments provide language access services in Chinese, Spanish, Filipino, and other languages spoken by many of our residents. This means we will make it easier for many languages to qualify for these services and we will ensure that signs, digital content, and important information during emergencies are available in multiple languages.

One key aspect of the ordinance is ensuring that our emergency response teams are equipped to communicate effectively with everyone during crisis situations—such as pandemics, refugee relief efforts, or natural disasters. 

By doing this, we're not just promoting inclusivity, but also ensuring that all residents, regardless of their language proficiency, can stay informed and safe. 

DEMANDING THE MAYOR FUND YOUTH SERVICES AND PROGRAMS

 
I've introduced a resolution urgently calling on Mayor London Breed to restore $25 million in funding cuts to the Department of Children, Youth, and Family (DCYF).

These cuts threaten vital programs that support our city's most vulnerable children and families. With San Francisco facing a $789.3 million budget deficit over two years, essential services for youth have come under severe threat, and nearly $25 million in reductions to DCYF could lead to the end of many programs, layoffs in nonprofit organizations, and a decrease in services provided to children across the city.

In a surprising contrast, the same amount—$25 million—is being sought to fund a new facility for pandas at the zoo, a project expected to boost tourism and generate public interest. While the pandas project can enhance the city's appeal, we need to balance such initiatives with the urgent needs of our community.

It's unconscionable that we're preparing to enhance facilities for pandas while our children's programs face devastating cuts. This is about prioritizing our future, our children. If we can rally to fund a home for pandas, then we can certainly unite to fund the essential programs our youth rely on.

I'm requesting Mayor Breed initiate a public-private partnership to fund the restoration of the budget cuts, reminiscent of successful past initiatives like the "Summer Together" program, which provided crucial educational and recreational opportunities for young people across San Francisco.

We need a budget showing we care equally about all of our community, from our beloved pandas to our precious children. A hearing on my resolution will be held at the Government Audit and Oversight Committee on Thursday, June 6 at 10:00AM.
 

SF RECREATION & PARKS NEEDS YOUR INPUT 

The San Francisco Recreation & Park Department is seeking your feedback for improvements at Randolph & Bright Mini Park in partnership with KABOOM! The project will include: 

• upgrading the children’s play area with nature-based play features  

   

• improved pathways and ADA accessibility 

   

• new site furnishings and landscaping

The process for improvements is just getting underway. We are excited to invite you to share your thoughts and ideas on how we can enhance and transform our beloved local park into a vibrant and inviting space for everyone. 

Please take a few minutes to answer the survey questions below and help us create a park for all to enjoy. To learn more, visit: https://bit.ly/randolphbright  

This survey will be open until 5:00pm on June 14. Please share with your neighbors, fellow parents, and community.

PARKING ENFORCEMENT REMINDER
 

Just a reminder, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has increased parking enforcement to enhance street safety. Last week, parking control officers intensified enforcement in District 11.

The agency has shared the enforcement weeks for District 11 in 2024:

- Week of August 25, 2024
- Week of December 8, 2024

This initiative, called the Parking Control Officers (PCO) Neighborhood Operations Plan, aims to improve safety by focusing on violations that pose risks to pedestrians and cyclists, such as parking on sidewalks or bike lanes.

During these weeks, there will be intensified enforcement in District 11, but regular patrolling will continue as usual. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping to raise awareness about the importance of following our parking policies.
 

Sign up for your Police Station newsletter! D11 is fortunate to have two amazing Police Captains and officers watching out for our safety.  If you have not yet signed up for the Ingleside Station newsletter or Taraval Station newsletter, you can click the links here to access their most recent newsletter.

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