Supervisor Mahmood Newsletter

District 5 in less than 5 minutes – here’s the TLDR of this newsletter:

We're back from August recess and my resolution in support of Proposition 50 passed unanimously at the Board.
Safety is my top priority, and my office is engaging with the Tenderloin community through community meetings and launching a first aid training program for our vulnerable communities.
Join us for a Family Zoning Plan Information Session on September 18th at 6 pm at Park Branch Library.
We had a bittersweet farewell for community member and ASNA volunteer Cynthia Chapman as she moves to be with family.
Don’t miss the neighborhood news at the end of this if you want to take advantage of free back-to-school haircuts, community grants, and recognizing our good neighbors.

Keep reading for more 👇

Dear Neighbor,

I want to share a story I haven’t told before. Years ago, I lived under a dictatorship.

As a teenager, I lived in Pakistan for a number of years during a time when an authoritarian leader took the country from a democracy to a dictatorship under the guise of safety and security. Slowly, I saw how that dictator stripped away the institutions we thought we could rely on for change – from the judiciary to the constitution. I saw terror being used as an excuse to quickly seize more power, and take away fundamental human rights.

American Democracy, I knew, was different. It’s what gave my family the opportunity to truly break into the middle class once we returned to the States, and gave me the chance to proudly serve the City and County of San Francisco, and it’s the reason I’m able to write to you freely today.

Democracy in America isn’t a given. And we can see more clearly now than ever the cracks in our fragile democracy under the Trump Administration.

What we’re seeing from the White House and Trump’s allies for redistricting in Texas is an overt effort to rig our elections – it’s a growing and clear message that this current administration will do anything to seize more power.

It’s a terrifying pattern I’ve seen before, living in the streets of Lahore. And we can’t sit idly by with our hands tied behind our backs, waiting for a check and balance to rein in these power grabs.

There’s simply too much at stake.

That’s why I introduced a resolution last week at the Board of Supervisors in support of Governor Newsom’s Prop 50 to push back against the MAGA election rigging plans. Today, the resolution passed the full board with unanimous support.

In times like these, the best defense is a good offense. In supporting Prop 50, we are sending a clear message back to Washington: In this city, we don’t tolerate authoritarians — we stand united with our working families, with our seniors, with our immigrant communities — and in San Francisco, we stand together for our democracy, for our freedom, and for our country.

In service,

Supervisor Bilal Mahmood

In Community

Public Safety in the Tenderloin

My office and Police Chief Yep convened an incident meeting in the Tenderloin with community leaders, residents, and public safety agencies to address recent violence in the neighborhood.

SFPD outlined the steps they will be taking in response to community concerns, including deploying new technology and assigning dedicated beat officers to patrol our streets.

We take these concerns seriously. Every resident deserves to feel safe, and as a city, we are taking immediate action.

I appreciate the community, San Francisco Police Department, San Francisco Fire Department, District Attorney’s Office, and Mayor Lurie's Office for coming together in service of the neighborhood.

First Aid Training

Last Friday, we launched the first session in a series of First Responder Trainings for the Tenderloin community, in partnership with the San Francisco Fire Department. These trainings are designed to help residents build trust with first responders and learn basic first aid skills.

Thank you to Firefighter Belal Mogaddedi for creating this program, bringing the idea to my office, and leading our community with heart.

Family Zoning Townhall

Family Zoning Plan Information Session

Join us for a Family Zoning Plan Information Session with my office and the SF Planning Department!

WHEN: Thursday, September 18th
TIME: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
WHERE: Park Branch Library - Ground Floor
1833 Page Street

Meet with me and Planning Department staff to learn more about the City’s proposal to expand housing availability and affordability in San Francisco. This is also an opportunity to provide feedback before the legislation comes before the Board of Supervisors. I hope to see you there!

Community Recognition

ASNA Volunteer Cynthia Chapman

We bid farewell and celebrated Cynthia Chapman for her amazing contributions to our community as she retires from the Alamo Square Neighborhood Association to move across the country to be with family.

Cynthia served as Vice President of ASNA, where she founded the iconic and beloved Halloween “Alamo Scare” event and led monthly park volunteer days, bringing together families and neighbors across generations. We will miss her creativity, care, and commitment to building community in District 5, and are thankful for her work and legacy continuing through ASNA.

Small Wins, Big Impact

Win of the Week: Bin There, Done That

This week, Market & Mason got a trash-tastic upgrade!

Neighbors noticed that the public bin once stationed at Market and Mason had been removed, leaving the corner to fend for itself. After community raised the alarm, our office teamed up with DPW to restore a new bin to the site. What was once a littered gap is now on the regular pick-up route, and already looking spick-and-span.

Thanks to all for sounding the clean-up call and to DPW for keeping Mid-Market looking its best.

Need help? Don’t hesitate to reach out at MahmoodStaff@sfgov.org. We’re here to serve!

Let’s work together to make District 5 a better place for all.

Neighborhood News

✏️ Back-to-School Haircuts💇

Redemption Church will be hosting a free community event for students and providing free barbershop haircuts on Saturday September 20th. Be sure to check out the registration link!

🌟Good Neighbor Awards 🌟

Nominations are open for the 2025 San Francisco Good Neighbor Awards. Help us recognize San Francisco residents who build connection, kindness, and community in our city!

One person from each supervisorial district will receive a district commendation, and the list of names from each neighborhood will be shared with participating neighborhood groups, so each neighborhood can celebrate their nominees. Nominations close Sep 12.

This is our first year celebrating San Francisco Good Neighbor Week - a national holiday started by President Jimmy Carter in 1978 - and it's coming up soon at the end of September. In addition to celebrating our neighbors, we'll have Neighborhood Events, block leader resources, and a Good Neighbor Hackathon.

❤️Love Our Neighborhoods❤️

San Francisco Public Works' new Love Our Neighborhoods program makes it easier to build, create and install projects that activate and enliven the public right of way. Now, it is simpler and cheaper than ever to spread joy, beauty and creativity in neighborhoods across the City in ways big and small, from installing little libraries along sidewalks to creating decorative staircases.  

Residents can -- and should! -- register their little library, sidewalk bench or planter in front of their home by snapping a few photos and quickly uploading them through the program’s website at no cost.

Bigger plans? No problem! Even those looking to pursue more elaborate projects, such as string lights, sidewalk plaques and murals in the public right of way, will be able to apply for a permit in under 45 minutes. Don’t have a fully formed idea yet? The Love Our Neighborhoods team will work with you from the start to discuss what’s possible. 

Learn more about Love Our Neighborhoods or submit an application at: sfpublicworks.org/LoveOurNeighborhoods. 

2025-26 Dignity Fund Community Needs Assessment

Help shape services for older adults and people with disabilities in SF! The Department of Disability and Aging Services wants to hear from you.

Take an anonymous 10-minute survey or join a community forum to share what your community needs most. Share your input and enter a raffle to win a $50 gift card!

The D5 forum will take place at the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center, 800 Presidio Avenue on Tues. September 9 from 12:30 PM–2:00 PM. Get more info at: sfhsa.org/DFCNA.

City Contracting 101 – Supplier Support Edition:

Save the date! Are you a small business who is interesting in contracting with the City?

Join the City Administrator’s Office in person for the next City Contracting 101: A Small Business Workshop, Supplier Support Edition on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 49 South Van Ness. This workshop will focus on helping small businesses connect directly with City agencies involved in supplier onboarding, contracting, and compliance.

Register for free at: https://www.sf.gov/smallbizworkshopsept2025

Green Infrastructure Grant Application Now Open!

The GIGP is now accepting applications for the Fall 2025 cycle! Eligible projects can receive up to $2.5 million in funding per project. Applications are due Monday, November 17th, 2025.

Sign up for their grant workshop on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 12-1 PM for an overview of the program and information on how to apply. Staff will facilitate a Q&A session to answer questions from prospective applicants.

Additionally, prepare for the Fall 2025 application by scheduling a site visit with the SFPUC’s Technical Assistance team by contacting gigrants@sfwater.org. Schedule your site visits with our team as soon as possible—don't wait for the workshop!

You're still reading this? You're a super star and I'd like to share a final update: I married the love of my life a few weeks ago and couldn't be happier.

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