February 2019 Newsletter
Last month, I was officially sworn in for my first four-year term as Supervisor of District 2. During the ceremony, the emotion that kept coming to mind was gratitude. I am so thankful to you, the voters of District 2, for placing your trust in me. I am here to serve, and I will work tirelessly on your behalf every day to be your voice at City Hall. I embrace this job with compassion, hope, love, and a commitment to addressing the most pressing problems facing San Francisco.
Warm Regards,
Catherine
P.S. In addition to this newsletter, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more information on what my team and I are doing!
POLICY AND LEGISLATION UPDATES
Conservatorship
I have co-sponsored legislation implementing local conservatorship laws that will allow the City to temporarily conserve individuals suffering from severe mental health and substance abuse issues. The City was able to introduce this legislation after Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 1045, authored by Senator Scott Wiener.
Conservatorship will take the neediest and sickest people off our streets and give them a chance to recover in a safer environment. The Department of Public Health estimates conservatorship could impact around 50 people in San Francisco, many of whom likely require the most City services and treatments.
Hearing on Coordination of Homeless Services
 I recently called for a hearing on the coordination of homeless services across City departments such as the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, the Department of Public Health, and the Police Department. It is heartbreaking and unacceptable to know that people living in our streets are taken to the hospital or a shelter only to return to the streets days, or even hours, later. The goal of this hearing is to identify potential gaps in getting people suffering from substance abuse and mental health challenges help and to prevent them from ending up back on the street. This hearing will occur at the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on February 28th at 10:00 am in City Hall.
Auto Break-Ins
Auto break-ins were down 14 percent citywide last year and 20 percent in Northern Station, which covers a large part of District 2. I have made public safety one of my highest priorities. To combat the auto break-in epidemic, I have worked tirelessly with our Police Captains to increase foot patrols and target break-in hot stops. These tactics are working, and we are finally seeing progress reducing property crime. However, this progress is just a start, and I promise you I will not stop until the auto-break in epidemic is over.
Gun Violence Prevention
After years as a gun violence prevention advocate, the head of the San Francisco chapter of Moms Demand Action, and now as Supervisor I am continuing to fight the gun violence epidemic plaguing our nation. Recently, I worked on a resolution supporting the Tree of Life and global Jewish communities following the anti-Semitic mass shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. I have also introduced legislation rescinding SFPD’s ability to join the NRA, a practice that has not occurred in recent years but remains from the old Police Code. Lastly, I am working with law enforcement agencies to increase San Francisco’s use of Gun Violence Restraining Orders, a tool that allow law enforcement and close family members to petition the Court to take guns away from individuals who pose a significant danger to themselves or others.
ERAF Revenue Windfall
San Francisco will recognize $415 million in additional property taxes over a two-year period due to excess funding to the Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF). Much of this goes to mandated budget reserves and baselines for transportation, schools, libraries, and family programs. I held a community meeting on January 24th at Moscone Rec Center to hear form the District 2 community. I heard strong support for both housing and homelessness as well as maintaining raises for our public school teachers.
The Board Budget Committee recently approved an appropriation that increases housing, homelessness, and mental health services; maintains a raise for teachers approved by Prop G last spring; and funds early childhood education and childcare. I support this agreement as it funds strategies to address some of our city’s most pressing problems.
IN THE COMMUNITY
More Police Presence on our Streets
 I worked with Northern Station Captain Joseph Engler to boost foot patrols, or “beats,” throughout District 2 this fall. Nineteen officers in total, an increase of seven officers from prior beats, now patrol corridors like Chestnut Street, Union Street, Van Ness Avenue, the Palace of Fine Arts, Fillmore Street, and others. These new patrols increase police presence in the community, which helps deter crime and allows officers to respond faster because they are already on scene. If you see one of our officers patrolling in District 2, I encourage you to say hello and get to know them. You can read more about these patrols in my recent article, “Meet the Beats,” in the Marina Times.
Bikeshare & Scooters
I have been working with Motivate, now Lyft Bikes, and the SFMTA to improve outreach for Bikeshare in District 2. My office sent out a survey to gather thoughts on Bikeshare, which has received over 200 responses so far. If you have not done so yet, you can complete the 5-minute survey here. Before any stations are installed in your neighborhood, we will hold an additional community meeting. So far, we held one in the Marina on November 15th at Fort Mason, which provided several great insights.
Electric scooters returned to San Francisco as part of a pilot program with local companies Skip and Scoot. Thus far, we have seen significantly fewer problems with parking and user behavior. I know there is still a long way to go in making sure everyone is using electric scooters responsibly and safely on our streets though. Presently, only Skip scooters operate in District 2. You can report problems with Skip scooters such as parking and user behavior to feedback@skipscooters.com. Skip has let us know that information including pictures, scooter number, location, and time of day help them address problems and provide feedback to users.
Outreach for Central Subway Expansion
 The SFMTA is exploring options to expand the Central Subway into District 2, possibly up to North Beach, Fisherman’s Wharf, and out to the Marina. This project is in the very early stages and there are no set proposals. However, I recognize the need for better outreach, particularly for transportation projects, and co-hosted an event with the SFMTA on December 5th at Marina Middle School to start this process. I look forward to continued outreach to inform neighbors as we learn more about this potential project.
Lombard Street Vision Zero Project
Construction has started on the Lombard Street Vision Zero Project, which will include pedestrian safety enhancements and utility improvements. Lombard Street is part of San Francisco’s Vision Zero network of roadways with the highest rate of pedestrian injuries. The project is expected to continue through June 2020, after which Caltrans will pave Lombard Street. I look forward to a safer and smoother Lombard Street.
Seniors Volunteering in the D2 Office
 My office has two amazing volunteers, Molly Richardson and Alex Long, who the San Francisco Senior Beat recently profiled in "Experience, maturity give senior volunteers a leg up and new life in San Francisco supervisors’ offices." Both Molly and Alex dive into the issues and are indispensable members of our team. I greatly appreciate their service.
If you are interested in joining the team, please email stefanistaff@sfgov.org or call 415-554-7752. We are always open to new faces who want to help out.
Join Court Watch
Court watch is look for a coordinator for District 2. Court Watch organizes community volunteers to attend open court to monitor trials of defendants charged with burglaries in San Francisco neighborhoods. Learn more and sign up to volunteer on their website.
Celebrating Community Leaders
 At the 11th Annual Neighborhood Empowerment Network (NEN) Awards, Phoebe Douglass and Geoff Potter of Russian Hill were honored as this year’s Most Inspiring Public Works Volunteers. Phoebe and Geoff are longtime neighbors who are dedicated to keeping our streets clean and beautiful. Whether adopting streets or sweeping at Community Clean Team events, they exemplify what makes District 2 such an incredible community.
LOCAL EVENTS
Screening of “Persona Non Grata” A film about the Japanese Diplomat in Lithuania who saved thousands of Jews during WWII
Wednesday, February 13, 5:30-9:00 PM
Landmark’s Embarcadero Center Cinema, 1 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco 94111
Coffee Hour with Supervisor Stefani
Friday, February 15, 9:00 AM
Union St Coffee Roastery, 2191 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Little Citizens Trash Pick Up
Saturday, February 16, 11:00 AM
Moscone Playground, 1800 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Free Concert at Presidio Chapel
February, 17, 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Presidio Chapel, 130 Fisher Loop, San Francisco, CA 94129
Summer Resource Fair
Thursday, February 28, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Moscone Recreation Center, 1800 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Galileo High School Car Wash Fundraiser
Sunday, March 3, 9:00 AM
1150 Francisco St. (Car Wash at Bay and Van Ness)
Haas-Lilienthal House Tour and Jazz Concert
Sunday, March 3, 11:00 AM
Haas-Lilienthal House, 2007 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Get help with your taxes from Tax-Aid
Multiple events through early April
Multiple locations across SF
Tax-Aid assists families and individuals with incomes less than $55,000 per year with their taxes. Visit their website for additional information.
Sincerely,
Supervisor Catherine Stefani
Board Website
Office of Supervisor Catherine Stefani
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 260, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 554-7752 Fax: (415) 554-7843
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