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Summer is here! This season brings street festivals, Pride celebrations, days enjoying our wonderful parks, and fun all around the city. As we embrace summer’s energy, I'm excited to share key updates about my work as your Supervisor.
A few of those updates include my office helping to establish the Office of Victim and Witness Rights to provide essential support for those in need, funding the creation of new pickleball courts at Rossi Park to expand access to this ever-growing sport, and passing legislation that assists our small businesses as they continue to navigate the challenges of the post-pandemic economy. I look forward to another busy few months working with our community and on policies that improve District 2.
Stay tuned for more updates on these initiatives and other efforts to revitalize our community. For any questions or assistance, please reach out to StefaniStaff@sfgov.org or 415-554-7752.
Sincerely,
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Proposition D : Office of Victim and Witness Rights
 For too long, San Francisco has ignored the voices of crime victims, stifled by layers of process, red tape, and bureaucracy. To change that, I authored Proposition D, which was passed by voters in June 2022. Since then, we have been diligently setting up the office to ensure it can make a difference from day one. The Office of Victim and Witness Rights (OVWR) will provide a safe and effective space for those in need—including survivors of domestic violence, sexual harassment, and assault—to receive the help and support they deserve.
Last month, we celebrated the appointment of Ivy Lee as the inaugural Director of OVWR. Ivy will lead the Office with compassion, integrity, and resolve, and I am thrilled to welcome her as OVWR’s first director. As we continue to fight for victims across San Francisco, this office will establish the blueprint for a more effective and compassionate support system, ensuring timely and comprehensive assistance for all victims.
DAO Repeal
 This June, I passed legislation to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and help the bottom lines of our corner stores citywide. By repealing sections of our local code that duplicated state law, my ordinance helps save hundreds of dollars annually for markets and neighborhood stores that sell alcohol, particularly assisting our smallest stores struggling to survive. Eliminating this duplicative code also ensures that local law enforcement has clear directives on good neighbor enforcement when working with the California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control. I’m proud to have accomplished this win for our markets, delivering on a multi-year recommendation by our Office of Small Business and helping support the livelihood of neighborhood markets. Our small businesses are integral to the heart of our communities, and I will continue to sponsor efforts that support them in the ongoing post-pandemic economy.
Supporting Reproductive Freedom for All
 I was thrilled to join Mayor Breed at her press conference to show my support for the San Francisco Reproductive Freedom Protection Act. Supporting this ballot measure sends a clear message: San Francisco will always stand as a beacon of hope and protection for those seeking reproductive autonomy. This measure will help safeguard our community's access to safe and legal abortion services, starkly contrasting the shameful trend of eroding reproductive rights across the country. I urge all San Franciscans to support this measure and continue our city’s trailblazing example of what it means to prioritize an individual’s right to comprehensive reproductive freedom.
Included San Francisco as a Supporter of Key State Bills
I had the privilege of authoring multiple resolutions over the past few months in support of key pieces of legislation at the state level. Thank you to all the incredible legislators in Sacramento who are working diligently to ensure our state continues to progress and thrive.
These included :
Senate Bill No. 690- Introduced by Senator Susan Rubio, SB 690 extends the statute of limitations from five years to 15 years for prosecution of domestic violence.
Assembly Bill No. 2479- Introduced by Assemblymember Haney, AB 2479 strengthens the state’s Housing First Act of 2016 through the addition of sober living facilities.
Assembly Bill No. 1858- Introduced by Assemblymember Ward, AB 1858 regulates how school shooter drills in California schools are conducted to ensure safety and minimize trauma for students.
Assembly Bill No. 2917- Introduced by Assemblymember Chavez Zbur, AB 2917 authorizes a court to consider evidence of stalking, animal cruelty, threats toward a person or group based on a protected characteristic, and threats of violence or destruction of property to interfere with the free exercise of constitutional rights when considering whether there are grounds for a gun violence restraining order (GVRO) to be granted.
Assembly Bill No. 3024- Introduced by Assemblymember Ward, AB 3024 expands the definition of “intimidation by threat of violence” under the Ralph Civil Rights Act, addressing the distribution of hateful materials on private property without authorization.
Assembly Bill No. 2913- Introduced by Assemblymember Gipson, AB 2913 requires a law enforcement agency, upon request, to review any unsolved homicide investigation case file to determine if reinvestigation would result in probative investigative leads.
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Keep up with events I’m at in the community by following my social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). Here are just a few highlights over the last few months.
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San Francisco Little Italy Honor Walk
President Peskin and I helped advance the establishment of the SF Little Italy Honor Walk Project in North Beach! This project will dedicate commemorative plaques to the many Italian-American figures who contributed significantly to the growth of our city. Thrilled to lead in this effort!
Pawz for Pierce's Playaz
Congratulations to Pierce’s Pledge and United Playaz for hosting an incredibly successful Pawz for Pierce’s Playaz event! This fundraiser raised over $80,000, all of which will go towards gun buybacks. Thank you to both organizations and to everyone who attended to support the fight against gun violence.
NEXT Village - National Senior Health and Fitness Day
I was excited to kick off National Senior Health and Fitness Day celebrations with NEXT Village SF. We’re blessed with breathtaking views here in San Francisco, so get outside and get moving with your community! To find a walking group near you, visit https://nextvillagesf.org/upcoming-events/.
Little Original Joe’s Grand Opening
 I was honored to join the Duggan family for the grand opening of Little Original Joe's on Chestnut Street. This new location brings a modern twist to the beloved Original Joe’s tradition. With an 87-year legacy, the Duggan family continues to impress with their commitment to excellent food and warm hospitality.
Little Original Joe's is a fantastic addition to our community, perfect for family dinners, date nights, and happy hours. Stop by 2301 Chestnut St. to experience this wonderful new neighborhood spot.
Union Street Festival
The Union Street Festival, San Francisco's longest-running street fair, has a rich tradition of blending the city's passion for art with a lively atmosphere featuring some of the Bay Area's finest food, drinks, and music. It brings me immense joy to witness our city coming back to life and celebrating all that we do best.
San Francisco Pride
 During Pride Month, I had the honor of marching alongside my team and community in one of the nation's largest LGBTQ+ parades. As always, volunteers from Moms Demand Action joined us, spreading the message of disarming hate—a cause they have championed for many years. San Francisco Pride holds deep roots in our city's history, and it was profoundly moving to witness its enduring celebration, thriving over half a century since its inception.
Meals on Wheels Delivery
 I joined the Meals on Wheels team to meet with Michael, who has been receiving their services for over 10 yrs. His building, 2698 California, reopened in 2019 and now offers safe, quality housing for seniors and people with disabilities.
2698 California is a model of housing with services that we need to continue supporting, empowering our most vulnerable populations to age in place and live with dignity. I am grateful to Meals on Wheels for their continuous advocacy and dedication to our community.
Gifford’s Law Center - 30th Anniversary
For over 30 years, Giffords Law Center has been at the forefront of gun violence prevention. Through impactful litigation and legislative advocacy, they tirelessly work to uphold and expand common-sense gun laws. Stay connected & get involved today at Giffords.org/Take-Action.
Pickleball at Rossi Park
 Calling all Pickleballers! I’m thrilled to announce that new pickleball-only courts have been added at Rossi Park using funds I allocated to the Recreation & Parks Department (RPD). With the addition of courts at both Moscone and Rossi Park, my office continues to support RPD’s efforts to expand opportunities for all to enjoy this fast-growing sport. Stay tuned for more court openings to come!
Lafayette Park Bulletin Board
 I’m thankful to the Friends of Lafayette Park and the Recreation and Parks Department for their advocacy and partnership in bringing this bulletin board to Lafayette Park. To post your notices, please send a description or PDF of your notice to bb@friendsoflafayettepark.org.
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Supporting Small Business Merchants Through Challenging Times
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 Leonore’s Deli & Taqueria in Cathedral Hill unfortunately faced a smashed window and our office quickly reached out to help. We promptly guided and encouraged the owner, Javier, to apply for the Vandalism Relief Grant. Javier’s application was approved, and his family received financial relief for the cost of replacing the broken window. “Thanks to the Vandalism Relief Grant, my business continues. Your support helped me recover from the broken window. Thank you very much.” - Javier Vigil, Owner of Leonore's Deli & Taqueria
Learn more about the Vandalism Relief Grant here. For assistance or more information on how my office can support you and your small business, please reach out to StefaniStaff@sfgov.org.
Honoring Individuals at the Board of Supervisors
We know our city is filled with advocates, leaders, and residents whose outstanding contributions deserve recognition. Each week, I have the opportunity to honor these individuals and their work at the Board of Supervisors. If you know someone whose dedication to our city should be celebrated, please nominate them at StefaniStaff@sfgov.org.
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| Jennifer Choi - Honored during AAPI Heritage Month for her 23 years of dedication to the SF City Attorney’s Office and her work on Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs). |
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| Michael Boland - The Presidio’s Chief Park Officer was honored ahead of his retirement from a 34-year career dedicated to the Presidio. |
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| Brian Lau - Celebrated for his contributions to Roosevelt Middle School as an exceptional special education teacher during Teacher’s Appreciation Week. |
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District 2 - SFMTA Safety Study Survey
With funds secured by my office, the San Francisco County Transportation Agency is conducting a street safety study in District 2. This study specifically aims to analyze and implement potential improvements on roads most used by children, seniors, and other vulnerable pedestrians. The project is currently fielding community input from residents across the district, asking us all to provide feedback on areas that are most in need of street safety improvements near schools, parks, places of worship, and/or other public spaces. Help make your neighborhood safer by adding your voice here!
Have more questions about the District 2 Safety Study? Learn more here: https://www.sfcta.org/projects/district-2-safety-study.
San Francisco Police Department’s District Boundary Analysis
The SFPD must conduct a review of the current police district station boundaries no less than every ten years. This analysis aims to adjust boundaries according to the current state of the City and SFPD to maximize the effectiveness of police operations and increase the efficient use of police resources.
Over the last ten years, the decline in SFPD staffing numbers, the changes to resident and non-resident populations, and the impact of criminal behavior directed at commercial businesses are all significant developments requiring attention during police district boundary reevaluation. To complete a survey, give feedback, or make a map on their website, please visit https://sfpdboundaryanalysis.com/.
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District 2 Neighborhood Beautification Day
July 20, 2024
Join San Francisco Public Works for a day of greening and neighborhood pride in District 2 (NOPA, Pacific Heights, Russian Hill, the Fillmore, and more). On Saturday, July 20, the Love Our City: Neighborhood Beautification Day volunteer event is planned for District 2, and the kickoff location will be at Sherman Elementary School (1660 Green St).
There will be 7-10 worksites where volunteers can garden, mulch, pick up litter, or abate graffiti. The projects and tasks will differ depending on the site and community group's requests. Sign up here to help us beautify the neighborhood.
San Francisco Marathon
July 27-28, 2024
The San Francisco Marathon is an annual USATF-certified road running event featuring a full marathon, two half marathons, an ultramarathon, a 10k, and a 5K. Mark your calendars for the 47th Annual San Francisco Marathon on July 27-28, 2024! The course spans 26.2 miles along San Francisco's iconic landmarks, starting from the Embarcadero, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County, and winding through the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Haight Ashbury, the Mission, Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, and concluding at the finish line.
For District 2 locals, the first half marathon begins at 7:00 AM on Sunday, July 28 at the Presidio, near the Crissy Field Sports Basement.
National Night Out
August 6, 2024
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes community partnerships and neighborhood comradery with the goal of creating safer and stronger neighborhoods. Every first Tuesday night in August, neighborhoods across the City host block parties that feature music, cookouts, contests, youth events, and visits from emergency personnel.
Northern Station National Night Out -
4:00-6:00 PM at Ella Hill Hutch Community Center - 1050 McAllister
Richmond Station National Night Out -
4:00-7:00 PM in Golden Gate Park near the Skate Park on JFK Drive
Park Station National Night Out -
4:40-7:30 PM inside the Panhandle Park between Fell and Oak Streets at Clayton Street
The Presidio will be hosting its own event at the Main Parade Lawn from 4-7 PM.
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SF's new crime victims' office has its first director
San Francisco Examiner | May 30, 2024
“A new city department supporting the rights of crime victims and witnesses officially has its first director two years after voters first approved of its formation.[...] Voters approved the creation of the office in June 2022 with the passage of Proposition D, which amended The City’s Administrative Code to establish the department. The office will also be tasked with establishing a right to counsel for domestic-violence survivors in need of representation for civil proceedings and developing a pilot program that provides them with legal representation for the duration of their proceedings.
Supervisor Catherine Stefani, who championed Prop. D, said Tuesday that The City wasn’t 'doing enough, and we weren’t delivering the services we did have in a way that was streamlined or made sense to anyone who needed help' prior to the measure’s approval.”
Could churches be the accelerant San Francisco needs to fast-track housing?
The San Francisco Standard | June 14, 2024
“Thanks to new state and local housing laws, projects like Ella Rohlffs will be automatically approved if they meet all environmental and building standards, regardless of local zoning restrictions. Hopefully new housing projects will never again have to wait 10 years to be built.
Our city and state must prioritize fixing the broken bureaucratic processes that unnecessarily prolong permitting, drive up costs and ultimately block construction of all types of housing. That means opening up new, unused or underutilized land for development, creating more flexibility in zoning, cutting permitting times and limiting unnecessary appeals.” |
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Office of Supervisor Catherine Stefani
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 273, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 554-7752 Fax: (415) 554-7843
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