MESSAGE FROM CATHERINE

Dear John,

As of this week, 73 percent of San Franciscans over 16 have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, more than half have completed a full vaccine series, and we've officially entered the yellow tier! As we continue to recover, let's make sure our community stays strong by shopping local and continuing to wear our masks indoors and in crowded areas. Keep reading for news on our community and what I’ve been working on below! If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please contact me at [email protected] or 415-554-7752.

Warm Regards,
Catherine

COVID-19 RESOURCES AND UPDATES

Getting Vaccinated

All San Franciscans over 16 are eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine! Each vaccine is safe and effective, so don’t hesitate to sign up for an appointment if you haven’t already. Visit the City’s vaccine website for the latest information on where and how to get the vaccine. If you have a disability, are 65 or over, or are otherwise unable to easily access the internet to schedule an appointment, please call 628-652-2700 for assistance from the City’s Vaccine Call Center.

Reopening

San Francisco has moved into the State’s yellow tier! This is the least restrictive tier, and it means that more businesses and services, such as libraries and fitness centers, can reopen and expand capacity. As we celebrate our progress, we must continue to follow the latest guidelines from the Department of Public Health. Click here for more information on the yellow tier.

Support for Businesses and Workers

Visit the Office of Economic and Workforce Development’s website for resources for business owners, employees, nonprofits, and others impacted by the pandemic. This website includes local, state, and federal resources and is updated regularly as new resources become available. Please contact my office if you have any difficulty navigating this website or accessing the resources that are available to you.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Merchant Corridor Foot Patrols

As we began to reopen, I was joined by Captain Paul Yep and officers from Northern Station for a merchant walk on Union Street. We must do everything we can to reverse the huge spike in burglaries that we’ve seen over the past year, and I am grateful to the San Francisco Police Department for working with me to increase foot patrols in our commercial corridors. Throughout our economic recovery and beyond, I’ll continue to fight for small businesses and push to hold those targeting our neighborhoods accountable. I look forward to walking our Chestnut, Fillmore, and Sacramento merchant corridors with our foot patrols in the near future!

Confronting Hate

Over the past year, we’ve seen a disturbing rise in hate-based violence against our City’s vulnerable communities. I was honored to join the FBI Civil Rights Division, Senator Scott Wiener, Assembly Member David Chiu, and community members for a forum on preventing and confronting hate.

Standing Against Racism

Thanks to the United Peace Collaborative and TogetherSF for hosting a safety education event in Chinatown in April. The recent spike in anti-Asian violence, including attacks in Anza Vista, on Polk Street, and downtown, has been absolutely despicable. I’m committed to standing with our community leaders to confront racist attacks, hold those responsible accountable, and #StopAAPIHate.

SFPD Newsletters

Would you like to receive the latest news and tips from the Police Department stations that serve our community? Sign up for Richmond Station, Northern Station, Central Station, and/or Park Station newsletters! Visit these links and scroll down to enter your email address.

POLICY AND LEGISLATION

Domestic Violence and Accountability

In the final three months of 2020, the Police Department presented 131 felony domestic violence cases to the District Attorney. He dismissed 113 of those cases, including 13 of the 19 involving children. After the tragic, preventable killing of a seven-month-old baby last month, I called for legislation that will require the Police Department and the District Attorney to publish monthly information on domestic violence cases. This data will include: how many cases the Police Department presents to the District Attorney, how many cases the District Attorney pursues, the types of charges the District Attorney seeks, and the final outcomes of those cases. Only by shining a bright light on domestic violence, and demanding accountability, can we ensure that the City is taking this crisis seriously.

Strengthening Red Flag Laws

The Board of Supervisors unanimously passed my ordinance to strengthen San Francisco’s red flag laws, or gun violence restraining orders, which allow family members, peers, or law enforcement agencies to remove firearms from individuals who intend to harm themselves or others. I created our local gun violence restraining order program with the Police Department last year, and my new legislation allows the City to recognize other jurisdictions’ gun violence restraining orders as our own, and requires law enforcement officers to remove prohibited weapons within 72 hours of the issuance of a gun violence restraining order.

Urging Funding for CalVIP

I stand alongside my fellow members of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America to urge the State of California to fund CalVIP, the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program, which provides essential funding across the State, especially in our most vulnerable communities. Now is the time to invest in community-led violence prevention!

Confronting Overdose

Last year was the deadliest year on record for drug overdose in San Francisco, with 699 recorded deaths, and the City is on track to suffer record overdoses again—unless we take action. I’m committed to making it harder to get drugs and easier to get treatment in San Francisco, and we must start using every tool at our disposal, including harm reduction, abstinence-based programs, and accountability for dealers to confront this challenge. For more on how I’m working to confront our overdose crisis, read my latest column in the Marina Times.

IN THE COMMUNITY

APA Heritage Month

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the countless contributions of our APA community members in San Francisco! Visit APASF.org for more information on how to celebrate.

Take the Small Business 30-Day Challenge!

Join me in celebrating Small Business Month by taking the Small Business 30-Day Challenge! So far, I've visited Y&I Clothing Boutique and World Wraps on Chestnut Street, Luke's Local, Happy Butterfly, and Bamboo Spa on Union Street, and more. Let's continue to shop local to help our small businesses recover and thrive!

New Restaurant Alert: Cote Ouest 

Thanks to Officer Steve Hom for joining my daughter and me to welcome Cote Ouest, a new French bistro on Baker at Lombard, to Cow Hollow. Our newest small businesses will drive our economic recovery, and I’m thrilled that more can enjoy them as we continue to reopen.

Saying Goodbye to Jest Jewels

In late April, my daughter and I visited Jest Jewels one last time to celebrate owners Eleanor and Leslie’s retirement after 36 years on Union Street. While we’ll greatly miss our Jest Jewels family—my daughter practically grew up in the store—we thank them for all they’ve done for our community and wish them the best in their next adventure!

Welcoming Planned Parenthood

I was thrilled to welcome Planned Parenthood Northern California to District 2 and congratulate them for opening a brand-new flagship health center! I can think of no better time for Planned Parenthood and our community to start this new chapter than now, as we recover from Covid-19 and rebuild together. I’m looking forward to working alongside them to champion access to care for all!

Honoring Emergency Workers

I was proud to honor Margaret O’Shea, an incredible emergency worker and Marina resident who spends her days setting up vaccine clinics and appointments for San Francisco’s seniors. Our success in fighting Covid-19 is because our neighbors, people like Margaret, have gone above and beyond the call of duty!

Serve on the Civil Grand Jury

Are you looking for new ways to get involved with your community? The San Francisco Superior Court is recruiting members for the 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury, which investigates the operations of City government, with an application deadline of May 14, 2021. For more information on the Civil Grand Jury, visit the Superior Court’s website or call 415-551-3635.

Permit Center Updates

The Department of Building Inspection has announced that individuals may now meet with City staff in-person, Monday through Friday, for over-the-counter plan review. Visit their website for a full list of available in-person, over-the-counter services, as well as information on making appointments and what to expect onsite!

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