On February 6, 2025, Mayor Daniel Lurie of San Francisco announced the launch of the “SFPD Hospitality Task Force” with the aim to fulfill his campaign promise: to enhance public safety, revitalize key business districts, and thereby drive the rejuvenation of the entire city.
The Hospitality Task Force will break down barriers between law enforcement agencies, collaborate across departments to more effectively integrate police forces, enhance security responsiveness, and create a safer environment for residents, visitors, and businesses in core economic areas such as the Moscone Convention Center, Yerba Buena Gardens, and Union Square.
In recent years, due to retail theft, drug abuse, and homelessness issues, the security situation in San Francisco has deteriorated significantly, leading to a downturn in commercial activities and tourism in the downtown area.
Mayor Lurie stated, “Ensuring that people feel safe walking in the downtown area is crucial to the city’s revival. Today, we launch the SFPD Hospitality Task Force to create favorable conditions for the prosperity of the business center… With a safe and thriving downtown, we will attract businesses, shoppers, tourists, and various events, create job opportunities, increase fiscal revenue, and provide better services to all San Franciscans.”
– Increase in police presence: Specialized officers will be deployed in high-risk areas in the downtown to enhance security and reduce response time.
– Dedicated resources: The Task Force will deploy multiple police teams in areas with high foot traffic, maintaining security 20 hours a day, every day of the year.
– Support for businesses and visitors: The Task Force will collaborate directly with local businesses and hotels to meet their needs, while providing secure pathways for tourists and event attendees.
– Interdepartmental cooperation: The Task Force will supplement the existing police deployment in San Francisco by integrating resources scattered across three police districts, forming a model of cross-district cooperation. It will also collaborate with multiple agencies, including the Drug Market Coordinating Center, to address complex security challenges.
– Security for major events: The Task Force will be responsible for the security of large events, including the upcoming NBA All-Star Weekend and the Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown.
After the events, the Task Force will maintain security in vital commercial areas in the long term, promoting economic vitality.
San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott stated, “The Hospitality Task Force will allow our officers to focus on maintaining the safety and cleanliness of the busiest streets in the downtown area. Task Force members will work closely with other city and law enforcement agencies, business communities, and residents of the Task Force’s area, operating year-round to collectively create a safer environment.”
City Councilor Matt Dorsey remarked, “The downtown area of San Francisco is the core of our city’s economy and culture. Establishing the Task Force is a significant step in rejuvenating the business corridors. Through inter-district cooperation, we can more effectively allocate resources, enhance public safety, and create a more friendly environment for residents, workers, and visitors.”
Marisa Rodriguez, the executive director of the Union Square Alliance, emphasized, “To become a world-class city, we need a safe downtown area. The hospitality area is the heart of San Francisco – the downtown is our city’s landmark, where cable cars traverse and over 20,000 hotel rooms are booked by visitors around the world. This is San Francisco’s face; visitors will take their impression of this place as an image of San Francisco home with them. Once the downtown area becomes safe and clean, it will attract more businesses, events, visitors, and residents, increasing city revenue and thereby driving prosperity across all districts.”