A Message from the Union Square Alliance RE APEC Safety

A Message from the Union Square Alliance RE APEC Safety

San Francisco is eagerly anticipating the upcoming APEC event, which is expected to bring together around 20,000 attendees, including government officials, members of the press, representatives from the private sector, and the general public, hailing from 21 APEC economies. This significant gathering is scheduled to take place from November 11th to the 18th, and we’re looking forward to an outstanding event.

Although these events can present substantial opportunities for our city, they can also, at times, result in organized protests. We want to bring your attention to the likelihood of organized protests, in and around Union Square, during the week of APEC. The Alliance acknowledges and respects the right to peaceful protest. That said, we must prioritize the safety of our community in the event that things take a unexpected turn. The Alliance will share the information it receives through this channel, but it is crucial that we are all prepared for contingencies. We encourage you to remain vigilant and proactive. If you notice anything unusual, please do not hesitate to report it. 

In preparation for any unexpected emergencies, we strongly recommend taking necessary precautions, such as ensuring that you have access to plywood and physical barriers to protect your storefronts and merchandise, in the event that it is needed during APEC week. It is essential to have experienced professionals skilled in plywood installation available. If you require storage space for plywood, don’t hesitate to contact the Alliance; we have secured temporary storage options with a local retailer.

At present, there is no specific indication for the need to board up your property. This precautionary measure is intended to ensure your readiness for potential challenges, enabling you to promptly access the required materials if advised by the SFPD or other authorized law enforcement officials.

We want the community to be as prepared as possible in the event of any unforeseen circumstances, therefore it is important to establish and maintain an open channel of communication with as many sources as possible, including your loss prevention and security personnel. Please make sure you stay in regular contact with these individuals to ensure that, in the event of a credible threat, you can react swiftly and respond accordingly.

Furthermore, we strongly recommend that you confirm the functionality of your security cameras to help ensure the safety of both the community and the protesters. In the event of an emergency, please dial 911 immediately. If you observe or hear anything that necessitates attention, please contact our Member Services team at 415.781.4456. We will continue to provide updates as we receive them. 

Let’s work together to overcome challenges and ensure a spectacular APEC event, allowing the beauty of our Square to shine.