Launch “Safe Shopper” Campaign and SFPD Community Ambassador program for Union Square
Media Contacts
Union Square BID: David Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com
SFPD: Michael Andraychak / (415) 837-7395 / michael.andraychak@sfgov.org
WHO:
San Francisco Police Chief Bill ScottUnion Square BID Executive Director Karin Flood
WHAT:
Launch “Safe Shopper” Campaign and SFPD Community Ambassador program for Union Square
WHERE:
Cable Car Turnaround: Powell & Market Streets
WHEN:
Thursday, November 19 at 11am
WEB:
www.visitunionsquaresf.com
WHY:
Kicking off San Francisco’s “Safe Shopper” campaign for the 2020 Holiday Season, this event will introduce the San Francisco Police Department’s newly created Community Ambassador program. Event participants will encourage shoppers to patronize businesses in Union Square and elsewhere in San Francisco while taking steps to stay safe from COVID-19 and protect their purchases and personal safety.
In tandem with the Safe Shopper campaign kickoff, the San Francisco Police Department also introduced its Community Ambassador program. Comprising civilian retired police officers chosen for their training and experience in community engagement, SFPD’s pilot program aims to be a visible and helpful presence in and around Union Square this holiday season. SFPD Community Ambassadors will function as departmental liaisons to business improvement districts, and offer shoppers, visitors and merchants knowledgeable assistance and coordination with city services.
“Our Community Ambassadors program enables San Francisco and its visitors to continue benefiting from the experience, training and civic commitment our finest retired sworn members have to offer,” said Chief of Police Bill Scott. “Although these ambassadors are now in civilian roles, they are well-regarded veterans in serving our city and its diverse communities. Moreover, all have been trained in crisis Intervention and de-escalation; healthy streets operations; managing implicit bias; principled policing; and medical interventions that include first aid, CPR and AED use. We’re proud to launch this innovative pilot in San Francisco’s retail and cultural hub, and for our first partner in this Community Ambassador program to be the Union Square Business Improvement District.”