San Francisco leaders address safety concerns, promote Lunar New Year celebrations
Elected leaders and law enforcement officials on Saturday met with business owners in the Ingleside neighborhood to address safety concerns and promote an upcoming Lunar New Year celebration in the area.
The merchant walk, which included Supervisors Myrna Melgar of District 7 and Chyanne Chen of District 11, as well as San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott, aimed to foster community unity and discuss ways to enhance safety for local businesses.
The Ingleside district is home to a variety of Asian-owned small businesses, many of which line Ocean Avenue. With an eye on the Ocean Avenue Lunar New Year celebration, city leaders hope to infuse vibrancy into the community, but business owners are making it clear that the key to a thriving neighborhood is ensuring safety for all.
Marilyn Lee, the owner of Go Go 7 Korean Barbecue, shared her personal experience with the city officials on crime in the neighborhood, detailing three break-ins that occurred in 2024.
The most recent incident took place late at night on December 28, when burglars broke into her restaurant.
Lee explained how the intruders shattered a large glass window and pried open the door. Once inside, she said they disabled the security cameras, cut alarm lines, and stole the cash register.
"It's very discouraging for small businesses," Lee said.
During her conversation with Chief Scott, she asked the chief to provide overnight patrols in the area since most of the break-ins have happened late at night and early in the morning.
"From midnight to 3 or 4 in the morning, that's when most of [the incidents happened]," Lee said.
Other local business owners echoed Lee's concerns, describing an increase in homelessness and mental illness in the area over the past few years. While daytime conditions remain relatively safe, many business owners are particularly worried about nighttime security.
Local businesses said they benefit from the presence of Officer Drewkai Butler, a beloved beat officer who patrols the area during business hours. Officer Butler's approach to community policing is highly visible, engaging with locals to build trust and keep the area safe.
"If I haven't said hi to 100 people, I haven't done my job today. If I haven't smiled at everybody who's gone my way, I haven't done my job today," Officer Butler said. "Police officers are part of your community, people you can approach, people you can talk with, people you can laugh with."
City leaders acknowledged the need for additional resources but also emphasized the challenges posed by a staffing shortage within the San Francisco Police Department, which is currently down by around 500 officers. Chief Scott spoke to the importance of not only focusing on crime statistics.
"Safety is on everyone's mind," Chief Scott said. "We want to do everything we can to make sure people feel safe. And it's not just about the crime statistics. You all hear me all the time talking about whether we're up or down in crime. That matters, but it's really how people feel."
During the tour, the supervisors and Chief Scott also promoted the upcoming Lunar New Year celebration scheduled for Feb. 22 at Unity Plaza on Ocean Avenue.
"We're not only celebrating Lunar New Year, but we're also celebrating Black History Month," Supervisor Chyanne Chen said. "So this is very important to make sure that we bring the community together, we bring vibrancy to everyone."
Marilyn Lee expressed hope that the upcoming celebration would serve as a reminder of the neighborhood's resilience, noting that the Year of the Snake symbolizes transformation and perseverance.
"We work hard, we build a nice city together," she said.
As the neighborhood prepares for the festival, both safety and community engagement remain top priorities for local leaders and residents alike.
The event at Unity Plaza promises to be a festive occasion that celebrates both the cultural richness of the area and the ongoing efforts to ensure a safer, more connected community.
