Latest news with #ChineseNewYearParade
San Francisco Chronicle
07-07-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco to hire retired police officers for events, shelters amid staffing shortage
San Francisco will soon hire recently retired police officers to staff concerts, other events and homeless shelters — the city's latest effort to grow the ranks within its short-staffed police force, the mayor's office announced Monday. Officials said the plan, which the city and police union agreed upon late last month, is expected to free up current officers for patrol and investigative duties and cut down the use of overtime, which the department oftentimes relies on to provide security at events and locations such as shelters. The city plans to hire and deploy retirees by the fall, according to Mayor Daniel Lurie's office. The retirees — projected to total about 50 to 100, or more if necessary — will work in a part-time capacity as needed and collect an hourly salary, without benefits. They will be in uniforms and equipped like any other officer, assigned to events such as concerts, parades and festivals, as well as shelters and navigation centers, a type of shelter that offers intensive case management services. The program is open to retirees with state certifications, which generally remain active for three years after retirement. The plan represents a new strategy to beef up staffing at a time when the department faces a shortage of about 500 officers and a reliance on overtime to fill gaps. A recent audit found that SFPD's overtime spending surged from $52.9 million in 2018 to $108.4 million in 2023. Lurie and interim Police Chief Paul Yep described the move as a smart way to beef up the department's ranks to cut down on overtime, free up current officers and avoid burnout. 'We are meeting the serious staffing shortages with urgency, innovation and results,' Lurie said in part in a statement. 'It's a practical, effective solution to the staffing challenges we face,' added Yep, who developed the plan after he joined Lurie's administration as chief of public safety. The department required officers to work overtime to beef up staffing and keep crowds safe during several recent large-scale events, including the Chinese New Year Parade, NBA All-Star Weekend and San Francisco Pride celebrations. The program for retired officers is expected to accomplish the same results 'without burning out the current force' during upcoming events that are expected to draw large crowds to the Bay Area, including the 2026 Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup, Lurie's office said. Tracy McCray, president of the San Francisco Police Officers Association, lauded the program as a 'great example of collaboration between the mayor, the SFPD and the SFPOA to address our staffing challenges in a thoughtful' way. 'This program will help ensure public safety during large-scale events while we continue working to rebuild and grow the department,' McCray said in a statement. Lurie first announced the idea for the program in May, when he outlined several plans to grow the ranks within the police department and sheriff's office. Lurie's directive also called for the creation of a group of police and sheriff's officials who will look at opportunities to partner on investigations and patrol duties. Lurie's office also announced a surge in interest in the police force. In the first six months of the year, the department received 2,155 applications, compared to 1,311 during the same period last year. The department also is on track to hire more officers from other agencies this year than last year, the mayor's office said, adding that the department hired 30 officers from other agencies during the fiscal year that ended a week ago, compared to eight during the previous fiscal year. The department also is speeding up the hiring process. This month the department will host 'one-step testing days,' which will allow applicants to complete multiple steps, including fingerprinting for background checks, physical abilities tests and oral interviews in one day. The efforts are the city's latest to attract and retain officers. Under former Mayor London Breed, San Francisco became the city with the highest starting pay for new officers in the Bay Area. The city also approved a contract that gave officers retention raises. The sheriff's office has seen similar progress in beefing up its ranks. The office hired 96 deputies during the latest fiscal year, the highest total and, with 64 retirements and resignations taken into account, the largest gain in the past 10 fiscal years. Lurie's office attributed the staffing boost to changes intended to speed up the office's hiring process. 'The message is simple: We are rebuilding the ranks, and it's working,' Lure said Monday.
CBS News
27-02-2025
- CBS News
Police storm San Francisco's Jefferson Square Park - dubbed "Zombie Park" - in large-scale drug bust
Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies descended Wednesday evening on San Francisco's Jefferson Square Park, where rampant drug use earned it the name "Zombie Park," arresting dozens of people. Units from the San Francisco Police Department, the San Francisco Sheriff's Office, and other agencies swooped onto the park a few blocks west of City Hall, clearing out the public space that has recently become a haven for drug dealing and open-air drug use. Police said 84 people were arrested on various charges and that the operation was a product of a new effort to stomp out illegal activity that seems to move from block to block. NIGHT OPERATION LEADS TO NEARLY 90 ARRESTS: An enforcement operation last night at Jefferson Square Park resulted in the seizure of over 1.21 lbs of narcotics and the arrest of nearly 90 suspects. The operation involved coordinated efforts with multiple City agencies and other… — San Francisco Police (@SFPD) February 27, 2025 "There's been this trend that we see where we go to an area, we clean it up, we stabilize it, and then a lot of the people that have been causing problems and havoc - particularly as it relates to the drug market - go into another neighborhood," said San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott on Thursday. "That day is over ... stop this whack-a-mole thing that we're seeing when drug dealers - and users - go from one community to the next when they get pressured. This pressure will not stop." Police had recently cleared drug users and unhoused people from nearby Willow Street about two blocks away, and many ended up instead at Jefferson Park, according to published reports. Scott added that some of the 84 people arrested Wednesday night may be released, while others remain in custody. He said the bottom line is the city will take action, a stance the city's new mayor repeated on Thursday. "This is a message that I want everyone in the city to hear," said Mayor Daniel Lurie. "If you are selling drugs in this city, we are coming after you." Lurie was speaking Thursday at a press conference to announce that the weekend of Feb. 14-16, which included the NBA All-Star Game activities and the Chinese New Year Parade, was the safest since 2017, citing police department statistics.
CBS News
18-02-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
BART saw highest Saturday ridership since pre-pandemic due to major San Francisco events
BART last weekend had its highest ridership day for a Saturday since before the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to crowds coming into San Francisco for NBA All-Star Weekend events and the Chinese New Year Parade, among other activities in the region. There were 139,475 riders Saturday, eclipsing the record of 123,636 riders set last February on the day of the 2024 Chinese New Year Parade and an unofficial fan fest for the final season of the Oakland A's baseball team playing in the Bay Area before moving to Sacramento. We had our highest Saturday ridership since the pandemic this past weekend! Between the Chinese New Year Parade and NBA All-Star Weekend Saturday we had 139,475 exits across the system. Highest ridership stations: Powell: 20K exits Montgomery: 14K Embarcadero: 11K — BART (@SFBART) February 18, 2025 In a social media post, the transit agency said 20,000 riders exited at Powell Street, where there were a number of pop-up shops and other NBA All-Star activities in addition to the parade, with another 14,000 exiting at Montgomery Street and 11,000 exiting at Embarcadero. BART officials said there were additional and longer trains running Saturday during the busiest periods to carry crowds coming to and going from events related to the NBA All-Star Weekend, the Chinese New Year Parade, and other attractions like plays at local theaters. "We're grateful so many people chose BART for their travel Saturday," BART board president Mark Foley said in a statement. "I think it's proof the Bay Area relies on BART for more than getting to work or school -- it's the go-to when people want to get out and have fun without the hassle of driving."
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
San Francisco shines as NBA All-Star Weekend draws crowds, boosts economy
The Brief NBA All-Star Weekend brought an estimated $350 million economic boost to San Francisco, with local businesses seeing record sales. Restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs, including Temple SF and EPIC Steak, reported significant increases in visitors and revenue. The city's success was highlighted by a bustling Union Square, sold-out hotels, and high-profile events, all contributing to San Francisco's recovery. San Francisco - San Francisco saw a significant economic boost this weekend as NBA All-Star events brought a surge of visitors, with local businesses including restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs reporting strong or record-breaking sales and activity. The estimated economic impact of the weekend is $350 million, according to Mayor Daniel Lurie's office. This weekend brought big crowds, big names, and big dollars to the city. By the numbers Temple SF, a popular nightclub on Howard Street, welcomed thousands more guests over the course of four days. DJ sets by Shaquille O'Neal, also known as DJ Diesel, at the venue, and a star-studded atmosphere kept San Francisco buzzing. "This was the best weekend that we've had since pre-pandemic, and it was just about five times more than we've had for just a regular weekend," said Ja'Dasia Rose, marketing assistant at Temple SF. "San Francisco is back, and this weekend was absolutely the best energy that we could have asked for." Local perspective Sister restaurants EPIC Steak and Waterbar on the Embarcadero also saw a surge in business, attracting NBA fans and stars. "We had Jason Tatum in on the Saturday night before the game, Charles Barkley was in for a steak with some of his TV people from TNT," said Pete Sittnick, managing partner of EPIC Steak & Waterbar. "We did a party for the Brooklyn Nets, we did a party for the Washington Wizards." Sittnick said sales were approximately 25% higher than a typical weekend. "The revenue was great, but for me, it's really more of a showcase for San Francisco, and for Waterbar and for EPIC Steak that just puts us on the map for more events, and more parties and celebrations to come." What they're saying Union Square was also bustling with activity, and Taj Campton Place, located on Stockton Street, sold out mid-week. "The restaurant was buzzing, we had the bar which was full, and we had back-to-back great events. NBA All-Star was a great contributor to that. We also had the Chinese New Year Parade, we also had Valentine's Day that week," said Pulkesin Mohan, general manager of Taj Campton Place. "These events generate huge publicity for the city, put the city in a good light, and put us on the right part of recovery," he added. Public transit was another big winner this weekend, with Muni offering free rides throughout the city. At 1 Hotel San Francisco on the Embarcadero, the hotel was sold out, and its restaurant, Terrene, was closed for a private event Saturday evening. "It was definitely needed, especially in the winter, winter is not a huge tourist month to come and see the rain in San Francisco, Northern California," said Joel Costa, area director of sales and marketing at 1 Hotel SF. "I really think when the city comes to life, it's amazing, and to see so many people visiting from out of town is great, because they're able to see how great San Francisco really is," he added. Despite the large crowds, the San Francisco Police Department reported no major incidents over the weekend, ensuring a smooth and safe event. Mayor Lurie stated that months of preparation went into making the weekend successful for both residents and visitors. This marks the first of three major sporting events planned for the Bay Area over the next year and a half, followed by Super Bowl 60 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The region's host committee anticipates these events will generate more than $1.4 billion and create tens of thousands of jobs. The Source KTVU interviews
CBS News
16-02-2025
- CBS News
San Francisco fire crews search for person in water near Pier 32, 1 rescued
Fire crews were searching for a person who was reportedly in the water near San Francisco's Pier 32 late Saturday night. The San Francisco Fire Department said it received reports of two people in the water near Pier 32 around 10:30 p.m. One person was rescued and was taken to Pier 40 to be transported to the hospital. Crews were still searching for the second person around 11 p.m. Many visitors flocked to San Francisco on Saturday as the city held the Chinese New Year Parade and NBA All-Star Weekend.
