CJCJ: Support Foot Patrol

Supervisor Mirkarimi has introduced legislation creating a pilot program to require increased police foot patrols in District 5. Foot patrols reduce crime by strengthening bonds and breaking down barriers between the police and the community. It is coming before the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, September 19.

The proposed new law calls for a one-year pilot program in which the Northern and Park Stations each staff at least two foot patrols per day. It would also require that a comprehensive report on the progress and effectiveness of the patrols be prepared in six months. Foot patrols are critical to reducing the crisis of violence in San Francisco:

� Officers know their people: residents, merchants, criminals.
� Foot patrols increase community trust in the police and cultivate witnesses and crime tips.
� The legislation is supported by the Small Business Commission and the Police Commission.
� Chief Fong stated that foot beats are in place on certain watches and she has discussed adjusting existing watches to make this program work.
� The data from the report will provide a concrete evaluation of the effectiveness of foot patrols and provide guidance on expanding it citywide.
� Support exists throughout the city for foot patrols. If it works in District 5, it can work in other districts. Foot patrols are wanted and needed in other neighborhoods like the Mission and Bayview/Hunter's Point.

Please contact the members of the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors to urge them to support this legislation and ask them to expand it to other San Francisco neighborhoods:

Mayor Gavin Newsom, 415-554-6141, gavin.newsom@sfgov.org
Michela Alioto-Pier, 415-554-7752, michela.alioto-pier@sfgov.org
Tom Ammiano, 415-554-5144, tom.ammiano@sfgov.org
Chris Daly, 415-554-7970, chris.daly@sfgov.org
Bevan Dufty, 415-554-6968, bevan.dufty@sfgov.org
Sean Elsbernd, 415-554-6516, sean.elsbernd@sfgov.org
Fiona Ma, 415-554-7460, fiona.ma@sfgov.org
Sophie Maxwell, 415-554-7670, sophie.maxwell@sfgov.org
Jake McGoldrick, 415-554-7410, jake.mcgoldrick@sfgov.org
Aaron Peskin, 415-554-7450, aaron.peskin@sfgov.org
Gerardo Sandoval, 415-554-6975, gerardo.sandoval@sfgov.org

Sample Letter

Dear Supervisor,

I am writing to urge you to support the pilot Police Foot Patrol ordinance introduced by Supervisor Mirkarimi. Foot patrols are the only way for the police to really get to know the residents and merchants in their neighborhoods. They also increase community trust in the police, which can lead to more witnesses coming forward to report crimes. Chief Fong has expressed her support for foot patrols, and the ordinance is supported by the Small Business Commission and the Police Commission.

I also want to urge you to work with the Police Department and the Board of Supervisors to expand the foot patrol program across the City, particularly to other neighborhoods hard hit by crime and violence like the Mission and Bayview/Hunter's Point. The data gathered from the report required by this ordinance will provide a concrete evaluation of the program's effectiveness and help with planning how to expand it to other parts of the City.

Sincerely,

September 6, 2006

Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi
San Francisco Board of Supervisors
City Hall
One Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102

Dear Supervisor Mirkarimi:

The Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice supports your important legislation to establish a foot patrol in District Five's crime-impacted areas and along its commercial corridors.

Many municipalities have discovered that a police presence on the sidewalk fosters better relationships between the community and the police department. Evidence generated by foot patrol programs across the country demonstrates an increase in successful police/citizen cooperation in neighborhoods, resulting in reduced calls for emergency services, increased mediation among neighbors, and increased referrals to social services. A police foot patrol will enable a justifiably distrusting community to re-establish a connection to the San Francisco Police Department. The access that citizens will have to the officers on patrol may also assist both citizens and police to mutually appreciate attitudes and circumstances affecting them.

Bringing foot patrols to District Five may also allay some community fear that can arise due to perceived threats of victimization that lead individuals to carry weapons, forgo walks, and avoid outdoor activities. If the community feels safer in its neighborhood, the quality of life improves for all city residents.

The Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice supports your proposed ordinance and hopes that it will be implemented in the near future, and eventually expanded to other neighborhoods in the city.

Thank you for your continued good work toward public safety and criminal justice for our city.

Respectfully,

Daniel Macallair
Executive Director

Megan Doyle Corcoran
Director of Communications and Policy