On the opening day of Super Bowl week, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and city officials urged residents to be vigilant, use public transportation, report suspicious activity and have fun.
At a Monday news conference, they addressed public safety issues that could arise during events leading up to Super Bowl 60 on Sunday.
Guidance included how to navigate the increased traffic conditions, how to report human trafficking and how the city’s immigrant community should respond to the increased presence of law enforcement officers.
“They should know that they should feel free to call 911,” said Lurie about the city’s immigrants, emphasizing that no local authorities will be assisting in any federal immigration enforcement.
“They should feel free to report crime,” he said. “They should feel free to come to the hospital and get services. We have heard nothing that suggests that there will be any increase in immigration enforcement from the federal authorities this week.”
All hands on deck
The San Francisco Police Department will be fully staffed and officer days off are canceled. Sheriff’s deputies will be deployed across downtown and key corridors to provide public safety. Lurie said that includes protecting the right to peaceful expression, adding that local law enforcement officers are there to keep the public safe.
“San Francisco is strongest when we stand together and we look out for one another. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do here during Super Bowl week,” he said.
City officials say preparations have been underway for months, building on lessons from past large-scale events including Super Bowl 50, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, National Basketball Association’s All-Star Weekend and Lunar New Year celebrations.
“San Francisco is strongest when we stand together and we look out for one another. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do here during Super Bowl week,”
Mayor Daniel Lurie
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said her office is focused on two crimes in particular — drunk driving and human trafficking. She urged partygoers to take advantage of ridesharing opportunities and public transit in the city including Muni, BART, Caltrain and regional shuttles.
Jenkins described the San Francisco Human Trafficking Task Force as a multi-agency collaboration led by the DA’s office that brings together local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as prosecutors and victim service providers to investigate and prosecute human trafficking.
“We disrupt exploitative networks and ensure that survivors receive comprehensive support,” she said. “Please take advantage of calling the human trafficking hotline if you are a victim of human trafficking or if you see or suspect that someone else is the victim of human trafficking.”
“If you’re staying in hotels or motels, know your escape routes,” said Fire Department Chief Dean Crispen. “In case of fire, shut off HVAC systems, block drafts under the door with wet towels, call 9-1-1 and signal from your window.”
Coordinated emergency services
Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of the Department of Emergency Management said the city’s Emergency Operations Center will be activated, coordinating real-time responses among police, fire, Emergency Medical Services, transportation and street response teams.
Lurie said the city continues to clean streets and offer neighborhood services.
“Our neighborhood street outreach teams are working with people struggling on the streets to connect them with services and get them indoors like they do every day,” he said.
“San Francisco is at the center of the action and I could not be more excited,” Lurie said, adding there are nearly 300 events happening across the city including the Pro Bowl Games at Moscone Center on Tuesday, concerts at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, and community activations like NFL Play 60 for youth sports.
Officials urged the public to remain vigilant, use 311 for non-emergencies. The Human Trafficking Task Force hotline is 415-643-6233. To receive text alerts on transit disruptions, weather or safety instructions in event zones throughout Super Bowl week, visit AlertSF.org or text ZIP code to 888-777.