On August 26, 2024, mayoral candidate Mark Farrell held a gathering in the Visitation Valley District of San Francisco to announce an anti-Asian hate plan in response to the increasing number of anti-Asian crimes in recent years.
Farrell stated during his speech, “Many residents, especially the elderly, are now too afraid to walk alone on the streets, with some even being forced to leave San Francisco.” He emphasized that public safety is the primary responsibility of the city government, yet violent incidents against Asian residents continue to occur. He condemned these attacks as deplorable, stating that hate, racism, and violence should have no place in San Francisco. If elected as mayor, he pledged to prioritize the safety of the Asian community and implement a series of bold policies to prevent anti-Asian crimes.
Farrell’s plan includes prioritizing the hiring of police officers who speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and other languages, fully restoring and expanding the Community Ambassadors program, and installing surveillance cameras on public transportation vehicles to ensure their safety. Additionally, he intends to expand public transit security by increasing the presence of both uniformed and plainclothes police officers, providing more resources to the district attorney’s office to support victims of hate crimes and violence.
He also mentioned plans to increase police patrols and install more street cameras in high-risk areas with dense Asian populations such as Chinatown, the Sunset District, the Richmond District, and Visitation Valley District. It includes establishing Asian liaison units and an Anti-Asian Crime Task Force, setting up dedicated hotlines for non-English speaking victims, and investing in victim service programs that are culturally sensitive.
On August 23, Mayor Breed received the support of the San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA). On August 21, independent mayoral candidate Luo Wei announced plans to reallocate police districts to more effectively curb crimes targeting downtown businesses and tourists.
In response to this, Farrell stated that anyone can talk, emphasizing his successful track record in City Hall and believing he has a competitive edge over other candidates in public safety issues. He highlighted his collaboration with former Mayor Ed Lee, during his five years as Budget Chairman and Acting Mayor, expanding the police force to a record-breaking size of 2,300 officers (excluding the sheriff or fire department). He criticized Breed for cutting $120 million from the police budget during her term, leading to a decrease of over 25% in the number of police officers, resulting in a loss of over 600 officers.
If elected as mayor, he promised to restore the size of the San Francisco Police Department and ensure the safety of residents and businesses in San Francisco.
Since the start of his campaign, Farrell has garnered the support of the San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 Union and the San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs’ Association.