News - San Francisco Increases Street Ambassador Coverage with $21M Investment

San Francisco has made a strategic commitment to enhance its street ambassador program by allocating $21 million from fiscal years 2026 to 2027, aiming to deploy more ambassadors across key city locations beyond their current presence in the Tenderloin. Adrienne Bechelli, Deputy Director for the Department of Emergency Management, emphasized the importance of flexible, roving ambassadors who can adapt to the dynamic needs of neighborhoods rather than remaining fixed on single street corners. This expansion will cover commercial corridors and city parks, addressing areas with heightened need for community assistance. Urban Alchemy and other nonprofits will collaborate with the city to ensure a widespread impact. The program's objective is to mitigate the city's security challenges as the San Francisco Police Department continues facing staffing shortages, currently down by 500 officers, without compromising public safety. Despite these challenges, the demand for ambassador roles remains high, reflecting their crucial role in community engagement and safety. Jess Montejano from Urban Alchemy highlighted the successful citywide expansion model, which has already shown effectiveness in previous deployments. Ambassadors, unarmed yet thoroughly trained, have demonstrated significant impact. They establish community connections by engaging with local businesses, assisting those in need, and substituting some police presence on the ground. Donna LaSala from Glide shared insights on the street ambassador's role in managing complex social challenges and offering critical case management resources where governmental reach is limited. This funding pilot is initially set for 18 months, with potential to extend to five years, underscoring the city’s commitment to adapting traditional safety measures to modern scalability needs. By blending community-focused services with emerging safety protocols, San Francisco aims to enhance overall public safety and community well-being.