More than 1,000 San Francisco residents gathered in Chinatown on Wednesday for the neighborhood’s 11th annual Night Out event, a celebration designed to strengthen connections between the community and local public safety services.
The event featured lion dancers, musical performances, raffle prizes, and rows of booths where residents met face-to-face with representatives from the San Francisco Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, MUNI, and dozens of other public services and community organizations.
San Francisco’s top public safety leaders turned out for the celebration, including Interim Police Chief Paul Yep, Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter, and Mayor Daniel Lurie. Even recently retired Police Chief David Lazar, who co-founded the event 11 years ago, spoke to the crowd about how far Chinatown Night Out has come.
“Public safety is my number one priority, and it’s everybody’s on stage’s [priority] as well,” Mayor Lurie told the crowd, gesturing to the other local leaders present. “And we are working together in a way this city hasn’t seen in quite some time.”
Community members told reporters they’ve noticed increased engagement from police and public entities with Chinatown since the pandemic and the movement to stop Asian hate. Residents have reported stronger connections with local police officers in recent years and feel more comfortable calling for help when needed.
Several organizations at the event focused on outreach to seniors in Chinatown, particularly helping them navigate the digital world safely. Kevin Chan, a chaplain for the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, shared tips with seniors on how to avoid scams.
Modeled after National Night Out, Chinatown’s annual event has become a fixture on the neighborhood’s calendar, demonstrating how community-police partnerships can foster trust and enhance public safety. The event’s 11-year track record shows the lasting impact of bringing neighbors and law enforcement together in celebration rather than crisis.
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