Oct 21

How The San Francisco Police Community Foundation Builds Safer Communities Through Partnership

At the San Francisco Police Community Foundation (SFPCF), we’ve developed a comprehensive approach that transforms how public safety works in our city.

Bringing together cross-sector leaders from amongst San Francisco’s businesses, nonprofits, and neighborhoods, the SFPCF organizes privately raised resources to 1) improve police officers’ quality of life on the job, 2) provide new forward-looking public safety tools, equipment, and resources for the City, and 3) promote community well-being through events and programs.

Three Pillars of Effective Community Safety

  1. Community Events & Outreach: Creating Lasting Connections

Coffee with a Cop takes place in various neighborhoods, creating informal spaces where community members can chat with officers over coffee. No agenda, no speeches, just genuine conversation and connection. 

National Night Out brings together entire neighborhoods for an annual celebration that combines food, fun, and friendship. When children can meet the officers who patrol their streets, and families can ask questions in a relaxed setting, stereotypes can begin to break down, and trust can start to form.

Holiday Drives demonstrate how public safety and community care go hand in hand. By organizing seasonal giving programs, we show that keeping our neighborhoods strong means supporting the families who call them home.

  1. Officer Wellness & Support: Investing in Those Who Serve

Healthy, supported officers are better equipped to serve with compassion and professionalism. Our officer wellness programs recognize that the well-being of police officers directly impacts community safety:

  • Mental health resources help officers manage the unique stresses of serving in urban environments
  • Physical fitness programs ensure officers can perform their duties safely and effectively
  • Stress management tools provide healthy coping strategies for the challenges they face daily

  1. Public Safety Innovation: Smart Solutions for Modern Challenges

Under the SFPCF’s leadership, the Real-Time Investigations Center (RTIC) at 315 Montgomery Street is transforming public safety in San Francisco. 

With over $9 million in philanthropy (including $7.25 million from the Foundation and $2+ million in lease support from our founder Chris Larsen), it’s replacing outdated infrastructure at the Hall of Justice, giving the San Francisco Police Department a cutting-edge hub for real-time intelligence, drones, automated license-plate readers, and analytics tools. 

Since launching in March 2024, RTIC has supported over 500 arrests, contributed to a 40–41% drop in auto theft, and helped reduce overall crime by nearly 30% through mid-2025.

RTIC is expected to open its modernized facility by the end of 2025. Stay tuned for more news and updates!

Want to help build a safer San Francisco? The San Francisco Police Community Foundation brings together local businesses, nonprofits, and neighbors to support our police officers and strengthen community safety. 

Through private donations from San Franciscans like you, we provide officers with better tools and resources while building trust between police and the communities they serve. Learn more today!