Mayor Daniel Lurie and city public safety leaders kicked off a major weekend of NBA All-Star and Lunar New Year festivities, announcing comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. San Francisco is expecting hundreds of thousands of visitors for events projected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity.
The San Francisco Police Department, Fire Department, Sheriff’s Office, and Department of Emergency Management were fully staffed for the weekend, with officers canceling days off to provide extra coverage. Agencies coordinated closely, sharing intelligence in real time to help ensure visitors could enjoy the full range of events across the city.
“Major events play a huge part in reclaiming our place as one of the greatest cities in the world, and we will show off the best of San Francisco this weekend,” said Mayor Lurie. “With hundreds of thousands of visitors coming to our city for the NBA All-Star Game and Lunar New Year festivities, our priority is clear: make sure every single person feels safe and welcome.”
For months, city departments and their partners prepared extensively to ensure public safety and clean streets, just as they successfully did during the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and other large-scale events, including Super Bowl 50, APEC Leaders’ Meeting, championship parades, and annual Pride celebrations.
“I am extremely excited for this weekend when San Francisco will host two spectacular events and shine on the world stage,” said SFPD Chief Bill Scott. “The hard-working members of the SFPD, along with all of our public safety partners, are ready. We’ll be out in force, ensuring this is one of the greatest weekends in our city’s history.”
The city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated on Wednesday, February 12, to enhance coordination and information sharing among all public safety agencies. The EOC proactively monitored events and 911 call volume, supported critical incidents, evaluated weather conditions, and ensured ongoing citywide continuity of emergency services.
“This is San Francisco. We know how to host major events,” said DEM Executive Director Mary Ellen Carroll. “Like with all major events in our city, we have activated the Emergency Operations Center to ensure continuity of public safety coordination and resources for events planned and unplanned.”
Planning for the weekend began in 2023, when San Francisco was announced as the host city. Since then, city officials have collaborated with state and federal partners, event organizers, and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to prepare for visitors and ensure a safe and welcoming experience for all.
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