S.F. has just 3 'public safety liaisons' for neighborhood safety. Why?

"But they were a high priority for David Burke, District 8's public safety liaison. Burke looked into the squatting case. From previous experience, he recognized one of the building's new residents as someone with a history of setting fires. Burke took this information to the police, who decided that the issue was now quite a bit more serious. They came in, cleared the house and cited the squatters for trespassing."

""He's an amazing resource for getting stuff done in the Castro," said Terry Asten Bennett, an owner of Cliff's Variety and the former president of the Castro Merchants Association. The police and city attorney can be hard to get through to. But Burke? Once he gets involved, everything is "taken care of a lot faster." District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman said Burke can "respond quickly" and is known to residents. "We would be buried, frankly, without his help.""

In October 2023, homeless people began squatting in a Castro home and created nightly noise that drove neighbors to call police. Trespassing calls ranked low for SFPD, but District 8 public safety liaison David Burke investigated, identified an occupant with a fire-setting history, notified police, and helped clear and cite the squatters while coordinating with the city attorney to have the homeowner board up the property. Local merchants and Supervisor Rafael Mandelman praise Burke's quick response and problem-solving. Only three districts—4, 8 and 11—have public safety liaisons, and budget limits largely explain the shortfall.

Read at Mission Local