San Francisco Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Regular Meeting - July 24, 2025

The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at approximately 10:00 AM PDT (based on the transcript's morning start). The meeting was chaired by Supervisor Matt Dorsey, with Vice Chair Balal Machmood and Supervisor Danny Sauter present. The committee considered four items: two liquor license applications, a resolution on 911 call prioritization, and a hearing on overdose prevention policies. All items passed unanimously with motions.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Liquor License Issuance – The Stud (1123 Folsom Street): Officer Brandon Erickson of the SFPD ABC liaison unit presented a PCN report for a Type 90 on-sale general music venue license for Universal Life Corral LLC (doing business as The Stud). There were two letters of protest and zero letters of support. The location is in a high crime area and high concentration census tract. Southern Station had no opposition. The ALU recommended approval with six conditions, including noise limits, no alcohol on the outdoor patio, loitering prevention, litter maintenance, and security guards during live entertainment. Supervisor Dorsey, in whose district the bar is located, spoke in support, noting The Stud's historic role as an LGBTQ+ venue. The applicant's representative expressed gratitude for the new license type, which will free up capital for renovations. Public comment was overwhelmingly in support, with speakers citing the venue's cultural importance and positive neighborhood impact. The committee voted unanimously to direct the clerk to prepare a resolution finding public convenience or necessity and forward it to the full board with a positive recommendation.

• Item 2 – Liquor License Transfer – Jumbo Trading Company LLC (761 Jackson Street): Officer Erickson presented a PCN report for a Type 21 off-sale general license transfer (person-to-person, premise-to-premise). There were zero letters of protest or support. The location is in a high crime area and high concentration census tract. Central Station had no opposition. The ALU recommended approval with conditions. No applicant representatives were present. Supervisor Sauter, whose district includes Chinatown, voiced support, noting the owner's positive contributions to the merchant group. No public comment was offered. The committee voted unanimously to direct the clerk to prepare a resolution and forward it to the full board with a positive recommendation.

• Item 3 – Resolution to Prioritize 911 Calls for Drug Activity Near Parks, Playgrounds, and Schools: Supervisor Dorsey introduced the resolution (sponsored by Supervisor Sherrill and co-sponsored by Supervisor Sauter) urging the police department and Department of Emergency Management to designate all 911 calls reporting drug use or suspected drug activity within 1,500 feet of parks, playgrounds, and schools as Priority A (requiring swift and immediate response). Supervisor Sauter moved to continue the item to the call of the chair to allow further work with the departments. Public comment was supportive, including a speaker who noted the importance of prioritizing calls near Bodega Park. The motion to continue passed unanimously.

• Item 4 – Hearing on Potential Updates to the City’s Overdose Prevention Policies: Supervisor Dorsey convened this hearing following the passage of the Recovery First Ordinance, which establishes recovery from substance use disorders as a primary objective of San Francisco's drug policy. The hearing aimed to solicit input from city departments and stakeholders on updating the 2021 ordinance (Administrative Code Section 1517). Presentations were given by:

  • Dr. Christy Soren (Deputy Medical Director of Substance Use Services, DPH) – outlined the background of the ordinance, interdepartmental collaboration, and accomplishments. Key statistics: over 7,500 people completed overdose prevention training since August 2022; 35% increase in admissions to drug medical residential treatment programs in the past fiscal year; 400 new behavioral health beds added over five years with 70 more in the pipeline; 35% increase in buprenorphine access in 2024; 16% increase in methadone treatment; 12 contingency management programs (2 more by year-end); 70 new recovery beds on Treasure Island and 68 more at Salvation Army. DPH recommended removing the annual resolution requirement and aligning reporting with the Treatment on Demand report, and updating posting requirements to reflect the full continuum of care.
  • Emily Cohen (Deputy Director, HSH) – described the overdose prevention policy for homeless services, emphasizing that nobody is excluded from services due to substance use. Requirements include posting resources, tracking critical incidents, staff training, and naloxone access. 100% of contracted providers submitted prevention response plans as of 2023.
  • Perry Weisberg (Principal Administrative Analyst, HSA) – noted that HSA serves over 250,000 people. The policy includes staff training, clinical teams (e.g., CAP Health Services), and a new CAP treatment program launched in January 2025 that identified 179 clients at risk, with 11 achieving 30-day retention in services.
  • Adrian Bishelli (Deputy Director, DEM) – explained DEM's role coordinating the Healthy Streets Operations Center (HSOC) and other street response initiatives. The DEM policy covers referrals, naloxone access, and overdose response protocols for HSOC operations.
  • Discussion included questions from supervisors on outpatient treatment, contingency management funding, overdose deaths in private homes, racial disparities (Black residents disproportionately affected), tracking of off-site deaths, and current overdose trends (stable compared to last year, with no significant new drug contaminants detected). Public comment featured testimony from individuals in recovery, including Matthew Valls (Code Tenderloin, 19 months sober), Billy Lemon (Castro Country Club, 12 years sober), and representatives from the San Francisco Marin Medical Society. Commenters emphasized the need for a full continuum of care, including employment and workforce development. The committee voted unanimously to hear and file the item.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 1: Six speakers (including Natalie Padron, Evan, Steven Wade, Sam Carmel, Jen Stokes) expressed support for The Stud, citing its cultural significance, community safety, and positive neighborhood impact.
• Item 3: One speaker (Richard Beale, Recovery Ambassador) spoke in support, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing calls near parks and community programs.
• Item 4: Eight speakers (Matthew Valls, Billy Lemon, Adam Francis, John Ma, and others) testified in favor of recovery-first policies, the need for provider capacity, and workforce development. Some speakers shared personal recovery stories and urged continued collaboration.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Motion to direct clerk to prepare a resolution finding public convenience or necessity and forward to the full board with a positive recommendation – passed 3-0.
• Item 2: Same motion – passed 3-0.
• Item 3: Motion to continue to the call of the chair – passed 3-0.
• Item 4: Motion to hear and file – passed 3-0.