San Francisco Police Department Addresses Safety for Pride Week 19-078

The San Francisco Police Department is dedicated to making this year’s Pride Week safe and enjoyable. San Francisco Pride is one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world and one of San Francisco’s most popular and well-attended events.  With huge crowds expected, including guests from around the world, providing safety with respect for all is our number one priority.

“The men and women of the San Francisco Police Department want to make sure everyone attending Pride feels welcome in our diverse, vibrant city,” said Police Chief William Scott. “We are working closely with event organizers and our partner agencies to ensure people can celebrate love, equality and unity in a safe and joyful environment.” 

There will be a significant police presence during Pride activities, with both uniformed and plainclothes officers on duty to monitor public events.  As with any large event, there are always safety concerns. Safety is everyone’s responsibility, including participants, organizers, security staff and law enforcement. 

We want to remind the public that while the Castro District is open for business, there is no organized event taking place Saturday in the Castro District.  There will be no street closures. Laws prohibiting possession of open containers of alcoholic beverages and drinking in public will be strictly enforced.  San Francisco and the Castro District offer a wide variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and we encourage celebrants to patronize local businesses and to celebrate responsibly. 

Security measures for the Pride Festival include: 

• Celebrants attending the Pride festival in Civic Center will be screened by either walk-through metal detectors or handheld “wands,” and are subject to additional searches of their person and possessions. Please allow extra time to pass though security checkpoints. You can help reduce delays at checkpoints by leaving unnecessary items at home.
• Bags are discouraged. If you must bring a bag, it can be no larger than 18 inches x 18 inches.  Bags are subject to search and there are no lockers for storage of oversize bags. 
• Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase inside the Civic Center venue and Pride organizers have a 100% ID check policy.  No outside alcohol will be allowed into the venue and possession of open containers or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on City streets. 
• The public should expect to see a significant police presence including members who will be mobile in the parade and festival areas.  The Department is also working closely with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to make the events as safe as possible.

Pride participants can help avoid becoming a victim of a crime by keeping in mind the following safety tips: 

• Pride is about community.  Look out for each other and report any suspicious persons or activity to event staff or a police officer.  A good adage is, “If you see something, say something.”  In an emergency, call 9-1-1. To provide an anonymous tip, call the SFPD Anonymous Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444.
• Stay informed of emergencies or significant events by signing up for emergency text message alerts by texting the word PRIDESF to 888-777. AlertSF allows us to notify you of emergencies in San Francisco.
• Keep your friends close and your drinks closer. Don’t accept drinks from strangers. Drink responsibly and don’t drink and drive- always use a designated driver.
• The San Francisco Bay Area has a host of public transit options that will get you to, from and around Pride events.  
• If you drive to the festivities, remember to “Park Smart!”  Take your valuables with you, don’t leave them inside your car. 
• Maintain possession of your cell phone, wallet and other valuables.  
• There is safety in numbers. Stay with a group when on the street or leaving bars and clubs.  Be cautious about leaving a bar or club with a stranger.  A rule of thumb is that if you feel “unsure” about someone, rely on that instinct and do not go with that person.

Our SFPD Pride Safety Tips video is available for viewing.