by BJ Kraska
San Francisco District 2 supervisor Mark Farrell has announced the launch of the Lombard Street Ambassador Program, a new initiative set to serve as a liaison between the city and both residents who live in the area, and tourists who visit it daily. “The purpose of the program is to allow the ambassadors to provide guidance, oversight, and information to residents and visitors alike,” a press release states, “and to also act as a deterrent to criminal, or unwelcome behavior at the famous tourist attraction.”
The program is similar to the Castro Ambassadors Program, the Union Square Ambassadors Program, and the Fisherman's Wharf Ambassadors Program, which are all funded through business improvement districts.
The Lombard program, which has been in the works for months and officially began this past Saturday, comes right on the heels of an armed robbery and shooting last week, when a tourist was shot in the chest in broad daylight one block from the crooked portion of Lombard after trying to chase thieves who stole his camera. Two suspects have been booked for that crime.
Recent assaults and property crime in the area and surrounding neighborhood mark other quality of life issues that the ambassador program hopes to address.
"[The program] will create a more civil and safe environment," Farrell continued in the release, adding that it will also educate visitors about the area, and manage pedestrian and vehicle flow.
It should be a surprise to nobody that congestion is a problem that cripples the neighborhood, but lately, increasing amounts of visitors to the world-famous landmark has made it near impossible for authorities to efficiently regulate the growing crowds.
"We can’t take care of everyone, and we can’t see everything," SFPD parking and traffic supervisor Michael Woodruff told The Chronicle, who went on to explain how there are often roughly 75 people standing on each corner on the weekends, waiting to take a photo in front of the street. "The ambassadors make our jobs a lot easier."
Ambassadors will be present through peak tourist season from now until November 1 of this year, reports Hoodline, and will restart in 2016, running from May 1 to June 30. Two ambassadors will be on duty Mondays through Thursdays during that time, with three on Fridays and Sundays, and four on Saturdays. The Chron article details that funds for the program, which costs $110,000, were paid for from the city budget. Farrell has also set aside funds from the budget for the San Francisco Transportation Authority to conduct a study on potential long-term solutions to the massive crowds and traffic congestion that are disrupting the area, which is to be completed later this fall.
"Will it cure everything?" Farrell rhetorically asked. "We will have to wait and see. We need to continue to look at solutions to help alleviate the problems on Russian Hill.”
Previously: San Francisco Men Identified As Suspects In Russian Hill Tourist Shooting
