Building a Safer, Connected and Healthier Community: A Vision for Our District
By Jen Nossokoff
As every new year begins, I pause to center my priorities and plan for how to put those ideals into action.
I am proud to share my vision for the future with you because it's one that comes straight from the heart of our community. I have enjoyed countless chats with neighbors on our doorsteps, in our beautiful public spaces, and at events in the neighborhood; all in pursuit of aligning our collective goals.
One of the things that inspires me the most about our community is the tremendous amount of energy and talent that exists here and the prospects of what we can achieve when we harness that power.
A key theme I hear over and over again is how much our neighbors love living here, and how lucky we are to be surrounded by world-class parks, diverse cultures, and friendly neighbors. It's no surprise to anyone that we're ranked as one of the best neighborhoods in the world.
So, the question when developing an action plan really is: "How do we make a good thing better?"
The answer is to invest more in community safety, transportation and health equity. These areas are interconnected and are the logical place for us to put our energy in order to set ourselves up for a collectively prosperous future.
Community Safety: A Collective Responsibility
Community safety is an umbrella term for how we handle safety on a hyper-local level. It includes local crime and traffic issues, looking specifically at the issues that affect our neighborhoods. While it includes policing, community safety goes beyond traditional notions of law enforcement and looks more broadly at the ways residents, community organizations and local authorities can work together.
For example, cleanliness and pride of ownership play crucial roles in a safer neighborhood because they contribute to both the perception of safety and the actual reduction of crime. Clean and well-maintained neighborhoods show that we are vigilant and care about our community. Investing in picking up litter, washing debris from sidewalks, pulling weeds, and painting over graffiti pays back beyond the immediately tangible ways.
The Department of Public Works received 30,836 street and sidewalk cleaning requests in District 1 in 2023, not including graffiti. This shows there is ample opportunity and need for the City to take a more active approach to cleanliness, and this should be an active part of our conversation about safety in our neighborhood.
Infusing art and beautification projects, like the one I was proudly involved in on the Eighth Avenue Greenway, is another perfect example of what happens when we provide an opportunity for neighbors to come together. It's not just benches that are built; communities are built as well.
And to add to this, community engagement is at the heart of safety. When neighbors know and trust each other, they are more likely to collaborate in creating a secure environment. They look out for each other every day. A connected community is palpable. You feel it when you walk through it because neighbors are outside and often seen talking to each other on the sidewalks. There is more art and energy in the air. This leads to a safer community because people are less likely to engage in illegal activity in an area where they are more likely to be noticed.
Clean streets and a network of neighbors are key components of safer communities that need to function alongside local law enforcement. In a comprehensive approach to community safety, the role of policing is strategic, data driven and collaborative. We need to most effectively allocate police resources and make sure that decision making is evidence-based and anti-biased. In safe neighborhoods, police officers work in collaboration with the community to build trust and establish positive relationships.
Ultimately, community safety is a collective effort. It's about building and modeling a culture of care for our shared spaces and homes. As a candidate for supervisor, and when elected to office, I will continue to work toward creating opportunities for our neighbors to actively participate in shaping the safety of our community.
People Moving: A Holistic Approach to Transportation
It is so important for us to have a holistic approach to transportation and consider the social and environmental impacts of how all people get to and from the places they go. When talking about transportation, I prefer to use the term "people moving" because it emphasizes the need to think beyond individual modes of transportation and consider the broader impact of how people move to and through the district.
Investing in robust public transportation is a key component of this vision. A well-connected public transportation system not only reduces traffic congestion, which subsequently benefits people who are dependent on their cars due to accessibility or mobility constraints, but also mitigates environmental impacts. It promotes equity by ensuring that everyone has access to reliable and affordable transportation options.
Bicycle accessibility is another integral aspect of our transportation strategy. The road space required for a person on a bicycle is substantially less than the road space required for a person in a private vehicle and electric bicycles are zero-emission vehicles that run on clean energy. Beyond environmental benefits, bike transit contributes to healthier communities. In addition to the individual health benefits of exercise, bicycle commuting builds a sense of community as people connect while navigating our neighborhoods and parks.
A holistic transportation plan is not only beneficial for mobility, but also a considerable way to support our small business ecosystem. There is a natural symbiotic relationship between transportation and thriving businesses. The easier it is for people to get to our local shops, the broader the customer and employee base is. Integrating a range of modes of transportation, such as reliable public transportation, pedestrian-friendly walkways, and protected bike lanes reduces congestion, which improves traffic flow and creates a more positive environment for commerce. A well-planned transportation system is a vital part of a healthy local economy.
Personally, I am a multimodal commuter through the district; I prefer to walk where I can but often take the bus and occasionally drive as I have two young children. I'm also renting an eclectic cargo bike to better understand the infrastructure needed to keep people on bikes safe and to have a more sustainable way to get around (it's also a lot of fun!). As your supervisor, I will prioritize efficient people moving to not only reduce our carbon footprint but also to create a more accessible, interconnected and activated district.
Health Equity: Addressing Social Determinants of Health
Social determinants of health are all of the external factors that influence an individual's health and well-being. Health equity is providing environments that ensure that everyone has equal opportunity to achieve optimal health. Health equity is inherently tied to social justice. Access to health care is crucial, but true health equity goes beyond the doctor's office. As a board-certified physician assistant, I understand the intricate web of factors that influence health outcomes.
Health equity involves tackling issues such as housing security, access to quality education, ample and reliable employment, and sustainable, healthy environments. By addressing these social determinants of health, we create a foundation for healthier lives for everyone. I am committed to collaborating with community organizations, schools and businesses to develop initiatives that address these determinants.
During the pandemic, I ran clinical medicine teams for COVID-19 vaccine clinics in under-resourced parts of the City, in partnership with UCSF and the SF Department of Public Health. The focus was on equitable access to the vaccines at a time when they were in short supply nationally. This year, I brought the first city sponsored COVID vaccine clinic here to District 1 at the Richmond Senior Center.
As a candidate for supervisor, my commitment to health equity runs deep. With my background in health care leadership and inclusive health policies, I am well positioned to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity for a healthy future.
In conclusion
My vision for the future of our district is one where community safety is collective, transportation is comprehensive and health equity is prioritized. It's one where we all can move freely and safely, our local economy thrives, and everyone has a fair chance at a healthy and fulfilling life. Together, through active engagement, we have the chance to shape our district into a model community that champions our shared love of our home. I'm ready to lead this charge as your supervisor and I'm excited to put this plan into action with you, this year and beyond.
If you would like to share your ideas, thoughts or feedback, I have created this form or you can email hello@jennossokoff.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
Jen Nossokoff is a District 1 Supervisor candidate and passionate advocate for Richmond District. She is a public school parent and Board Certified Physician Assistant.
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