Between February and the November election, Mission Local is asking each District 3 candidate one question per week, and candidates will get 100 words to respond. We will compile all responses to the 40-odd questions on a “Meet the Candidates” page, so that voters can get a full picture of their stances.
Because Supervisor Aaron Peskin terms out next January, six candidates have filed to run for his seat to lead District 3, which includes North Beach, Chinatown, Union Square, the Financial District, Russian Hill and Nob Hill.
Question this week: Tell me about your thoughts on police redistricting.
Matthew Susk
- Job: Former lead with Divvy Homes
- Age: 32
- Residency: TIC owner, first moved to District 3 in 2007. 2007-2009 while in high school, 2014-2016 after college, 2023-present with his wife.
- Transportation: Walking
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University, master’s in business from Georgetown University
- Languages: English
I am endorsed by the SF Police Officers Association and I will work with the SFPD to ensure that any police redistricting improves public safety citywide.
We must prioritize neighborhoods like Lower Nob Hill to ensure they aren’t overlooked. Redistricting should reduce response times, strengthen officer-community relationships, and prevent simply shifting problems elsewhere.
Together, we can create a balanced approach that addresses both high-traffic areas and neighborhoods facing ongoing challenges, making San Francisco safer for all.
Wendy Ha Chau
- Job: Attorney
- Age: 44
- Residency: Tenant in District 3 since 2009
- Transportation: Walking
- Education: Juris doctor degree from John F. Kennedy University
- Languages: English
Redistricting is a horrific idea. The redistricting idea is an example of how resources are mismanaged in San Francisco. Redistricting will not address any issue on crime except to continue the ineptitude of the current situation that allows for organized retail theft, homeless crisis and night markets selling ghost guns and fentanyl laced crack.
We need to fully fund the SFPD to allow training of all officers to follow the SFDPH’s manual on how to place people on a 5150 hold without violating anyone’s civil rights.
We also need to create a new special operations unit of 200 sworn police … read more here
Moe Jamil
- Job: Deputy city attorney, San Francisco City Attorney’s Office
- Age: 46
- Residency: Owner-occupied condo owner, living in District 3 since May 2014
- Transportation: Walking
- Education: University of California, Berkeley, and law school at Santa Clara University, K-12 public school
- Languages: English, Cantonese
We cannot have three police stations sharing responsibility for the Lower Polk/Lower Nob Hill neighborhood. We should aim to keep neighborhoods together under one district to best direct resources. Boundary changes this fall must consider and prioritize the input of residents, small businesses, station captains, and importantly rank-and-file officers.
Endorsed by: San Francisco Tenants Union, San Francisco police Officers Association, San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council, Board President Aaron Peskin … read more here
Sharon Lai
- Job: Economic recovery leader at the World Economic Forum, former board member at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
- Age: 41
- Residency: Tenant and owner, living in District 3 since 2023, first moved to SF in 2005
- Transportation: Walk and Muni when solo, drive when with kids
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from University of California, Berkeley, development studies and city and regional planning; master’s degree in public administration, Harvard Kennedy School
- Languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese
Ensuring police resources lineup with neighborhood needs is critical for equity, responsiveness and safety. I support the current conversations to align our police district lines with our District lines, such as revisiting lower Polk to be incorporated into Central Station’s jurisdiction.
Any changes to police district boundaries would require an increase in staffing and resources to ensure effective coverage. Importantly, Central Station’s facilities have not been updated and long term facilities planning is also needed.
A robust and transparent process is needed to ensure that our neighborhoods have agency in determining how Police resources are distributed.
Endorsed by: Community Tenants Association, Teamsters Joint Council 7, 7 of the current Board of Supervisors … read more here
Eduard Navarro
- Job: Tech startup founder
- Age: 44
- Residency: Tenant in District 3 since December 2021
- Transportation: Walking, public transportation
- Education: CFA Institute: Chartered Financial Analyst, passed level 1. Master’s degree from Columbia University, architecture, concentration in urban design. Master’s degree from Columbia University, real estate development, concentrating in finance. Ecole d’Architecture de La Villette. Bachelor’s degree in architecture from Georgia Institute of Technology.
- Languages: Spanish, French, German, English, Valèncian (Catalan)
Redrawing police districts to align with neighborhood boundaries can create synergies and improve community policing by helping officers better identify the areas they serve.
An additional step could be creating subdistricts that match specific neighborhoods, assigning officers to patrol these areas while understanding the unique needs of each neighborhood. Ensuring officers have the opportunity to live in the areas they serve would foster deeper connections and accountability.
This familiarity builds trust and strengthens relationships between law enforcement and residents. Redistricting should consider the city’s geography, respect neighborhood character, and prioritize community involvement to create a safer, more cohesive San Francisco.
Danny Sauter
- Job: Executive Director, Neighborhood Centers Together
- Age: 36
- Residency: Tenant in District 3 since 2014
- Transportation: Public transportation
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from Miami University
- Languages: English, Cantonese
This year’s police redistricting gives us an opportunity to reallocate resources to better serve District 3 residents and small businesses. I’ve been vocal in recommending that the District and police boundaries are brought in line with one another.
Today, the confusing lines mean important areas like Polk Street, stretching from Russian HIll to Lower Nob Hill, are served by Northern Station instead of Central Station. This causes confusion and hurts coordination of resources between SFPD and the Supervisor’s office. District 3 will be safer if our offices are working together and all neighborhoods are united.
Endorsed by: Nor Cal Carpenters Union, Senator Scott Wiener, Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, Operating Engineers Local 3 … read more here
Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. If you have questions for the candidates, please let us know at yujie@missionlocal.com.
Illustrations for the series by Neil Ballard.
You can register to vote via the sf.gov website.
