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Union Square BID annual report recommended; public raises surveillance and security concerns
Summary
The committee recommended the Union Square Business Improvement District FY18‑19 annual report to the full Board while public callers alleged the BID provided SFPD real‑time access to BID camera feeds during protests and expressed concerns about security contractors and impacts on Veterans Alley.
The Government Audit & Oversight Committee on Sept. 3 recommended the Greater Union Square Business Improvement District FY2018‑19 annual report to the full Board after OEWD staff and the BID’s executive director presented performance metrics and renewal results.
Chris Korgas said OEWD’s review found the Union Square BID met its four fiscal benchmarks and reported an assessment roll of about $3.6 million; the BID was renewed for 10 years following petition and ballot phases. Karen Flood, executive director of the Union Square BID, described FY18‑19 activities including expanded clean‑and‑safe services, removal of graffiti (22,317 tags/stickers) and roughly 563,125 pounds of trash reported, plus marketing and community partnerships.
During public comment, several callers raised concerns about the BID’s surveillance practices and security subcontracting. Tracy Rosenberg of Media Alliance and OwnPrivacy told the committee she understood public records obtained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation showed “real time unfettered access” to the Union Square BID camera network by the San Francisco Police Department during protests earlier in 2020, which she characterized as “bulk mass, untargeted surveillance of protests” with a “chilling impact on San Franciscans’ participation in protests.”
Amos Gregory of the San Francisco Veterans Mural Project and other callers alleged security personnel and BID-related activities have caused harm to community artwork and harassed people living outside. RJ Sloan and Michael Nolte also called for committee oversight of BID camera use and questioned the role of private security contractors (Legion Security) and retired officers employed by the BID.
Committee members acknowledged the concerns and said privacy and protest‑related surveillance issues are important oversight priorities. Supervisor Matt Haney urged improved communication about Veterans Alley and asked the BID to work with local stakeholders. The committee voted to recommend the BID annual report to the Board (roll call: 2 ayes, 1 excusal for Vice Chair Peskin).
