Issues

District 11 needs real love and commitment. Ernest "EJ" Jones is running for Supervisor to ensure our voice is heard loud and clear at City Hall. EJ will fight tirelessly to advocate for District 11, ensuring that our community finally receives its fair share of attention, resources, and opportunities.

EJ has worked closely with SFPD and community organizations to keep D11 and surrounding neighborhoods safe. As Supervisor, EJ will:

• Enhance community-based alternatives and interventions such as youth leadership programs, mentorship initiatives, gun buyback programs, and street-level intervention teams to prevent violence.
• Ensure comprehensive support, resources, and services for victims and survivors of crime to help them recover and rebuild.
• Implement restorative justice programs with robust oversight and accountability mechanisms for law enforcement to foster trust and community healing.
• Focus on reducing recidivism by addressing underlying issues such as poverty, lack of education, and unemployment, promoting long-term community safety.
• Invest in education, employment opportunities, job training, and housing to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline and strengthen community resilience.
• Augment foot and bicycle patrol units to enhance neighborhood safety and meet specific community needs, fostering a sense of security.
• Preserve San Francisco's Sanctuary City status and ensure access to essential services and assistance for all residents, regardless of immigration status, to promote inclusivity and security.
• Address issues within the 911 dispatch system through recruitment and full staffing to prevent operator burnout and ensure system reliability for effective emergency response.
• Expand investments in emergency preparedness and resilience initiatives to better equip the community for unforeseen events and natural disasters.
• Solve recruitment and retention challenges to maintain adequate staffing levels of emergency service personnel, ensuring comprehensive community protection and efficient response.

EJ has consistently worked on supportive housing legislation, budget allocation, and land use policies to improve housing accessibility and affordability while expanding community support services. As Supervisor, EJ will:

• Invest in and increase the availability of permanent supportive housing options, integrating housing with support services to help individuals maintain stable living situations.
• Focus on providing comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment programs to address the root causes of homelessness and support long-term recovery and stability.
• Expand the availability of shelter beds to ensure that more individuals experiencing homelessness have a safe place to stay.
• Implement thorough reviews and restructuring of the Department of Homelessness budgets to ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively, with clear accountability measures in place to track progress and outcomes.

EJ is the only candidate in the race with extensive experience in housing policy and affordable housing initiatives. As Supervisor, EJ will:

• Increase the development of affordable housing units to ensure all residents have access to safe and affordable living options.
• Promote housing density in transit corridors and through infill development to maximize land use efficiency and reduce commuting times.
• Broaden the successful Workforce Housing Model piloted by SFUSD to provide affordable housing options for educators and essential workers, ensuring they can live within the communities they serve.

EJ has collaborated with community organizations to support entrepreneurship and small businesses through technical assistance, funding opportunities, and capacity building. As Supervisor, EJ will:

• Support a bright and equitable economic future by investing in small San Francisco businesses, retaining larger employers, and implementing fair contracts to deliver services for San Francisco residents.
• Expand services and programs that offer job training and educational opportunities for youth and seniors, equipping them with the skills needed for success in today's economy.

EJ has supported stipends for para-educators to ensure retention and adequate staffing at all San Francisco schools. As Supervisor, EJ will:

• Increase the availability of childcare centers to support working families and provide early childhood education opportunities.
• Enhance and expand after-school and wellness programs to support the holistic development and well-being of students.
• Develop affordable housing options specifically for teachers and working families to improve retention and recruitment of educational staff in San Francisco.
• Advocate for equal access to advanced coursework and diverse language programs in all San Francisco schools to ensure every student receives a comprehensive and competitive education.

EJ believes that accountability is a cornerstone of effective governance and community trust. As Supervisor, EJ will:

• Support regular performance-based monitoring and oversight for non-profit organizations to ensure transparency and effectiveness in service delivery.
• Advocate for accountability from the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) by promoting an independent Police Commission to oversee and rigorously evaluate additional SFPD budget requests through spending audits
• Actively monitor and address disparities in arrests and the use of force to ensure fair and just treatment of all San Franciscans by law enforcement.

EJ believes that connecting communities to transportation fosters access to the vibrancy and resources that San Francisco offers, ensuring equity for all. As Supervisor, EJ will:

• Increase access to subsidized Clipper cards in locations where people access other services to boost ridership.
• Support a free Muni program with Clipper cards to enable SFMTA to better track rider patterns and detect fare evasion.
• Increase the presence of ambassadors on trains to support safety initiatives and ensure safe passage for seniors and children. This should include crisis intervention specialists available to address mental health issues.
• Enhance community input for MTA changes to routes, safety, and frequency.
• Improve WiFi and cellular access underground.
• Provide thorough rider education about operations, transparency regarding the cost of service, and enhanced community outreach about new pilot programs designed to benefit riders.
• Collaborate with community job centers to establish career pathways into SFMTA to ensure accurate staffing and increase route reliability.
• Support the expansion of protected bike lanes.

EJ has a track record of being at the forefront of conversations about neighborhood issues. Not only has he delivered on projects but as Supervisor, EJ will:

• Complete the OMI Library Project
• Improve traffic calming in areas like Alemany Blvd, Silver Ave, Ney Street, and San Jose Ave
• Rehabilitate parks, including the Balboa Skate Park
• Increase corridor cleaning and reduce illegal dumping
• Enhance commercial corridor vibrancy with marketing plans, community events, and funding for small businesses