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San Francisco, CA

Find alternatives to calling the San Francisco Police Department.

Don't Call The Police logo, a database of alternatives to the police

Typically, people call the police because they are experiencing or perceive an emergency and need immediate assistance. In order to provide the most effective alternatives to calling the police or 911, unless otherwise indicated, the resources included here are limited to those that offer immediate assistance through emergency or crisis services.

These resources may be obligated to call police in the case of an immediate risk of harm to the caller or another, child abuse, or abuse of a vulnerable adult. Where we know or suspect that a resource may work in cooperation with law enforcement or involve them beyond what is required by law, we acknowledge that in the listing.

These resources are not intended to cover all situations, only to provide the services described. If you are in danger of immediate harm and feel safe doing so, call 911.

Housing
LGBTQ+
Mental Health
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Youth
Elders
Crime
Substance abuse

Housing

  • A Woman’s Place
    • Drop-in Center
      • Provides 24-hour, low-threshold, drop-in service for cis- and transgender women and their children. That includes easy access to primary care, case management, residential substance abuse and HIV transitional housing and care.
      • 211 13th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
      • (415) 293-7360
    • Shelter
      • Supportive residential service that offers both emergency shelter and long-term treatment to all women, no matter their special needs. Offers support to women who have mental health issues, HIV+/AIDS, a history of mental illness, and/or who are victims of sexual or domestic violence. Offers health care, mental health counseling, case management, and money management. Trans affirming.
      • 1049 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103
      • (415) 487-2140
    • https://communityforwardsf.org/awp
  • San Francisco 311
    • Free, confidential 24/7 hotline that connects San Francisco City and County residents to local social service providers, including shelters. This connects people to the San Francisco Homeless Outreach Team, who can provide mobile assistance, medical care, and transportation to unhoused people in crisis (closed during COVID-19)
    • 311 or (415) 701-2311
    • https://sf311.org/
  • Compass Family Services
    • Operates drop-in center, providing necessities to families experiencing homelessness, including meals, diapers, mail pick-up, toiletries, and community referrals. Also serves as access point to San Francisco shelters.
    • Drop-in hours: 9 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 3:50 pm., Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri.; also open 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Wed.
    • 37 Grove Street San Francisco, CA 94102
    • (415) 644-0504
    • https://www.compass-sf.org/get-help
  • Larkin Street
    • Emergency Diamond Youth Shelter for ages 17 and under, Lark-Inn Shelter for ages 18-24. Drop-in center provides Showers, meals, lockers, laundry, clothing, hygiene supplies, computer/web access, life skills groups and special events, education and employment programs, medical care including free and confidential HIV testing, case management, individual and group counseling.
    • Drop-in Center Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Drop-In: 134 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102
    • Diamond: 536 Central Ave, San Francisco, CA 94117
    • (415) 673-0911 ext. 200 (Drop-In)
    • 1 (800) 447-8223 (Lark-Inn shelter)
    • 1 (800) 669- 6196 (Diamond Youth Shelter (24/7))
  • Mission Neighborhood Health Center
    • Resource center provides case management, daytime shelter (meeting basic needs including showers, laundry and lockers), shelter sign-up, community events, and employment services. Services are bilingual, free of charge and available on a drop-in basis. Clinic offers services that include primary medical care, mental health services. Clinic services require proof of income, address, and ID – can be satisfied by city homeless certification and letter from support person indicating lack of income.
    • Resource Center: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Mon. – Fri., 7 a.m. – noon Saturday.
    • Clinic: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Mon. – Fri.
    • 65 Capp Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
    • Resource Center: (415) 869-7977
    • Clinic: (415) 510-8282 x 1001
    • https://www.mnhc.org/
  • Project Homeless Connect
    • Connecting people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco with problem solving assistance and resources. Resource line calls will be returned within 24 hours. Curbside necessity distribution and assistance offered Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., no appointment needed.
    • 1031 Franklin Street Floor 2, San Francisco CA 94109
    • 1 (855) 588-7968
    • https://www.projecthomelessconnect.org/
  • San Francisco Homeless Outreach Team (HOT)
    • Works in small teams to provide outreach and care management to homeless individuals. Provides practical support, information and referral, and in depth assessment and case management for the most vulnerable and at risk. Provides access to shelter beds when available.
    • (415) 355-7401; after hours at (311)
    • https://sfhealthnetwork.org/sfhot/
    • Not operating during COVID-19

LGBTQ+

  • A Woman’s Place
    • Drop-in Center
      • Provides 24-hour, low-threshold, drop-in service for cis- and transgender women and their children. That includes easy access to primary care, case management, residential substance abuse and HIV transitional housing and care.
      • 211 13th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
      • (415) 293-7360
    • Shelter
      • Supportive residential service that offers both emergency shelter and long-term treatment to all women, no matter their special needs. Offers support to women who have mental health issues, HIV+/AIDS, a history of mental illness, and/or who are victims of sexual or domestic violence. Offers health care, mental health counseling, case management, and money management. Trans affirming.
      • 1049 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103
      • (415) 487-2140
  • https://communityforwardsf.org/awp
  • CUAV
    • Provides emotional support, safety planning, referrals, and limited case follow-up to LGBTQI people experiencing violence or abuse
    • (415) 333-HELP (4357)
    • https://www.cuav.org/
  • Dimensions Clinic
    • Free or low-cost healthcare for youth, ages 12 to 25, with services tailored specifically to serve transgender and gender non-binary young people. Walk-ins welcome, otherwise appointments can be requested through Department of Public Health.
    • 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mon. – Fri.
    • 3850 17th St., San Francisco 94114
    • (415) 934-7700 (Appointments)
    • http://www.dimensionsclinic.org/
  • San Francisco Community Health Center
    • An LGBTQ and people of color health organization. Provides comprehensive medical services and programs. Through the trans* run Trans Thrive program, provides case management, medical services (including Primary Care, HRT and Needle Exchange), mental health and substance use support, social groups and special events, and a drop in center (with snacks and refreshments, clothing closet and a computer lab) for the transgender/gender non-conforming community.
    • 9:30 – 12:30, 1 p.m – 6 p.m., Monday – Friday
    • 730 Polk Street 4th Floor, San Francisco CA 94109
    • (415) 292-3400
    • https://sfcommunityhealth.org/

Mental Health

  • Comprehensive Crisis Services
    • Provides psychiatric consultation and evaluation. Psych evaluations for youth and adults, and EMT transportation to service provider if needed. For youth, provides case management and provide placement within behavioral health system. Mobile evaluation team available – will call police if they feel support is needed, police role is not to engage with client, just support.
    • (415) 970-3800 (24/7)
  • San Francisco Behavioral Health Services
    • Offers a full range of Behavioral health services provided by a culturally diverse network of community Behavioral health programs, clinics and private psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists. Number listed is switchboard connecting caller to crisis and non-crisis services, including mobile evaluation team. Can offer services in many languages. Low cost, Medi-Cal, or sliding scale services available.
    • (415) 255-3737 or (888) 246-3333 (24/7)

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault

  • Asian Women’s Shelter
    • Services for victims of domestic violence and trafficking of all backgrounds, with specialty in the needs of Asian Pacific Islander individuals and families. Shelter residents receive safe, confidential housing; emergency services, including food, clothing and ongoing health services; multilingual support and culturally competent services. Case management, counseling, advocacy, and ongoing support. Callers to confidential, toll-free crisis line can get over-the-phone support, safety planning, access to AWS services, and information and referrals.
    • (415) 751-7110 (Office)
    • (877) 751-0880 (24-hour helpline)
    • https://www.sfaws.org/
  • La Casas De Las Madres
    • La Casa de las Madres offers comprehensive, strengths-based support services. Confidentially-located Emergency Shelter Program serves as a safe haven for women and children fleeing domestic violence offers comprehensive advocacy and support services. 24/7 Hotlines are confidential and toll-free, and can connect callers to shelter and resources.
    • 1 (877) 503-1850 (Adults)
    • 1 (877) 923-0700 (Teens)
    • (415) 200-3575 (Text – Not monitored 24 hours)
    • https://www.lacasa.org/crisis
  • San Francisco Women Against Rape
    • A women of color led, volunteer-based organization that provides rape crisis services to survivors of sexual assault. Counselors offer support, information and resources. Counselors are also trained in areas such as sexual harassment, incest, child sexual assault, same-sex sexual assault, domestic violence, ritual abuse, suicide prevention, male survivors and stalking. Legal and medical advocacy, and counseling. Offers comprehensive case management services, including mental health referrals, help finding and obtaining access to services, assistance locating safe housing, and managing other psychosocial needs.
    • (415) 647-7273 (24/7 Hotline)
    • (415) 861-2024 (Office)
    • https://www.sfwar.org/
  • W.O.M.A.N., Inc.
    • 24-Hour support line offers support via peer counseling, safety planning, and referrals to needed resources for survivors of domestic violence. Serves as a gateway to access support services. Ellas hablan español.
    • (877) 384-3578 (24/7)
    • http://www.womaninc.org/

Youth

Please note, people answering these calls may be mandatory reporters, and required to make a report to CPS or law enforcement in certain situations. Learn about local mandatory reporter laws here.

  • California Coalition for Youth
    • Youth Crisis Hotline serves as statewide emergency response system for youth (ages 12-24) and families in crisis with access to over 5,500 free or low-cost resources.
    • 1 (800) 843-5200 (24/7)
    • https://calyouth.org/cycl/
  • Huckleberry Youth Programs – Huckleberry House
    • Emergency shelter for homeless and runaway youth, offers continuous 24-hour crisis intervention and resolution services and emergency shelter to high-need youth between the ages of 12 and 17. May house 18-year-olds who are enrolled in high school or GED program.
    • 1292 Page St, San Francisco, CA 94117
    • (415) 621-2929 (24/7 Teen Crisis Hotline)
    • https://www.huckleberryyouth.org/
  • Larkin Street
    • Emergency Diamond Youth Shelter for ages 17 and under, Lark-Inn Shelter for ages 18-24. Drop-in center provides Showers, meals, lockers, laundry, clothing, hygiene supplies, computer/web access, life skills groups and special events, education and employment programs, medical care including free and confidential HIV testing, case management, individual and group counseling.
    • Drop-in Center Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Drop-In: 134 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102
    • Diamond: 536 Central Ave, San Francisco, CA 94117
    • (415) 673-0911 ext. 200 (Drop-In)
    • 1 (800) 447-8223 (Lark-Inn shelter)
    • 1 (800) 669- 6196 (Diamond Youth Shelter (24/7))
    • https://larkinstreetyouth.org/
    • Lark-Inn Shelter for youth age 18-24 not operating during COVID-19.

Elders

  • Banyihan Equity Center
    • Provides services to seniors and adults with disabilities including one-on-one assistance for individuals in areas such as housing referrals, home visits, accompaniment to MediCal/ Social Security Administration appointments, burial and funeral arrangements and reimbursements, transportation assistance, employment referrals, special power of attorney, and case management. Weekly food distribution.
    • (415) 255-2347
    • https://www.sfbec.org/
  • Legal Assistance to the Elderly
    • Provides free legal services to seniors and adults with disabilities. Services for elder abuse, public benefits, housing retention, and end of life planning.
    • (415) 538-3333
    • https://laesf.org/

Crime

  • Bay Area Legal Aid
    • Provides low-income clients with free civil legal assistance, including legal advice and counsel, effective referrals, and legal representation.
    • 1800 Market Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102
    • (415) 982-1300 (office)
    • 1 (800) 551-5554 (Legal Help Line)
      • 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Mon. & Thurs.
      • 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Tues. & Wed.
    • https://baylegal.org/get-help/find-an-office/san-francisco-county/

Substances

  • San Francisco Relapse Line
    • 24/7 Crisis Hotline
    • (415) 834-1144
    • TTY: (415) 227-0245
  • San Francisco Substance and Addiction Line
    • 24/7 Crisis Hotline
    • (415) 362-3400
    • TTY: (415) 227-0245

Please consider using these alternatives to calling the San Francisco Police Department or 911 when faced with a situation that calls for de-escalation and/or intervention.

We have tried to indicate where police or law enforcement may work with the alternative resources listed; please let us know if you have any concerns about these resources.

Reimagine public safety. Don’t call the police.

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