San Francisco, CA
San Francisco holiday season starts with Union Square ice rink and enhanced security
SF begins vacation season with Union Sq. ice rink and enhanced safety
A vacation custom is again on the ice in San Francisco, however safety stays a priority. The Union Sq. Ice Rink formally opened on Wednesday as town tries to attract crowds again for the festivities.
SAN FRANCISCO – The grand opening of the ice rink in San Francisco’s Union Sq. introduced out little ice-skating princesses shifting to the tune from Disney’s movie Frozen in addition to an acrobatic performer in an enormous wheel on Wednesday night.
“That is the heartbeat of San Francisco and San Francisco individuals love this rink,” mentioned Robert Keith, Operations Supervisor for the SF Union Sq. Ice Rink run by Willy Bietak Productions.
Keith says the 6,0000-square-foot ice rink shall be open by way of January sixteenth, with free skating classes at 8 a.m. on weekends and lots of particular efficiency days.
It is the fifteenth 12 months of the ice rink, a partnership between San Francisco, Safeway, and Kaiser Permanente, to attract households, customers, and vacationers into the downtown enterprise district.
The primary message is enjoyable and security.
“They have squad vehicles on every of the 4 corners. We’ve two non-public safety companies right here,” mentioned Keith.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed says to again up that message, town is devoting further assets to the world.
“We have elevated the police presence. We’ve retired law enforcement officials who’re down right here as ambassadors,” mentioned Mayor Breed, “We wish individuals to be ok with being in San Francisco and buying. We’ve plans round maintaining our car parking zone secure.There’s going to be much more safety in the course of the vacation season.”
The town’s Ambassador Program will even mark a second 12 months. The squad of employees in orange jackets are out patrolling the streets serving to guests with instructions and maintaining a watchful eye out for something suspicious.
“Make them really feel secure, and in addition they do not have to fret about automobile break-ins, as a result of that is a factor individuals fear about or going to sure components of town,” mentioned Brittany Kendrick, one of many San Francisco Welcome Ambassadors.
The Union Sq. Alliance of retailers and enterprise homeowners even have ambassadors in blue jackets serving to to deal with points so police can give attention to probably the most severe points.
“It is a lot better for us to have our ambassadors supporting individuals if it is a first assist disaster, if it is instructions, if it is determining the place to go for restaurant organizations,” mentioned Marisa Rodriguez, Govt Director of the Union Sq. Alliance.
“I really feel secure,” mentioned Paridise Roberts, a Berkeley resident who was in Union Sq. buying, “I’ve two grown daughters within the metropolis. I really feel secure.”
“It is a stupendous city,” mentioned Cecile Beyney, a vacationer visiting San Francisco, “I really feel excellent. It is superb for me…I really feel safe.”
LINK for info on ice rink tickets: https://unionsquareicerink.com/
Jana Katsuyama is a reporter for KTVU. E mail Jana at jana.katsuyama@fox.com and comply with her on Twitter @JanaKTVU or Fb @NewsJana or ktvu.com.