Castro Community on Patrol

Castro Community On Patrol (Castro Patrol or CCOP) is a California nonprofit volunteer safety patrol and education corporation that enhances the safety and security of the Castro neighborhood in San Francisco, California for residents, businesses, employees, and visitors.

It all started in 2006 in response to a crisis with reports of violent robberies and associated sexual assaults of gay men in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco, California. The community rallied, decided “This should not be happening in our neighborhood,” and the Patrol was born. The original threat quickly disappeared, but the need for continued safety patrols and prevention training in the neighborhood and the broader LGBTQ+ community continues to this day.

As a visible safety presence in the neighborhood, our walking patrols offer assistance, information, guidance, and support to the residents, businesses, employees, and visitors to the Castro, interacting with thousands of people every year. We are “First Reporters” by calling in Medical, Fire, or Law Enforcement professionals when needed, and we will offer assistance when safe to do so until the professionals arrive.

Our motto is "SAFETY is a COMMUNITY EFFORT" and we work diligently to encourage the community to engage in the overall safety of the neighborhood by participating in safety training, attending safety meetings, and by offering advice, guidance, and support about the various safety resources available and how to access and utilize them most effectively.  Our Educational Outreach efforts through classes and meetings is a key element in enhancing prevention rather than responding to incidents.