“Protect the Castro. Patrol with US. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.“

PATROL STATISTICS as of 12/20/2025

LIVES SAVED  3

AMBULANCES SUMMONED  122

LAW ENFORCEMENT SUMMONED  87

COMMUNITY SPECIAL EVENTS SUPPORTED  442

HOURS OF SERVICE DONATED  11, 449

FREE SAFETY WHISTLES DISTRIBUTED  130, 000

PATROL VOLUNTEERS TO DATE   342

It’s Tamale time! Emperor XLVI AN Leandro Gonzales proudly presents his legacy event. Purchase tamales and support our local Non-Profits

TMIM Emperor Ashlé Blow and Empress Afrika America and The Diamond Court of Diversity, Excellence and Joy, in conjunction with Emperor 46 AN Leandro Gonzales and Absolute Empress 53 Polle Del Mar, Present It’s Tamale Time 2026! Your favorite Imperial Tamales are back again this year, so mark your calendars for the sale starting on December 15th. Leandro Gonzales.

Deliveries will start at 11 AM on January 4th and continue throughout the afternoon, exclusively for San Francisco and nearby areas! You’ll also enjoy the convenience of pickup spots in Glen Park and the Castro District. After placing your order, we’ll share all the details for a smooth pickup experience! Plus, every purchase or donation earns you name recognition at our annual coronation ball in our tamale time ad. Net proceeds equally benefit the Castro Country Club and Castro Community on Patrol, both of which are 501c3 non-profits in the State of California. Totals from the event will be counted towards the Monarch’s Charity Fund total count, part of the Imperial Council of San Francisco

GIVE US JUST 3 HOURS A MONTH

   
.

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

.
CCOP has patrolled the Castro neighborhood since 2006, deploying teams of three unpaid volunteer Patrollers for a 3-hour shift which they select themselves. CCOP as the longest serving volunteer safety patrol in San Francisco history. Our volunteers are all unpaid, dedicated, and compassionate people from all walks of life and with various other interests. They come from all over the Bay Area, not just the Castro, and we welcome and promote diversity in all of our operations. Anyone of 18 years or older with no criminal record is encouraged to become a Patroller with us.  We provide full training, equipment, and camaraderie and you will make a difference on every patrol you deploy with.
.
As a visible safety presence in the neighborhood, our 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.
.
We also assist other community groups and nonprofits to make their events successful by offering training, volunteer support, and frequently providing safety monitoring for planned and impromptu rallies, marches, gatherings, special events, and annual events including:
.
  • Sister’s of Perpetual Indulgence Easter in the Park
  • Harvey Milk Day Celebrations
  • Castro Street Fair
  • Castro Holiday Tree Lighting
  • Castro Menorah Lighting
  • Santa Skivvies Run Fundraiser
.
We have been fortunate to participate in many historical moments for the Castro, San Francisco, California, and the country by providing Safety volunteers for some well planned, and some very impromptu rallies, marches, and events such as:
.
  • Pulse Nightclub Memorial Event
  • Proposition 8 Rallies and Marches
  • Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg Memorial March
  • Women’s March
  • Asian and Pacific Islander Anti-Violence Rally and March
  • Club Q Memorial Event
.
We conduct extensive outreach and community training in a variety of important topics which help to raise the awareness and responsiveness of individuals and the broader community in general. We collaborate and work closely with State law enforcement, the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center, the Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative, and of course the City and County of San Francisco emergency response agencies among many others.
.
Collaboration and cooperation is an important part of our work in enhancing the overall “fabric of safety” so we actively participate in, and support, many other safety program and objectives, committing time, energy, and resources to help them succeed. Their success helps the community overall, which in turn helps our success. A few of these collaborations include:
.

JOIN US / TRAIN WITH US

BECOME A PATROL VOLUNTEER

Anyone of 18 years of age or older is welcome.

Basic training for all CCOP Patrol volunteers involves reading a Basic Training manual which is sent electronically, attending a 2-hour instruction course held via ZOOM and scheduled at a mutually suitable date and time, then completing four (4) supervised patrols within six (6) months of completing the ZOOM Basic Training class.

JUMP TO OUR VOLUNTEER PAGE TO REGISTER AS A NEW TRAINEE PATROLLER

COMMUNITY TRAINING CLASSES

SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING  SERIES

Open to anyone of 18 years or older.  $30 per person. Our next class will be held:

Our last class was on 09/13/2025 in the Castro. 

ACTIVE SHOOTER BASIC TRAINING CLASS

Open to anyone of 18 years or older.  Click the link above for more details about the class. $20 per person. Our next class will be held:

  • No classes scheduled at this time. Our last class was on 06/08/2024. 

CORPORATE AND ORGANIZATION TRAINING

We offer specialized advance training to corporations and community organizations within the San Francisco / Bay Area.  Use our CONTACT US option above to discuss your specific needs and we will be happy to discuss options with you.

.

Private Self-Defense Training Classes

For nonprofit and for profit entities and groups organized at your own facility at a mutually agreed date and time. $60/person for nonprofit groups and $100/person for for profit groups with a minimum of 10 attendees guaranteed to secure the training date.

.

Active Shooter – Terrorist Incident – Event Protection Training Class

For Bars, Clubs, Businesses, Organizations, and groups organized at your own facility at a mutually agreed date and time. $60/person for nonprofit groups and $100/person for for profit groups with a minimum of 10 attendees guaranteed to secure the training date.

.

Event Protection Training Class

For Street Fairs, Outdoor Events, and non-facility event organizers organized at your own facility at a mutually agreed date and time. $60/person for nonprofit groups and $100/person for for profit groups with a minimum of 10 attendees guaranteed to secure the training date.

.

First Aid / CPR / AED Certification Class

WITH BAY AREA RED CROSS
Open to anyone of 18 years or older with BARC certification provided on successful completion of the class. Organized at your own facility at a mutually agreed date and time. Class cost is based on current BARC rates.

.

“SAFETY is a COMMUNITY EFFORT”

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

VOLUNTEER
DONATE NOW

.

Castro Community On Patrol, 584 Castro Street #731, San Francisco, CA 94114

Federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation Tax ID: 99-1829349