CMCBD News

Meet Natasha, Central Market Dispatcher

07/14/2008 12:00am

If you are one of many people who have utilized the Central Market Dispatch and Call Center service for cleaning, social service outreach, and public safety services, chances are you have spoken to Natasha.

As the dispatcher for the Central Market Community Benefit District (CMCBD), Natasha says what she finds most rewarding about her role is the ability to help people and provide a valuable service to the public.

That’s because Natasha serves as a link between the CMCBD’s street services and the people and businesses the organization serves. Natasha fills a critical component of the the Community Guides Program as she is trained to effectively and coherently communicate with social service agencies, fire and emergency medical services, 9-1-1 emergency service, and the San Francisco Police Department when such needs arise in the district.

The Central Market Dispatch and Call Center service, which launched in February in conjunction with the CMCBD’s Clean Streets and Community Guides programs, operates between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

When asked what callers can do when reporting an issue, Natasha says it helps to get as many details as possible. “It’s important for a caller to get as much information as possible before calling in an issue. It’s helpful to get a description, head to toe, of the individuals, if any, who are involved in a matter or need assistance,” she says.

In preparing for her role as the Central Market Dispatcher, Natasha volunteered at Glide and received training through a number of social service agencies in the area. Natasha also met with the City’s Homeless Outreach Team, Mobile Assistance Patrol, and other social service groups to better understand the services offered through these agencies. She is also trained on various police codes and is certified in First Aid, CPR, and NERT (Neighborhood Emergency Response Team).

Prior to working for the CMCBD, Natasha served as the Facilities Associate and Dispatcher at Yerba Buena Gardens through MJM Management Group.

When Natasha is not dispatching and answering calls for the CMCBD, she spends her available time with her family.

“I enjoy spending as much time as possible with my daughters, whether it be taking them to the park or watching cartoons,” she says.

Natasha recently returned to work after taking maternity leave. She gave birth to her second daughter, Leiana, on April 29. Natasha also has a two-year-old daughter named Kiana.

“Besides spending time with my daughters, reading is one of my favorite pastimes. I tend to irritate people because I can get so tuned into a book that I unintentionally ignore people who are trying to talk to me,” she says.

But as the Central Market Dispatcher, Natasha is all ears.

Natasha was born and raised in Hawaii. She has been living in San Francisco since 2003.

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The Central Market Dispatch & Call Center operates between the hours of 9am to 6pm, Monday through Friday. Call 415.543.5223 for non-emergency safety, social service outreach, and cleaning and maintenance issues in the public realm of Central Market.