By Monthanus Ratanapakdee

On Jan. 28, 2021, my father, Vicha Ratanapakdee, left our San Francisco home for his morning walk.

He never came home.

My 84-year-old father was violently attacked that morning. He died from his injuries two days later.

Millions of people saw the video. For my family, it was not a viral story. It was the loss of a father and grandfather – a gentle, kind man who loved San Francisco and believed it was one of the most beautiful places in the world.

My father was an immigrant who believed in what this City is supposed to represent: hard work, kindness, community and opportunity for everyone.

After his death, I made a promise that no family should have to face tragedy alone.

I founded the Justice for Vicha Ratanapakdee Foundation. Throughout the past five years, we have supported crime victims, helped seniors who were afraid to leave their homes, advocated for language access so victims can understand their rights and worked with neighbors from every background who believe compassion must be stronger than hate.

That work also led me to serve as a San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commissioner, where I worked alongside fellow commissioners and community organizations to support immigrant families from many cultures. The views expressed here are my own.

These experiences taught me an important lesson: San Francisco should never force residents to choose between compassion and public safety. We need both.

We can protect vulnerable communities, support victims, address the causes of crime and hold people accountable at the same time.

Today, I am running as an independent candidate for District 2 Supervisor because I love this City and believe we can do better.

I have lived in San Francisco for nearly 30 years. I raised my family here, and both of my sons were born in this city. San Francisco is not only where I live – it is my home.

I speak with seniors who no longer feel safe walking to the store. I hear from parents worried about safety near schools. I meet small-business owners struggling with break-ins, rising costs and a City Hall that too often makes decisions without first listening to the people who live and work here.

These are not Republican or Democratic issues. They are San Francisco issues.

My father taught me to listen before speaking, to treat people with kindness and respect, and, when something is wrong, not simply to complain – but to do something to make it better.

That is the kind of leadership I want to bring to City Hall.

I will focus on the basics that have been neglected for too long: safer neighborhoods where seniors can take a walk and children can get to school safely; practical solutions for affordable housing; strong public schools that put students first; support for the small businesses that form the backbone of our neighborhoods and transparent, accountable government that invites community voices into the process before decisions are made – not afterward.

San Francisco deserves leadership that listens first, acts responsibly and earns the public’s trust through results, not political connections.

My father’s death became part of a national conversation about public safety and violence against Asian American seniors.

I want his legacy to help rebuild a San Francisco where compassion is matched by accountability, every resident can feel safe and no family must experience the heartbreak that mine did.

Justice requires persistence. Public service must begin with compassion, but it must also deliver results.

Every person, regardless of age, race, language, income or background, deserves dignity, safety and respect.

That is the San Francisco my father believed in. It is the San Francisco I still believe we can build together.

Monthanus Ratanapakdee is an independent Candidate for San Francisco District 2 Supervisor. Find more information at RatanapakdeeSF.org.