San Francisco is making final preparations to host APEC, which is the biggest diplomatic event the city has seen in nearly 80 years.
On Wednesday, the Secret Service and San Francisco police gave an update on their plans to keep it safe and what everyone should expect. This includes a massive security force, no-go zones and roadblock checkpoints.
San Francisco police Chief Bill Scott said San Francisco is ready to meet the moment as leaders from 20 Asian-Pacific nations gather with the president of the United States and other dignitaries next week.
Officials see it as a chance for the city to shine in a global spotlight, but the also expect demonstrators to share that spotlight.
“Our message simply this people are welcome to exercise their constitutional rights in San Francisco. But we will not tolerate people committing acts of violence or property destruction or any other crime,” Scott said.
On Wednesday night, perimeters were set in certain parts of San Francisco as the city prepares for the event.
New barriers and fencing began getting dropped off Wednesday night at the Moscone Center. SFPD officers were detouring drivers as crews unload them into what will become the strict perimeter local and federal agencies have been describing.
"This is really an opportunity to turn the narrative that’s really been out there about San Francisco and say take another look at the city, see what we can do and who we are," said Rachel Gordon with San Francisco Public Works.
Get a weekly recap of the latest San Francisco Bay Area housing news. Sign up for NBC Bay Area’s Housing Deconstructed newsletter.
Gordon added that APEC as pushed projects to the top, including painting this pedestrian bridge over Geary in Japantown or beautifying crosswalk. The department promises more are still on the way.
"We have put some extra effort in graffiti abatement to try to get graffiti that we really have seen proliferate in San Francisco," Gordon said.
A Caltrans spokesperson said it’s doing the same along highways in the city.
