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Clean And Safe

Since 1999, Centro has provided cleaning + hospitality services for the Public Improvement District (PID) in Downtown San Antonio. Our Ambassador team works 7 days a week, 365 days a year to create the cleanest and safest downtown in the US. As the organization and PID have grown, additional services have been added, increasing the beauty, cleanliness, safety, and prosperity of downtown.

Over the past ten years, the PID Ambassador team has grown from 54 to approximately 120 ambassadors. Additional services including the Quality-of-Life Team, disinfecting high touch infrastructure, power washing pavement and bus stops, street vacuums, bird abatement, and landscaping have been added.

TIMELINE

PID created by COSA at request of property owners to provide supplementary services to City’s base services. Funded roughly 95% by property owners and 5% by COSA.
2013
1999
​ Centro contracted to provide Clean & Safe as well as other Core Services, Special Projects and Capital Projects as determined by our Board and approved by City Council annually. 80+% annual assessments invested in Clean & Safe. Remainder in other Core Services such as Marketing, Planning and Events.

Ambassador Operation Center

Address: 219 E Travis Street, San Antonio, TX 78205 
Phone: (210) 224-7747
Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Centro Operation Services Hours

PID Cleaning Ambassadors :
6:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Mon – Sun
Overnight Pressure Washing :
9:00 PM – 5:30 AM, Sun – Thurs
PID Quality Of Life :
6:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Mon-Sun

Centro Clean And Safe Resources

CENTRO PUBLIC SAFETY BROCHURE

CENTRO PUBLIC SAFETY BROCHURE

January Clean + Safe Stats

HOSPITALITY

30000
PEDESTRIANS ASSISTED

CLEANING

2000
TRASH BAGS
REMOVED
700000
PRESSURE WASHING
SQUARE FOOTAGE
500
GRAFFITI
REMOVAL
500
INFRASTRUCTURE CLEANED

HOMELESS OUTREACH

50
AVERAGE # OF
UNSHELTERED SLEEPING DOWNTOWN
0
ENGAGEMENTS
0
CLIENT
CASELOAD
0
ACTIVE CASELOAD CONNECTED TO HIGHER LEVELS OF RESIDENCE
21 :16
PEOPLE EXITED V. ADDED
TO ACTIVE CASELOAD

QUALITY OF LIFE

50
ENGAGEMENTS
0
SAFETY
ESCORTS
0
REFERALS TO
HOMELESS OUTREACH

Centro  Services

Cleaning & Maintenance

Our Clean Team continues to adapt to the public health needs of our community to ensure cleaner and safer high-touch areas while delivering 100% of our legacy services. 

Our Ambassadors work in the downtown public improvement district, on the Riverwalk, along the Museum Reach, Mission Reach, the San Pedro Creek, and we have a dedicated team supporting UTSA’s distributed downtown campuses. In total, we have approximately 120 ambassadors. Our cleaning ambassadors wear yellow shirts and each is equipped with a body camera, two-way radio, and a smartphone loaded with our SMART system, a mobile application that has a geolocation feature to track their walking paths and their work.

PID Cleaning Ambassadors work 6 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week.
Overnight Pressure Washing teams work from 9 pm to 5:30 am, Sunday through Thursday.

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CLEANING & MAINTENANCE HOURS OF OPERATION
PID Cleaning Ambassadors : 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Mon – Sun
Overnight Pressure Washing : 9:00 PM – 5:30 AM, Sun – Thurs
PID Quality Of Life : 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Mon-Sun

Pan and Broom

Ambassadors are assigned routes within maintenance zones in the PID, and are equipped with a cart of supplies, pans, and brooms. Cleaning ambassadors pick up litter, abate graffiti, and pull overflowing trash bags from city receptacles.

Pressure Washing

Sidewalk Pressure Washing: We have two daytime pressure washing teams and 7 overnight pressure washing teams that clean, disinfect, and remove gum from sidewalks throughout the district.

Bus Stop Pressure Washing: Our overnight pressure washing teams clean approximately 75 bus stops every night within the downtown PID.

Graffiti Abatement
We are able to abate graffiti that is visible from the right of way, at eye level and below, with written permission from the property owner. If the building is historic, we will have to work with the City’s Office of Historic Preservation to get approval. All ambassadors are trained and equipped with the tools and products they need to abate graffiti. Ambassador crews will provide graffiti abatement of small tags, stickers, handbills, and posters from painted and metal surfaces on an ongoing basis as they perform litter pick-up. Below is the Centro San Antonio graffiti abatement authorization form. Learn More
Trash Bag Removal

We empty existing trash and recycling receptacles in the public rights of way, which are over half-full or overflowing. If either condition is present, the trash receptacle is emptied and rebagged. On average, we remove approximately 6,000 bags per month.

Bird Abatement

Since its inception, the program has been successful, reducing the number of bird droppings on many of the District's sidewalks, using Grackle and other bird deterrent and relocation tactics

Infrastructure Sanitation

To enhance cleanliness downtown and reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Centro Maintenance Ambassadors disinfect high-touch surfaces and high traffic areas, targeting business entry points, all six elevators (cabs and exteriors), benches and furniture, trash receptacles, door handles, crosswalk buttons, and wayfinding signs. We use an environmentally friendly disinfectant (which is shown to kill viruses, including the coronavirus)on the street and river level.

Event Cleaning Services

Expanded services will be contracted separately. We can work events that take place in the public right of way within the downtown PID, on the Riverwalk, Museum Reach, Mission Reach, or San Pedro Creek. We cannot assist with events in public parks our events outside of the district at this time.

Safety 

For decades, our Ambassadors have served as friendly faces and “eyes on the street” for locals and visitors. In recent years, our commitment to safety led to expanded contracts with Downtown Bike Patrol and the creation of our Quality of Life Team. We also work closely with City and County partners and advocate for funding and resources to ensure that there is necessary law enforcement presence and coverage to ensure the safety of the neighborhood.

SAFTEY HOURS OF OPERATION
PID Quality Of Life : 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Mon-Sun
POLICE SERVICES : Increased to 3:30 AM – 7:00 AM, Mon-Sun with 24/7 Bike Patrol in the PID.

No Trespassing Sign
No Trespassing Sign Online Request Form
SAPD Bike Patrol Website

For more information, please email our office at info@centrosa.org  

Partner Connections
SAPD Bike Patrol Website
SAPD Public Safety Page
Bexar County Sheriff Home Page

Additional Resources
Download Digital Downtown Public Safety Guide
Download Digital Public Safety Contact List Magnet

Quality Of Life Ambassadors

Quality of Life Ambassadors wear blue shirts, in contrast to the cleaning Ambassadors in yellow, and provide a visible presence to improve safety downtown. They conduct wellness checks, make referrals to homeless service providers, attempt to dissuade uncivil behaviors, and observe and report crimes to the police. All quality of life Ambassadors are equipped with body cameras to aid reports to service providers. Our quality of life team also offers safety escorts upon request, to downtown workers, visitors, and residents to their vehicles, hotels, or offices.   

Police Service Agreement

Starting in 2016, Centro partnered with SAPD to supplement existing Bike Patrol services by funding two officers for two additional hours in the early morning to clear business entry points at the beginning of the day. In 2022, we extended services from 2 hours to 4 hours per day to reduce property crimes and criminal mischief between 3:30 am and 7:30 am and to ensure that Bike Patrol has 24/7 coverage in the PID. Bike Patrol officers working the overtime shift also utlize our SMART system to document their work. 

Request No Trespassing Sign

Centro partnered with SAPD Bike Patrol to support their Criminal Trespass Affidavit Initiative and will provide No-Trespassing signs, upon request, to downtown businesses and commercial properties. SAPD Trespass Affidavits must be on file to be eligible to receive a no-trespassing sign. SAPD Criminal Trespass Affidavits give Bike Patrol the authorization to act on behalf of the property owner or business to address criminal trespassing. 

Partner Connections
Safety Escorts

Friendly uniformed ambassadors can provide safety escorts to downtown workers, visitors, and residents upon request.

Centro Bike Patrol Agreement:
Two SAPD Bike Patrol officers are contracted by Centro to work 4 hrs. per day, 7 days a week, from 3:30 am to 7:30 am to provide overnight coverage in the PID.

Homeless Services

Centro partners with Corazon San Antonio to deploy three homeless outreach workers downtown, including a licensed clinician. The Centro and Corazon San Antonio Homeless Outreach team offers case management and service navigation to people experiencing homelessness in downtown San Antonio, connecting clients to shelter, housing, and other needed services. 

The team is trained to help unsheltered clients navigate the often-complex homeless service system and provides support along their journey. The outreach team conducts monthly point-in-time counts to measure the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness downtown, to guide the deployment of resources and aid advocacy. The outreach team works closely with many other homeless service providers and community partners.

Read More

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE HOURS OF OPERATION

Homeless Connections Hotline:
To request services for someone experiencing homelessness please call the COSA Homeless Connections Hotline at 2102071799, Monday Friday, 8:30 am 4:30 pm. 

To report an encampment, please contact 3-1-1. 

Additional Resources: 
Download Digital Downtown Public Safety Guide
Download Digital Public Safety Contact List Magnet
DHS Homeless Resource Guide
DHS Homeless Services Webpage
311 Info Home | City of San Antonio
Corazon Ministries | San Antonio Website
South Alamo Regional Alliance For The Homeless Webpage
Annual Point In Time Count Results
Sarah 2022 PIT Count Report
Sarah 2022 PIT Count Key Findings

Homeless Outreach
Centro partners with Corazon San Antonio to deploy three homeless outreach workers downtown, including a licensed clinician. The Centro and Corazon San Antonio Homeless Outreach team offers case management and service navigation to people experiencing homelessness in downtown San Antonio, connecting clients to shelter, housing, and other needed services. The team is trained to help unsheltered clients navigate the often-complex homeless service system and provides support along their journey. The outreach team conducts monthly point-in-time counts to measure the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness downtown, to guide the deployment of resources and aid advocacy. The outreach team works closely with many other homeless service providers and community partners. 
Monthly Point In Time Count

We count the number of people sleeping in places not meant for human habitation and those with visible homeless indicators, between Cesar Chavez Blvd, Brooklyn Avenue, the I-37 Freeway, and the I-35 Freeway between 4 AM and 7 AM on dry weather days. We also count a few areas that are adjacent to the zone. 

Homeless Outreach

The Centro + Corazon San Antonio homeless outreach team offers case management and service navigation to people experiencing homelessness in downtown San Antonio, connecting clients to shelter, housing, and other needed services.
Through Corazon, we have the only clinician working on the streets in San Antonio.

Hospitality

Our Hospitality Ambassadors are knowledgeable of downtown history, attractions, amenities, and geography and can provide information, directions, and general assistance to pedestrians that they encounter downtown.

HOSPITALITY HOURS OF OPERATION

Downtown Information
Way Finding
AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT

RUBEN “MATEO” LOPEZ

Mateo started with Centro San Antonio over three years ago as a PSR (Public Service Representative) and has been a tremendous asset to the team! In fact, this year Mateo was promoted to Team Lead.

Not only is he a wonderful ambassador, but Mateo also has some hidden talents, most notably, he is a gifted singer. His favorite artist to sing is Elvis which seems fitting since many people say Mateo resembles a young Elvis.  

Mateo receives numerous compliments for his great work as an ambassador

“I had the pleasure of meeting one of your ambassadors today. His name is Mateo. Mateo was a tremendous help today as we navigated through downtown San Antonio. I believe that his efforts deserve to be recognized. Your city is beautiful and knowing that there are beautiful people like Mateo made the visit even more wonderful.” 

Read More
Mindy B
Mindy BVisitor - 2/24
Read More
We are part of an international walking event, Olympiad/Texas Trail Round Up that is being held here in San Antonio this week. I happened to have been in a spotless restroom being serviced by Darlene Piña this morning. This is a wonderful service, and I have heard positive compliments about the ambassadors from other participants of our events. Well done. #AmbassadorAppreciation
Anita
AnitaVisitor - 2/23
Read More
Our group found Frank to be a man of “Southern hospitality” which is something we hold dear. He was kind and pleasant while offering us help with directions, a friendly hello, and a smile. Frank was busy maintaining a clean city so we can enjoy the San Antonio area while visiting. We have also appreciated the police presence while here. Thanks for a great visit. #AmbassadorAppreciation
Shannon L - Utah
Shannon L - UtahVisitor - 2/21
Read More
I was walking with my kids today and ran into a worker on the street today who was so kind, friendly and helpful. I just wanted to let you know that Pat Bravo is doing a great job out there. We are visiting from utah and have loved this city. #AmbassadorAppreciation

GIVE KUDOS TO AN AMBASSADOR

Download your own
Centro Public Safety Brochure

Download your own
Clean + Safe Quick Reference Guide

Thank You To All
Of Our Partners

The PID was established in 1999 at the request of Property owners within the district and has been renewed by downtown property owners periodically through a petitioning process, most recently in 2023. We want to thank our PID property owners for their continued support and championing of a more beautiful, playful, welcoming, and prosperous downtown for all.

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Organization Name

Connie Garza

TACTICAL PLANNING COORDINATOR

Connie is a native San Antonian with roots planted deeply on San Antonio’s Southside. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Global Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Passionate about building strong communities, Connie loves acting as a connector to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and people to help each other reach their goals and work together. She works inbetween the Cultural Placemaking team and the Mainstreet Economic Development team, bringing vibrancy and support to urban core businesses to make downtown the place to be. When not at work, you can usually find her at the local plant nursery buying another plant, exploring new cafes/breweries, and spending time with family.

Priscilla Lopez

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Priscilla or “P.Lo” as her teammates affectionately call her, has 20 years of corporate administrative experience. Priscilla attended The University of San Antonio with a focus on Business Administration. In her role as office “fixer,” she handles everything from communications and relationship management to IT sleuthing. On weekends you can find her enjoying a Truly poolside. She lives the vegan lifestyle and is  a proud member of the Peleton community.

Michael Cirlos

JEDI CAMERAMAN

Michael began his studies and volunteer work at Webster University Thailand with a focus on international relations and Buddhism. After returning to San Antonio and graduating from UTSA, Michael began photographing and telling the stories of people in Downtown San Antonio to help connect and increase awareness of our vibrant urban culture. Michael’s work has appeared in several news media organizations, and has produced digital content for small- and large-scale marketing campaigns for Red Bull, COSA Department of Arts and Culture, World Heritage Office, National Park Service, and others. Michael is a former Pecha Kucha San Antonio Speaker, best-selling author at Trinity University Press, entrepreneur, and adventurer.

JanIe Garza

OFFICE MANAGER

Janie is a native of Corpus Christi, TX and has made San Antonio her home since 2012. Her 15+ years’ experience allows her to serve a broad range of functions that allow the organization to operate efficiently, including, accounts receivable/payable, record management, information technology, office management, and assisting with human resources. Outside of the office she enjoys spending time with her family, visiting local art museums, and enjoying a German beer in Southtown.

Matt Sirgo

DIRECTOR OF STORYTELLING

Matt graduated from Texas Tech University in 2016 with a Dual Major in Media Strategies and Honors Arts & Letters with a minor in Italian (Benvenuto a tutti!). Matt oversees the marketing, public relations, and digital content for Centro. After sharing the story of Downtown San Antonio on digital channels, he enjoys creating TikToks about LGBTQ+ media. His mug graces a Fiesta Mural on the St. Mary’s Strip just north of Downtown. You can’t miss it. 

Elizabeth Burt

DIRECTOR OF URBAN ACTIVATION + PLAY

Liz is a passionate underutilized space evangelist known for collaboration matchmaking + play based troublemaking (snow, pumpkins, and Parisian mimes included). She graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio College of Public Policy studying Public Administration (#BirdsUp)! More recently, she oversaw the award winning Activate Houston Street Initiative, a placemaking action plan to reinvigorate the historic pedestrian corridor in the heart of Downtown, which is recognized as a Best Practice in Public Space Management by the International Downtown Association, for which she is also a proud Emerging Leader Fellow.

Jacqueline Lucio

DIRECTOR OF PID OPERATIONS

Jacque is a longtime downtowner with a deep passion for community service. She oversees Centro’s Clean & Safe and Homeless Outreach services, which aim to create a more beautiful, welcoming, inclusive, and hospitable downtown. For nearly two decades, Jacque has lived in downtown San Antonio and has been actively involved in the transformation of the urban core. Through her work with nonprofits, local government, and news media, she’s continually focused on championing more sustainable, diverse, and equitable communities. Jacque has led efforts to support asylum seekers, served as communications director for City Council District 5, and served in public affairs role for Clear Channel Outdoor San Antonio. Jacque studied Mass Communications and Mexican-American Studies at UTSA.

Sarah Esserlieu Khalil

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Sarah is a passionate urbanist who has spent the majority of her career on downtown revitalization efforts. Downtown is the best part of any city where you can find the finest history, culture, life, and beauty. Sarah has a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of California, San DiegoSarah enjoys visiting small local businesses, enjoying foodie culture, cooking, hiking, and visiting the cities of the world. 

Andi Rodriguez

VICE PRESIDENT OF CULTURAL PLACEMAKING

Andi is a long-time urban champion and leads Centro ‘people projects which tell our stories and bring us joy, such as Centro’s Art Everywhere and Zona Cultural. Serving on the Leadership Council of Urban Land Institute, she is a former city Planning Commissioner, Founding Chair of the Hemisfair Conservancy, Co-founder of Power of Preservation/PROM, former Chair of the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women and immediate past Chair of Leadership San Antonio. Andi considers herself a servant leader; she has an MS in Architecture/Urban Planning, and enjoys advocating for the unifying power of art, history, and public space.

KANDICE PERKINS

FINANCIAL DIRECTOR

Kandice is a Sunnyvale, CA native and has made San Antonio her home since 2014She graduated from University of Argosy in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and continued to complete her Master’s in Business Administration from University of Phoenix 2020. She has worked in downtown San Antonio for years, bringing 15+ years of accounting experience to the organization and has been tasked with promoting and developing the city’s urban core. When not at the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, managing her family’s businesses, and enjoys cooking and baking.  

The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs 

TRISH DEBERRY

PRESIDENT AND CEO

Trish– aka Captain Marvel – believes that superheroes come in all shapes and sizes. With her intellect and a passion for making a difference, there is no doubt that Trish is built for speed and performance to find solutions to problems most find too vexing to conquer.  In fact, a Lamborghini has nothing on this force of nature.

A native San Antonian with a degree from Trinity University, Trish has a deep and abiding love for the Alamo City. She has led successful campaign initiatives for 25 years that have literally changed the landscape and face of the community.

Though Trish doesn’t have the ability to see the future like Captain Marvel, she has been called a visionary and wants to bring big ideas to bear regarding the future of downtown.

Before Trish became President/CEO of Centro San Antonio, she founded two full-service marketing and communications firms that she led for 20 years – both of which were headquartered in downtown.  She was also an active member of Centro during that time serving as board chair twice and providing leadership as the entity transformed from The Downtown Alliance to Centro San Antonio. 

When Trish isn’t blazing trails throughout the urban core, she is honing her superpowers of strength and agility on a bike at a spin studio – on pace for a remarkable 1,200 rides. We told you she was built for record-setting speed!  She’s also a supermom to her two kids Scott and Maddie who provide the fuel to her sparkle and non-stop energy.