The Mission District is a vibrant area of San Francisco that is home to more than 60,000 residents.  It is culturally diverse and has a strong tradition of family-owned businesses and recreational and other social activities. But like many other such communities throughout the United States, the Mission suffers from violent crime, criminal street gangs, and drug dealing. Total Mission intensifies and augments existing law enforcement efforts in the Mission by focusing on identifying the source and impact of violent crime, gang-related activity, and narcotics trafficking in the Mission; tracing firearms recovered in the Mission to identify potential gun traffickers; prosecuting active gang members for criminal conduct in the Mission; identifying and prosecuting drug dealers in the Mission, with emphasis on public areas such as city parks; and prosecuting undocumented aliens with criminal convictions involved in criminal activity.

Total Mission undertakes specifics steps aimed at preventing crime in the Mission, including establishing a hot-line for residents to report gun and gang-related crime; publicizing Total Mission through billboards, press releases, community meetings, bus posters, and public service announcements; and conducting face-to-meetings with parolees, probationers, and gang members advising them of Total Mission and the potential for federal and state prison for criminal conduct in the Mission.

Total Mission also uses existing city, county, and federal services that offer alternatives to eligible criminal offenders who desire to become productive members of the community.