Jonah Owen Lamb

Long the bane of San Francisco leaders and the city’s tourists industry, property crime has declined by 34% compared to the first six months of last year, <a href="https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/PoliceCommission71024-%20Commission%20Crime%20Trends%20Notes%2007.10.24.pdf">according to new police statistics</a>. The drop is part of a continued downward trend of reported major crimes in the city—one that has in most cases seen them fall below or near pre-pandemic levels.

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Long the bane of San Francisco leaders and the city’s tourists industry, property crime has declined by 34% compared to the first six months of last year, <a href="https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/PoliceCommission71024-%20Commission%20Crime%20Trends%20Notes%2007.10.24.pdf">according to new police statistics</a>. The drop is part of a continued downward trend of reported major crimes in the city—one that has in most cases seen them fall below or near pre-pandemic levels.

“The property-crime drop is really driving the majority of our reduction in crime,” San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said at Wednesday&#8217;s police commission. “Car break-ins, and larceny in general, is down significantly.”

“The property-crime drop is really driving the majority of our reduction in crime,” San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said at Wednesday's police commission. “Car break-ins, and larceny in general, is down significantly.”

“The property-crime drop is really driving the majority of our reduction in crime,” San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said at Wednesday&#8217;s police commission. “Car break-ins, and larceny in general, is down significantly.”

While the media narrative in <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/02/28/us-news/now-nowhere-in-san-francisco-is-safe-from-crime/">certain quarters</a> has been slow to shift, the same can&#8217;t be said for the underlying reality.

While the media narrative in <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/02/28/us-news/now-nowhere-in-san-francisco-is-safe-from-crime/">certain quarters</a> has been slow to shift, the same can't be said for the underlying reality.

While the media narrative in <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/02/28/us-news/now-nowhere-in-san-francisco-is-safe-from-crime/">certain quarters</a> has been slow to shift, the same can&#8217;t be said for the underlying reality.

Larceny thefts, which includes hot-button issues like car break-ins and retail thefts, dropped 40% to 10,522 so far this year, compared to last year&#8217;s 17,648 reported larcenies through six months—which was down from the 18,433 thefts reported in the first <a href="https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/sites/default/files/2020-01/SFPDCompStatCrimeReport20191201.pdf">six months of 2019</a>.

Larceny thefts, which includes hot-button issues like car break-ins and retail thefts, dropped 40% to 10,522 so far this year, compared to last year's 17,648 reported larcenies through six months—which was down from the 18,433 thefts reported in the first <a href="https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/sites/default/files/2020-01/SFPDCompStatCrimeReport20191201.pdf">six months of 2019</a>.

Larceny thefts, which includes hot-button issues like car break-ins and retail thefts, dropped 40% to 10,522 so far this year, compared to last year&#8217;s 17,648 reported larcenies through six months—which was down from the 18,433 thefts reported in the first <a href="https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/sites/default/files/2020-01/SFPDCompStatCrimeReport20191201.pdf">six months of 2019</a>.

Police Chief Bill Scott attends a press conference at the intersection of 9th Avenue and Irving Street in San Francisco on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Mayor London Breed joined Police Chief Bill Scott, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, San Francisco Board of Supervisors Myrna Melgar, and Joel Engardio joined business leaders and members of the community to announce the City's plan to install 400 Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) at approximately 100 intersections across San Francisco. These new public safety license plate reader cameras will be used by SFPD to address critical public safety issues, including organized retail theft and motor vehicle theft.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/powerplaynewsletter-02.jpg?w=2223" alt="The image shows smiling uniformed officers from the San Francisco Police, engaged in a light-hearted conversation outdoors. One officer appears to be gesturing animatedly." class="wp-image-290752"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott, seen here in March 2024, attributes a rapid drop in crime to the department&#8217;s targeted strategy.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/powerplaynewsletter-02.jpg?w=2223" alt="The image shows smiling uniformed officers from the San Francisco Police, engaged in a light-hearted conversation outdoors. One officer appears to be gesturing animatedly." class="wp-image-290752"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott, seen here in March 2024, attributes a rapid drop in crime to the department's targeted strategy.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/powerplaynewsletter-02.jpg?w=2223" alt="The image shows smiling uniformed officers from the San Francisco Police, engaged in a light-hearted conversation outdoors. One officer appears to be gesturing animatedly." class="wp-image-290752"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott, seen here in March 2024, attributes a rapid drop in crime to the department&#8217;s targeted strategy.</figcaption></figure>

Scott attributed the trend to the department’s focus “on the right people”—meaning organized crews that operate across the Bay Area, including one that specialized in stealing high-end watches. The department used bait cars and other tactics to target criminals in highly trafficked areas, which Scott said helped SFPD make more than 400 retail-theft arrests this year.&nbsp;

Scott attributed the trend to the department’s focus “on the right people”—meaning organized crews that operate across the Bay Area, including one that specialized in stealing high-end watches. The department used bait cars and other tactics to target criminals in highly trafficked areas, which Scott said helped SFPD make more than 400 retail-theft arrests this year.&nbsp;

Overall, robberies were down 17%, totaling only 1,139 so far this year, compared to 1,378 in the first half of 2023. These numbers continue a downward trend from the first half of 2019, when there were 1,364 robberies.&nbsp;

Overall, robberies were down 17%, totaling only 1,139 so far this year, compared to 1,378 in the first half of 2023. These numbers continue a downward trend from the first half of 2019, when there were 1,364 robberies.&nbsp;

The City also saw year-to-date declines in homicides (39%), rape (9%) and burglary (19%).&nbsp;

The City also saw year-to-date declines in homicides (39%), rape (9%) and burglary (19%).&nbsp;

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<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-datawrapper wp-block-embed-datawrapper"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/WLIVr/1
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A snapshot of crime statistics across six major categories shows rates largely returning to their pre-pandemic baselines.</figcaption></figure>

SFPD officials and Mayor London Breed have taken credit for the decline and attribute the improvement to their campaign to increase police patrols with the help of state and federal law enforcement.&nbsp;

SFPD officials and Mayor London Breed have taken credit for the decline and attribute the improvement to their campaign to increase police patrols with the help of state and federal law enforcement.&nbsp;

While acknowledging the drop at last week’s mayoral debate, most candidates redoubled promises to fill the depleted ranks of the police department, continuing to emphasize a law-and-order answer to public worries about crime.&nbsp;

While acknowledging the drop at last week’s mayoral debate, most candidates redoubled promises to fill the depleted ranks of the police department, continuing to emphasize a law-and-order answer to public worries about crime.&nbsp;

Criminologists, however, say there are many reasons for the safer streets, and those factors are not always attributable to police—especially considering crime rates are dropping nationwide as life returns to normal after the pandemic.

Criminologists, however, say there are many reasons for the safer streets, and those factors are not always attributable to police—especially considering crime rates are dropping nationwide as life returns to normal after the pandemic.

California Highway Patrol officers look on as climate activists block access to Montgomery Street in front of the Palace Hotel in San Francisco on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit will take place at San Francisco’s Moscone Center from Monday, November 13 through Friday, November 17 and city government has implemented major steps to create safety and security for the thousands of delegates and visitors coming to the Bay Area. The measures will include heightened local, state and federal police presence, vehicle road closures and detours along with restricted pedestrian access inside the security zone. Additionally, a number of protests are expected throughout the week.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/junghokim-20231115-33771.jpg?w=2500" alt="Several uniformed police officers with badges stand in a line; one officer looks at the camera. People in yellow raincoats and a woman with a pink phone walk by." class="wp-image-290755"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">California Highway Patrol officers look on as climate activists block access to Montgomery Street in front of the Palace Hotel in San Francisco on November 15, 2023.</figcaption></figure>

Sam DeWitt, a senior researcher with the Arlington-based <a href="https://www.air.org/">American Institutes of Research</a>, said that police work undoubtedly has an impact on crime, but cautioned against attributing changes to targeted enforcement of certain offenses when, in fact, all crimes are declining across the nation.&nbsp;

Sam DeWitt, a senior researcher with the Arlington-based <a href="https://www.air.org/">American Institutes of Research</a>, said that police work undoubtedly has an impact on crime, but cautioned against attributing changes to targeted enforcement of certain offenses when, in fact, all crimes are declining across the nation.&nbsp;

“There are dozens of other explanations for why crime goes up and down,” said DeWitt. “Crime is not just down in San Francisco, it&#8217;s down across the United States.”

“There are dozens of other explanations for why crime goes up and down,” said DeWitt. “Crime is not just down in San Francisco, it's down across the United States.”

“There are dozens of other explanations for why crime goes up and down,” said DeWitt. “Crime is not just down in San Francisco, it&#8217;s down across the United States.”

Those explanations are complex, he said, and include factors like economic shifts and the fact that <a href="https://www.ppic.org/publication/are-younger-generations-committing-less-crime/#:~:text=The%20Office%20of%20Juvenile%20Justice,Lofstrom%20et%20al.">young people today are less likely to commit crimes</a> than previous generations.

Those explanations are complex, he said, and include factors like economic shifts and the fact that <a href="https://www.ppic.org/publication/are-younger-generations-committing-less-crime/#:~:text=The%20Office%20of%20Juvenile%20Justice,Lofstrom%20et%20al.">young people today are less likely to commit crimes</a> than previous generations.

Police officer Josh McFall speaks with Janet Jauregui who’s car window had been broken along Ninth Avenue near Lake Street in San Francisco on Monday, May 20, 2024. During the initial phase of the pandemic, Mark Dietrich observed an increase in occurrences of stolen luggage being discarded in the Richmond. This prompted him to take action by retrieving the abandoned bags, examining their contents, and making efforts to return them to their rightful owners.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240513-stolenluggagesleuth_0702.jpg?w=2500" alt="A woman speaks into a phone, standing beside a police officer in uniform next to a car with a shattered window. The setting appears to be a suburban street." class="wp-image-290753"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Police officer Josh McFall speaks with Janet Jauregui, whose car window had been broken along Ninth Avenue near Lake Street on May 20, 2024.</figcaption></figure>

According to the <a href="https://counciloncj.org/category/crime-trends/">Council on Criminal </a>Justice’s 2023 report, “overall, crime rates are largely returning to pre-Covid levels as the nation distances itself from the height of the pandemic, but there are notable exceptions” like car theft, which is on the rise nationally. But San Francisco defied its rep as a criminal cesspool here, too, seeing an 18% drop in car thefts in the first six months of this year compared to 2023.

According to the <a href="https://counciloncj.org/category/crime-trends/">Council on Criminal </a>Justice’s 2023 report, “overall, crime rates are largely returning to pre-Covid levels as the nation distances itself from the height of the pandemic, but there are notable exceptions” like car theft, which is on the rise nationally. But San Francisco defied its rep as a criminal cesspool here, too, seeing an 18% drop in car thefts in the first six months of this year compared to 2023.

Not a typo: Crime in SF is now below pre-pandemic levels

Alex Mullaney

In February, a person wearing a hood walked into Expert Pet, a pet store in San Francisco’s Ingleside neighborhood, and went straight into the employee bathroom. The staff heard a destructive racket—banging and shattering tile—for several minutes and called the police. No officer ever arrived, and after several minutes, the vandal left.

In February, a person wearing a hood walked into Expert Pet, a pet store in San Francisco’s Ingleside neighborhood, and went straight into the employee bathroom. The staff heard a destructive racket—banging and shattering tile—for several minutes and called the police. No officer ever arrived, and after several minutes, the vandal left.

The owner, Mike Sorrels, who was away at his store’s Dogpatch location at the time, repaired the smashed tile and refastened the sink and toilet. When he read in May that crime in San Francisco was down in every category, he didn’t believe it. “There’s no way, with the lack of police presence and the lack of officers actually on the street, that crime has come down,” Sorrels said.

The owner, Mike Sorrels, who was away at his store’s Dogpatch location at the time, repaired the smashed tile and refastened the sink and toilet. When he read in May that crime in San Francisco was down in every category, he didn’t believe it. “There’s no way, with the lack of police presence and the lack of officers actually on the street, that crime has come down,” Sorrels said.

That’s a common sentiment among the city’s merchant leaders, who say minor crimes are still a major problem for their businesses. And they have a sympathetic ear among some police leaders who don’t believe the department’s statistics tell the full story of what’s happening with street crime. Now, those police leaders are enlisting help from businesses to show what they suspect is really going on.

That’s a common sentiment among the city’s merchant leaders, who say minor crimes are still a major problem for their businesses. And they have a sympathetic ear among some police leaders who don’t believe the department’s statistics tell the full story of what’s happening with street crime. Now, those police leaders are enlisting help from businesses to show what they suspect is really going on.

At a meeting of the Chief’s Small Business Advisory Forum in March, Assistant Chief David Lazar expressed concern that crime was going unreported and suggested that merchants develop an app to log reports. (Lazar, who declined to be interviewed, said through a spokesperson that he is “willing to talk with the community about any new ideas to use technology to better assist the SFPD.”)

At a meeting of the Chief’s Small Business Advisory Forum in March, Assistant Chief David Lazar expressed concern that crime was going unreported and suggested that merchants develop an app to log reports. (Lazar, who declined to be interviewed, said through a spokesperson that he is “willing to talk with the community about any new ideas to use technology to better assist the SFPD.”)

Police Chief Bill Scott and Assistant Chief David Lazarin chat during a Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, April 18, 2023

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/inlined01_20240506unreportedcrimefears.jpg?w=1497" alt="Two police officers in uniform sitting closely and conversing in the Board of Supervisors chambers, with several other uniformed officers seated in the background." class="wp-image-277903"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Police Chief Bill Scott, right, and Assistant Chief David Lazar confer during a Board of Supervisors meeting on April 18, 2023.</figcaption></figure>

Al Casciato, a retired police officer who’s been involved in conversations about the app, said the data would be useful for staffing the department and deploying officers. He likened the effort to Yolo County’s <a href="https://yoloda.org/yolo-da-announces-the-launch-of-fastpass-to-prosecution-combatting-retail-theft-through-retailer-initiated-reporting-and-rapid-prosecution/">“FastPass to Prosecution” program</a>, which allows participating big-box retailers to send nonemergency crime reports directly to the district attorney’s office and sidestep the friction that disincentivizes reporting.

Al Casciato, a retired police officer who’s been involved in conversations about the app, said the data would be useful for staffing the department and deploying officers. He likened the effort to Yolo County’s <a href="https://yoloda.org/yolo-da-announces-the-launch-of-fastpass-to-prosecution-combatting-retail-theft-through-retailer-initiated-reporting-and-rapid-prosecution/">“FastPass to Prosecution” program</a>, which allows participating big-box retailers to send nonemergency crime reports directly to the district attorney’s office and sidestep the friction that disincentivizes reporting.

“You can type in ‘My window was broken,’” Casciato said. “You take a couple of pictures and send it in. You get your window fixed and you’re not waiting two days for the police department to show up to take a picture and to make a report.”

“You can type in ‘My window was broken,’” Casciato said. “You take a couple of pictures and send it in. You get your window fixed and you’re not waiting two days for the police department to show up to take a picture and to make a report.”

Randall Scott, head of the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District and a consortium of the city’s benefit districts, is leading the app&#8217;s development. The app, he said, will be advertised to small business owners through the dozens of merchant associations and community benefit districts across the city and allow users to make simple reports with pictures for nonemergency crimes.

Randall Scott, head of the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District and a consortium of the city’s benefit districts, is leading the app's development. The app, he said, will be advertised to small business owners through the dozens of merchant associations and community benefit districts across the city and allow users to make simple reports with pictures for nonemergency crimes.

Randall Scott, head of the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District and a consortium of the city’s benefit districts, is leading the app&#8217;s development. The app, he said, will be advertised to small business owners through the dozens of merchant associations and community benefit districts across the city and allow users to make simple reports with pictures for nonemergency crimes.

“Everyone’s reporting crime is down,” Scott said. “Well, those are the metrics—and without anything else to point to, you gotta go with what it says. This could be something else to point to.”

“Everyone’s reporting crime is down,” Scott said. “Well, those are the metrics—and without anything else to point to, you gotta go with what it says. This could be something else to point to.”

But would fresh data of that sort clarify the picture or muddy it? Certainly, it would add fodder to the already high-pitched debate around retail theft, smash-and-grabs, and other threats to public safety and order. That debate looks to be central in this fall’s mayoral race, with the four top candidates leading their campaign websites with their commitments to public safety (Mark Farrell and Daniel Lurie), police staffing (Mayor London Breed) and citywide community policing (Supervisor Aaron Peskin).&nbsp;

But would fresh data of that sort clarify the picture or muddy it? Certainly, it would add fodder to the already high-pitched debate around retail theft, smash-and-grabs, and other threats to public safety and order. That debate looks to be central in this fall’s mayoral race, with the four top candidates leading their campaign websites with their commitments to public safety (Mark Farrell and Daniel Lurie), police staffing (Mayor London Breed) and citywide community policing (Supervisor Aaron Peskin).&nbsp;

Crime is falling in San Francisco. Try telling that to voters

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To a significant degree, Breed is staking her reelection hopes on the premise that crime is rapidly receding after a few years of pandemic-induced spikiness. Any successful challenge to that narrative would be a potential blow to her campaign and to other efforts by the city to shed its <a href="https://www.ktvu.com/news/san-francisco-battling-perception-of-being-unsafe">public perception of lawlessness</a>.

To a significant degree, Breed is staking her reelection hopes on the premise that crime is rapidly receding after a few years of pandemic-induced spikiness. Any successful challenge to that narrative would be a potential blow to her campaign and to other efforts by the city to shed its <a href="https://www.ktvu.com/news/san-francisco-battling-perception-of-being-unsafe">public perception of lawlessness</a>.

A spokesperson for Breed’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for Breed’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-figure-of-crime">Dark figure of crime</h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-figure-of-crime">Dark figure of crime</h2>

Crimes go unreported for a variety of reasons. The victim may not realize a crime occurred; the bad actor may be known to the victim; the victim may harbor a fear of retaliation or mistrust of the authorities. In criminology, the phrase “dark figure of crime” is sometimes used to evoke the difficulty of measuring the portion of crime committed but never officially logged.

Crimes go unreported for a variety of reasons. The victim may not realize a crime occurred; the bad actor may be known to the victim; the victim may harbor a fear of retaliation or mistrust of the authorities. In criminology, the phrase “dark figure of crime” is sometimes used to evoke the difficulty of measuring the portion of crime committed but never officially logged.

For 50 years, the Bureau of Justice Statistics has conducted an annual study called the <a href="https://bjs.ojp.gov/data-collection/ncvs#7-0">National Crime Victimization Survey</a>, in which a nationally representative sample of people 12 or older is interviewed to produce a better picture of incident rates. In 2022, the most recent data available, the United States experienced 13.4 million property victimizations. The rate of reported and unreported property crimes, ranging from burglary to theft, was 101.9 victimizations per 1,000 households, which was markedly higher than the 2021 rate of 90.3 per 1,000.

For 50 years, the Bureau of Justice Statistics has conducted an annual study called the <a href="https://bjs.ojp.gov/data-collection/ncvs#7-0">National Crime Victimization Survey</a>, in which a nationally representative sample of people 12 or older is interviewed to produce a better picture of incident rates. In 2022, the most recent data available, the United States experienced 13.4 million property victimizations. The rate of reported and unreported property crimes, ranging from burglary to theft, was 101.9 victimizations per 1,000 households, which was markedly higher than the 2021 rate of 90.3 per 1,000.

San Francisco Police Office (SFPD) Josh McFall looks inside Janet Jauregui car after clearing glass from the vehicles broken window along Ninth Avenue near Lake Street in San Francisco on Monday, May 20, 2024. During the initial phase of the pandemic, Mark Dietrich observed an increase in occurrences of stolen luggage being discarded in the Richmond. This prompted him to take action by retrieving the abandoned bags, examining their contents, and making efforts to return them to their rightful owners.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/featured_20240506unreportedcrimefears.jpg?w=2500" alt="A San Francisco Police officer is inspecting the interior of a car with a broken window, surrounded by shattered glass." class="wp-image-277902"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">SFPD Officer Josh McFall responds to a smash-and-grab call along Ninth Avenue near Lake Street on May 20.</figcaption></figure>

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott speaks with members of the media before the Tenderloin Public Safety Town Hall event at the St. Boniface Church Theater in San Francisco on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2024. The St. Anthony’s Foundation organized the event in order to address recent shootings and the ongoing drug crisis, and to give community members an opportunity to receive updates on safety solutions enacted by the district attorney’s office and law enforcement.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/inlined03_20240506unreportedcrimefears.jpg?w=2500" alt="A chief of police wearing a navy uniform with a gold star badge is speaking, with a colorful background featuring text and patterns behind him." class="wp-image-277905"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott speaks with members of the media before the Tenderloin Public Safety Town Hall event in January.</figcaption></figure>

Outwardly, SFPD is optimistic about the decline in crime this year, attributing the decline “to our hard-working officers and new department strategies to address specific crimes,” a spokesperson said. &#8220;[W]e have not seen any evidence to indicate that fewer crimes are being reported now versus any time in the past.&#8221;

Outwardly, SFPD is optimistic about the decline in crime this year, attributing the decline “to our hard-working officers and new department strategies to address specific crimes,” a spokesperson said. "[W]e have not seen any evidence to indicate that fewer crimes are being reported now versus any time in the past."

Outwardly, SFPD is optimistic about the decline in crime this year, attributing the decline “to our hard-working officers and new department strategies to address specific crimes,” a spokesperson said. &#8220;[W]e have not seen any evidence to indicate that fewer crimes are being reported now versus any time in the past.&#8221;

Involving police in minor crimes—a cafe’s stolen tip jar or graffiti on an apartment building—can require victims an amount of time disproportionate to the value of stolen items or property repairs.

Involving police in minor crimes—a cafe’s stolen tip jar or graffiti on an apartment building—can require victims an amount of time disproportionate to the value of stolen items or property repairs.

“Almost everyone I know has had some petty crime happen to them that they didn’t report, even car break-ins,” Police Chief Bill Scott said in an interview after a recent community meeting. “I’ve seen shootings that don’t get reported until someone shows up at the hospital with an infection.”

“Almost everyone I know has had some petty crime happen to them that they didn’t report, even car break-ins,” Police Chief Bill Scott said in an interview after a recent community meeting. “I’ve seen shootings that don’t get reported until someone shows up at the hospital with an infection.”

When it comes to unreported crime, he said the department doesn’t know what it doesn’t know and relies on the public to report. He said the department’s online reporting system has been improved, but he does think an app would encourage people to report more.

When it comes to unreported crime, he said the department doesn’t know what it doesn’t know and relies on the public to report. He said the department’s online reporting system has been improved, but he does think an app would encourage people to report more.

A shattered passenger-side window a vehicle at Express Service Auto Glass in San Francisco on March 1, 2023.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/inlined02_20240506unreportedcrimefears.jpg?w=2500" alt="The image shows the exterior side mirror of a car, reflecting shattered glass from a broken window. The broken glass is visible around the mirror and inside the car." class="wp-image-277904"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Smash-and-grabs, among other minor crimes, may be easily reported through an app.</figcaption></figure>

Frank Noto, a leader in the Stop Crime SF <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/15/stop-crime-sf-judge-grade/">advocacy group</a>, believes the city is leaving behind a period in which crime went unreported.

Inside the anti-crime group &#8216;grading&#8217; San Francisco judges

Frank Noto, a leader in the Stop Crime SF <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/15/stop-crime-sf-judge-grade/">advocacy group</a>, believes the city is leaving behind a period in which crime went unreported.

“People felt, particularly during the pandemic, that it didn&#8217;t matter if they reported minor crimes,” Noto said. “I suspect that that attitude is beginning to change because they see that police are more energized. The number of people who go to jail is up. The system is beginning to work.

“People felt, particularly during the pandemic, that it didn't matter if they reported minor crimes,” Noto said. “I suspect that that attitude is beginning to change because they see that police are more energized. The number of people who go to jail is up. The system is beginning to work.

“People felt, particularly during the pandemic, that it didn&#8217;t matter if they reported minor crimes,” Noto said. “I suspect that that attitude is beginning to change because they see that police are more energized. The number of people who go to jail is up. The system is beginning to work.

“Getting more people to report it is a way of improving the quality of life in San Francisco and reducing crime ultimately, so that’ll be a good thing,” he added.

“Getting more people to report it is a way of improving the quality of life in San Francisco and reducing crime ultimately, so that’ll be a good thing,” he added.

For nearly 20 years, San Francisco has used <a href="https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/get-service/police-reports">LexisNexis Coplogic</a> to let the public formally report minor crimes online, in person, or by calling 311.

For nearly 20 years, San Francisco has used <a href="https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/get-service/police-reports">LexisNexis Coplogic</a> to let the public formally report minor crimes online, in person, or by calling 311.

Approximately 2,000 police reports are filed monthly for various minor crimes ranging from burglary to theft and vandalism, LexisNexis spokesperson Annalysce Baker said. Nearly half of those reports are completed via mobile device each month.

Approximately 2,000 police reports are filed monthly for various minor crimes ranging from burglary to theft and vandalism, LexisNexis spokesperson Annalysce Baker said. Nearly half of those reports are completed via mobile device each month.

But the SF311 app and site, which handle 75% of the 50,000 or more calls each month, doesn’t integrate with Coplogic. People can complain about illegal dumping or commend a Muni driver’s performance, but they can’t fill out or even be redirected to the police reporting form.

But the SF311 app and site, which handle 75% of the 50,000 or more calls each month, doesn’t integrate with Coplogic. People can complain about illegal dumping or commend a Muni driver’s performance, but they can’t fill out or even be redirected to the police reporting form.

For the forthcoming crime app, the group is working with <a href="https://getjia.co/">Jia</a>, a company that provides a platform used by the city’s business and community benefit district workers to track incidents—picking up trash or painting graffiti—and close 311 tickets for the city. The standalone platform may be named Report Here SF and could go live toward the end of the year.

For the forthcoming crime app, the group is working with <a href="https://getjia.co/">Jia</a>, a company that provides a platform used by the city’s business and community benefit district workers to track incidents—picking up trash or painting graffiti—and close 311 tickets for the city. The standalone platform may be named Report Here SF and could go live toward the end of the year.

The LexisNexis CopLogic  tab on the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) website provides the public with a way to file a crime report online yet top SFPD management fears that many minor crimes are not being reported. They are working with a group to create on a mobile app so the public can more easily report minor crime.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/inlined04_20240506unreportedcrimefears.jpg?w=2500" alt="The image displays a webpage from the San Francisco Police Department detailing types of crime reports that can be filed online, such as harassing phone calls and lost property." class="wp-image-277906"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Coplogic tab on the San Francisco Police Department website provides the public with a way to file reports for minor crimes.</figcaption></figure>

Henry Karnilowicz, the Chief’s Small Business Advisory Forum&#8217;s founding co-chair and a South of Market Business Association member, said reporting crime online to the police department or through 311 has been confusing. The new app is “for small business more than anybody else. We&#8217;re the ones who get impacted most I think, rather than just your regular residents,” he said.

Henry Karnilowicz, the Chief’s Small Business Advisory Forum's founding co-chair and a South of Market Business Association member, said reporting crime online to the police department or through 311 has been confusing. The new app is “for small business more than anybody else. We're the ones who get impacted most I think, rather than just your regular residents,” he said.

Henry Karnilowicz, the Chief’s Small Business Advisory Forum&#8217;s founding co-chair and a South of Market Business Association member, said reporting crime online to the police department or through 311 has been confusing. The new app is “for small business more than anybody else. We&#8217;re the ones who get impacted most I think, rather than just your regular residents,” he said.

But Karnilowicz is of two minds on the new app. “Not many people know about Coplogic, but everybody knows 311,” Karnilowicz said. “It should be integrated into 311; we shouldn&#8217;t create another app—I&#8217;ve got so many goddamn apps on my phone.”

But Karnilowicz is of two minds on the new app. “Not many people know about Coplogic, but everybody knows 311,” Karnilowicz said. “It should be integrated into 311; we shouldn't create another app—I've got so many goddamn apps on my phone.”

But Karnilowicz is of two minds on the new app. “Not many people know about Coplogic, but everybody knows 311,” Karnilowicz said. “It should be integrated into 311; we shouldn&#8217;t create another app—I&#8217;ve got so many goddamn apps on my phone.”

Christin Evans, a merchant leader in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, said empowering small business owners to create data is a good thing. For instance, her business association tracks retail theft and commercial vacancies. And despite dystopian depictions in the media, she said there’s been significant quality of life improvements. The neighborhood directly benefited from voter-approved funds for housing and caring for formerly homeless people.

Christin Evans, a merchant leader in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, said empowering small business owners to create data is a good thing. For instance, her business association tracks retail theft and commercial vacancies. And despite dystopian depictions in the media, she said there’s been significant quality of life improvements. The neighborhood directly benefited from voter-approved funds for housing and caring for formerly homeless people.

“To continue the recovery in the post-pandemic period, we need to ensure that people have an accurate picture of what’s going on in our streets,” Evans said. “It’s really important to be honest about our real safety challenges, but I also think it’s important not to overblow those challenges. And it’s important to recognize that a lot of work has been done to ensure safety.”

“To continue the recovery in the post-pandemic period, we need to ensure that people have an accurate picture of what’s going on in our streets,” Evans said. “It’s really important to be honest about our real safety challenges, but I also think it’s important not to overblow those challenges. And it’s important to recognize that a lot of work has been done to ensure safety.”

Crime drop is fake news, say businesses. They’re trying to help the cops prove it

George Kelly

A violent weekend in Oakland left three dead and one injured, underscoring the city&#8217;s struggle with rising crime.

A violent weekend in Oakland left three dead and one injured, underscoring the city's struggle with rising crime.

A violent weekend in Oakland left three dead and one injured, underscoring the city&#8217;s struggle with rising crime.

On Saturday, police responded to two shootings within four hours on opposite sides of the city, a spokesperson confirmed in an email to The Standard.

On Saturday, police responded to two shootings within four hours on opposite sides of the city, a spokesperson confirmed in an email to The Standard.

The first shooting, shortly before 4:30 p.m. on 23rd Street east of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, left two dead on the spot. A third victim managed to get to a hospital and was listed in stable condition.

The first shooting, shortly before 4:30 p.m. on 23rd Street east of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, left two dead on the spot. A third victim managed to get to a hospital and was listed in stable condition.

Just after 8 p.m. Saturday, officers responded to reports of a shooting at E Street east of 105th Avenue and found a person suffering from a gunshot wound. That person was declared dead at the scene.

Just after 8 p.m. Saturday, officers responded to reports of a shooting at E Street east of 105th Avenue and found a person suffering from a gunshot wound. That person was declared dead at the scene.

Opinion: Oakland’s crime data mess: How politicians are playing shell games with public safety

Oakland police did not identify the victims, citing the need for next-of-kin notification. However, an <a href="https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/09/08/three-people-fatally-shot-in-oakland-2/">East Bay Times report</a> said the fatalities were a 29-year-old Oakland woman and a 50-year-old Berkeley man, and the surviving victim was a 55-year-old man. The Times learned the solo shooting victim was a 50-year-old Stockton man.

Oakland police did not identify the victims, citing the need for next-of-kin notification. However, an <a href="https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/09/08/three-people-fatally-shot-in-oakland-2/">East Bay Times report</a> said the fatalities were a 29-year-old Oakland woman and a 50-year-old Berkeley man, and the surviving victim was a 55-year-old man. The Times learned the solo shooting victim was a 50-year-old Stockton man.

Adding to the weekend&#8217;s turmoil, an ABC7 news crew was robbed at gunpoint around 5:30 p.m. Saturday while reporting near 44th and Market streets, according to a statement from the Oakland Police Officers Association.

Adding to the weekend's turmoil, an ABC7 news crew was robbed at gunpoint around 5:30 p.m. Saturday while reporting near 44th and Market streets, according to a statement from the Oakland Police Officers Association.

Adding to the weekend&#8217;s turmoil, an ABC7 news crew was robbed at gunpoint around 5:30 p.m. Saturday while reporting near 44th and Market streets, according to a statement from the Oakland Police Officers Association.

According to that statement, three suspects brandishing firearms pushed a crew member and took her backpack before stealing equipment and a security guard&#8217;s handgun and fleeing east along 44th Street in an old-model gold Toyota Camry 4D. Oakland police did not share information about the robbery when asked, and ABC7 declined comment late Sunday morning.

According to that statement, three suspects brandishing firearms pushed a crew member and took her backpack before stealing equipment and a security guard's handgun and fleeing east along 44th Street in an old-model gold Toyota Camry 4D. Oakland police did not share information about the robbery when asked, and ABC7 declined comment late Sunday morning.

According to that statement, three suspects brandishing firearms pushed a crew member and took her backpack before stealing equipment and a security guard&#8217;s handgun and fleeing east along 44th Street in an old-model gold Toyota Camry 4D. Oakland police did not share information about the robbery when asked, and ABC7 declined comment late Sunday morning.

In the statement, Sgt. Huy Nguyen, president of the Oakland Police Officers Association, criticized city leadership for the spike and blamed &#8220;staffing shortages in the police department and … policies that fail to hold criminals accountable&#8221; for increasing crime rates.

In the statement, Sgt. Huy Nguyen, president of the Oakland Police Officers Association, criticized city leadership for the spike and blamed "staffing shortages in the police department and … policies that fail to hold criminals accountable" for increasing crime rates.

In the statement, Sgt. Huy Nguyen, president of the Oakland Police Officers Association, criticized city leadership for the spike and blamed &#8220;staffing shortages in the police department and … policies that fail to hold criminals accountable&#8221; for increasing crime rates.

These incidents come amid a spike in Oakland&#8217;s crime rate. An <a href="https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/09/08/crime-has-surged-in-oakland-since-pandemic-leveled-off-in-san-jose-san-francisco/">East Bay Times report</a> said the city&#8217;s overall crime rate in 2023 was higher than at any time in the past two decades, up 100% since 2020. According to the report, car thefts in Oakland rose 114.5% from 2022 to 2023, hitting a rate of roughly one car stolen for every 27 residents. The report also revealed that Oakland&#8217;s violent crime rate in 2023 increased by 174% since 2020, while property crime rose 90% in the same period.

These incidents come amid a spike in Oakland's crime rate. An <a href="https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/09/08/crime-has-surged-in-oakland-since-pandemic-leveled-off-in-san-jose-san-francisco/">East Bay Times report</a> said the city's overall crime rate in 2023 was higher than at any time in the past two decades, up 100% since 2020. According to the report, car thefts in Oakland rose 114.5% from 2022 to 2023, hitting a rate of roughly one car stolen for every 27 residents. The report also revealed that Oakland's violent crime rate in 2023 increased by 174% since 2020, while property crime rose 90% in the same period.

These incidents come amid a spike in Oakland&#8217;s crime rate. An <a href="https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/09/08/crime-has-surged-in-oakland-since-pandemic-leveled-off-in-san-jose-san-francisco/">East Bay Times report</a> said the city&#8217;s overall crime rate in 2023 was higher than at any time in the past two decades, up 100% since 2020. According to the report, car thefts in Oakland rose 114.5% from 2022 to 2023, hitting a rate of roughly one car stolen for every 27 residents. The report also revealed that Oakland&#8217;s violent crime rate in 2023 increased by 174% since 2020, while property crime rose 90% in the same period.

Amid the spike in car thefts, as well as <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/26/oakland-car-theft-spikes-san-francisco-bay-area-car-thefts-up-some/">a similar situation in San Francisco</a>, and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/09/oakland-crime-police-response-times-skyrocket/">complaints about officer response times</a>, officials and organizations have pursued various strategies.

Over 15,000 cars stolen in San Francisco and Oakland this year

&#8216;Abysmal&#8217;: Here&#8217;s how long it takes Oakland police to respond to crime calls

Amid the spike in car thefts, as well as <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/26/oakland-car-theft-spikes-san-francisco-bay-area-car-thefts-up-some/">a similar situation in San Francisco</a>, and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/09/oakland-crime-police-response-times-skyrocket/">complaints about officer response times</a>, officials and organizations have pursued various strategies.

Gov. Gavin Newsom sent&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/06/newsom-to-send-120-chp-officers-to-fight-crime-in-oakland/">120 CHP</a>&nbsp;officers to Oakland to battle rising crime in early February in a temporary “surge,” as state officials described it, that they say yielded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/02/14/initial-chp-oakland-surge-results/">71 arrests</a>, the recovery of 145 stolen vehicles, and the seizure of four “crime-linked” firearms.

Newsom to send 120 CHP officers to fight crime in Oakland

Gov. Gavin Newsom sent&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/02/06/newsom-to-send-120-chp-officers-to-fight-crime-in-oakland/">120 CHP</a>&nbsp;officers to Oakland to battle rising crime in early February in a temporary “surge,” as state officials described it, that they say yielded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/02/14/initial-chp-oakland-surge-results/">71 arrests</a>, the recovery of 145 stolen vehicles, and the seizure of four “crime-linked” firearms.

In March, Newsom <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/29/newsom-to-install-500-surveillance-cameras-in-oakland-to-fight-crime/">announced plans to install hundreds of surveillance cameras</a> in Oakland and other cities to help CHP investigators track suspects&#8217; vehicles.

Newsom to install 500 surveillance cameras in Oakland to fight crime

In March, Newsom <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/29/newsom-to-install-500-surveillance-cameras-in-oakland-to-fight-crime/">announced plans to install hundreds of surveillance cameras</a> in Oakland and other cities to help CHP investigators track suspects' vehicles.

In March, Newsom <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/29/newsom-to-install-500-surveillance-cameras-in-oakland-to-fight-crime/">announced plans to install hundreds of surveillance cameras</a> in Oakland and other cities to help CHP investigators track suspects&#8217; vehicles.

3 shot dead, TV crew robbed over violent weekend in Oakland

California voters approved a measure rolling back reforms that reduced the punishment for minor property and drug offenses, reverting those crimes to felonies once again.

California voters approved a measure rolling back reforms that reduced the punishment for minor property and drug offenses, reverting those crimes to felonies once again.

Proposition 36 — drafted in response to spiking fentanyl deaths — would also toughen drug-related sentences, force some people into treatment, and threaten convicted drug dealers with murder charges.&nbsp;The measure was leading with a wide margin in <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-results-november-2024/">early results</a> Tuesday night.

San Francisco live election results

Proposition 36 — drafted in response to spiking fentanyl deaths — would also toughen drug-related sentences, force some people into treatment, and threaten convicted drug dealers with murder charges.&nbsp;The measure was leading with a wide margin in <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/05/san-francisco-election-results-november-2024/">early results</a> Tuesday night.

<a href="https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2024/general/pdf/prop36-text-proposed-laws.pdf">Prop. 36</a> — officially the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act — would also turn a third misdemeanor theft or drug offense into a felony, the latter requiring treatment or prison.

<a href="https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2024/general/pdf/prop36-text-proposed-laws.pdf">Prop. 36</a> — officially the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act — would also turn a third misdemeanor theft or drug offense into a felony, the latter requiring treatment or prison.

Prop. 36: Increase penalties for drug and theft crimes

sf-standard/datawrapper-chart

The law will also make a number of other changes, including classifying fentanyl as a “hard drug” like cocaine or heroin, increasing jail time for dealers based on the drugs they sell, and “bundling” the value of stolen merchandise so it can be charged as a felony.

The law will also make a number of other changes, including classifying fentanyl as a “hard drug” like cocaine or heroin, increasing jail time for dealers based on the drugs they sell, and “bundling” the value of stolen merchandise so it can be charged as a felony.

The proposed law’s authors designed it as a reversal of 2014’s Prop. 47, which among other things stopped severe punishments for people found guilty of stealing items with relatively low value.&nbsp;

The proposed law’s authors designed it as a reversal of 2014’s Prop. 47, which among other things stopped severe punishments for people found guilty of stealing items with relatively low value.&nbsp;

Studies about that law’s impacts, along with a number of other criminal justice reforms, are mixed when it comes to their impact on drug sales and retail theft, which have become central issues since the pandemic.&nbsp;

Studies about that law’s impacts, along with a number of other criminal justice reforms, are mixed when it comes to their impact on drug sales and retail theft, which have become central issues since the pandemic.&nbsp;

According to a recent study of Prop. 47 by the <a href="https://www.ppic.org/publication/crime-after-proposition-47-and-the-pandemic/">Public Policy Institute of California</a>, while the law reduced the prison population, some property and drug crimes reclassified as misdemeanors spiked after its passage.&nbsp;

According to a recent study of Prop. 47 by the <a href="https://www.ppic.org/publication/crime-after-proposition-47-and-the-pandemic/">Public Policy Institute of California</a>, while the law reduced the prison population, some property and drug crimes reclassified as misdemeanors spiked after its passage.&nbsp;

Still, the institute included a caveat in its findings: “Prop 47 may not be the most important change to the criminal justice system in recent years; the pandemic brought challenges that have had lasting impacts on incarceration and enforcement.”

Still, the institute included a caveat in its findings: “Prop 47 may not be the most important change to the criminal justice system in recent years; the pandemic brought challenges that have had lasting impacts on incarceration and enforcement.”

Since the passage of Prop. 47, according to the institute, the state saw a decline in jail and prison populations, as well as a drop in arrests for some drug and property crimes that were no longer felonies. Because of the decline in prison populations, the state saved $800 million over that period.

Since the passage of Prop. 47, according to the institute, the state saw a decline in jail and prison populations, as well as a drop in arrests for some drug and property crimes that were no longer felonies. Because of the decline in prison populations, the state saved $800 million over that period.

California could toughen theft laws amid rampant shoplifting concerns

Supporters of Prop. 36 say the new law will make “California communities safer by addressing rampant theft and drug trafficking. It toughens penalties for fentanyl and drug traffickers and ‘smash-and-grabs’ while holding repeat offenders accountable. It targets serial thieves and encourages treatment for those addicted to drugs, using a balanced approach to fix loopholes in current laws.”

Supporters of Prop. 36 say the new law will make “California communities safer by addressing rampant theft and drug trafficking. It toughens penalties for fentanyl and drug traffickers and ‘smash-and-grabs’ while holding repeat offenders accountable. It targets serial thieves and encourages treatment for those addicted to drugs, using a balanced approach to fix loopholes in current laws.”

Not a typo: Crime in SF is now below pre-pandemic levels

Crime drop is fake news, say businesses. They’re trying to help the cops prove it

3 shot dead, TV crew robbed over violent weekend in Oakland

Californians vote to reverse course on lighter sentencing by passing Prop. 36

Bari Weiss debate on crime in the city draws hundreds, many from the suburbs

Search Results for: crime

Not a typo: Crime in SF is now below pre-pandemic levels

Crime drop is fake news, say businesses. They’re trying to help the cops prove it

3 shot dead, TV crew robbed over violent weekend in Oakland

Californians vote to reverse course on lighter sentencing by passing Prop. 36

Bari Weiss debate on crime in the city draws hundreds, many from the suburbs