SFPD Releases 2018 Year-End Public Safety Statistics Report Shows Double-Digit Decrease in Violent Crimes and Auto Burglaries Citywide 19-004
Violent crimes- particularly gun violence- in San Francisco dropped significantly last year, according to data released today from the San Francisco Police Department’s December 2018 CompStat Profile. The department credits a comprehensive, data-driven public safety strategy that includes increased visibility of officers in hot spots around the City. The report shows:
- Homicides decreased 18 percent
- Homicides by firearms decreased 37 percent
- Non-fatal shooting incidents decreased 30 percent
- Aggravated assaults decreased 3 percent
SFPD also seized 1,276 firearms in 2018, a 25 percent increase over 2017. Overall gun-related violence in San Francisco sank to its lowest rate in five years.
“Though we are encouraged by our year-end numbers, one life lost is one life too many,” said Police Chief William Scott. “Through close collaboration with our community-based anti-violence partners and the establishment of our Crime Gun Investigations Center, we saw a decrease in gun-related violence last year. Reducing all violent crime remains our top priority, and we are committed to smart strategies and partnerships that will continue to enable us to provide safety with respect for everyone who lives in, works in or visits San Francisco.”
Last year also saw a significant drop in Part 1 Property Crimes that have victimized many people in San Francisco:
- Vehicle burglaries decreased 17 percent
- Auto thefts decreased 13 percent
- Larceny theft decreased 10 percent
A 2018 study by the California Policy Lab and researchers at the University of California, Berkeley found a significant decrease in assaults and thefts after SFPD expanded its foot patrol strategy, which focuses on crime deterrence and improved responsiveness and engagement with community members. SFPD in 2017 doubled its citywide uniformed foot patrols, and with the direction and support of Mayor Breed, greatly increased foot patrols in U.N. Plaza and in the Mid-Market corridor last year in response to numerous quality of life issues.
“Through our ongoing ‘Park Smart’ public education campaign and strategic deployment of our officers, we’ve been able to reduce vehicle burglaries in San Francisco by 17 percent,” said Chief Scott. “By putting more officers on the street, we’ve been able to deter crimes of opportunity, increase buy-bust operations in neighborhoods disproportionately affected by drug dealing, and build communication and trust with community members. Going forward in 2019, we will continue to listen to the public we serve and use data to strategically assign our officers to address our City’s public safety challenges.”
SFPD CompStat reports are posted online at Crime Reports.