San Francisco has had its lowest homicide rate since the 1960s, according to city officials.
At a news conference at the San Francisco Police Department on Tuesday, Police Chief Bill Scott said there have been 33 homicides citywide in 2024.
Last year there were 50 murders at the same time in 2023. (At the end of the year there were 54 murders.)
“Our shootings are down this year, our gun-related violence is down this year, and our homicides – particularly involving firearms – are down this year,” Scott said.
Mayor London Breed, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins and Sheriff Paul Miyamoto joined Chief Scott during the announcement Tuesday.
“I think we want to send a strong message, and I think the data helps us send that message. “If you want to do something that impacts someone else’s life in San Francisco, there is a law enforcement team of people who will make sure you are held accountable,” Breed said.
Scott and Breed recognized the city’s Violence Reduction Initiative, also known as VRI.
SFPD partnered with California Partnerships for Safe Communities to implement VRI in District 10, which includes Bayview.
VRI focuses on reducing gun violence, reducing recidivism and building trust between community members and law enforcement.
According to a report from the University of Pennsylvania, District 10 saw a 50% drop in homicides and non-fatal shootings from 2022 to 2023 compared to the rest of the city.
The police department plans to implement VRI in other districts next year.
“There’s definitely something positive happening in these neighborhoods. And I would say, it’s not by accident. It’s by design. We’re being very intentional with our community partners,” said Reagan Cunningham, co-director of California Partnerships for Safe Communities , said.
Both Scott and Breed spoke about the perception of San Francisco as a crime-ridden city, a contrast to the data presented Tuesday.
Breed spoke about the need for more attention to the positive aspects across the city, which she believes are not emphasized enough.
“Look, I’m not discounting the way people feel because the way people feel is based on their experiences. You know things that have happened to them or someone they know,” Scott said. “However, the work is being done. We must continue to highlight and bring out the truth about the work being done.”
