San Francisco residents received promising news regarding public safety as Police Chief Derrick Lew shared that crime rates across the city saw a marked decrease in 2025. Chief Lew highlighted a historic low in violent crimes, with homicides dropping to levels not seen since the 1950s. Alongside this decrease, major crime categories have seen substantial reductions, including property crime and drug activity.
The SFPD, in collaboration with local, state, and federal partners, has worked diligently to deter crime and hold offenders accountable. "Our officers have been doing a tremendous job fighting crime and keeping San Francisco safe," said Chief Lew. Efforts to maintain this trend into the new year have been vocalized, with a continued emphasis on collaboration between city government, the Mayor's Office, and public safety partners such as the District Attorney and Sheriff's Offices, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
The city experienced a 20% decrease in homicides last year, with 28 recorded incidents, the lowest since 1954. The SFPD's Homicide Unit achieved an impressive 125% clearance rate, significantly surpassing the national average. Additional crime reductions included a 16% decrease in shootings, a 24% decline in robberies, and substantial drops in robbery with a firearm (45%), motor vehicle thefts (44%), and car break-ins (43%).
Despite staffing shortages, the SFPD's specialized units demonstrated dedication to public safety. The Drug Market Agency Coordination Center (DMACC) was particularly active, with officers making 6,683 arrests related to drug activity. "Technology has provided SFPD officers with valuable tools to fight crime," adding to the arsenal of law enforcement with automated license plate readers, drones, and an expanding network of public safety cameras. The integration of this tech at the Real-Time Investigation Center has helped further enhance the city's law enforcement capabilities, per the San Francisco Police Department.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie praised the SFPD's efforts, emphasizing the results delivered amid operating short-staffed, "I’m grateful to the men and women of the SFPD and all of our partners who are delivering real results for San Franciscans," Lurie told the San Francisco Police Department. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins also recognized the importance of the partnership between the police and law enforcement agencies, attributing the low crime rates to a collective dedication to public safety over politics.
