Crime is down, way down

Citywide crime in San Francisco is now at its lowest point in 23 years. And in the past year, San Francisco saw one of the biggest drops in crime among major U.S. cities, including a 45% drop in property crime in the first quarter of 2025, alone.

The Facts

Between January 2024 and January 2025, violent crime fell 14% and property crime by nearly 29%. That's far more than the average for peer cities of the same size, which saw 6% and 9% drops respectively, according to a Chronicle analysis of the Real-Time Crime Index.

Out of 22 U.S. cities, San Francisco had the largest drop in property crime and third biggest decrease in violent crime.

In the first quarter (January, February, and March) of 2025, that trend accelerated. Car thefts have dropped an additional 41%, larceny theft another 29%, and robberies 20%, according to SFPD data. Overall, it's a 45% drop in property crime since Mayor Lurie took office.

The Context

The decrease in crime began under former Mayor London Breed, and has accelerated under Mayor Lurie. In 2025, the crackdowns at the 6th Street Corridor, Jefferson Square Park, and Market and Van Ness cleared out drug dealers and stolen goods markets. Lurie's other initiatives have also helped push crime down faster than any other city:

• A new consolidated street team response model to address behavioral health and homelessness concerns
• A Hospitality Zone Task Force that steps up police presence in key business areas
• A police-run Mobile Triage Unit in South of Market to address homelessness and substance abuse onsite

Even with the positive momentum, crime is still present. Dispatch calls to 16th and Mission streets have spiked to their highest level in a decade. But more dispatch calls also means more crime is being fought, rather than ignored.

The GrowSF Take

We all deserve a safe city, and it's great to see a new Mayor and the new moderate majority on the Board of Supervisors deliver!