S.F. police chief reports year‑to‑date crime declines, outlines guidance for encounters with federal immigration enforcement

Chief William Yip of the San Francisco Police Department opened the commission—s Sept. 3 meeting with a summary of recent crime trends, saying overall crime is down 27% year to date and that the department has issued a new internal notice on how officers should respond to potential federal immigration enforcement.

The new notice, released Aug. 26 as Department Notice 25‑089, offers street‑level guidance for officers encountering federal enforcement, Yip said. He told commissioners the notice was produced with assistance from SFPD leadership and the city attorney—s office and that it is one step in a continuing departmental response; he also said the department will provide a more comprehensive reply to the Board of Supervisors. "This department notice serves as guidance for our officers at the street level," Yip said.

Why it matters: Commissioners asked whether the notice aligns with state guidance and the Board of Supervisors— resolution urging clear protocols. Yip said the notice reiterates the department—s longstanding stance that SFPD does not assist federal immigration enforcement and that it will evolve as events and legal guidance change.

Crime data and incidents: Yip gave a district‑by‑district account and numerical totals: violent crime down 19%, property crime down 28%, aggravated assaults down 14%, burglaries down 28% and firearm crimes down 47% compared with the same period in 2024. He reported 15 homicides for 2025 and said a homicide that occurred the morning of Sept. 3 in the 0 block of Golden Gate Avenue in the Tenderloin may raise that count to 16.

He reviewed recent notable incidents, including a multi‑agency pursuit of a suspect wanted in Los Angeles that ended with the subject fleeing into the water near Pier 30; the SFPD marine unit recovered and arrested the person. Yip also described a First Amendment demonstration on the 300 block of Bush Street that resulted in 138 arrests after some participants resisted an order to disperse; he said there were no reported injuries in that incident.

Technology and units: Yip told the commission the department currently has 58 trained and certified drone operators and aims to train about 20 more in the near term. He said the Arctic (real‑time information center) core has moved to a new location but that additional technology installations are ongoing. Yip credited drones and other technology with assisting arrests and rescues, citing the Los Angeles wanted‑person incident as an example.

Staffing and recruitment: Yip told commissioners the department remains below its authorized baseline, estimating it is about 523 officers short of a 2,074 baseline staffing level. He said the department is reviewing recruitment and hiring processes, adjusting training and scheduling new academy classes; he invited commissioners to an academy graduation on Sept. 11.

Public comments tied to the report: Members of the public used the meeting—s public comment period to raise related matters. Captain Maggie Hallahan urged the commission to investigate and preserve fueling facilities used by marine and rescue units, saying closure of local fuel docks could impede water rescues. UCSF professor Noel Whitwell described alleged injuries to an 18‑year‑old medic at a demonstration and asked the commission to consider independent mediators with authority at protests and for public release of data on protest‑related injuries. Other commenters offered praise for motorcycle officers and for SFPD rescues.

What—s next: Yip said the department will continue to evolve the department notice as legal guidance and operational needs change, and that the department plans further outreach to explain the notice publicly and in multiple languages. He also said SFPD will continue targeted saturations and resource pivots in districts where micro‑trends emerge.

Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the meeting record: Chief Yip; Captain Jim Ahern; Captain Maggie Hallahan; Noel Whitwell; Charlitha Holmes Box.

Ending: The commission followed the chief—s report with questions about public communication of the department notice and use of technology such as text alerts and public shooter notifications; Yip said he welcomes outreach ideas and will work with commission staff to make the notice more accessible to the public.