Chief reports year-to-date crime declines, highlights drone use and staffing shortfall; says SFPD not sharing immigration data

Interim Chief Yap told the Police Commission on July 16 that San Francisco is seeing year-to-date declines in several crime categories while the department remains below recommended staffing levels and is expanding use of drones to reduce vehicle pursuits.

Yap said overall crime is down 28% year to date, violent crime down 19% and property crime down 29%; auto burglaries and thefts also showed double-digit declines in the department's weekly report. He described several incidents from the previous week, including an arrest of a homicide suspect in the East Bay and an arrest of an alleged robbery suspect by an off-duty officer.

The chief highlighted a recent auto-theft arrest where SFPD avoided a high-speed pursuit by deploying an SFPD drone and coordinating indirect ground-unit approaches, allowing officers to take a suspect into custody after the vehicle was abandoned. Commissioner Scott and others commended the department's expanding Arctic/drone program as a way to reduce dangerous chases.

Yap also reported baseline staffing of 1,555 sworn officers, about 511 below the recommended baseline of 2,074. He said the department will continue to staff major upcoming events, including Outside Lands in August, and that drone operator certification is growing though a department target number has not been announced.

On questions about automated license-plate reader data and immigration enforcement, Yap said SFPD is "not in the business of immigration enforcement" and, in preliminary review, the department has not shared immigration-related data with federal agencies. He cited General Order 5.15 and city sanctuary policies as guiding the department's approach and said the investigations bureau is reviewing any involvement with external agencies and will report back if new information arises.

On civilian staffing and budget uncertainty, Yap said the budget had not been finalized and he could not yet provide details on potential civilian position eliminations. He agreed to gather data requested by commissioners on pretext stop reporting and to provide a public update in the fall.

Why it matters: The chief's report updates the public and commission on crime trends, deployment tools and the department's staffing and policy posture in areas that can affect community trust and operational capabilities.

What to watch: Commissioners asked for a written update on pretext-stop data and for timely briefings if the investigation into automated-license-plate-reader use identifies additional third-party access or sharing. The commission also asked the department to clarify guidance for officers about contacts with deputized federal agents, and the chief said the department will review policies with the commission and community stakeholders.