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Deputy chief reports weekend spike in homicides, says SFPD deploying task forces and saturation patrols
Summary
Deputy Chief Hector Saines told the San Francisco Police Commission that multiple homicides and about 10 shootings over a recent weekend raised year-to-date homicide and shooting counts; the department is using homicide/gang task forces and targeted saturation patrols while investigators work to determine links among incidents.
Deputy Chief Hector Saines told the San Francisco Police Commission on Oct. 5 that San Francisco experienced a sharp rise in violent incidents over a recent weekend, including multiple homicides and about 10 shootings.
“Multiple units from the city, from the police department — homicide gang task force, night investigations unit, station investigation teams — are investigating these crimes,” Saines said, describing a multiunit response. He added that specialized units and tactical teams were being used to “saturate the areas to prevent any future violence.”
Saines gave site-level details for several incidents and said some cases resulted in arrests while others did not. He summarized year-to-date figures provided to the commission: homicides rose about 3% year to date (40 in 2016, 37 in 2015) and shootings were up about 5% compared with 2015. By comparison he said that 2012 had 52 homicides at this point and 2014 had 28.
Commissioners pressed for raw counts and trends; Saines reiterated the totals and said investigators are examining whether incidents are gang-related, drug-related, or driven by other motives. He described the department’s investigative approach as collaborative across units.
The commission did not vote on new policy in response to the report. Commissioners requested follow-up support materials and additional data; no timetable for a formal report was set during the open session.
The commission moved on to other agenda items after the briefing. The department continues to investigate the incidents and has asked the public to report tips to its anonymous tip line.
