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SFPD chief reports citywide crime rise driven by property offenses; violent crime flat
Summary
Chief Greg Sir told the Police Commission’s Richmond Station meeting that San Francisco saw about a 17.5% rise in crime last year driven by property thefts—about 30% of that within auto burglaries—while violent crime remained flat and staffing shortfalls persist.
Chief Greg Sir reported to the Police Commission at the Richmond Station community meeting that overall crime in San Francisco rose about 17.5% last year, with property crime—especially auto burglaries—driving most of the increase. “Crime in San Francisco last year was, up about 17 and a half percent,” he said, adding that roughly 30% of the increase was auto burglary.
Sir said violent crime was essentially flat year over year: “The better news is that violent crime was flat, when compared to the year before.” He noted the department remains short-staffed: “We’re still down about 300 police officers,” and said staffing increases from recent academy classes and recruits from neighboring agencies should help reduce property crimes as personnel levels recover.
Sir described enforcement and prevention efforts already underway, including an auto burglary task force and targeted patrols in areas with concentrated thefts. He said the department has graduated a steady stream of academy classes and expects to reach full staffing by next summer, which he said would allow reestablishing plainclothes detail operations where needed.
Why it matters: Residents and business owners in the Richmond District and across the city have reported repeated car break-ins and stolen items, often at high personal cost. The chief linked the rise in property crime to staffing shortfalls and noted sentencing and prosecution outcomes outside the SFPD’s control can blunt enforcement effects.
What’s next: Sir said the department will continue high-visibility patrols and work to reestablish plainclothes teams as staffing permits. He also urged continued community cooperation on prevention — “never leave anything in the car” — and said the department will maintain outreach via newsletters and neighborhood platforms.
Context: The chief spoke at a neighborhood station meeting attended by commissioners, the Office of Citizen Complaints director, Richmond Station captains and dozens of residents. The report focused on data trends, staffing and community engagement rather than new policy actions.
