Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Homicide Fund topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board committee advances ordinance to create permanent homicide reward fund, removes one-year clause
Summary
The Government Audit and Oversight Committee voted to forward an amended ordinance establishing a permanent San Francisco Homicide Reward Fund that can provide rewards up to $250,000 for tips leading to arrest and conviction; the committee removed a proposed one‑year waiting clause and will require Board approval for awards over $100,000.
Supervisor London Breed introduced an ordinance to create a permanent San Francisco Homicide Reward Fund to offer financial rewards for information that leads to arrest and conviction in unsolved murders. The fund, Breed said, would allow rewards of up to $250,000 in cases where the police have exhausted investigative leads and the chief of police determines public assistance is necessary.
Breed framed the fund as a tool for families and investigators. "This legislation creates a permanent city reward fund to compensate those who provide information leading to an arrest and conviction in an unsolved murder case here in the city and county of San Francisco," she said. She noted the city has previously offered ad hoc rewards and that codifying a fund would streamline the process and allow appropriations, carryovers, and donations.
Greg McEachern, commander of the SFPD investigations division, told the committee the department supports the measure. McEachern described cases in which larger rewards and witness supports—including relocation—could have helped secure testimony, saying past federal prosecutions had relied on comparatively small rewards and additional assistance. "The chief of police is in support," McEachern said, and the department believes expanded reward authority can help solve crimes and improve public safety.
Several family members of homicide victims delivered emotional public testimony urging swift enactment. Speakers described long unsolved cases and the fear that deters witnesses from coming forward. One commenter said a $250,000 award could give families hope and help potential witnesses feel safer providing information.
Supervisor Breed offered a technical amendment to remove a clause that would have required waiting one year from the date of the incident before offering a reward. She argued the waiting period could unnecessarily delay offers that might aid investigations. The committee accepted that amendment and proceeded to forward the ordinance, as amended, to the full Board with a positive recommendation. Under the amended language, offers above $100,000 will require Board approval; otherwise the police chief retains discretion to authorize awards when investigative leads are exhausted.
The committee recorded no objection to forwarding the item. The measure next goes to the Board of Supervisors for final consideration and any budgetary appropriations necessary to seed the fund.
