SFPD reports declines in many crimes but six homicides so far in 2026; department cites strong Super Bowl response

SFPD Chief Liu told the San Francisco Police Commission on Feb. 11 that overall Part 1 crimes were down 35% year to date compared with 2025 and that violent crimes have fallen roughly 27% for the year.

The chief said the city had recorded six homicides as of Feb. 11, up from one at the same point in 2025, and that investigators have made five arrests in those cases. "Of those six incidents, five arrests have been made with one open case," Liu said. He described the six incidents as isolated and said the department's clearance activity had been high.

Liu also highlighted work targeting drug markets through the Drug Market Agency Coordination Center (DMACC). He said officers made 106 arrests in January, seized over 4,800 grams of narcotics (about 10½ pounds) and confiscated multiple firearms during operations that included the Bayview and other DMACC zones. Liu added that a one-day fugitive-recovery operation on Jan. 28 produced 53 arrests.

On large-event policing, Liu said the department deployed across approximately 200 Super Bowl–related events without major security incidents. "It was over 18 months of preparation and coordination with many outside agencies," Liu said, praising officers' engagement and noting there were no major security concerns during the festivities.

Commissioners praised the department's operational work and the reported seizure and arrest numbers. In response to commissioner questions, Liu confirmed the department would continue after-action reviews and reiterated that some homicide investigations remain active and open.

Next steps: commissioners did not take action on the report itself; staff said further briefings would continue as investigations progress.