San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed and San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) Chief Bill Scott today joined public safety leaders, violence reduction advocates, and members of the community to announce San Francisco’s historic decline in homicides and gun violence in 2024, the result of SFPD’s new violence prevention efforts, effective law enforcement work, and access to new technology.
So far in 2024, there have been 33 homicides, a rate not seen in the City since the early 1960s — before the proliferation of guns, street violence and narcotics, which caused increases in violence in cities across the nation throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
The number of homicides in San Francisco is down 34% year to date from 2023. While one homicide is one too many, the significant decline shows the City’s commitment to working aggressively to solve every case and bring justice to the victims.
“Our law enforcement agencies are working together every day to make our City safer and I’m grateful for the hard work of our officers, our investigative teams, and our prosecutors that are delivering justice for victims,” said Mayor London Breed. “But here in San Francisco, it’s not just about accountability. It’s also about the proactive work we are doing to invest in community and to prevent these kinds of crimes from happening in the first place. This takes partnerships with community and the commitment to safety and justice for everyone.”
“The SFPD has made tremendous progress in reducing violent crime in our City, making San Francisco one of the safest big cities in the country,” said Chief Bill Scott. “I want to thank all our City and community partners who were vital in this effort. I also want to offer my condolences to the families of victims this year. Our officers are working hard to bring you justice as they continue to work diligently to continue this downward trend in violence.”
The SFPD currently has an 88% clearance rate for homicides, which is well over the national average of around 50%. Behind the decline in homicides was a focused effort by the SFPD to reduce shootings, which have historically been the largest driver of killings in San Francisco and the rest of the nation.
Homicides with firearms are down 31% and non-fatal shootings are down 19% year to date in San Francisco in 2024. The SFPD will continue the work that have led to the decrease of violent crimes in the City to include investigations, patrol, and specialized units that made important arrests throughout the year.
“Although one homicide in our city is one too many, I am proud of the outstanding work of the San Francisco Police Department and our community partners to reduce homicides and gun violence in our community,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “Although nothing we do can undo the pain and anguish that the families of victims experience, my office fights tirelessly to ensure that justice is done, no matter how long it takes and do our part to help prevent future violence.”
In a report published this month that followed an evaluation of the City’s Violence Reduction Initiative (VRI), the University of Pennsylvania’s Crime and Justice Policy Lab recognized SFPD for its violence prevention efforts that led to this substantial decline in violence. Launched in District 10 in 2020, VRI’s goals include reducing gun violence and homicides, breaking the cycle of recidivism, and building trust between law enforcement and communities impacted by violence.
The program engages individuals highest at risk of perpetuation or being victims by violence and seeks to provide them positive support through life coaching, while identifying and arresting perpetrators of violence and holding them accountable.
The University of Pennsylvania’s report found that, thanks to strategies as part of VRI, District 10 saw a 50% reduction in homicides and nonfatal shootings in 2022-2023 compared to the rest of the City. SFPD plans to expand the program to other districts in San Francisco next year.
