Four Months of Increased Crime In San Francisco
Photo credit: San Francisco Examiner
By Frank Noto
President
Stop Crime SF
Crime in categories like burglary and homicide is up for the fourth straight month in San Francisco. Homicides increased in San Francisco by 25 percent in July compared to the same month last year, and by 30 percent for the year to date.
San Francisco is also experiencing a dramatic upsurge in other serious crimes. Stop Crime SF previously reported that crime was up this spring, and the police department’s crime data dashboard shows burglaries climbed sharply in July also. They were up 56 percent, with 680 burglaries reported. Burglaries have also risen a steep 42 percent for the year to date.
Similarly, motor vehicle thefts were up 71 percent in July and 30 percent for the year. Arsons climbed 35 percent for the same period, with an increase of 44 percent for the year to date.
“On top of dealing with a global pandemic, San Francisco police now have to deal with skyrocketing crime rates,” said Frank Noto, president of victim’s rights group Stop Crime SF. “We can’t forget the victims of the homicides, burglaries, arsons and stolen cars that we’ve seen more of this year.”
“Much of the blame for rising crime falls on San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, as his office fails to prosecute many criminals, including drug dealers who poison the Tenderloin and other neighborhoods with heroin and fentanyl, while deaths from drug overdoses reach a record high,” Noto said.
One example of how San Francisco is failing to deal with the burglary problem is a case reportedly involving burglar Delvon Carter, who was arrested in January after a crime spree allegedly involving 18 victims and five auto burglaries. Carter and an accomplice reportedly broke into cars in the Marina District, at the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge parking lot, and Stonestown, and he was reportedly in possession of 40 items of stolen property, including a police scanner and multiple license plates. Carter was offered a plea deal for probation and two days’ jail time, despite a prior arrest record.
Noto also said needed police reforms require investment.
“While racial inequality and police brutality are real in America, now more than ever we need to invest in recruiting and training community-oriented police. Because without an adequate staffed police force, overstretched officers become overworked and stressed — making split-second decisions in dangerous situations even more difficult. Now is not the time to reduce the number of officers needed to keep our vulnerable residents safe. San Francisco especially needs police that all our communities can trust to protect them from criminals,” Noto said.
A city-commissioned study by the Matrix Consulting Group concluded that current police staffing is “severely inadequate.” Not only is San Francisco nine percent short of the City Charter-mandated minimum police force of 1,971 officers, the report said we need at least 2,176 officers.
"Now is the time for robust recruitment of young women and men as new officers fully committed to protect and serve. We need good police, and better policing. Now is the time to improve use of force and de-escalation training and advance reform efforts so police can work in partnership with San Francisco’s communities of color,” Noto said.
Not surprisingly, larceny thefts including car break-ins are down in May due to COVID-19 and shelter-at-home orders, with shopping cratering and tourism non-existent, driving overall crime numbers down. But while car break-ins tapered off, stolen cars increased. Violent crimes have also generally dropped down as people shelter at home.
“Some law enforcement sources speculate that the coronavirus pandemic has led to a rotation of crime from car break-ins to stolen cars and from larcenies to burglaries,” Noto said.
Noto is also concerned that reporting of violent crimes such as domestic violence, child abuse and rape may be down temporarily, because of shelter-in-place orders.
For more information contact Frank Noto
stopcrimesf@gmail.com
