San Francisco, long celebrated for its iconic landmarks, rich culture, and vibrant neighborhoods, is increasingly becoming known for something far less glamorous: its crime problem. Like many major cities, it is feeling the effects of complex social issues, an overstretched police force, and a pandemic that worsened economic disparities.
Prostitution, Drugs Markets, and Car Break-Ins—Oh My!
Despite concerted efforts from law enforcement and local officials, San Francisco is grappling with lawlessness, particularly in high-crime areas plagued by prostitution, open-air drug trafficking, and vehicle break-ins.
Prostitution has been a part of San Francisco’s underground economy for decades, particularly in districts like the Mission and Tenderloin. For example, Capp Street in the Mission District, known for the “Capp Street stroll” had lines of hundreds of “Johns” (people who pay for services from sex workers) going around the block all night long. Residents of Capp Street pushed for barriers, which did work, but now prostitution has moved to Shotwell Street, a nearby road that has quickly become overrun by traffic, solicitation, fender benders, and threats. In 2018, the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) filed 336 prostitution-related reports. In 2023, this number dropped to 27 reports. While the 92 percent decrease seems encouraging, the reduction in incidents is a result from changes in the law and policing strategy.
Perhaps the most visible sign of San Francisco’s crime crisis is the presence of open-air drug markets, particularly in the Tenderloin neighborhood. The Tenderloin has become infamous for its drug trade, with dealers operating in broad daylight and users consuming drugs openly in public spaces. In 2023 alone, over 620 people died of drug overdoses in San Francisco. The SFPD and federal agencies have worked together in recent years to interrupt these trafficking networks, but the sheer scale of the problem is daunting. Dealers have become more brazen, knowing that law enforcement lacks the resources to consistently disrupt the trade.
While violent crime often dominates the headlines, San Francisco’s residents and visitors are all too familiar with another type of crime: vehicle break-ins. In 2023, the city saw a staggering 20,450 reports of theft from vehicles—an average of nearly 59 car break-ins every day. These thefts were concentrated in popular tourist areas, such as North Beach (which includes Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square) and Japantown. Car break-ins have become so common that residents have a term for them—“blipping”—and local law enforcement and city leaders have deemed it an epidemic. The frequency and brazenness of these crimes have drawn national attention, with San Francisco consistently ranking among the worst cities in the U.S. for car-related thefts. The financial toll is significant, with residents and visitors facing repair costs and lost property amounting to millions of dollars each year.
Take Back the City
Proposition E, which passed in March 2024, allows police to expand the use of new technologies like surveillance cameras, automated license plate readers (ALPRs), and drones for public safety.
Mayor London N. Breed emphasized the importance of modernizing law enforcement efforts stating, “This technology not only helps our existing officers be more efficient today, but it means as our ranks grow, we will see even more impact.” This is why San Francisco is rolling out cutting-edge mobile security units across high-crime areas. These units are designed to provide round-the-clock surveillance, help officers deter criminal activity, and assist in making arrests. “That’s why having surveillance technology is so important,” Breed said. “Because it gives us the ability to pay attention to things that are happening, without necessarily needing to have an officer on every corner.”
Police Chief Bill Scott emphasized how technology like this will make a significant impact in San Francisco’s efforts to reduce crime. “Our officers are already eagerly embracing other technologies like automatic license plate readers and drones to make significant arrests. I can’t wait to see what they will do with assistance from these security units.”
Leading the Way
While the crime situation in San Francisco presents a complex challenge, the deployment of new technologies, such as mobile surveillance units, will help improve real-time monitoring and crime prevention efforts. “By integrating [these mobile units] with our current surveillance tools, we’re reinforcing our deputies and officers in the streets,” said Sheriff Paul Miyamoto.
San Francisco’s efforts are just the beginning of a broader movement to embrace modern technology in the fight against crime. As District Attorney Brooke Jenkins noted, “These new cameras send one more message to those who would come to San Francisco to engage in crime—you will be identified, arrested, and prosecuted.” The future of security lies in innovation, and the City by the Bay is leading the way.
