Peter Elden

While the violent crime rate in San Francisco is similar to that of other large cities, the property crime rate is sky high. Prospects for addressing the scourge are limited, as SFPD is short hundreds of officers, response times are increasing, and the Department is solving fewer crimes than before.

Basma Totah

San Francisco shopkeepers are among the most impacted by the current epidemic of property crimes like smashed windows and petty theft. “It’s one thing after another,” according to this owner of two corner markets – bad enough that she wonders whether they can continue.

Lou Barberini

A former San Francisco Police Department officer explains everything you should know about the SFPD, including the organization of the Department, the path to becoming an SFPD officer, what happens when a 911 call comes in, and how technology has changed policing.

Officer X

A patrol sergeant with more than 15 years of experience shares what he likes and dislikes about being a police officer in San Francisco, including how changes in City and State policy have impacted police work. The bottom line: A series of changes over many years have made it harder for officers to fight crime.

Jay Donde

What do two identically-named social programs, the 9/11 terror attacks, and a placeholder mayor all have in common? Each contributed, entirely by accident, to our current understanding of why crime occurs and how we should respond to it.

David Cuadro

Facing a serious staffing shortage, SFPD should be investing in technologies that help officers get more done. For example, GPS trackers enable officers to follow suspect vehicles without high-speed pursuit and automated license plate readers help locate criminals more quickly.

Bill Jackson

San Francisco should address drug abuse and property crime with a three-part strategy: 1) Commit to defending the behaviors and institutions that undergird a civilized society; 2) Rebrand SFPD with the collaboration of community leaders; and 3) Give SFPD officers the discretion they need to succeed.