San Francisco sees record low in violent crime
While President Donald Trump has repeatedly described San Francisco as unsafe and “woke,” official data tells a very different story. According to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), violent crime in the city has dropped to its lowest point in decades.
So far this year, the city has recorded only 22 homicides, down from 26 during the same period in 2024. If that trend continues, San Francisco could end 2025 with the fewest homicides since 1954, a historic low that challenges Trump’s claims.
Experts say the decline reflects long-term efforts by the city and law enforcement to improve public safety and rebuild community trust.
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Trump’s comments spark debate
Trump recently called San Francisco a “mess” and hinted that he might send federal troops there, as he has in other Democratic-led cities. He told Fox News, “San Francisco was one of the great cities of the world. Then, 15 years ago, it went wrong. It went woke.”
Since returning to office in January, Trump has already deployed troops to several cities, though his attempts to send them to Chicago and Portland have faced legal challenges. He has suggested that he could use the Insurrection Act to justify future deployments.
However, San Francisco’s leaders argue that the city doesn’t need federal troops — and that the data speaks for itself.
The numbers tell a different story
For a city with more than 827,000 residents, the homicide rate of 1.33 per 100,000 people is exceptionally low. By comparison, Oklahoma City — a similarly sized but more conservative city — recorded 32 homicides over the same period, with a rate more than triple that of San Francisco.
Other violent crimes are also on the decline. Rape cases have dropped by 16.4%, assaults by nearly 23%, and burglaries are down almost 29%. Motor vehicle theft has fallen an impressive 45%.
Larceny theft, or personal property theft, has decreased by over 23% citywide, though one area — the Southern District — saw a spike of 67%, mainly linked to organized retail theft in shopping malls and grocery stores.
Jeffrey Snipes, a criminal justice professor at San Francisco State University, said these patterns are not unusual. “When police crack down in one area, theft often moves to another,” he explained. “It’s a whack-a-mole effect that cities across America deal with.”
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Experts say San Francisco is safer than ever
Patrick Sharkey, a Princeton University sociology professor, said that violent crime is falling in nearly every major U.S. city, not just San Francisco. “Last year saw the biggest one-year drop in homicide in modern history,” he said. “Cities like Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Portland, and Chicago are all experiencing major declines.”
He added that San Francisco is unique because it never saw a major spike in crime during the pandemic, and that “most American cities are as safe as they’ve been in a long time.”
Mayor Lurie responds to Trump
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie defended the city’s record, saying his administration’s top priority is public safety. “With the support of local law enforcement, community leaders, and federal partners, we’re achieving that goal without compromising our values,” he said.
Lurie noted that violent crime is at its lowest level since the 1950s and that homelessness and tent encampments are also down. “San Franciscans believe our city is moving in the right direction,” he added.
However, he acknowledged there’s still work to do, especially addressing the fentanyl crisis and addiction on city streets. “Sending the National Guard here won’t solve that,” Lurie said. “They don’t have the authority to arrest drug dealers or remove fentanyl from our communities.”
What’s next
Whether Trump will move forward with plans to send troops to San Francisco remains uncertain. Any such action would likely face strong legal and political opposition.
For now, the numbers show that despite the rhetoric, San Francisco is not the dangerous city Trump describes — and, in fact, it’s one of the safest it has been in nearly seven decades.
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