2023 WE San Francisco Neighborhood Crime Report

Rebecca Wright
SFPD Incident Reports
2023 (Jan 1 - Sept 30)

It’s no surprise San Francisco has grappled with various crime issues over the last few years. 

But this increase in crime has begun prompting a closer examination of neighborhood-specific data to understand the city's safety landscape and what opportunities there are for improvement

This initiative delves into government data from 2023 to delve into the nuances of crime throughout neighborhoods in the greater metro area of San Francisco. Our goal is not only to break down the figures and make sense of them for locals and would-be residents alike, but also to empower locals with a comprehensive understanding of the situation, ultimately aiming to get San Francisco back on track.

Which neighborhoods rank highest for property-related crimes in the San Francisco area?

Examining property crimes in San Francisco reveals North Beach consistently reporting the highest rates, peaking at 88 property-related crimes per 1,000 residents in 2023. 

Japantown, Financial District/South Beach, and Russian Hill also display higher property crime levels. Interestingly, Tenderloin, despite its prominence in other crime categories, shows lower property crime rates. 

These numbers highlight the importance of neighborhood-specific strategies to tackle property crimes effectively. While certain areas face significant challenges such as North Beach, Japantown, and the Financial District, many neighborhoods maintain comparatively lower rates, providing insights for targeted interventions and community engagement to address property crime concerns.

Where is violent crime happening the most in San Francisco?

In the context of violent crimes across San Francisco neighborhoods, the Tenderloin district stands out with consistently high rates, showing a slight decrease from 24 incidents of violent crimes per 1,000 people in 2022 to 22 in 2023. 

South of Market and the Financial District/South Beach also report elevated levels, such as Tenderloin, South of Market, and the Financial District. Noteworthy is the widespread variation in violent crime rates across neighborhoods, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies. 

Despite challenges in specific areas, several neighborhoods maintain relatively low rates, indicating a diverse safety landscape. Policymakers may consider these insights to implement targeted interventions for reducing violent crime and enhancing overall public safety.

How prevalent are drug-related crimes in each SF neighborhood?

In terms of drug crimes in San Francisco, the Tenderloin district is a focal point, experiencing a fluctuation from 22 drug-related crimes per 1,000 residents in 2021 to 31 in 2022 and then slightly decreasing to 22 per 1,000 people in 2023, to date. 

South of Market also displays a concerning upward trend, with a rise from 5 drug-related incidents per 1,000 residents in 2021 to 18 in 2023. 

However, the majority of neighborhoods maintain relatively low drug crime rates, with fluctuations in the Mission and minimal incidents in several other areas. These figures underscore the need for targeted interventions and community-based approaches to address specific drug-related challenges in key neighborhoods.

Moving Forward

While certain neighborhoods face pronounced challenges, the data highlights a diverse landscape where many areas maintain comparatively low crime rates. 

Our findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions and community engagement to address specific crime issues across San Francisco. WE wanted to share this data so locals can make sense of it, as well as policymakers and community leaders who can leverage this data to implement effective strategies for enhancing overall safety in the city.

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