San Francisco Sun

San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) is expanding efforts to use technology to disrupt auto break-ins and other crimes throughout the city. Additionally, the department has launched a new website to provide transparency about technology usage and educate the public on these initiatives.

The recent deployment of drones and automated license plate readers (ALPR), alongside bait cars and plainclothes operations, has contributed to a 57% reduction in auto break-ins in 2024 compared to last year.

To enhance transparency, SFPD has created a webpage where it will post its most current policy on drone use along with monthly flight logs.

A notable incident occurred on August 22 when a drone deployment led to the arrest of three armed auto burglary suspects who stole luggage from a family’s vehicle parked along the Embarcadero. SFPD officers were alerted by the city’s new Flock Automated License Plate Reader cameras. The drone captured the burglary in progress and followed the suspect vehicle through parts of the city, avoiding a police chase. Officers subsequently disabled the vehicle and arrested all three suspects, returning the stolen property to its owners.

Mayor London Breed commented on these developments: “The use of game-changing technology is helping our officers to be more efficient in making arrests and holding people accountable. The results we are seeing from our use of technology is not just about the numbers; it’s also about the impact it’s having on people’s lives.”

Police Chief Bill Scott added: “Our hard-working officers now have the technology they need to make more arrests and drive crime down in San Francisco. Tools like drones and ALPR work together as a force multiplier for our officers.”

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman stated: “More than two years ago I asked SFPD to explore the use of drones to address emerging public safety challenges, including sideshows. Earlier this year, I joined Mayor Breed in asking SF voters to approve Prop E. With its passage, SFPD has access to 21st-century technology to combat auto break-ins and organized crime rings."