SAN FRANCISCO – (KRON) — Since the introduction of Proposition E – a measure granting greater access to surveillance technology for police – SFPD has since incorporated six safety drones to help fight crime. On Tuesday, local officials such as San Francisco Mayor London Breed and SFPD Chief Bill Scott called the incorporation of the drones “a game changer.”
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“This is about being smarter on crime by giving our officers the tools to better do their jobs. For too long, San Francisco chose to stand in the way of this kind of progress, but now thanks to the voters, we are delivering real change and modernizing our police force,” Breed said, claiming SF is experiencing its lowest overall crime rates in over a decade.
SFPD Chief Scott admitted to not expecting a dramatic change with Prop E’s incorporation, but he has since corrected himself, calling the incorporation of drones and License Plate Readers (ALPRs) “transformative.”
According to Chief Scott, car break-ins, “which have plagued the city for decades,” are down 57% compared to last year, over 7,000 fewer than in 2023.
“This technology is only as good as the people who use it, who use it effectively and fairly…We believe in all of our hearts that this is a game changer… And we believe that, although crime is the lowest it’s been a decade, we can continue to drive down crime even further,” Scott said.
Drone footage which allegedly helped District Attorney Brooke Jenkins further charge some of SFPD’s recent arrest suspects.
Photo: SFPD
Drone footage which allegedly helped District Attorney Brooke Jenkins further charge some of SFPD’s recent arrest suspects.
Photo: SFPD
Drone footage which allegedly helped District Attorney Brooke Jenkins further charge some of SFPD’s recent arrest suspects.
Photo: SFPD
Drone footage which allegedly helped District Attorney Brooke Jenkins further charge some of SFPD’s recent arrest suspects.
Photo: SFPD
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins believes San Francisco was “far behind the curve” regarding surveillance technology. In an SFPD briefing on Tuesday, she praised the agency’s efforts with safety drones as witnessing “the wave of the future.”
Jenkins claims drones not only help police with arrests but have also helped her office charge alleged criminals further. “The drones are capturing evidence that my office can use in the courtroom in our fight for justice for residents,” Jenkins said.
SFPD shared the following specific case in praise of the incorporation of safety drones:
On July 26, officers responded to two suspects on dirt bikes breaking into cars around the Embarcadero. A drone was able to follow the suspects and locate their position so our officers could move in for the arrests to prevent a car chase.
The following day, undercover officers identified a car theft crew boosting cars in the same area. With help from the drone, SFPD located the suspects, spiked their tires, placed them under arrest, and recovered all the stolen property.
In both incidents, Jenkins was able to file criminal charges, and both cases are being prosecuted and are pending before the court.
Scott claims that SFPD is not violating any state laws by deploying the safety drones. According to Scott, any footage not related to criminal evidence will automatically be wiped away within 30 days. He said any police officer operating a drone is also required to be FAA-certified.
Photo: SFPD
SFPD said it hopes to expand from the six drones currently in operation. This is the first time SFPD has had air support in 24 years.
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