Why You're Not Getting Killed

San Francisco has lowest murder rate in nearly a decade

By JACKSON WEST
Updated 3:45 PM PST, Mon, Jul 6, 2009

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Thankfully, shrines to young men and women murdered in the Bay Area will prove a less common sight this year.
Liz Henry

Turns out you can reduce the levels of violent crime in San Francisco and Oakland, with both cities ticking off reductions in homicides and other incidents.

San Francisco's homicide rate has dropped nearly fifty percent so far this year compared to the same period last year, while major crimes in Oakland have declined 15 percent.

The SFPD attributes the decline to innovative policing techniques like officers walking beats in tough neighborhoods and arresting the perpetrators of earlier violent crimes.

Foot patrols and apprehending violent criminals -- who knew that would work? 

Photo by Liz Henry.

Jackson West wonders if it's a coincidence that the rate skyrocketed when officers were told to go after "quality of life" offenses instead of, you know, murderers.

First Published: Jul 6, 2009 2:50 PM PST

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