SFPD reports year‑to‑date declines in most crimes but notes recent homicides, sideshows and narcotics arrests

Chief Liu reported to the San Francisco Police Commission on Jan. 21 that overall Part 1 crimes are down 44% year‑to‑date compared with 2025, and violent crimes are down 26%.

"Specifically addressing homicides, there are 2 homicides in 2026 compared to 1 in 2025," Chief Liu said, noting one victim was found with a gunshot wound in the Mission District on Jan. 15 and another died on Jan. 17 after an assault on Ellis Street. He said the Mission homicide remains an active investigation and that a suspect was detained and charged in the Ellis Street case.

Liu also described a multi‑agency narcotics enforcement operation on Jan. 15 that seized approximately 1.23 pounds of suspected fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and prescription medications and led to arrests; two suspects were in possession of loaded firearms, he said.

The chief called attention to a wave of "sideshows" — unauthorized car gatherings and stunts — on Jan. 18 that occurred across six districts, producing two arrests and the seizure of an assault rifle. "We are currently conducting investigations and follow‑up on these sideshows," Liu said, adding that the department deploys a predesignated sideshow response unit nightly and has conducted motorcycle‑specific enforcement operations.

Commissioners pressed the chief for details about motorcycle‑related sideshows and enforcement tactics. Vice President Benedicto asked whether the incidents involved cars or motorcycles; Liu replied the responses were "mostly vehicle" and confirmed targeted enforcement for motorcycles but declined to detail tactics for operational reasons.

During public comment, a woman who identified herself as the mother of Aubrey Arasakasa, murdered in 2006, urged wider publicity for tipster payment programs for unsolved homicides and asked who is now assigned as her son's investigator. The commission directed callers to the SFPD tip line and acknowledged the public's frustration with long‑running unsolved cases.

The chief also gave a brief preview of Super Bowl planning and said there was one reported shooting during the week of the report (a self‑inflicted firearm event) and other incident types were generally down for the limited year‑to‑date period.

The commission did not vote on operational matters at the Jan. 21 meeting. The SFPD said it will return materials and continue investigations as described.