SAN FRANCISCO — A new high-tech investigation center operated by the San Francisco Police Department is being credited with a significant drop in crime citywide, CBS News Bay Area reported.
Known as the Real Time Investigation Center (RTIC), the 24/7 operations hub has contributed to more than 500 arrests since its launch and is linked to a 20% reduction in overall crime between January and early April compared to the same period in 2024, according to the report. Car thefts alone are down 42%, police said.
The center, located inside the city’s Hall of Justice, uses live video feeds, license plate readers and drone footage to support officers in the field. Teams of analysts monitor data in real time to direct police response and streamline investigations.
“This technology is the future of policing for SFPD officers, using their training and judgment supported by the best tools available to keep our communities safe as we continue to fully staff the RTIC and using drones and first responders will be a force multiplier,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “It will give officers more support, and it will help ensure that every neighborhood benefits from smarter, faster and more coordinated public safety.”
Police Chief Bill Scott said the RTIC has enabled the department to target individuals responsible for repeat offenses and high-impact crimes.
“We have been arresting people that have been prolific, people that have really damaged our city and damaged our retail spaces, damaged our reputation, made people feel unsafe,” Scott added. “Those are the people that these officers, these investigators, these analysts, and the collaborative effort of RTIC is put together to address is getting people who harm other people our city off the streets, and I think they have done a fantastic job in doing that.”
The center’s expansion was made possible by voter approval of Proposition E in 2024, which broadened the department’s authority to use surveillance tools such as drones and automated license plate readers, according to the report.
The RTIC is also part of the city’s effort to address a persistent officer shortage. The department remains short about 500 officers, and officials hope the integration of advanced technology will help attract new recruits.
Despite the reported success, the initiative has drawn criticism from privacy advocates. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has raised concerns about the scope of surveillance and the potential for misuse of emerging technologies, according to the report.
SFPD has stated that it does not currently use generative AI, though it has not ruled out future applications.
“We’re just scratching the surface,” he said. “This is probably one of the most significant paradigm shifts in policing I’ve seen in my career.”
