News - How SFPD's new investigation center is "catching criminals faster" using 400 cameras and drones

San Francisco unveiled a new investigations center that is helping law enforcement collaborate with other agencies to fight crime. The Real-Time Investigation Center, or R-TIC, gives SFPD investigators access to 400 license plate reader cameras and more than 60 drones to fight crime. "Our growing network of cameras, which are part of public and private partnerships, provides valuable evidence to solve crime and catch suspects in real time." During the press conference, investigators were actively deploying officers to city streets, collaborating with law enforcement in the East Bay to make an arrest in a homicide case. "Criminals—people who commit crimes—we're catching them faster," said SFPD Commander Thomas Maguire. On the ground, license plate reader cameras ping any plates associated with criminal activity, then SFPD deploys drones to follow those vehicles, giving officers time and precise locations to respond. "Having information coming from one source is key to coordinating responses. If we're responding to a crime in progress, or if we're investigating something," said San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto. The Fire Department is also using this center to fight fires and prepare for natural disasters. "Should we have an earthquake, we can send one of our members to this location and they can view the videos with the use of the drones and identify whether our streets are passable," said SF Fire Chief Dean Crispen. Getting access to that data is also key. "Law enforcement often has lots of different systems—lots of different places where information may sit. They need that information at their fingertips. Peregrine glues all of those together and brings it into one place," said Tim Shriver, head of state and local government, Peregrine Technologies. Since opening in August, the work at this center has led to at least 800 arrests. "This center and the work of our officers is showing real results: catching and deterring criminals. Violent crime is down to levels not seen since the 1950s," said Mayor Daniel Lurie. This year, the Board of Supervisors accepted a $9.4 million donation from crypto billionaire Chris Larsen to help SFPD move their center from the Hall of Justice to the heart of downtown, where everything is now upgraded. "This could actually be a national role model for utilizing these technologies in the right way," said Chris Larsen, Ripple co-founder. License plate reader cameras are key for this operation. We spoke to Flock Safety, the manufacturer of these cameras, about privacy concerns. "How is that being addressed?" ABC7 News reporter Luz Pena asked. "If you're not involved in a crime, you shouldn't be concerned about privacy," said Lily Ho, Public Affairs for Flock Safety. Flock Safety said the only time an officer from the center would use the license plate reader cameras is to investigate a crime. SFPD also confirmed the department is not flying drones over the city looking for something to happen — they are deployed during active incidents.