Mayor Lurie Takes Key Step Towards Opening New Real-Time Investigation Center that will Leverage New Technology to Improve Public Safety

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today took an additional step towards opening the San Francisco Police Department’s (SFPD) new Real-Time Investigation Center (RTIC) headquarters, signing legislation to accept and expend a $9.4 million grant from Ripple. The new space, donated in-kind by Ripple, will allow the SFPD to expand the RTIC technology hub with modern crime-fighting tools and will include funding for equipment upgrades made possible by donations from San Francisco Police Community Foundation and Crankstart. 

Earlier this summer, Mayor Lurie was joined by Chris Larsen and SFPD leadership to announce the new headquarters of RTIC in downtown San Francisco. With overall crime down nearly 30%, the new RTIC space will build on the mayor’s work to make San Francisco safer and cleaner. In addition to leveraging new technology to reduce crime, Mayor Lurie is working to fully staff the SFPD and Sheriff’s Office through his Rebuilding the Ranks plan, a roadmap to fully staff the SFPD and Sheriff’s Office that is already delivering results. 

“With our new RTIC headquarters, my administration is doing what San Franciscans want: doubling down on using technology smartly and responsibly to keep our city safe,” said Mayor Lurie. “Thank you to Chris Larsen and Ripple for their continued partnership in supporting San Francisco’s police officers and improving public safety in our city.”

“San Francisco should be the shining example of how to leverage state-of-the-art, coordinated public safety technology and with the right pragmatic safeguards in place,” said Chris Larsen, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Ripple, Inc. “We are proud to help usher in a new era of accountability with the launch of an enhanced Real-Time Investigation Center for SFPD and law enforcement partners that matches San Francisco's reputation as the innovation capital of the world.”

In 2024, officers in the RTIC assisted in more than 500 arrests and helped prevent numerous police pursuits by following suspects at a distance and making strategic arrests that reduce risks to the public. In the one-year period after RTIC was launched, auto theft decreased by 41% in San Francisco while arrests for auto theft cases increased by 46%. 

The legislative package signed today was cosponsored by Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey, District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio, District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter, and District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill.

“SFPD’s implementation of surveillance technology has been an absolute game changer to make San Francisco safer and to hold criminals accountable,” said Supervisor Dorsey. “I applaud Mayor Lurie for his commitment to build on that success, which couldn’t be more important at a time when we’re still working hard to solve our police understaffing crisis. I’m incredibly grateful to Chris Larsen and Ripple, the San Francisco Police Community Foundation and Crankstart for their generosity in enabling us to open a state-of-the-art Real-Time Investigation Center, which I know will continue to make a big difference for public safety citywide. I’m proud to be a co-sponsor of this legislation.”

“Keeping San Francisco safe requires recruitment to fill our shortage of police officers and technology to make policing more efficient and effective,” said Supervisor Engardio. “This investment in technology and a Real-Time Investigation Center will both catch criminals and help attract new officers to a city that shows it cares about public safety and is willing to embrace innovation in policing.”

“The Real-Time Investigation Center is an innovative approach made possible by bringing together our public agencies with philanthropic partners,” said Supervisor Sauter. “The result will be increased safety for residents and visitors to our great city. We're making real progress to improve public safety and today's announcement shows that we're serious about making San Francisco as safe as possible.”

“Leveraging technology responsibly and ethically is a critical component to keeping San Franciscans safe,” said Supervisor Sherrill. “I'm grateful for Chris Larsen's generosity in getting our fantastic police officers the tools and support that they deserve.”

“SFPD is taking another big stride in advancing our commitment to a much safer city for our residents and visitors, building on the progress we have already been making,” said Interim SFPD Chief Paul Yep. “With this new space for deploying public safety technology tools, our dedicated and hard-working officers are excited to be able to swiftly identify and arrest those who commit crime and hold them accountable. I am extremely grateful for Chris Larsen and the Police Community Foundation for their partnership and generosity to support our passion about public safety and working towards a safer San Francisco.”

In March 2024, San Franciscans passed Proposition E, allowing SFPD to expand its use of technology to enhance public safety, combat crime, and operate more efficiently amid ongoing staffing shortages. Shortly thereafter, SFPD launched the RTIC at its current location at the Hall of Justice.

The current location is equipped with technology including drones, Flock Automated License Plate Readers, public safety cameras, and other tools simultaneously to assist officers in the field. These technologies allow officers to rapidly respond to crimes and make arrests in real time, but they operate with outdated wiring and other infrastructure challenges that will be improved with the new location and updated equipment.

With the new space and technology funded by the Police Community Foundation, the SFPD will advance its use of modern policing tools with additional resources and state-of-the-art facilities.