50-year low in S.F. murders

The city’s homicide rate last year neared a 50-year low as violent incidents continued their decline. Near the end of December, the city had experienced 44 homicides, a 21 percent drop from 2017’s level, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The paper also quoted Commander Greg McEachern, the head of the investigations unit who used to head up Northern Station, noting that the move to add more foot patrols to combat auto break-ins has also increased the level of expertise on the streets.