On January 8, 2026, San Francisco marked a significant milestone: the first anniversary of Daniel Lurie’s tenure as mayor. For residents and city officials alike, it was a moment to reflect, take stock, and ask whether Lurie’s ambitious campaign promises—especially around public safety—had translated into real change on the city’s streets. The answer, it seems, is a resounding yes, at least according to the numbers and the city’s top law enforcement officials.
When Daniel Lurie entered City Hall in early 2025, he did so with a clear mandate. As reported by KION 46, Lurie made it known that his biggest priority would be making sure people in San Francisco felt safe. That promise resonated deeply in a city grappling with high-profile crimes, widespread concerns about property theft, and a sense that the city’s best days might be behind it. Lurie’s campaign, which ultimately saw him triumph over incumbent London Breed in the 14th round of ranked choice voting in 2024, centered on a vision of public safety and a revitalized San Francisco.
“My top priority is ensuring that residents feel safe in their neighborhoods,” Lurie declared upon taking office, according to multiple local news reports. It wasn’t just rhetoric; it was a challenge to himself and his administration, a line in the sand drawn for all to see.
Fast forward one year, and the city’s crime statistics tell a story of dramatic change. According to NBC Bay Area, San Francisco’s overall violent crime dropped by 25% in 2025, with the homicide rate reaching its lowest point since the 1950s. That’s not a typo—decades of fluctuating crime rates have rarely delivered a year as peaceful as this past one. The police chief, in a statement late last week, announced that crime had hit historic lows in 2025, a development that many residents are still digesting.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who has played a key role in the city’s public safety strategy, spoke at length about the accomplishment. During an interview with NBC Bay Area, Jenkins emphasized the collaborative effort that led to these results. She highlighted the importance of coordination between the mayor’s office, law enforcement, and community organizations, noting, “It’s taken a lot of hard work across departments to reach this point.”
Breaking down the numbers further, the data reveals some startling improvements. Robberies fell by 24% in 2025, while car break-ins—a persistent thorn in the city’s side—plummeted by an astonishing 43%. For a city where stories of smashed windows and stolen belongings had become a grim routine, this sharp decline is nothing short of remarkable. Residents who once hesitated to park on certain streets are now expressing cautious optimism about the city’s trajectory.
Of course, it wasn’t just the mayor’s office or the police department working in isolation. According to District Attorney Jenkins, a holistic approach was key. “We focused not just on enforcement, but also on prevention and community engagement,” she explained. This meant investing in programs aimed at keeping youth out of trouble, supporting victims, and fostering stronger ties between officers and the neighborhoods they serve.
Mayor Lurie’s victory in 2024 was itself a testament to the city’s hunger for change. The election, which went through 14 rounds of ranked choice voting, was a nail-biter. Lurie’s message of safety and revitalization ultimately won the day, but it also set expectations sky-high. As the anniversary approached, some wondered whether the administration would be able to deliver on its promises.
For many, the answer lies not just in statistics, but in the changing mood of the city. “When Daniel Lurie became mayor, his top priority was ensuring city residents felt safe,” residents recalled, as reported by KION 46 and other outlets. Now, with a year of data in hand, there’s a growing sense that the city is turning a corner.
Still, challenges remain. While the drop in crime is cause for celebration, city leaders are quick to point out that progress must be sustained. “We can’t rest on our laurels,” Jenkins cautioned. “There’s still work to do to make sure these gains are lasting and that every neighborhood feels the impact.”
Some residents remain skeptical, pointing to persistent issues with homelessness and visible drug use in certain neighborhoods. Others wonder whether the dramatic drop in crime can be maintained, or if it’s simply a temporary blip. City officials, for their part, insist that the progress is real—and that the strategies put in place over the past year are designed for the long haul.
The revitalization of San Francisco was another key plank of Lurie’s campaign, and while public safety has dominated headlines, efforts to breathe new life into the city’s downtown and neighborhoods are ongoing. Business owners, who once faced daily headaches from theft and vandalism, are beginning to see a shift. “It feels different out there,” one shopkeeper told local reporters. “There’s more foot traffic, and people seem less anxious.”
Looking back, it’s clear that Lurie’s first year in office has been defined by a relentless focus on safety. The mayor’s approach, blending tough enforcement with community engagement and prevention, appears to be paying off. The lowest homicide rate since the 1950s is more than just a statistic—it’s a sign that a new chapter may be unfolding for San Francisco.
But as any city leader will tell you, the work is never done. The coming months will test whether San Francisco can maintain its momentum, address lingering challenges, and continue to build a city where all residents feel secure. For now, though, as the city looks back on Daniel Lurie’s first year as mayor, there’s a sense of cautious optimism—and a renewed belief in what’s possible when a city comes together with a common purpose.
San Francisco’s story, as it often does, continues to evolve. Yet for the first time in years, the narrative is one of hope, progress, and the tangible results of a promise kept.
