SAN FRANCISCO—San Francisco has seen a rise in crime in 2015, particularly snatch-and-grab robberies and/or car break-ins.

According to police statistics, robberies are up 30 percent from last year and car break-ins alone are up 38 percent during the first quarter of 2015. The southern part of San Francisco, including the SoMA and the Financial District, are experiencing the highest volume of petty robberies and car break-ins.
On Geary Street, shattered glass can be found scattered along the sidewalk and notes can be seen posted by car owners in their driver’s seat window that ask robbers to please not break the window as they enter the car or that there are no valuables inside.
Police Captain Jerome DeFillippo stated that police are investigating the cause of the upward trend in city-wide burglaries, but pedestrians and car-owners can do their part in preventing theft. He encourages people to hide or remove any valuables from their vehicles at all times. To prevent street muggings, DeFilippo advises that people stay aware of their surroundings and to not be distracted by their cellphones.