SAN FRANCISCO—On August 5, the Mayor’s Office of San Francisco noted that steps were taken towards opening the San Francisco Police Department’s new Real-Time Investigation Center (RTIC) headquarters. Legislation was signed to accept and expend a $9.4 million grant from Ripple.
According to a news release from the Mayor’s Office, the new space, donated in-kind by Ripple, will allow the SFPD to expand the RTIC technology hub with modern crime-fighting tools and includes funding for equipment upgrades made possible by donations from San Francisco Police Community Foundation and Crankstart.
“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 with more than 500 arrests and helped prevent numerous police pursuits by following suspects at a distance and making strategic arrests that decrease risks to the public. In the one-year period after RTIC was launched, auto theft decreased by 41 percent in San Francisco while arrests for auto theft cases increased by 46 percent.
The legislative package signed was co-sponsored 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.”
“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 the Police Department to expand its use of technology to enhance public safety, combat crime, and operate more efficiently amid ongoing staffing shortages. The 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. The 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.
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.
