With 45 people killed so far this year, SF’s homicide rate is up 5% from what it was this time last year, KCBS reports.
Seven of those homicides happened in November, alone, explained SFPD Captain Michael Biel to the Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee Monday morning.
However, Biel says, the citizens of San Francisco have nothing to worry about, offering as explanation that “none of these homicides are related or interrelated to each other.”
Which is a bit confusing — isn’t a random mess of homicide more worrisome than just one type? I made a call to SFPD’s media relations department in hopes they could help explain to Appeal readers why “unrelated” homicides are less of a concern. When they call me back I’ll update — until then, readers, why do you think this is?
In any case, the SFPD’s Biel was not confused, as he stated definitively that “I can assure you that people in San Francisco are safe and do not have to fear any incidences like that occurring to them.”
Which I will certainly remind myself the next time I am walking the dog late at night and some totally creepy guy starts following me! “I will be fine! Captain Biel said so!”
In any case, it’s worth noting that so far this year, SF’s homicide rate is far less dire than 2008’s, which ended with 98 homicides. So unless we have a really dreadful December, we’re still in better shape than 2 years ago, and nowhere close to SF’s all-time high for killings, 141, set in 1977.
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