On Thursday, San Francisco police released a video showing how drones and automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) systems are helping officers crack down on car break-ins, demonstrating the technology in action.
The use of drones and ALPR systems by police began earlier this year after the passage of Prop E. ALPR cameras were already installed in March at various locations in the city.
The clip, posted on the San Francisco Police Department's X account, shows drone video of the recent arrest of three armed car burglary suspects who were caught breaking into a tourist's car in the Exploratorium parking lot on the Embarcadero.
The teletext states that on August 22, the department's Flock ALPR system alerted officers to a red Hyundai that was a suspect vehicle in a car break-in the previous day.
The clip shows drone video captured by officers responding to the vehicle as it pulled into the parking lot at the corner of Green and Front Streets. The video shows the vehicle parked next to a black SUV before one of the suspects exited the Hyundai, smashed one of the SUV's rear side windows, and began to retrieve luggage from the vehicle with the help of a second suspect.
After loading several pieces of luggage into the Hyundai, the suspects left the parking lot, apparently unaware that they were already under the watchful eye of a San Francisco Police drone. The drone followed the vehicle, so no police pursuit was necessary until officers on the ground were able to disable the Hyundai with a spike strip.
The video shows three suspects fleeing the vehicle on foot before they are arrested by additional officers on the scene. The video shows that all three suspects were armed with loaded handguns. Police also found burglary tools and the four pieces of luggage that were stolen from the attacked SUV. The luggage and at least one passport were returned to the victims.
Police said the number of car break-ins decreased by 56% between July of last year and July 2024. The SFPD has posted additional information on its website regarding the department's use of drones.
