A DECADE OF DECLINES IN VIOLENCE AMONG SAN FRANCISCO YOUTH - July 2019 Fact Sheet

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret

The fact sheet summarizes a decade-long reduction in violent youth crime in San Francisco and its impact on juvenile justice capacity planning. It links policy action—closing the county juvenile hall by the end of 2021—to historic declines reflected in bookings and arrests. Data cited show a 64% fall in violent youth crimes from 2008 to 2018 and substantial declines in violent arrests across age groups. It also addresses homicide reporting through mid-July and clarifies that sporadic youth involvement does not justify regressive responses.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Key policy decision: juvenile hall closure

Evidence of long-term decline in violent youth crime

Booking trends and arrest data limitations

Homicide reporting context through July 18

References

A DECADE OF DECLINES IN VIOLENCE AMONG SAN FRANCISCO YOUTH Mike Males, Ph. D., Senior Research Fellow Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice July 2019 Fact Sheet The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance in June, which outlines a plan to close the county’s juvenile hall by the end of 2021 (BOS, 2019) . The decision is based on the unprecedented decline in San Francisco youth crime over the past decade which has resulted in a concurrent decline in the juvenile hall population (Tucker, 2019) . While crime rates have declined in every category, violent youth crime in San Francisco is now the lowest ever recorded. Today, with a design capacity of 150, San Francisco’s juvenile hall houses less than 30 youth (SFJPD, 2019) . According to tabulations of juvenile hall bookings for violent crimes by the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department (SFJPD), violent youth crimes fell by 64 percent between 2008 and 2018 (Figure 1) . For the last three years, the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) has failed to specify the offense type for nearly 90 percent of youth arrests in San Francisco (CJCJ, 2018) . However, arrest data over the last ten years show declines in violent arrests across all age groups, with youth accounting for the largest drop (SFPD, 2019) . Figure 1. Juvenile hall bookings for violent crimes, ages 11-18, 2008-2018 Sources: SFJPD, 2019. Figure reflects duplicated counts of juvenile hall bookings for person crimes. This year, 23 homicides were reported in San Francisco through July 18th (Barba, 2019) . Of these incidents, one victim was under age 18, seven were ages 18-39, nine were ages 40 and older, and one was not specified (BANG, 2019) . The occasional involvement of youths in violent crimes, as with the involvement of older ages, does not constitute a spike nor does it justify regressive policy decisions. In any large city, violent incidents involving all ages occur and must be addressed in ways that promote community wellbeing. References Barba, M. (2019) . Chief details ‘bad week’ as SFPD investigates series of killings. San Francisco Examiner. At: [https://www.sfexaminer.com/the-city/bayview-shooting-marks-sfs-third-homicide-in-as](https://www.sfexaminer.com/the-city/bayview-shooting-marks-sfs-third-homicide-in-as)many-days/ . Bay Area News Group (BANG). (2019). Bay Area homicides 2019: Map and details including San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco. The Mercury News. At: [https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/01/04/bay](https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/01/04/bay)area-homicides-2019-map-and-details/. Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice (CJCJ). (2018) . San Francisco police fail to specify charges in nearly 90 percent of youth arrests in 2017. At: [http://www.cjcj.org/news/12363](http://www.cjcj.org/news/12363) . San Francisco Board of Supervisors (BOS) (2019). Ordinance No. 190392 – Juvenile Hall Closure. At: [https://sfgov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3917990&GUID=3EDAB515-DF4A-44E4-9F22-](https://sfgov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3917990&GUID=3EDAB515-DF4A-44E4-9F22-)[ADE1BC86C0E4&Options=ID%7cText%7c&Search=117-19.](ADE1BC86C0E4&Options=ID%7cText%7c&Search=117-19.) San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department (SFJPD) . (2019) . Publications. At: [https://sfgov.org/juvprobation/publications-documents](https://sfgov.org/juvprobation/publications-documents). San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) . (2019). California Department of Justice. Open Justice. Arrests. At: [https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/exploration/crime-statistics/arrests](https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/exploration/crime-statistics/arrests). Tucker, J. & Palomino, J. (2019). Vanishing Violence. San Francisco Chronicle. At: [https://projects.sfchronicle.com/2019/vanishing-violence/](https://projects.sfchronicle.com/2019/vanishing-violence/) . Please note: Each year, every jurisdiction submits their data to the official databases maintained by appointed governmental bodies. While e

FAQs

What decision did San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors make regarding the juvenile hall?

In June 2019, the Board passed an ordinance outlining a plan to close the county’s juvenile hall by the end of 2021.

What trend in violent youth crimes does the fact sheet report between 2008 and 2018?

Violent youth crimes fell by 64% between 2008 and 2018 based on juvenile hall booking tabulations for violent crimes.

Does the fact sheet suggest that youth involvement in violent crimes requires regressive policy responses?

No. It states that occasional involvement by youths does not constitute a spike and does not justify regressive policy decisions; violent incidents involving all ages should be addressed in ways that promote community wellbeing.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret