On December 3, 2025, the San Francisco Police Community Foundation was thrilled to celebrate the official opening of the San Francisco Police Department’s (SFPD) upgraded Real-Time Investigation Center (RTIC).
“San Francisco two years ago was in the Dark Ages when it came to police technology,” interim Chief Paul Yep said. “San Francisco is now back in its rightful place, leading the nation in technology innovation.”
Following Mayor Daniel Lurie’s announcement in August 2025, the upgraded and modernized facility opened on December 3, 2025, marking a transformative milestone in the city’s public safety strategy.
The headquarters at 315 Montgomery St. replaces the original space in the Hall of Justice. No longer cramped with spotty power and poor cell reception, the new downtown hub features expansive video walls, upgraded computing systems, and modern investigative tools.
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“Everything that you see here is all brand new,” said Commander Tom McGuire. “Everything at the Hall of Justice was very antiquated, from infrastructure to equipment and software.”
The project represents a successful partnership between civic leadership, philanthropic vision, and law enforcement innovation. Chris Larsen, co-founder and executive chairman of Ripple, donated the space while the San Francisco Police Community Foundation funded the critical infrastructure upgrades needed to convert it into a state-of-the-art investigative hub.
This partnership, supported by Crankstart, Constant Technologies, Flock Safety, Skydio, Peregrine, and Vornado, demonstrates how innovation and strategic collaboration can reshape public safety.
“The word is out among organized criminal gangs that if you commit a crime in San Francisco, you’re going to get caught,” Larsen said. “We can’t be an innovation capital or a top tourist destination without getting the basics right.”
Remarkable Public Safety Results
Since the RTIC’s launch in 2024, the results have been remarkable, assisting more than 800 arrests and fundamentally changing how police respond to crime.
Officers now follow suspects at a distance using advanced surveillance technology, preventing dangerous high-speed pursuits while still achieving strategic arrests that protect both the public and officers.
Auto theft decreased by 41% in San Francisco in the year after RTIC launched, while arrests for auto theft increased by 46% during the same period.
Modernizing Public Safety
The upgraded downtown facility builds on this success by providing expanded space and cutting-edge equipment. Officers now utilize advanced surveillance technology, including drones, automated license plate readers, and public safety cameras, to respond swiftly to crimes and incidents. The new headquarters also addresses critical infrastructure challenges, replacing outdated wiring and other limitations that plagued the previous Hall of Justice location.
The expansion reflects San Francisco voters’ support for responsible technology investment. In March 2024, voters approved Proposition E, authorizing the SFPD to expand its use of technology to enhance public safety and operate efficiently amid staffing challenges.
A Model for the Future
Mayor Lurie captured the sentiment perfectly: “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.”
The San Francisco Police Community Foundation is proud to have facilitated this partnership and is grateful to Chris Larsen and Ripple for their visionary leadership. Together, we’re building a model for how technology, philanthropy, and public service create safer neighborhoods for all San Franciscans.
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