The "crooked" section of Lombard Street in Russian Hill is one of the city's most popular tourist destinations, and hundreds flock there daily to snap photos and drive down its curvy thoroughfare.

And because it's popular with tourists, that means it has increasingly become popular for suspected criminals as well.

In 2015, a tourist visiting from Thailand was robbed of his camera at gunpoint by two suspects, and one of them shot him when he pursued them. Police gave a high-speed pursuit that ultimately ended in the arrests of both suspects in the East Bay.

Another pair of tourists were mugged and assaulted (one of the victims was punched in the face) on Lombard and Leavenworth Streets in June as they were taking photos as well, losing cash and their camera.

And just this Wednesday, two tourists visiting from China were robbed of their cameras, reportedly at gunpoint and in broad-daylight according to the Chron. SFPD spokesperson Giselle Talkoff, said that the assailants approached the victims from behind and told one of them that he had a gun and demanded his camera. Both suspects then fled the scene on foot.

Photo: Bernt Rostad/Flickr

Residents of the crooked street have also been complaining recently, not only about an increase in crime, but of quality of life issues from visitors who block entryways, leave refuse and often end up on private property.

In response, SFPD's Central Station Captain David Lazar told us that his office is making increased efforts to combat crime in the area. "We are paying close attention to auto thefts and burglaries in the area," he said, "especially in the summer months when the number of visitors to the landmark increase."

Lazar also said that he has increased the number of plainclothes officers patrolling the area surrounding the crooked street and noted that late last June, undercover officers made an "amazing arrest" that was caught on surveillance video nearby because of the heightened presence.

And since May 8th, Central has placed a marked car on Russian Hill that will be there year-round. "Officers from Central will each spend an hour a day on Russian Hill," Lazar said. "And they'll rotate every hour so that we have someone there morning and night."

As for what his officers are paying attention to, Capt. Lazar told us that his officers are careful not to profile individuals in the neighborhood, but said instead, that they are criminal profiling, and are looking for individuals who "are driving slowly with a local license plate for example. Someone who is watching car to car potentially looking for valuables. Our officers are following them and tracking their movements," he said.

He is also increasing the number of officers in the area when tourists tend to flood the area for a prime photo opportunity such as during Fleet Week set to begin next week on October 3rd.

Problems on the crooked street are not a new phenomenon. In August of 2015, District 2 Supervisor Mark Farrell introduced an ambassadors program modeled after a similar program in Fisherman's Wharf, to work as a go-between for residents and tourists, and to establish a presence that would hopefully be a deterrent for would be thieves.

However, the pilot program doesn't yet run year round (August - October for now) and is currently only funded until June 2017. Kanishka Karunaratne, aide to Supervisor Farrell told us that their office is assessing the success of the program and is in communication with residents to gain their input as well. City funding and community input will determine if the program continues.

According to a report from Farrell's office, from July 2016 to August 2016, ambassadors called SFPD 12 times, removed graffiti from the area 36 times, removed 823 people from private property, engaged 69 assisted calls with the city's 311 Call Center, and gave out 2795 maps or publications to visitors.

Lazar regularly communicates with residents to be mindful of their surroundings and to secure cell phones and cameras while walking, but he is now looking at ways to send the same message to tourists who are visiting.

While the department is taking steps to decrease crime in the area, we asked Lazar what the best solution is to quell criminal incidents. "The simple answer," he said, is to "hire more officers."

