So what's the deal? On January 2, the city had just patted itself on the back for reducing the murder rate in 2006 by 11% over 2005. Well, in today's Examiner, local Republican Art Bruzzone pens a commentary noting that the city has experienced a spike in aggravated assault and robbery-type crimes, and calls for an increased police presence in the city. And, as a commenter on the local chatboard SF Junto points out that while the murder rate may have dropped in 2006 compared to 2005, the murder rate is up 36% since 2003.

Will the mandatory foot patrols help? Let's hope.