Journalist Publicly Challenges San Francisco Chronicle's Crime Naming Policy

San Francisco, California – A local journalist has publicly challenged the San Francisco Chronicle's editorial policy on crime reporting by naming an individual the newspaper chose not to identify in a recent article. Susan Dyer Reynolds, Editorial Director of The Voice of San Francisco, used social media to name a 47-year-old man involved in a series of alleged incidents in the Mission District, directly contradicting the Chronicle's policy.

The San Francisco Chronicle, in its August 16, 2025, report on an unhoused man causing disturbances in the Mission District, explicitly stated it was "not naming under the newspaper's policies for crime coverage." The Chronicle's "Standards and Practices" indicate a general practice of not naming juvenile suspects or individuals in minor criminal matters, and carefully considering naming in initial crime reporting, especially if the story is not likely to be continuously followed.

Reynolds, a prominent conservative voice in San Francisco journalism, took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize this approach. In her tweet, she stated, "Jose Melendez is 'the 47-year-old man - whom the Chronicle is not naming under the newspaper's policies for crime coverage…' Since @MaggieAngst won’t name the Menace in the Mission, I will — along with his violent record." This direct quote highlights her intent to publicly identify the individual and challenge the Chronicle's editorial judgment.

According to the Chronicle's reporting, the unnamed man has been arrested multiple times for alleged assaults, vehicle damage, bar vandalism, and repeated violations of restraining orders. Residents have also linked him to recent fires in the neighborhood. A Superior Court judge, Gail Dekreon, was quoted in the Chronicle article stating, "He is thumbing his nose at the court, and he is a danger to the public."

Reynolds' decision to name the individual underscores a broader debate within journalism regarding privacy, public interest, and the responsibility of media outlets when reporting on individuals involved in alleged criminal activity, particularly those struggling with homelessness, addiction, and mental illness. Her action directly contrasts with the Chronicle's stated commitment to its naming policies, which aim to balance public information with minimizing harm and avoiding stigmatization.