Crimes, Calls, and Crooks....Some End of Year Stats For Your Enjoyment

How busy were we???

Calls For Service is a good measurement of the overall workload.  Calls For Service drives so much of the activity throughout the entire police department. 

In 2013 SCPD responded to 104,709 Calls For Service 

This is 127 less calls than in 2012, which had 104,836.  That is 1 less call every 2.8 days.

Thought you might like to know how we compared to other cities similar in population.  We’ll have to use 2012 numbers, because the 2013 info is not available from everyone yet.  Here is a chart that compares our activity to other cities similar in size.

Department	Population	# of Calls for Service 2012
Santa Cruz	61,955	104,836
Rocklin PD	58,295	84,485
Tulare PD	60,933	81,657
Madera PD	62,624	74,619
South San Francisco PD	65,547	71,549
Pittsburgh PD	65,664	66,145
Lodi PD	63,301	59,913
Palo Alto PD	66,363	59,815
Petaluma PD	58,921	58,165
Davis PD	66,016	58,002
Woodland PD	56,271	54,370
Yuba City PD	65,105	48,247
Walnut Creek PD	65,695	43,336
San Rafael PD	58,502	42,212
Rancho Cordova PD	66,997	27,286
AVERAGE	62,813	62,309

Not only is SCPD the busiest of these cities, but we are also 42,527 more than the average.  What it all means….We’re a pretty busy police department.

As far as arrests and cites....those numbers fell slightly in 2013. 

In 2013 we made 4,847 Arrests, which is 12.18% less than 2012 (5519).

In 2013 we issued 7,585 Cites which is 11.81% less than 2012 (8601).

In 2013 we wrote 10,675 reports, which is 6.62% less than 2012,  However, our online reports increased 22.66% to 2219. 

The new United Crime Report (UCR) numbers are up on our Website.  Here’s the quick look at those stats for 2013.
 

Crime	2012	2013	% Change
Homicide	3	4	33%
Rape	33	33	0
Robbery	83	85	2%
Aggravated Assault	313	284	-9%
Burglary	527	552	5%
Larceny (Theft)	2792	2384	-15%
Auto Theft	264	228	-14%
Arson	21	20	-5%
TOTALS	4036	3590	-11%

Overall.....We are happy to report that crime is headed downward, although there is still work to do.

We will be putting out more stats like this in the days ahead. 

Second Straight Month of Crime Rate Declines

Perhaps it doesnt seem like it, with all the crime being reported, but here is some good news on the crime front.  

For the second straight month, crime rates have declined or stayed level in many of our major crime categories when compared to last year.  Overall crime has declined by 12% year-to-date.  Here's the numbers:

Crime Category	June-13	July-13
Rape	-80%	-40%
Robbery	-25%	-20%
Aggravated Assault	Even	-38%
Burglary	-33%	-7%
Larceny	-33%	-25%
Auto Theft	-19%	-59%

Not bad considering this is typically the busiest time of year and the most taxing on our police resources.  Good job Santa Cruz!  There is still working to be done.

Our Total Calls for Service this Year-to-Date is: 63,709

We are trending 4% higher than last year's record number of calls for service. 

 
Working together we can continue to make a different and make our community a safer place to live! 

Violent Crime Data Through October

The Santa Cruz Police Department regularly reviews crime data to look at trends both in numbers and locations throughout the city. This week we took a look at violent crime data in the city (generally measured by Uniform Crime Reports/UCR data). UCR is an imperfect measurement of crime but is used as a comparison tool across jurisdictions.

Comparing Jan-Oct. of 2011 versus Jan.-Oct. 2012 the city has experienced an 8% reduction in violent crime. The strongest reductions have been in aggravated assaults and robberies. The department will continue to drill into the information to determine locations of reductions, areas where we can allocate additional resources and information about suspects/victims to determine root causes where possible.

A One Week Look at Noise and Party Calls

Here is a look at the number of calls, broken down by beat, we received this week for party, noise and loud music.

Beach: 5
Central: 10
Downtown: 3
East: 10
West: 26

TOTAL: 54

Aug. 19-26th - Week of Calls by Beat

 Here is a look at the last week of calls-for-service by beat, including the most common call types in order...

Beach - 364
Downtown - 292
Central - 807
East - 553
West - 466
Other - 13

TOTAL: 2,495

1. Extra Check/Area Check/Request for Extra Check
2. Noise/Disturbance
3. Subject Refusing to Leave/Tresspass/Loitering 
4. Alcohol/Public Intoxication
5. Suspicious Circumstances/Suspicious Person 
6. Out with Vehicle/Subject
7. Shoplifting/Theft
8. Found Property
9. Traffic Stop
10. Burglary/Vehicle/Commercial/Residential including Burglary Alarm

Noise/Party Calls: One Week Look

Each month we take a look at noise/party/music calls. However, we haven't taken a look at a one week breakdown. Here is a look at the last week - from August 19-26th.


Beach: 8
Downtown: 3
Central: 19
East: 18
West: 35

TOTAL: 83

Felony Arrests: A One Week Look

Over the last week we've taken a look at crime stats in our community - including the number of citations given in a regular week. Today we are looking at a week of felony arrests. What were they for? How many arrests were made?

From August 13-20 the Santa Cruz Police Department made 52 felony arrests. Here are the 5 most common felony arrests, in order, for that week:

1. Possession of a Controlled Substance 
2. Possession of Controlled Substance for Sale/Paraphernalia 
3. Domestic Violence 
4. Parole Hold/Felony Warrant
5. Burglary

Crime Stats: A Look at Citations

Last week we took a look at what an average week of calls looked like at SCPD. Today we are going to look at citations given over the last month. Between July 20 and August 20th the Santa Cruz Police Department wrote 853 citations. Here are the top five citations given during this past month (in order):

1. Speeding
2. Access to Closed or Restricted Areas - Restoration (Levee Closure)
3. Open Alcoholic Container 
4. Driving Without insurance
5. Cell Phone Use While Driving

Crime Stats: Recovered Stolen Cars

Each month we take a look at various crime statistics to give our community an idea of crime and call volume within our area. Today we're looking at the number of stolen cars that were recovered in our city. Not all of these cars were stolen in our city, rather, they were all located within our city by SCPD. Here is a look at January-July for the last 3 years:


2010:  90
2011:  95
2012: 123

July Noise/Party/Music Calls

Below you will find a breakdown of all party, music and noise calls we received in July. If you'd like to see where the beats are located you can click here.


Beach: 32
Central: 53
Downtown: 14
East: 71
West: 106

TOTAL: 276

April Party/Music/Noise Calls - By Beat

Below you will find a breakdown of all party, music and noise calls we received in April. If you'd like to see where the beats are located you can click here.


Beach: 18
Central: 45
Downtown: 24
East: 42
West: 103

TOTAL: 232

A Look at April Traffic Stats

As April comes to a close we wanted to give you a look into some traffic information. The data below is valid through Sunday the 29th. Here are some citation stats:

Speeding citations: 58
Failure to obey sign/signal: 23
Failure to stop at stop sign: 24
Wrong way/one way: 2

Here are some stats associated with traffic collisions:

42 total traffic collisions - 8 were collisions with injuries.

Each month we try to look at various stats and present them to the community - in the past we've shown bike theft stats, party/noise stats, calls and arrests downtown and more.

February Crime Stats

A look at crime stats from February show a mixture of reductions in burglaries and robberies but an increase in arsons and aggravated assaults.  While the total number of arsons for the year is 4 this is still an increase over last year when in January and February we had none. At this point in the year most of the numbers appear with the normal distribution range. If you're interested in seeing more crime stats you can always view our crime maps by clicking here or our crime stats by clicking here.

Crime Stats Recap: DUIs in 2011

Over the last two weeks the Santa Cruz Police Department looked at crime data from 2011. We took a look at party/noise calls, bike thefts, injury accidents, violent crime, stolen cars and downtown arrest stats. Today we will conclude with a look at DUI arrests in 2011. The following provides an overview of DUI arrests (it is not a complete list as some charges aren't captured in this list - but this provides a baseline number of DUI arrests).

2011: 165
2010: 166
2009: 199

SCPD's Predictive Policing Featured on KQED

KQED did a feature story on the department's predictive policing program. You can click here to listen to here. Their write up about the program is below:

The city of Santa Cruz has pioneered an innovative policing tool. Predictive policing uses a sophisticated computer model to analyze crimes and anticipate where they may happen next. We talk to two of the developers of the tool and to a crime analyst with the Santa Cruz Police Department about the promise of predictive policing, and other mathematical approaches to identifying crime hot spots.
Host: Michael Krasny

Guests:

• George Tita, associate professor of criminology, law and society at UC Irvine, director of the Masters in Public Policy Program, and member of the Mathematical Simulation Modeling of Crime Project
• Jeff Brantingham, professor of anthropology at UCLA and member of the Mathematical and Simulation Modeling of Crime Project
• Zach Friend, crime analyst for the Santa Cruz Police Department

Downtown Arrests: 2011 Recap

Over the next two weeks the Santa Cruz Police Department will be analyzing crime data from 2011. Last week, we took a look at party/noise calls and bike thefts. This week we've looked at the number of injury accidents in our city, the total amount of Part 1 violent crime incidents stolen/recovered cars in 2011. Today we take a look at downtown arrests. We see that downtown arrest numbers were down 16% from 2010.

These numbers provide a simple indication of crime in the downtown area. The most common arrest in the downtown area is for public intoxication. 

2011 -- 1,011
2010 -- 1,210
2009 -- 1,064

Stolen Vehicles - How Many Were Recovered? 2011 Recap

Over the next few weeks the Santa Cruz Police Department will be analyzing crime data from 2011. Last week, we took a look at party/noise calls and bike thefts. This week we've looked at the number of injury accidents in our city and the total amount of Part 1 violent crime incidents in 2011. Today we take a look at stolen cars. First, how many cars were stolen in Santa Cruz in 2011? Second, we look at how many stolen cars that were recovered. As with all numbers at this stage they are preliminary - but it provides a good look into stats from 2011.


Stolen Vehicles:

2011: 185
2010:  180
2009:  145

Local Stolen Vehicles that We Recovered:

2011: 182 (98%)*
2010:  179 (99%)
2009:  145 (100%)

In addition, we recovered vehicles that were stolen from other areas (not included in these totals).

*This number may increase as it includes cars stolen at the end of December.

Violent Crime Stats: 2011 Recap

Over the next few weeks the Santa Cruz Police Department will be analyzing calls-for-service in 2011. Last week, we took a look at party/noise calls and bike thefts. Yesterday, we provided an overview of the number of injury accidents in our jurisdiction. Today, we are taking a look at violent crime data from Part 1 crimes provided in Uniform Crime Reports (UCR). UCR data is provided by all agencies as a comparison tool. It includes crimes against property (like burglary) and crimes against people (such as a robbery). Here are the stats (with a comparison to 2010):

                     2010                  2011             % Change
Homicide         6                       1                    -83%
Rape              31                      24                  -23%
Robbery        120                    113                 -6%
Agg. Assault  396                    343                 -13%

Overall Part 1 Violent Crime Change from 2010-2011 = -13%

You can see more UCR Data on our website by clicking here.

Injury Accident Stats: 2011

Over the next few weeks the Santa Cruz Police Department will be analyzing calls-for-service in 2011. Last week, we took a look at party/noise calls and bike thefts. Chief Vogel has made providing open crime data to the community a priority. Today, we pulled numbers on the number of injury accidents in Santa Cruz. These include all documented injuries (minor to major) suffered in accidents in 2011. For comparison, we also pulled numbers on 2009 and 2010.

2011: 222
2010:  205
2009:  212

Bike Theft Stats: 2011

Over the next few weeks the Santa Cruz Police Department will be analyzing calls-for-service in 2011. Yesterday we took a look at party/noise calls. Today, we pulled numbers on bike thefts in Santa Cruz. Bike theft is one of the most frustrating crimes in our area (many of us at the PD have personally experienced bike theft). In 2011 we saw an increase in the number of bike thefts in our community (over 1-per-day) from a historic average of .65-.85 per-day.

2011: 396 thefts


Tips For Protecting Your Bike:

• Keep the bike locked (even when just running in for a short errand)
• When locking your bike use a proper heavy-duty lock and lock the bike correctly
• Write down the serial number
• Take a photo of the bike to help the community and police find the bike
• If stolen, immediately report it (with photo and serial number) to the police
• Register/license the bike