P.O. Box 3369
Anaheim, CA 92803-
3369
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
POLICE DEPARTMENT
DATE: JULY 15, 2025
FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: POLICE DEPARTMENT EFFORTS ON VEHICLE,
RESIDENTIAL, AND COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): NO ITEM # 17
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
ACTION:
The City Council will receive a presentation on how residents and business owners can proactively prevent vehicle, commercial, and residential burglaries and the Police Department’s efforts to combat such activity [informational item].
DISCUSSION:
At the Council meeting on May 13, 2025, Council Member Carlos Leon requested a presentation from the Police Department on proactive steps and tips that homeowners and business owners can take to secure their properties and prevent burglaries.
The Anaheim Police Department continues to implement a proactive and collaborative approach to address burglaries. Some examples of these strategies are:
1. High-Visibility Patrols
Marked and Unmarked Units patrolling areas to deter burglars Uniformed officers, including Mounted, conducting “foot-beats” to be seen in specified areas and neighborhoods
Directed patrols during peak hours (e.g., nighttime vs. daytime)
2. Crime Analysis & Hot Spot Mapping
Data-driven approaches identify areas and times where burglaries occur Resources are allocated accordingly to combat criminal activity
3. Community Policing
Officers build relationships with residents and business owners to share information and encourage reporting
Programs like Neighborhood Watch and Crime Prevention Specialists help raise awareness and provide prevention tips
4. Public Education Campaigns
Police Department Efforts on Vehicle, Residential, and Commercial Burglaries July 15, 2025
Informational flyers, social media posts, and community meetings promote safety measures and networking (e.g., lock doors, remove valuables) The Anaheim Police Department utilizes intelligence-based policing strategies, technology, and prevention efforts to help deter and minimize residential, commercial, and vehicle burglaries. These efforts include:
1. Vehicle Burglary Prevention
Plainclothes surveillance teams in high-theft areas
License Plate Readers (LPRs) are used to track stolen vehicles or suspicious activity
Encouraging community members:
o No valuables in plain sight
o Locking doors and closing windows
o Parking in well-lit areas or secure garages
Decoy vehicles with surveillance inside
2. Residential Burglary Prevention
Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED), encouraging:
o Homeowners should consider installing better lighting, trimming shrubs, enhancing perimeter security, and securing windows and doors Promote home security systems and surveillance cameras Offer vacation checks, where officers or department volunteers check homes while residents are away
Coordinate with HOAs and neighborhood groups for collective awareness
3. Commercial Burglary Prevention
Conduct security assessments for businesses (locks, alarms, CPTED) Encourage the use of timed/motion lighting systems
Patrol checks during off-hours for prevention and visibility Promote the use of video surveillance cameras with the Department’s Real Time Crime Center
The Mission of the Anaheim Police Department is to Maintain a Safe Community to Live, Work, and Play. Aligned with our Vision, we will work in partnership with the community to provide innovative, strategic, and collaborative public safety services.
Examples of investigative and enforcement efforts are:
Use of burglary suppression units or detectives who specialize in property crimes Deploy bait operations (e.g., placing valuable items with GPS trackers) Review surveillance footage and follow up on stolen goods sold at local pawn shops
Coordinate with probation/parole officers to monitor repeat burglary offenders Consider using the Ring Neighbors App or similar platforms to share crime alerts Business Crime Watch meetings and home safety workshops Partner with schools and youth organizations for early intervention Police Department Efforts on Vehicle, Residential, and Commercial Burglaries July 15, 2025
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There is no budgetary impact.
Respectfully submitted,
Rick P. Armendariz
Chief of Police