BACKGROUND:
It is important to consistently review and discuss crime statistics on a monthly and annual basis and examine the historical crime data regularly to measure our existing policing model and adapt as necessary to crime trends as they develop. The Police Department utilizes current and historical crime data to deploy personnel more effectively and efficiently to assist in reducing crime and fear in the community. This presentation will consist of a five-year comparison of Part 1 crimes covering calendar years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. A second two-year comparison of Part 1 crimes will be presented covering calendar years 2020 and 2021.
DISCUSSION:
2020 and 2021 were years like none of us in Public Safety have seen or experienced.
Many cities experienced a significant increase in violent crimes and decreases in property crimes. On the other hand, many cities experienced significant reductions in violent crimes and property crimes. Across the nation in 2021, the crime of murder increased by 5% in major American cities and homicide increased a staggering 44% over 2019 according to the Council on Criminal Justice. In my research, several factors have contributed to the homicide increases across the nation which include calls to "Defund the Police", the number of guns in circulation in our Country, police officer recruitment and retention issues as well as unintended consequences of propositions and laws passed.
In evaluating our Part 1 crimes from calendar year 2017 through calendar year 2021, I looked at total number of Part 1 crimes committed each year. Our totals for each respective year are as follows. 2017 (906 crimes), 2018 (889 crimes), 2019 (746 crimes), 2020 (793 crimes) and 2021 (912 crimes). As you can see, our number of Part 1 crimes has decreased in some years and increased in others.
Our two-year Part 1 crimes saw a 40% decrease in Homicide, a 26.6 % decrease in Rape, and a 3.1% decrease in Robbery. We experienced a 30.1% increase in Aggravated Assaults, a 13.2% increase in Burglary, a 0.3% increase in Larceny and a
41.6% increase in Motor vehicle Theft. It should be noted felony domestic violence assaults are included in the overall number of Aggravated Assaults and 54 of the 108 reported aggravated assaults were domestic violence.
Overall Cathedral City experienced a 15% increase in Part 1 crimes from 2020 through the end of 2021. In 2021, the pandemic restrictions were easing, and more people were going back into the workforce and not spending as much time at home as we saw in 2020. Less people working from home presented more opportunities for home burglaries and auto theft to take place.
I reviewed surrounding jurisdictions Part 1 crimes for 2020 and 2021 which revealed a 40% increase in Part 1 crimes Palm Springs, a 21% increase in Part 1 crimes in Desert Hot Springs and Indio had a 2% decrease in Part 1 crimes. Over the past two years, Cathedral City has not experienced the significant increases in homicides as our surrounding jurisdictions.
Our city's decrease in most violent crime is attributed to several factors which include a responsive and proactive police department, having a trusting relationship with our community we serve and having a good working relationship with our allied agencies in the Coachella Valley.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None