TO: City Council DATE: May 26, 2026 DEPARTMENT: Police Department
PREPARED BY: Eric Swift, Police Chief
PRESENTER: Eric Swift, Police Chief
AGENDA TITLE: Presentation of the 2025 Annual Police Report
RECOMMENDATION
Receive report.
BACKGROUND
Annual report on 2025 crime statistics and police department activities
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Officers handled over 10,000 calls for service resulting in 1,022 reports, 416 arrests, 305 traffic citations, and seized 24.2 pounds of illegal drugs, and 18 firearms. Of the 79 vehicle collisions, only 3 were the result of DUI. Working staff was approximately 88% throughout 2025 due to a vacancy.
In general, crime decreased locally however: The notable exception was in Domestic Violence, which increased by 61.54%. Domestic Violence reports have been increasing annually over the past five years with 2025 being the highest number. There may be many factors affecting this, but we can’t really blame the pandemic.
Graffiti/gang tagging increased by 147.6%, the highest in the last 3 years.
Property theft increased by 5.65%, which is a change from steadily decreasing over the last 4 years.
The good news is we some notable decreases in Assaults which decreased by 30.5% and DUI’s which decreased by 27.47% this year.
Robberies, burglaries, and vehicle thefts are all continuing their downward trend with the lowest reports of these crimes in the past five years.
The Front office staff processed 1,022 reports, 2,051 items of property and conducted 1,164 Livescan fingerprints. They also continued to handle all the sex & arson registrants, request for documents from other agencies, insurance companies, and PRA’s.
Our Social Media team continues to connect with the community, achieving 2,520,064 million Facebook views of our posts with over 167,000 content interactions which is a 222.7% increase.
Instagram total views were over 85,000 with over 4,000 content interactions.
In 2025, the Care Response Unit’s staffing increased to 4 Social Services Liaisons. The number of homeless arrested decreased by 28.7%, which was a 3-year low. In addition, they assisted 71 people into rehabilitation for drugs or alcohol. The Extreme Weather Shelter (EWS) was operated by CRU with funds from Mendocino County through the California Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant. During the 2024–2025 EWS season, Fort Bragg faced an unusually cold and wet winter. The EWS was open 83 nights, with 644 hotel rooms, housing 107 unique individuals.
The Care Response Unit continued to facilitate the Project Right Now (PRN) grant to combat youth opioid use. PRN provided training to many organizations and business, distributing 100’s of Narcan units to community members and high schools.
One police officer was sworn in September of 2025, one full time Social Services Liaison was hired in July, one part time Administrative Assistant was hired in September, and Police Chief was hired in December.
We also had the retirement of Chief Cervenka in September.
Fort Bragg Police Department staff continued with participation in many community events throughout the year including the Walk and Roll to School Day, the PAL Fishing Clinic, the Special Olympics Torch Run, the Truck or Treat, and National Night Out.
FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE
None.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
Not applicable.
STRATEGIC PLAN/COUNCIL PRIORITIES/GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY Goal 7A. Promote the City and highlight key accomplishments.
Goal 7B. Promote the image of Fort Bragg.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
None at this time.
COUNCIL REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Receive report.
ALTERNATIVES:
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS:
PD Annual Report 2025
NOTIFICATION:
None Applicable.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8B
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT