G\T Y OF
PISMO BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
A�syo sEP��' Agenda Item #12.A
Meeting Date: September 17, 2024
TITLE:
Police Department Semi-Annual Update
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive Police Department Semi-Annual Update.
DISCUSSION:
This report provides a summary of the Pismo Beach Police Department's activities and trends for the first half of 2024. It covers crime statistics, traffic incidents, staffing levels, accreditation updates, and advancements in police technology.
Semi-Annual Department Update
In the first half of 2024, crime trends in Pismo Beach showed some changes across various categories. The number of crimes against persons, classified as Group A offenses, remained stable with 57 incidents reported in both 2023 and 2024. However, there was a 9% decrease in crimes against property within the same category, with incidents dropping from 254 in 2023 to 231 in 2024. Conversely, crimes against society, also categorized under Group A, increased significantly by 27%, from 140 incidents in 2023 to 178 in 2024. Group B offenses, which cover less severe crimes, showed a slight increase from 432 incidents in 2023 to 435 in 2024. Additionally, other case reports saw a modest rise of 3%, increasing from 454 in 2023 to 467 in 2024. Overall, the department recorded a 3% increase in incident reports.
Traffic-related incidents in Pismo Beach showed mixed trends. Traffic collisions increased by 7%, rising from 90 in 2023 to 96 in 2024. On the enforcement side, the number of traffic stops increased by 16%, totaling 2,885 stops, while traffic citations saw a 19% increase, reflecting heightened enforcement efforts.
The Pismo Beach Police Department has successfully maintained its accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) since 2007, demonstrating its commitment to excellence in law enforcement practices. The benefits of this accreditation are multifaceted, including improved agency accountability, stronger legal defense capabilities, increased government support, and enhanced community advocacy.
The Pismo Beach Police Department continues to advance its technological capabilities to improve operational efficiency and public safety. The implementation of the Citizens RIMS system has been expanded to include new crime and activity maps, providing the community with greater transparency and access to important information. Additionally, the department is working on an electronic citation (E-Citations) system to streamline the process of issuing traffic citations, allowing officers to capture driver and vehicle information more efficiently and accurately. The department will also expand its network Council Agenda 9-17-2024 12.A-1
of License Plate Readers (LPR), with new installations at strategic locations throughout the city to enhance monitoring and enforcement capabilities.
As the department looks ahead, participation in the upcoming CALEA Annual Conference will be a key focus, along with continued preparation for accreditation assessments. The Pismo Beach Police Department remains dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of law enforcement, ensuring the safety and security of the community, and fostering strong relationships with the residents of Pismo Beach.
Conclusion and Recommendation
1. Receive update and ask questions to staff.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact from this report.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Submitted by: Jeff Smith, Police Chief
City Manager Approval:
Council Agenda 9-17-2024 12.A-2