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Council Report MARCH 2026 FINAL.pdf

Richmond City Council
May 5, 2026

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Council Report MARCH 2026 FINAL.pdf
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May 5, 2026
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Richmond City Council
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Text extracted from the city's file for reading and search. Open the original on pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com. That file is the official record.

Richmond Police Department
Crime Report
Council Report March 2026

Mayor Martinez, Council, and Community,

The Richmond Police Department's crime statistics for March 2026 show an increase in both violent and property crime totals compared to February 2026.

Violent Crime

There has been no change in the number of homicides, no incidents to report for February and March. Aggravated assaults increased by 48%, from 56 to 83 incidents.

There was a 156% increase in the number of Robberies, from 9 to 23 incidents. Sexual assaults have increased by 7%, from 14 to 15 incidents. Overall, the total number of violent crimes increased by 53%, from 79 to 121 incidents.

Property Crime

For property crimes, there was a slight decrease in burglaries (excluding auto burglaries), by 8% from 36 to 33 incidents. Thefts, including auto burglaries, increased by 209%, from 88 to 272 incidents. Vehicle thefts increased by 45%, from 76 to 110 incidents. Arson increased by 150%, from 2 to 5 incidents. Overall, the total number of property crimes increased by 108%, from 202 to 420 incidents.

*Reports submitted online in February and March were imported into our records management system in the month of March, contributing to a notable increase in theft related offenses for the month of March and does not necessarily reflect an increase in actual criminal activity.

Reports / Calls for Service

In terms of reports and calls for service, there was a 14% increase in vehicle impounds, increasing from 229 to 262. Collision-related calls for service increased by 50%, from 121 to 182 incidents. DUI-related traffic collisions remained unchanged with 6 incidents.

DUI reports increased by 20%, from 35 to 42 incidents. Sideshow-related calls for service decreased by 100%, from 4 to 0 incidents. The total number of firearms recovered decreased by 130%, from 10 to 23.

Parking Enforcement

The Parking Enforcement Unit towed 111 vehicles for being abandoned, overparked, or having expired registration, up from 95 in February, a 17% increase. They issued 5,472 parking citations, compared to 4,885 in February, for a 12% increase. The Parking Unit responded to 332 citizen complaints regarding abandoned vehicles, resulting in 144 vehicles being cited or tagged with 72-hour notices to move or be towed. Of the 332 vehicles, 78 vehicles were ultimately towed.

Traffic Enforcement
Officers issued approximately 200 misdemeanor and infraction traffic-related citations.

The number of citations reported for this month-long period may be lower than the actual number issued. This is due to processing and data-entry timelines, as citations are not always immediately entered into the system. Accordingly, the figures provided should be considered an estimate.

Illegal Dumping Citations
None.

Tobacco Enforcement Citations
None.

Council District Statistics
 District 1 experienced a 23% increase in total calls for service, from 1,326 to 1,633.
 District 2 experienced a 21% increase in total calls for service, from 1,078 to 1,304.
 District 3 experienced a 17% increase in total calls for service, from 1,437 to 1,687.
 District 4 experienced a 22% increase in total calls for service, rising from 570 to 695.
 District 5 experienced a 28% increase in total calls for service, from 1,133 to 1,445.
 District 6 experienced a 18% increase in total calls for service, from 995 to 1,171.

These statistics offer a snapshot of crime trends in Richmond for March 2026, highlighting areas of concern and notable improvements. Additional statistical data and historical data can be found on our website under the Crime Analysis page.

https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/1023/Crime-Analysis

Police District Summary

Central District Crime and Community Issues

The most significant and increasing issue in the Central District is prostitution activity along the 24th Street corridor, with spillover onto 23rd Street. During the month of March, numerous arrests were made for solicitation of prostitution involving both female subjects and “Johns,” as well as arrests for indecent exposure. Officers also provided services to two of the involved females. One of these individuals provided information

that led to the issuance of arrest warrants in another jurisdiction. Additionally, two underage girls were rescued, and arrests were made in connection with that case, which remains ongoing.

Another major concern in the Central District involves parking violations and neighborhood complaints in the area of 5th Street and Bissell Avenue. The Rock has been made aware of these concerns and is actively working with the complainant to address them.

Parking Enforcement has also been coordinating with Four Leaf to address parking issues along the 23rd Street corridor, particularly during weekends.

Northern District Crime and Community Issues

Over the past month, a primary community concern has been ongoing crime and blight at the West Ridge Apartments. The complex currently has over 100 vacant units, which has contributed to an increase in illegal squatting, criminal activity, and declining neighborhood living conditions.

The Richmond Police Department has taken a coordinated, multi-department approach to address these issues. Partnering City departments include Code Enforcement, Building Inspection, the Richmond Rent Program, the ROCK Team, Richmond Fire, and the Community Prosecutor’s Office. This collaborative effort is focused on improving safety and overall quality of life for residents.

Following an intervention meeting with property management, several corrective actions have been implemented. These include replacing the on-site management team, contracting private security for evening patrols, securing vacant and problem units, conducting daily inspections of vacant units to prevent squatting, and initiating evictions for units associated with ongoing criminal activity.

RPD is supporting these efforts through increased patrol presence and by assigning the Beat 8 Sergeant to oversee this as an ongoing project. While these changes have been implemented recently, early indicators show a positive impact, and efforts will continue to ensure sustained improvement.

Southern District Crime and Community Issues

Coordinated abatement efforts were recently conducted at the homeless encampment on Hinkley Circle. As part of the operation, Oliver's Towing removed two trailers from the site, and two vehicles were processed through the buyback program. Multiple loads of debris and trash were cleared from the area, with additional cleanup already scheduled to continue the work. To prevent future parking and re-encampment, Public Works has since installed K-rails along the perimeter.

Additional Significant Incidents from March 2026:

March 02, 2026 700 National Court Wire Theft
A passerby reported observing three suspects prying boards from around a window, followed by the sound of breaking glass, as the suspects forced entry into the building.

A silver sedan parked in front of the location was associated with the suspects. Officers searched the building and located all three suspects inside. Evidence of wire theft and felony vandalism was discovered. All three were arrested and transported to RPD Jail.

March 05, 2026 S. 19th St. / Cutting Blvd DUI / Child Endangerment Officers responded to a cell phone alert reporting a traffic collision near S. 19th Street and Cutting Boulevard. The suspect vehicle had struck a parked vehicle, causing major damage to both. The driver was located and immediately stated to officers that he had crashed because he was drunk. At the time of the collision, the suspect had his six- year-old son in the vehicle. The child complained of head pain and was later treated at Kaiser Hospital.

The suspect was too intoxicated to perform field sobriety tests or provide a breath sample. He was arrested, medically cleared for incarceration, and transported to RPD.

Officers obtained a McNeely warrant, and the suspect's blood was drawn by a phlebotomist at RPD. The suspect was subsequently booked at RPD Jail.

March 12, 2026 500 block of Duboce Narcotics Sales
Officers responded to the area on a report of a possible suspect selling narcotics out of a silver Infiniti. Officers surveilled the area and observed hand-to-hand transactions via a live drone feed. Officers contacted three subjects, one of whom initially began walking away but was quickly detained. A records check revealed the subject was on searchable probation. During a search, officers located suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine, and the subject was placed under arrest for possession for sale.

The suspect consented to a search of his vehicle. Officers located paperwork bearing the suspect’s name, along with a scale covered in residue and packaging material.

March 24, 2026 100 block of 37th St. Lifesaving Event
Officers parked in the Richmond Court parking lot were flagged down by a Contra Costa Sheriff's Deputy, who requested they radio for medical aid for an unresponsive subject.

Officers located the subject on the ground, unresponsive and barely breathing.

Recognizing the signs of an opioid-related overdose, officers administered two doses of Narcan. The subject regained consciousness within minutes and admitted to using an unknown white substance prior to losing consciousness. The subject was transported to Kaiser Hospital by AMR.

Notably, the subject treated in this incident was the same individual involved in a criminal case for which one of the responding officers had recently appeared in court.

March 27, 2026 24th St. / Gaynor Prostitution Activity RPD personnel, working with the Drone as First Responder, observed the suspect in the area approaching several vehicles. A driver of a white Honda was seen circling the block three times. During one of these passes, the suspect approached and spoke with the driver. The driver then continued circling, returned to the original location, and the suspect entered the vehicle. The two drove away, at which point a traffic stop was conducted and both individuals were placed under arrest. Both were transported to RPD Jail for booking.

March 28, 2026 City of Richmond Protest
The "No Kings" rally took place on this day from 1000 to 1400 hours, drawing over 200 participants. Members of the Mobile Field Force monitored the event, which concluded without incident.

March 28, 2026 W. Cutting / Canal Sideshow
Team 5 officers received information regarding a large sideshow event anticipated to begin in Pinole at 2100 hours. This intelligence was shared with neighboring agencies.

At approximately 2110 hours, roughly 100 vehicles were observed gathering near Fitzgerald Parkway in Pinole. The group subsequently dispersed and reconvened in Vallejo before arriving at Hilltop Plaza in Richmond at 2230 hours. Officers redirected the group back onto I-80, and the sideshow continued eastbound toward Fairfield.

At approximately 0130 hours, the group briefly returned to the area of Canal Boulevard and W. Cutting Boulevard in Richmond before dispersing eastbound onto I-580.

March 29, 2026 600 block of 18th St. DUI
Officers responded to a hit-and-run in which a vehicle struck multiple cars before crashing into a house. The driver fled on foot. Raven 13 (DFR), working alongside responding officers, located the driver in a backyard. He was detained and positively identified as the suspect. The suspect displayed objective signs of intoxication and was transported to Kaiser Hospital for medical clearance, where he submitted a blood sample. He was subsequently transported to RPD Jail for booking.

Tim Simmons
Chief of Police
Richmond Police Department

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