Richmond Police Department
Crime Report
Council Report May 2026
Mayor Martinez, Council, and Community,
The Richmond Police Department's crime statistics for May 2026 show an increase in total violent crime and slight decrease in total property crime compared to April 2026.
Violent Crime
In the month of May, there was a decrease by 50% in the number of homicides, from 2 to 1. Aggravated assaults increased by 48%, from 52 to 77 incidents. The number of Robberies remained unchanged, with 16 incidents. Sexual assaults decreased by 8%, from 12 to 11 incidents. Overall, the total number of violent crimes increased by 28%, from 82 to 105 incidents.
Property Crime
There was a decrease in burglaries (excluding auto burglaries), by 21% from 24 to 19 incidents. Thefts, including auto burglaries, slightly increased by 3%, from 125 to 129 incidents. Vehicle thefts decreased by 8%, from 98 to 90 incidents. Arson increased by 20%, from 5 to 6 incidents. Overall, the total number of property crimes decreased by 3%, from 252 to 244 incidents.
Reports / Calls for Service
There was an 4% increase in vehicle impounds, from 242 to 252. Collision-related calls for service increased by 13%, from 144 to 162 incidents. DUI-related traffic collisions increased 20%, from 5 to 6 incidents. DUI reports decreased by 14%, from 28 to 24 incidents. Sideshow-related calls for service increased by 100%, from 1 to 2 incidents.
The total number of firearms recovered decreased by 50%, from 22 to 11.
ShotSpotter Report
A review of shots-fired activity indicates that May 2026 experienced increases compared with the previous month but remained below levels observed during the same month last year. Calls for service related to shots fired rose from 12 in April to 16 in May, an increase of 33%, while ShotSpotter activations increased from 18 to 25, representing a 39% increase. Despite these month-over-month increases, May 2026 recorded fewer incidents than May 2025, with calls for service declining by 36% (25 to 16) and ShotSpotter activations decreasing by 22% (32 to 25). Year-to-date data through May 31, 2026, further reflects this trend, with 71 shots-fired calls for service compared to 110 during the same period in 2025, a 35% reduction. Conversely, ShotSpotter activations increased from 156 to 172 year-to-date, a 10% rise.
Analysis of ShotSpotter activation locations identified several recurring areas of activity, with concentrations observed near the 7th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue corridor, within the Iron Triangle neighborhood, and in the vicinity of Cutting Boulevard and 23rd Street.
Parking Enforcement
The Parking Enforcement Unit towed 126 vehicles for being abandoned, overparked, or having expired registration, up from 125 in April, an increase of less than 1%. They issued 2,070 parking citations, compared to 5,239 in March, a decrease of 60%. The sudden decrease was due to employee vacations and/or other forms of leave. The Parking Unit responded to 321 citizen complaints regarding abandoned vehicles, compared to 365 in April. In May, 189 of these vehicles were cited or tagged with 72- hour notices, and 101 vehicles were eventually towed.
Traffic Enforcement
Officers issued approximately 117 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.
Staffing
The month of May brought a reallocation of personnel and promotions as patrol staffing continues to improve. RPD promoted two sergeants to the rank of lieutenant and three officers to the rank of sergeant. RPD assigned another detective to the Contra Costa County Major Crimes Task Force, replacing a detective whom was promoted to sergeant. The department continues to work toward bolstering patrol numbers and restoring the Community Violence Reduction Team, Bravo Unit, Traffic Unit, and other specialty assignments.
Authorized sworn positions: 147
Current sworn staff: 129 (including nine trainees in the academy)
Authorized full-time professional staff: 71
Current professional staff: 59
Council District Statistics
• District 1 experienced a 25% increase in total calls for service, from 1,283 to 1,605.
• District 2 experienced a 14% increase in total calls for service, from 1,208 to 1,378. • District 3 experienced a 7% increase in total calls for service, from 1,578 to 1,695. • District 4 experienced a 25% increase in total calls for service, from 627 to 785. • District 5 experienced a 5% increase in total calls for service, from 1,367 to 1,436. • District 6 experienced a 9% increase in total calls for service, from 1,016 to 1,111.
These statistics offer a snapshot of crime trends in Richmond for May 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
Several ongoing community concerns continue to receive attention throughout the district.
Increased complaints regarding neighborhood disputes, loud music, and parking issues have been reported near 5th Street and Bissell Avenue. The ROCK team is working with residents to address these concerns.
In the 400 block of Macdonald Avenue, officers continue addressing loitering complaints while a trespass authorization letter is being finalized. Additional patrols will remain in place until the process is completed.
Encampments and unhoused-related concerns persist at the Richmond BART station, 22nd Street and Carlson Boulevard, and near Richmond Parkway and Hensley Street.
Outreach partners, including CORE, SOS, City Services, and other involved agencies, have been notified and continue to coordinate response efforts.
Parking Enforcement personnel remain active along the 23rd Street corridor, focusing on time-limit enforcement and parking violations that impact pedestrian and vehicle safety, particularly during weekend vendor activities.
The 23rd Street Merchant Association has requested additional patrols during school commute hours and continue to support efforts aimed at improving corridor safety.
Northern District Crime and Community Issues
Northern District personnel continued addressing quality-of-life and public safety concerns throughout the district. Officers coordinated with Planet Fitness management regarding RVs and unhoused individuals occupying the business's parking lot. In partnership with Crime Prevention personnel, management obtained and posted the necessary signage to support future enforcement and trespassing efforts. Officers also responded to ongoing concerns involving unhoused individuals in the 3500–3700 blocks of Macdonald Avenue and within the parking lot of Target.
To address community concerns, officers worked special-assignment overtime focused on prostitution-related activity and other quality-of-life issues in the areas surrounding 23rd Street and 24th Street.
The Westridge Apartments remain a priority focus area for officers assigned to Beat 8.
Property management has made substantial progress in improving conditions at the complex, including the removal of most unauthorized occupants and trespassers.
Management recently installed a network of security cameras provided by Flock Safety and is working to provide the Richmond Police Department with access to the system.
Officers have continued proactive patrols and enforcement efforts aimed at deterring criminal activity and preventing the return of trespassers and squatters.
Officers also conducted traffic enforcement operations through overtime deployments in response to neighborhood concerns regarding speeding and other traffic-related issues.
Additionally, Lieutenant Dean, Lieutenant Patchin, and Sergeant Ramos participated in an evacuation drill conducted within the beat area to support emergency preparedness and response readiness.
Southern District Crime and Community Issues
Southern District personnel continued to address quality-of-life concerns throughout the district, with a focus on homeless encampments and oversized vehicle enforcement along Hall Avenue, Wright Avenue, and Meeker Avenue. Officers conducted directed patrols, engaged individuals experiencing homelessness, coordinated with partner agencies, and addressed issues related to unauthorized camping, abandoned vehicles, and recreational vehicles creating public safety and accessibility concerns. These efforts were aimed at improving neighborhood conditions, maintaining access to public roadways, and connecting individuals with available resources when appropriate.
During the Memorial Day weekend, the Richmond Police Department partnered with Code Enforcement and 4LEAF to provide enhanced enforcement and education efforts in the Point Richmond area related to illegal vending activity. Personnel conducted high- visibility patrols and worked collaboratively to engage vendors, educate them regarding applicable regulations, and encourage voluntary compliance. The coordinated effort also focused on mitigating traffic congestion, preventing blocked roadways and access points, and ensuring the safe movement of residents, visitors, and emergency vehicles during the holiday weekend.
Additional Significant Incidents from May 2026:
May 3, 2026 City of Richmond Cinco de Mayo Festival Community Event The annual city of Richmond Cinco de Mayo Festival was held along the 23 rd Street
corridor. The event was well attended and no significant incidents occurred during the festival.
May 7, 2026 2
nd Street and Silver Avenue Drug Sales Arrest
Officers were patrolling in the listed area, after numerous reports of drug sales activity in the area. Officers contacted the suspect during a traffic enforcement stop. After being asked for his identification, the suspect removed his identification from his pants pocket.
At the same time, officers observed a plastic baggie with suspected cocaine protruding
from the suspect’s pants pocket. Officers ultimately arrested the suspect. Incident to arrest, officers located 16.6 grams of methamphetamine, 6.1 grams of cocaine salt, 15 grams of cocaine base, a digital scale, and additional packaging and paraphernalia. The suspect was later booked into the Richmond Police Department jail.
May 14, 2026 3500 block of El Portal Drive Attempted Murder/Suicide Officers responded to a request of an emergency cover (Code 3) request for AMR personnel. AMR personnel located a victim of domestic violence who had an electrical cord wrapped around their neck and trauma to their head, from being struck with a hammer. The victim was rushed to a local hospital for treatment. While on scene, officers developed information of the suspect’s whereabouts and conducted a protective sweep of the suspect’s residence. Officers found the suspect had committed suicide inside their residence and the suspect was pronounced deceased. The victim received medical treatment and was listed in stable condition.
May 15, 2026 1300 block of Canal Boulevard Fatal Vehicle Collision Officers responded to a report of a body floating on the shoreline at the listed location.
Officers located the deceased subject in the water and found this subject had their vehicle keys and identification in both of their hands. Homicide Investigators conducted follow-up by utilizing FLOCK (Automated License Plate Reader) and discovered the subject was driving in the area about 12 hours before locating the subject. Investigators located video surveillance showing the subject drove their vehicle off the roadway and into the bay. After getting this video surveillance, Richmond Police Marine Unit coordinated a multi-agency response to search for the subject’s vehicle and any other potential victims. With the assistance of the San Francisco Police Department, the Oakland Police Department, and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, divers located the subject’s vehicle submerged near where the subject was located. The subject’s vehicle was removed from the waterway and no other victims were located.
May 20, 2026 Special Event Officers participated in the 2026 Special Olympics Torch Run. Richmond Police staff received the torch from the San Pablo Police Department and ran through the streets of Richmond, ultimately handing the torch off to the El Cerrito Police Department.
Richmond Police staff raised approximately $1200 in donations for this special event.
This event promotes community engagement and supports athletes participating in the Special Olympics.
May 22, 2026 3100 block of Pullman Avenue Gun Arrest Officers responded to a report of a large group loitering the in the area. Officers responded and made contact with two suspects. Officers located a loaded firearm in the possession of one of the suspects. After being arrested, the other suspect admitted the firearm was actually theirs and was also subsequently arrested. The suspects were transported and booked into the Richmond Police Department jail.
May 25, 2026 8
th Street/Maple Avenue Gun/Drug Arrest
Officers conducted a traffic enforcement stop at the listed area. Officers made contact with the suspect who admitted to possessing a loaded firearm on his person. Officers detained the suspect and removed the loaded firearm from the suspect’s waistband.
The suspect was also in possession of methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested and booked into the Richmond Police Department jail.
May 29, 2026 200 block of West Nevin Avenue Homicide Officers responded to a report of a shooting at the listed location. Officers arrived on scene and located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Life-saving measures were immediately initiated; however, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene. Homicide Investigators responded to the scene and began working leads, to include utilizing FLOCK (Automated License Plate Reader).
Investigators were able to locate a suspect vehicle and get that information out to surrounding agencies. A few hours later, Concord Police notified the Richmond Police Department they had located the suspect and his vehicle. The suspect was placed under arrest and subsequently booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.
May 30, 2026 Evacuation Drill Special Event
Officers participated in a multi-agency evacuation drill with the Richmond Fire Department and the Office of Emergency Services. The purpose of this drill was to test emergency warning systems, evaluate evacuation routes, and increase community awareness of wildfire risks.
Tim Simmons
Chief of Police
Richmond Police Department