2016 California Crime Report shows violent crime on the rise
Violent crime is on the rise in California, according to new data from the California Attorney General’s Office. The report, released on Thursday, also found property crime was decreasing.
In 2016, more than 174,700 violent crimes were reported, a more than four-percent increase from 2015. Violent crimes were defined as homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. The report said the property crime rate was down more than two-percent. Monterey County, however, is seeing something different.
According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, violent crime in Monterey County has gone down more than ten-percent, with the exception of homicides. Data from the DA’s Office shows there were 67 homicides in Monterey County in 2016, compared to 48 the year before.
Monterey County is also seeing an eight-percent uptick in property crimes, including car thefts, burglaries and larceny.
“The definition of larceny is theft. It could include embezzlement, shoplifting, any kind of stealing, other than using the force or fear or in this statistical breakdown, it’s not a motor vehicle theft,” said Chief Assistant District Attorney Berkley Brannon.
Brannon cautions the numbers tend to ebb and flow.
Folks we spoke to have taken precautions to keep safe, like getting security cameras and alarm systems.
“I’ve heard of some stories of people getting robbed, like that whole people stealing packages of their front porch and everything like that,” Jenny Ramirez said. “I’ve heard of those, but I haven’t heard of any in the area that I live in, in Las Palmas.”
As reports of crime go up, so does the vigilance of neighbors who use social media.
“That’s how I get my heads up. Information to say “beware of it happening around Los Olivos area” cause it’s close to home and I want to be vigilant about that,” said Guillermo Rodriguez. “To try to post pictures from the video camera that they have or surveillance cameras to take pictures of these individuals to see if we can keep an eye on that, then report it to the Facebook page or to Salinas Police Department in order to assist in that part.”
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Santa Cruz County is also releasing its crime numbers from 2016.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said the Sheriff’s Office and local police agencies have worked closely together to keep crime rates down. Law enforcement has also been working with the communities they served to be open and transparent.
“As a result of these efforts, we have seen decreases in homicide, robbery, arson and burglary. Vehicle and theft and larceny-theft increased and we will continue to address those areas so that Santa Cruz County continues to be a wonderful place to live,” said Sheriff Hart.
Crime in Santa Cruz County 2016 presents countywide statistics for reported crimes:
— The violent crime rate per 100,000 population decreased 6.5 percent from 2015 to 2016
— The property crime rate increased 1.6 percent in 2016.
— The homicide rate decreased 18.2 percent in 2016 (from 2.2 to 1.8 per 100,000).
— From 2011 to 2016, the robbery rate decreased 20.4 percent.
— From 2011 to 2016 the burglary rate decreased 40.1 percent.
— The motor vehicle theft rate increased 24.2 percent in 2016.
— The arson rate decreased 23 percent in 2016.
— The larceny-theft rate increased 1.7 percent in 2016.
