Santa Barbara Police Release Crime Data
Source: Santa Barbara Police Department
A summary of response times and recent crime data for the City of Santa Barbara collected by the Police Department and provided to the Mayor and City Council. The following are some highlights:
Response Times: The average response times to Priority 1 (emergency life threatening) and Priority 2 (emergency non-life threatening) calls for service met the performance objectives of seven minutes and 14.5 minutes or less, respectively, for these call types. The average response times however for Priority 3 (non-emergency) and Priority 4 (routine) calls for service did not meet performance objectives. State mandated officer training requirements negatively impacted patrol staffing during this period resulting in longer response times.
Positive Trends: The rate of robberies has been experiencing a strong downward trend. Year to date there has been a 33% decrease in robberies compared to the year to date figure from 2013, and a 49% decrease compared to the same period in 2012. The overall rate of property crimes is also significantly lower than previous years. Year to date there has been a 23% decrease in property crimes compared to the year to date figure from 2013, and a 34% decrease compared to the same period in 2012. Of property crimes, the decrease in the rate of burglaries and thefts from vehicles has been significant. Year to date there has been a 27% decrease in burglaries and thefts from vehicles compared to the year to date figure from 2013, and a 54% decrease compared to the same period in 2009, the highest of the last five years.
Areas of Concern: Narcotics detectives report an abundance of methamphetamine on the streets due to the drug’s current low price. Since 2013 methamphetamine arrests have exceeded those of all other drugs, even marijuana. Bicycle traffic collisions continue and upward trend. Year to date there has been a 19% increase in bicycle traffic collisions compared to the year to date figure from 2013, and a 29% increase compared to the same period in 2012.
-Sgt. Riley L. Harwood, Public Information Officer for Santa Barbara Police Department
