Carlsbad Crime Rate Lower than County Average but on the Rise

 On April 10 SANDAG released the “Thirty Years of Crime in the San Diego Region” report. The report showed a 7 percent increase in reported FBI Index crime when compared to 2011.  Reported crime in the City of Carlsbad reflected a similar increase. 

The SANDAG report summarizes and it is important to note that most of the reported numbers were still among the lowest in the past 30 years.

“The City of Carlsbad crime rate reflects what is going on countywide and even nationally, just at a lower level,” said Fiona Everett, police department management analyst.  “Even more important, the City of Carlsbad violent crime rate is always in the bottom one-third in the county.”

Carlsbad Summary

• There were 265 violent crimes reported in Carlsbad in 2012 compared to 205 in 2011.  In comparison there were 11,838 violent crime reported countywide.
• Carlsbad’s violent crime rate is 2.46 per 1000 population which is 53% lower than the countywide average rate of 3.77 per 1000 population.
• Aggravated assault is the main violent crime category. There were 182 reported cases in 2012 compared to 154 cases in 2011.  Countywide aggravated assault cases increased to 7,840. 23 percent of this category is family related crime cases, and 13 percent of this category is reported threats of violence. Countywide aggravated assault represents two-thirds of all violent crime in 2012.
• Robbery is the next category. There were 55 reported cases in 2012 compared to 39 in 2011.   Countywide robbery cases increased to 3,200. 33 percent of the reported robberies were thefts that escalated to robbery and 10 percent were bank robberies.
• Besides homicide, rape is the smallest violent crime category. There were 26 reported cases in 2012 compared to 11 cases in 2011 and 691 cases countywide. Important note: The number of reported rapes in 2011 was significantly lower than those reported in the past five years.  The past five years revealed an average of 24 reported cases per year making 2011 the variance. Rape is a violent crime but not necessary random act.  In almost all the reported rape cases the suspect was acquainted with the victim.

•          Residential burglary did not show a significant change.
•          Non-residential burglary increased slightly in 2012. There were 198 reported cases when compared to 171 in 2011.
•          The number of vehicles reported stolen in Carlsbad was 149 in 2012 compared to 127 in 2011.  Countywide, after experiencing a 30 year low, this number increased 7 percent to a total of 12,135 vehicles stolen in 2012.

According to SANDAG, “Public safety officials are aware of the changes and are strategically addressing them.”

“Through the three-tiered approach of crime analysis, prevention and enforcement the men and women of the police department work tirelessly to combat crime,” says Police Chief Gary Morrison. “Community members can also play an essential role by being the eyes and ears of their neighborhood, being a good witness, reporting crime and suspicious activity, and removing all opportunities for crime.”

Chief Morrison also said it is important to keep statistics in perspective.  The safety, security and quality of life of those who live, work and play in the City of Carlsbad are top priority. To that end the City of Carlsbad Police Department is a full-service department that actively responds to every call for service.  The department continually looks for ways to work smarter and be more effective.  Crime Analysis Directed Policing. 

Also, the police department has many crime prevention programs and services that can help community members reduce their risk of crime and increase their quality of life.  The services can be viewed on the City of Carlsbad website at carlsbadca.gov/crime-prevention or by calling 760-931-2105.

–City of Carlsbad Police