SANDAG
  
banner

This Month

SANDAG tracks region on livability trends
rule
Propositions bring needed funding for regional improvements
rule
Violent crime up slightly; property crime declines rule
Traded clusters may hold
key to successful future
rule
Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee
highlights accomplishments rule
San Diego comes together
to share the ride
rule
All aboard Santa's COASTER Express!
rule
Spend the holidays with MTS
rule
SANDAG Board Actions available online
rule


   the rEgion
 

Violent crime up slightly; property crime declines Meth Use by Adult and Juvenile Arrestees in 2005

During the first six months of 2006, the violent crime rate in San Diego County increased slightly from its ten-year low in mid-2005, while property crime declined, according to the latest data from SANDAG.

The Crime in the San Diego Region: Mid-Year 2006 report details crimes for all 18 cities and other county communities, and serves as a tool for local law enforcement agencies in gauging the effectiveness of various prevention programs.

A total of 6,740 violent crimes were reported to local law enforcement agencies from January to June 2006 — an average of about 37 per day. Violent crimes include homicide, rape, robbery, and assault. The 2006 mid-year violent crime rate of 4.40 per 1,000 is only slightly higher than the 2005 rate of 4.35. 

The 65 homicides committed during the first half of 2006 was a 51 percent increase from the number documented during the first half of 2005. The number of robberies also increased by 12 percent over a one-year period; and the overall five-year increase is 33 percent.

In contrast, the number of rapes during this period declined — dropping ten percent since 2005; and the number of aggravated assaults declined by two percent. The drop in rapes and assaults committed continues a five-year downward trend.

About two-thirds (65%) of the region’s law enforcement agencies reported a lower mid-year violent crime rate in 2006, compared to 2005, and 35 percent had a lower rate. The seven areas with a lower violent crime rate in mid-year 2006 included El Cajon, Fallbrook, San Diego, Santee, Spring Valley, Valley Center, and other unincorporated areas.

A total of 46,426 property crimes were reported to local law enforcement agencies in the first half of 2006, which equates to about 256 per day. The majority of property crimes (56%) were larcenies, 26 percent were motor vehicle thefts, and 18 percent were burglaries. For the third year in a row, the mid-year property crime rate decreased from 32.00 per 1,000 residents in 2005 to 30.28 in 2006. Almost two-thirds (64%) of the 25 reporting agencies had a decrease in property crime rates mid-year 2006, similar to the region. These decreases ranged from two percent in Imperial Beach and Poway to 27 percent in Santee.

Motor vehicle theft was down five percent during the first half of 2006, but the number of vehicles stolen between January and June (11,900) was still considerably higher compared to five (9,590 in 2002) and ten (9,786 in 1997) years ago. 

In addition, while the total number of residential burglaries decreased during the first six months of 2006 by five percent, the number of nonresidential burglaries increased by four percent.

The ability to analyze data and produce detailed crime reports relies on a cooperative agreement with each local law enforcement agency. SANDAG obtains crime data on a monthly basis, which allows for timely analysis. Crime statistics for January through December 2006 are expected in April 2007.

Project Manager:
Cynthia Burke, Director, Criminal Justice Research Division
cbu@sandag.org, (619) 699-1910