Arrest rates in San Diego County were found at a seven-year low in 2020, according to a new report released by SANDAG.
In comparison to 2019 projections, felony arrest rates decreased 14 percent, and misdemeanor arrest rates decreased 38 percent in San Diego county. To bring that to perspective, an average of 163 adults were arrested per day in 2020, which decreased significantly from 237 in 2019.
In Chula Vista, the total arrest rates decreased 53 percent from 2016 through 2020. Compared to numbers from 2019, the total arrest rates decreased by 31 percent.
“These data clearly show that 2020 was an unprecedented year for arrests made in the San Diego region,” said SANDAG Director of Research and Program Management Dr. Cynthia Burke.
Around 1 in every 3 arrests were at the felony level in 2020, compared to around 1 in every 4 in 2016. Arrests for a violent offenses in adults decreased the least 9 percent from 2019 to 2020. The largest decrease was categorized as “other" offenses by 41 percent.
“A number of factors could have contributed to these significant declines, including a statewide stay home order that presented fewer opportunities for crimes to occur and reduced contact between potential victims and mandated reporters, such as teachers,” Burke said.
The total number of adult felony arrests Chula Vista saw in 2020 was 1,315. Of that number, 483 were aggravated assaults.
Police Chief Roxanne Kennedy addressed crime trends in an update provided to city council on Oct.12 which presented a crime index of 15:30 over 52 square miles. Kennedy said Coronado is the only other city in the county that is safer than Chula Vista.
“2020 was a very tough year. Not only for our community and each and every one of us who are here today, but it was for our police department as well,” Kennedy said.
On average, the CVPD responds to 97,000 calls for service annually. As of Oct.10, the department responded to 65,000 calls for service; of those 514 were classified as Priority 1 calls, and 11,561 as Priority 2. For the first time in 21 years during the same fiscal year, the CVPD met established goals for Priority 1 Emergency Calls and Priority 2 Urgent calls.
“Response times are important because they mean we are meeting the needs of our community,” Kennedy said. “What that means is that we can get to our communities quicker when they need us the most.”
Arrests for weapon offenses in juveniles had the largest one-year decrease by 45 percent.Property crime the least by 13 percent. Arrests for curfew violations were up 6 percent, but a greater number were arrested for motor vehicle theft and burglary. In 2020, fewer were arrested for property crimes when compared to the year prior.
Arrests in four categories for adults saw double digit one-year increases which include felony, arson, homicide, felony other drug, and felony narcotics countywide. An increase in juvenile arrests include felony burglary and motor vehicle theft.The report found overrepresentation of Black individuals in all arrest categories in 2020. Hispanic individuals were overrepresented in some categories. White individuals and those who represented “other” races and ethnicities were generally underrepresented.
SANDAG’s report considered the impact of the pandemic as the stay at home order forced some individuals to work remotely, businesses to close, and social isolation which created fewer opportunities for residential burglaries and more opportunities in non-residential burglaries. Though not directly related to the pandemic, SANDAG acknowledged 2020 as a "significant year for discussions" relating to public safety reform and law enforcement interactions with communities.
“It is impossible to say exactly how the pandemic directly or indirectly affected public safety, it is clear that a number of direct and indirect factors should be taken into consideration,” the report reads.
