Crime in San Diego dropped 13.5 percent in 2014, though three communities are still struggling with a rise in violent crime, according to new statistics released this week.
At the San Diego City Council’s public safety committee meeting Wednesday, San Diego Police officials presented 2014 crime numbers, comparing the rates to the year before.
They showed property crimes dropped by 15.5 percent and violent crimes decreased by 1.7 percent to a rate similar to the early 1970s.
However, some areas of crime did see an increase, like juvenile arrests (up 16.5 percent), domestic violence (up 2.1 percent) and rape (up 17.4 percent).
SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman said the rise in rapes is likely because more were reported after last summer’s North Park assault suspect was on the loose. Pacific Beach residents told the public safety committee that they believe it’s a function of alcohol-induced problems.
Pacific Beach, North Park and East Village all saw a spike in violent crime last year, despite the city’s overall crime rate dropping. According to the SDPD statistics, East Village was leading the city with 254 reported violent crimes last year, which include murders, rapes and aggravated assaults.
Concerned residents say it’s an issue that ultimately affects all communities.
Local
“The way it affects you in Clairemont is maybe police don’t get there fast because they've got a lot of officers in East Village, Pacific Beach and North Park, dealing with the alcohol, the stuff that spills out of the bar,” said Robert Hall with the North City Prevention Coalition.
Zimmerman also noted 48 new recruits started at the academy in the past week. More boots on the ground will keep crime down, she said.
