Sharp Drop in Violent Crime in El Cerrito, Chief Tells Council

El Cerrito has seen a marked decrease in violent crime this year compared to last year, Police Chief Sylvia Moir told the City Council in an police department update presented at Monday night's council meeting.

"The good news is, in our city, violent crime is down 37 percent," Moir said. One of several slides she displayed showed 127 violent crimes for 2010, compared to 80 for 2011. The figures represent the first 10 months of each year, she told Patch.

Property crime increased by a very slight one percent, she told the council, in contrast to the public perception of a serious jump represented by a in September and October. Property crimes for January-October in 2011 were 764, compared to 759 in 2010, according to Moir's report.

Violent Crime Down

Police believe the decrease in violent crime can be attributed to several causes, including a "holistic approach to policing," "community interaction and involvement," traditional and creative crime-fighting strategies including uniformed and non-uniformed personnel, and flexible deployment of officers at times when crime is more likely to occur, she said in her council presentation.

Also important has been improved security in terms of landscaping, lighting and especially video surveillance, she said. The city's video surveillance ordinance "led to what we believe is a reduction in violent crime because suspects know it exists in our city," Moir said. "Not only do they know that it exists, but prosecutions are increased with video, and our reputation is out there in the criminal world."

Property Crime Level

To address property crime, police are using both uniformed and non-uniform officers in investigative efforts, working with businesses to combat shoplifting and holding community meetings where police reinforce basic home-security measures like locking homes and cars, keeping valuable items out of site in parked vehicles, considering alarms, neighborhood watch programs, calling police to report suspicious people and getting a from police known as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). She said police have done 27 such inspections on homes this year and have another seven scheduled.

"Property crimes are up one percent," she said. "We're committed to insuring that this trend upward does not continue. And as I told our city manager, Scott Hanin, that even one burglary, if it happens to your home, is unacceptable in our city."

Reports of Suspicious Activity Increase

In other statistics, Moir said that calls reporting suspicious circumstances and people is up 109 percent, a trend she called "fantastic" because it reflects the police outreach effort and community commitment to reducing suspicious activity.

Traffic Collisions Drop

Traffic collisions meanwhile are down 20 percent, she said, adding that the drop means El Cerrito motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are safer this year than they were last year. The reasons include the police traffic unit and significant public works improvements, particularly flashing lights on some crosswalks, she said.

Evidence storage, community service

Moir also showed several photos of the dramatic improvement in evidence storage in the aging, cramped public safety building, going from scattered and cluttered to neat and well-organized with a new evidence-processing station.

She also noted the department's commitment to service, highlighting its support of the Special Olympics in a variety of ways, including this Thursday's , where officers will act as waiters and donate their tips to the Special Olympics.

Pace Car program

Ann Cheng, In one of her last questions as mayor before turning over the mayor's gavel to fellow Council Member Bill Jones, asked about the city's , saying she had recently signed up and received her official Pace Car magnet to place on her car.

Moir said the police department has received "a positive response." She also she she's received some feedback noting, "Vehicles have a lot less metal on them now so it's hard to find a place to put a magnet." Stickers could be a good option to choose, she added.

King, the police dog

Councilwoman Janet Abelson noted that the went into service  about a year ago and asked what impact he's had.

The department doesn't have statistics for King's accomplishments, Moir said, and added, "He is not only a great tool for us in terms of apprehending people, but he actually found a gentleman that was missing, so he has tracking ability. And we are soon going to send him at almost no cost to us to a narcotic detection school."