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Home My WebLink About19F - CRIME RPT UPDATEREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: MAY 15, 2016 TITLE; RECEIVE AND FILE CRIME REPORT UPDATE AND COMPARISON FROM CALENDAR YEAR 2016 TO 2017 {STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 1, 1f} Ch`Y MANAGER Receive and file. DISCUSSION CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: 0500• _r ❑ As Recommended ❑ As Amended ❑ Ordinance on 1s' Reading ❑ Ordinance on 2no Reading ❑ Implementing Resolution ❑ Set Public Hearing For CONTINUED TO On April 17, 2016 the City Council of the City of Santa Ana requested a crime report update. The attached exhibit contains the requested comparison of crime information, specific to homicide and shooting incidents from calendar year 2016 to 2017. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT Approval of this item allows the City to meet Goal #1 — Community Safety, Objective 1f (Enhance the Police Department's community policing philosophy to balance both traditional policing and problem solving strategies to address and reduce violent, property and gang related crimes). FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. Exhibit; 1. Violent Crime and Shooting Comparison — 2016 to 2017 --Ravi -Valentin Chief of Police Santa Ana Police Department 19F-1 19F-2 To. Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Police Chief David Valentin Date: May 10, 2018 Subject: Violent Crime and Shooting Comparison — 2016 to 2017 Attached is the requested comparison of crime information, specific to homicide and shooting incidents from calendar year 2016 to 2017. Of note, are the following highlights as a result of staffing re -allocation and re -prioritized targeted efforts to reduce violent crime in our City. I# -Violent crime and specifically, gang related crime response is based on a defensible three - pronged strategy of; Education, Prevention/Intervention and Enforcement ►Shooting incidents have been reduced by 20.21% 0- Overall homicide incidents have been reduced by 8.7% ► Assault with deadly weapon involving firearms reduced by 48.89% 0- Based on a re -allocation of existing resources, the Police Department provides 7 -day a week, Proactive gang suppression enforcement ►The Gang Unit led efforts in 2017 that directly led to a 27% increase in gun seizures, compared to 2016 and the highest number of gun seizure in 10 years by the Gang Unit ►The Patrol Division, concurrently led efforts in 2017 to a 22% increase in overall gun seizures, compared to 2016 ►Since 2017, Department wide focus has been clearly established on proactively removing guns off the streets, in order to directly impact the rates of violent crime (a clearly established correlation) ►The Department will continue to consistently evaluate incidents of crime, crime trends, regional crime data and intelligence to address violent crime, specifically gang related crime Res ectfully, AVID VALENTIN CHIEF OF POLICE f 19F-3 MEMORANDUM To: Chief Valentin From: Deputy Chief McGeachy Date: May 3, 2018 Subject: Violent Crime and Shooting Comparison — 2016 to 2017 Background The Santa Ana Police Department has taken a leadership role in reducing violent crime in our City and across the region. The Department's Crimes Against Persons Division, and the Gang Unit specifically, has adopted a multi -faceted approach that includes education, prevention/intervention, and enforcement. Working with internal and external stakeholders, the Department aggressively targets gang crime and street -level violence in a manner that sends a clear message of accountability to the offenders while working in partnership with the community to increase public safety and quality of life through trust and respect. Analysis Efforts to obtain a comprehensive understanding of crime in any community can be challenging due to the multitude of factors that affect criminal activity'. To achieve a baseline understanding of violent crime in the City of Santa Ana, the Federal Bureau of Investigations publishes statistical data annually through the Uniform Crime Report (UCR), which provides a good overview of our City. However, it is also important to acknowledge that the label "violent" is not always an accurate reflection of the actual crime. For instance, aggravated assaults could include an attempted crime (no actual injury) and robberies could be achieved through fear of possible harm without the actual use of force. The table below identifies Part I violent crime reported to the FBI: • Although Part I violent crime rose by 1.7% from 2016 to 2017, the City of Santa Ana saw an 8.7% decrease in homicides and an 11.8% decrease in aggravated assaults during the same period. • UCR data lacks specificity when analyzing street -level violent crime and, in particular, those crimes that are largely associated with criminal street gangs. • While crimes could potentially be gang related, the motive for each crime is not always clear to the Department at the time of the report. • The Santa Ana Police Department conducts a monthly analysis of crimes reported to the Department that are generally associated with criminal street gang activity to gain a better understand of those ' his://ucr.fbi.gov/ucr-statistics-their-orooer-use z Data has yet to be verified and published by the FBI 19F-4 Uniform Crime Repo Violent Crime Data 2016 2017' Change 2016 to 2017 r (1" Quarter)' Homicide 23 21 -8.70% 5 Rae 142 188 32.39% 44 Aggravated Assaults 936 826 -11.75% 184 Robbery 511 605 18.40% 117 Total Part I Violent Crime 1,612 1,640 1.70% 350 • Although Part I violent crime rose by 1.7% from 2016 to 2017, the City of Santa Ana saw an 8.7% decrease in homicides and an 11.8% decrease in aggravated assaults during the same period. • UCR data lacks specificity when analyzing street -level violent crime and, in particular, those crimes that are largely associated with criminal street gangs. • While crimes could potentially be gang related, the motive for each crime is not always clear to the Department at the time of the report. • The Santa Ana Police Department conducts a monthly analysis of crimes reported to the Department that are generally associated with criminal street gang activity to gain a better understand of those ' his://ucr.fbi.gov/ucr-statistics-their-orooer-use z Data has yet to be verified and published by the FBI 19F-4 criminal acts. This analysis expands on the generalized data above to identify crimes that include the unlawful discharge of a firearm (i.e. assault with a deadly weapon (ADW), shooting at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle, or crimes where a firearm was present but not discharged). Homicide and Assault with a Deadly Weapon Crime Data 2016 2017 Change (%) 2016 to 2017 2016 2017 16.67% Change 2016 to 2017 2018 1" Quarter) Homicides — Firearm Related 15 15 -8.7% N/A 2 Homicides —Not Firearm Related 8 6 -25.00% 3 ADW — Shooting 292 233 -20.21% 44 ADW 357 400 12.04% 73 ADW — Firearm Involved 45 23 --48.89% 7 Total Homicides and ADWs 717 677 -5.58% 129 • It is important to examine homicide cases to determine those that are gang related as compared to those carried out for some other motive. • Because the motive for the crime is not always readily apparent to the investigator, homicides identified as gang related were either verified or classified based on information known about the suspect and/or victim involved in the crime. • It is also important to note that these numbers are subject to change as more information becomes available throughout the course of the investigation, which can last for several years or more. Homicide Crime Data 2016 2017 Change (%) 2016 to 2017 2018 1" Quarter) Homicides — Gang Related 12 14 16.67% 1 Homicides — Not Gang Related 11 7 -36.36% 4 Total Homicides 23 21 -8.7% 5 • Of the 12 gang homicides committed in 2016, 11 of those involved a firearm. • In 2017, 13 of the 14 gang related homicides involved a firearm. • The only gang related homicide thus far in 2018 was committed with a firearm. • Conversely, only four of the 11 non-specific (not gang related) homicides in 2016, two of the seven in 2017, and one of the four in the first quarter of 2018 involved a firearm. • These statistics highlight the ongoing public safety concerns for the community with street level gang activity and the need to maintain a strong focus in this area. Conclusion While there was a slight overall increase in 2017, the outlook for street -level violent crime was positive in relation to the categories of homicides and assaults with a deadly weapon most associated with criminal gang activity. Furthermore, the current activity level, if sustainable throughout the balance of the year, indicates a potential for further decreases in these statistical categories. The Santa Ana Police Department continuously gathers and monitors intelligence that affects street -level violent crime. Using this information in combination with traditional policing methods, the Department has made a significant impact on street -level violent crime through a concerted effort to seize illegal firearms. 19F-5 In 2017, the Gang Unit realized a 27% increase in gun seizures over 2016 while the Patrol Division saw a 22% increase in firearm seizures during the same period. The Santa Ana Police Department will continue to aggressively understand and address violent crime in the community to ensure the safest possible conditions for those that live, work, and visit our community. These efforts include technology and human resources in partnership with the community, the school district, non-profit organizations, various law enforcement agencies, and governmental entities such as the District Attorney's office to maximize our platform of education, intervention/prevention, and enforcement. 19F-6