Statement on SafeWise Safest Cities Report
April 4, 2022 11:24 AM
Santa Monica is more than a community of approximately 93,000 residents and there are significant factors that make our City unique. Swelling with an average daily population of 250,000 visitors throughout the day and during peak seasons, Santa Monica serves as a jobs center and a hub for state, national and international tourism which attracts millions of visitors each year.
To provide an accurate depiction of crime in the City, it is necessary to look at of its average daily population of 250,000, not 93,000, as that provides a more accurate depiction of crime in the city. The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) did reach out to SafeWise to determine the source of their metrics. In their discussions, Safewise indicated that they do not take into consideration the daily commuter and tourism metrics and agree it does impact the overall impressions to crime. They do provide a disclaimer sharing that in their study as they understand there are a variety of factors and such metrics are not clear.
In February of 2022, the Santa Monica Police Department did a five-year analysis of Part I crimes. In their findings, there is a decrease in Part 1 crimes (Burglary, Arson, Murder, Rape et al) from 2021 to 2022 and in February of 2021 there were 740 Part 1 crimes. In February of 2022, there were 655 Part 1 crimes. In 2020 there were 598 Part 1 crimes, in 2019, 722, and in 2018, 804. Crime has fluctuated throughout the last five year but as we stand today, we are experiencing a reduction in our violent, reportable crime statistics.
While the SMPD is pleased that the overall numbers of reported crimes are down, the City and police department remain vigilant and are working hard day-in and day-out to address the crime that occurs in our community. SMPD’s Community Affairs team continues to attend neighborhood and business district meetings, host events like coffee with a cop, and working to educate our community members about crime that is occurring in Santa Monica. Our focus and attention to issues of crime and community safety is unwavering.
Supporting Information:
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics (UCR) Program Data & Pitfalls
Media Contact
Rudy Flores
Captain
Rudy.Flores@SMGOV.NET