Solana Beach experienced an overall decrease of crime over the last year, but there was also an increase in burglary involving mostly commercial properties, according to a presentation that a San Diego County Sheriff’s captain made at Solana Beach City Hall Jan. 10.
Captain Christopher Lawrence told City Council members that overall crimes against persons decreased by 11%, including a 12% decrease in assault; overall property crime decreased by 15%, including large drops in vehicle theft. Lawrence said there were only six catalytic converters stolen over the last year, compared to 20 the year before.
Lawrence said that the use of license plate readers has helped the sheriff’s department in reducing crime in all three north coastal cities. The Solana Beach City Council voted about one year ago to allow the sheriff’s department to use license plate readers within the city, joining several other North County cities that had already authorized the technology. License plate readers have helped improve law enforcement, but have also raised privacy concerns.
“All three cities experienced a reduction in all their types of crime this year, and it’s heavily related to the use of our LPRs and the investigative tactic that provides us in the backend of these cases,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence added that shoplifting by “transitory” criminals has also been an area of concern.
“Some of the crime that we’ve seen as it relates to our shoplifting is related to organized crime, groups that are operating out of Los Angeles and Orange County,” Lawrence said. “Many of the criminals that operate in this city can’t and don’t live here, they can’t afford it here.”
On the roads, there were 34 collisions documented by the sheriff’s department, including three involving a bicycle. There were also 17 DUI arrests and seven DUI collisions.
Lawrence said that areas of focus for the sheriff’s North Coastal Station include retail theft operation, traffic safety and safe cities campaign.
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