It’s essential to be aware of local crime trends and take the correct precautions when commuting, relocating, organizing events, and operating a business. Staying informed of the Golden State’s current and future crime rates will help you take the appropriate actions and preventive measures to stay safe and protect your property.
While, in some ways, California is considered a safe area, some crimes are more common here compared to other areas. The state is also home to some dangerous cities, which suffer from high levels of crime, including drug possession, burglary, motor vehicle theft, assault, and homicide.
This article explores the latest crime trends in California and sheds light on some concerning statistics. It offers valuable insights to help you plan and improve your security efforts.
Recent Crime Rates in California
Crime trends throughout California over the past few years show that various criminal activities are on the rise.
Most notably, ‘smash and grab’ robberies have been increasingly threatening stores within the state, and since 2019, law enforcement in California has arrested over 1,250 people and recovered $30.7 million in stolen merchandise. The rise of this crime is believed to be partly due to the zero-cash bail policy. It stipulates that offenders who are arrested and charged are released from custody without needing to pay any upfront bail money.
The zero-cash bail policy was initially pushed across LA during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce jail overcrowding. However, many law enforcement officers say that it, which has been recently reinstated, prompts suspects to become repeat offenders since they are swiftly released back into the community without facing any significant consequences for their actions.
While violent and property crimes increased in 2022 throughout California, total arrest rates decreased. This further indicates that the state is failing to appropriately apprehend criminals, and as a result, public safety is being jeopardized.
Hate crimes have also increased in California, rising 20% in 2022. Reported hate crimes are predominantly targeted at minorities such as black, LQBTQ, Muslim, and Jewish people. With such growth rates, California outpaced other states, which prompted action by the state government.
In 2023, the state awarded $91 million in grants to local organizations that aim to prevent hate crimes or support victims. This totals more than $200 million worth of anti-hate spending since 2021, which is significantly more than any other state.
Overall, despite various initiatives aimed at reducing crime rates in California, recent trends indicate a struggle to address the root causes of criminal behavior and ensure public safety through effective crime deterrence measures.
Most Common Crimes in California
In cities across California, certain crimes are substantially more prevalent than others, including:
- Theft: Often considered as ‘petty crimes,’ theft and shoplifting are extremely common in California, among other states. With low punishments, theft has been spiraling out of control over recent years. Currently, stealing less than $950 of cash or goods in California is considered ‘misdemeanor theft’, which is punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to six months in jail.
- Retail burglary: Organized retail crime has risen in recent years throughout cities in California, with Los Angeles being the metro area most affected by this crime in the entire country. However, significant efforts have been made to curb burglary throughout the state. In March 2024, the Attorney General of California, Rob Bonta, announced more than 27 felony charges against three men for alleged involvement in an organized retail crime operation that cost high-end stores over $300,000 in losses.
- Motor vehicle theft: Stolen vehicles, due to being high value, mobile, and easy to convert to crash, are a prime target for thieves. California currently has the highest rate of motor vehicle theft, experiencing almost 100,000 reported thefts between January and July 2023 and over 200,000 in 2022. Current penalties for motor vehicle theft are up to $10,000 in fines and up to 3 years in jail.
- DUIs: California is home to thousands of DUI incidents every year. With extensive road networks and long commutes, the state’s cities face significant challenges in preventing crimes related to driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Penalties for a first DUI offense include $1,000 in fines, up to 6 months in jail, and up to 10 months suspended driver’s license.
- Drug possession: Deaths due to lethal doses of fentanyl and other opioids have escalated across select cities in California. In response, district attorneys in San Francisco are fighting to push for tougher penalties for drug dealers and believe that charging offenders with homicide rather than drug sales will help prevent excessive deaths.
California’s Most Dangerous Cities
Some areas in California are particularly prone to high crime levels. Financial instability, urban poverty, gang presence, socioeconomic inequality, and high employment rates are all key contributing factors to a city’s level of crime.
Here are three cities that stand out as the most dangerous areas in California to live in or visit:
1. Commerce, CA
With a population of around 13,000 residents and a crime rate of 154 per 1000, Commerce is a small city with one of the highest crime rates in California. Commerce residents are considerably more likely to become victims of violent or property-related crimes compared to similar areas in the state. Increasing trends of retail burglary, motor theft, and similar crimes are likely a result of the city’s high poverty and unemployment rates.
2. Emeryville, CA
It’s established that you have a 1 in 90 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Emeryville, which is more than twice the average of 1 in 200 for California. The city is often referred to as the most dangerous small town in the US, and this unfavorable reputation is primarily due to a history of financial instability. Gang participation and drug-related crimes are rampant in Emeryville and contribute to the city’s extremely high levels of violent crimes.
3. Oakland, CA
Robbies, burglaries, and motor vehicle theft are among the various crimes that are increasing every year throughout Oakland. As a result of safety concerns, businesses are permanently closing down in the city, and streets are becoming desolate, which creates even more opportunities for crimes to occur. Despite the mayor’s efforts to further invest in the police department and deter common crimes, Oakland continues to be referred to as a Californian ghost town.
Crime Rates in California Compared to Nationwide Trends
Here are some interesting crime rate comparisons between California and the rest of the US:
- California experiences 8.7 firearm deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, which is 40% less than the national average.
- California has the US’s strongest gun safety laws, and in 2021, it had the 8th lowest gun death rate.
- While violent crime rates between 2021 and 2022 declined nationwide, California’s rate increased, sitting 24% higher than the national average.
California’s Response to Crime Trends
rime is expected to evolve in California throughout 2024 and the following years. The state is pushing new laws that aim to reduce and manage crime, including crackdowns on gun control and increased charges for offenses. As a result, crime trends in the state will shift.
For example, in March 2024, lawmakers in California introduced a new bill that attempts to fight the state’s rising retail theft. Many believe that shoplifters were not being held accountable for their actions and were getting ‘get out of jail free cards.’ With the new bill, AB 1990, officers can arrest suspects without a warrant for a misdemeanor charge if they have probable cause that the suspect is involved in shoplifting.
The prevalence of guns has also come into the spotlight, and the state is expected to take more action against the ownership of firearms in the coming years. During 2022, guns were used in 71.2% of homicides and 21.8% of assaults in California.
As Attorney General Rob Bonta stated, “While crime rates remain significantly below their historical highs, property and violent crimes continue to have devastating consequences for communities across the state, and gun violence remains a major threat to public safety.”
California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, has already taken action against rising gun violence, but it’s impossible to predict how these efforts will ultimately affect future crime rates.
The Impact of Crime on Businesses
Although action is being taken to reduce crime rates in cities across California, the recent increase in violent and property crimes will likely have a lasting effect on areas within the state.
Even when crime rates improve, their impact can result in a long-term tarnished reputation that could take a city and its businesses several years, or even decades, to fully recover from.
For instance, high crime reduces a city’s desirability, as it is deemed an unsafe location to visit. This causes tourist rates to steadily decline, which can be detrimental for many businesses, such as night-time entertainment venues, hotels, and retail stores.
Although lawmakers and mayors in California are taking steps to combat rising crime rates, businesses within the state will continue to face challenges that arise due to undesirable city reputations.
Staying Safe in California With Comprehensive Security Services
Businesses in California can safeguard against threats with strategically implemented security measures by selecting security solutions that best match their needs. Security guard services can bridge gaps in protection to mitigate, manage, and respond to crime-related threats.
Specific physical security solutions, such as access control, drone surveillance, video monitoring, and patrols, can reduce criminal activities in industrial facilities, residential areas, business premises, campuses, and other areas, promoting a sense of safety for community members.
Get in touch with our team at American Security Force today to learn more about our services and find out how we can help you stay safe and protect your business in California.
