Crime Statistics

On Tuesday, Police Chief Ramón Batista presented final crime statistics for calendar year 2023, highlighting critical data points about the department’s response to more than 100,000 calls for service. Chief Batista spoke about the department’s ongoing commitment to community-oriented policing and highlighted the use of effective technology tools to increase the positive impacts of the department’s proactive approach to addressing crime. 

Over the course of the year, total calls for service dropped slightly from 104,061 in 2022 to 103,462 in 2023.  The same year over year saw a 9.68% increase in the number of Officer-Initiated calls for service, or 2,325 additional instances of officers doing proactive engagement such as a periodic check, traffic stop, or pedestrian stop.  In our 26 public parks, our sworn officers and professional staff responded to more than 6,500 calls for service across the year.  In our city’s seven busiest parks (Palisades, Reed, Tongva, Virginia Avenue, Douglas, Clover and Memorial) officers focused on being present, increasing proactive enforcement and engagement.

Part I Crime, which includes serious crimes like aggravated assault, robbery, arson, and burglary, as well as a variety of theft offenses, increased 2.7%, a total of 129 additional incidents, or about 2.5 per week over 2022.

During the same period, Part II Crime, which is typically lesser offenses, primarily simple assaults, property crimes like vandalism, and most misdemeanors, increased by 7%, accounting for 223 more incidents than 2022.

Particularly in relation to lower level (Part II) crimes and misdemeanors, increases in crime numbers are partly attributable to officers making more stops and contacts, and subsequently making more arrests. Chief Batista continues to encourage proactive versus reactive practices that, by increasing enforcement action, make the city safer.  In 2023, officers made 284 additional arrests, 189 misdemeanor and 95 felonies.  This is an 11.6% jump over 2022.  Misdemeanor arrests rose from 1,539 to 1,728 (+189 arrests, 12.3% increase) and felony arrests increased from 893 to 988 (+95 arrests, 10.6% increase).  

The SMPD also participated in special enforcement operations focusing on homeless encampments and retail theft problems in the downtown and other areas most affected by quality of life issues. 

• The Directed Action Response Team (DART) focused on proactively addressing concerns in the downtown and beach areas, addressing 423 homeless encampments, performing 729 contacts that resulted in citations or a field interview, and making 222 arrests. 
• Officers with the department’s Special Operations Unit (SPU) and Downtown Services Unit (DSU) collaborated with the Los Angeles County Organized Retail Theft Task Force to address theft issues plaguing communities across the region.  Eight arrests were made in one retail theft operation conducted in Santa Monica in December.  The work of the regional task force led to the filing of over 200 organized retail theft cases in Los Angeles County in 2023.  The problem of retail theft is still significant, but collaboratively addressing this problem with our regional partners is already proving effective in tamping down shoplifting incidents. 

With the Department responding to more than 100,000 calls annually, making Santa Monica Clean and Safe is a team effort.  That includes our community collaborating with police by reporting crime and taking steps to make their home or business a more difficult target for criminals.  Together we can make Santa Monica a safe place to live, work and play. 

Said Chief Batista, “I am always proud to share our department’s statistics with the community because they mean so much more than just numbers.  Every call for service is a chance for one of our officers to help someone in the community, to make a connection with our department, and to know that we are committed to making sure that Santa Monica is a place for all to feel welcome and thrive.  I am excited for 2024 and the roll out of several new technological platforms and improvements that will make us even better.”

For more on police programs and how residents and business owners can help, click here.

Click here to view Chief Batista’s February 13th presentation to the City Council. You can download his full presentation here.