05.04.2022 | News Release
SANDAG’s latest annual crime report , 42 Years of Crime in the San Diego Region: 1980 through 2021, finds that violent crimes, including homicide, rape, and aggravated assault, increased 3%, 11%, and 12% respectively in 2021. Robbery, also categorized as a violent crime, decreased in 2021, achieving a 42-year low.
'While the 2021 crime rates are historic lows for our region, violent and property crimes were up last year,' said SANDAG Senior Director of Data Science Dr. Cynthia Burke. 'By using the data that SANDAG has collected over the past four decades, we have a much better understanding of crime patterns throughout our communities, helping public safety agencies and policymakers develop reduction strategies that more effectively address what is happening today.”
Burglaries were at an all-time low in 2021, and when compared to rates since 1980, they continued a nine-year downward trend.
Property crime rates increased by 9% from 2020, with nearly one in every 68 residents falling victim. Despite this, property crime rates are still the second lowest during the past 42 years.
According to the new SANDAG report, an average of $668,000 was stolen per day in 2021, and only about one-third of the value of stolen property was recovered.
Other notable findings from the report include:
• In homicide cases where motive could be determined:
o 32% were attributed to an argument
o 18% were gang-related
• Aggravated assaults with a firearm were up 18%
• Violent crime against senior citizens was up 10%
• Reported domestic violence was up 3%
• Theft of motor vehicle parts was up 71%, with catalytic converters being stolen most often
• Arsons saw an 18% decrease
Since 1980, SANDAG has reported regional crime statistics for the San Diego region, releasing reports related to crime rates, arrests, drug use, and an annual public safety spending report for the region, which will be released later this spring.
These data are used by local law enforcement, policy makers, and community leaders to examine public safety trends over time, prevention, and response efforts on regional crime rates. SANDAG is the only local entity to compile and analyze these statistics across the 18 incorporated cities and the unincorporated areas of the county.
'While the 2021 crime rates are historic lows for our region, violent and property crimes were up last year,' said SANDAG Senior Director of Data Science Dr. Cynthia Burke. 'By using the data that SANDAG has collected over the past four decades, we have a much better understanding of crime patterns throughout our communities, helping public safety agencies and policymakers develop reduction strategies that more effectively address what is happening today.”
Burglaries were at an all-time low in 2021, and when compared to rates since 1980, they continued a nine-year downward trend.
Property crime rates increased by 9% from 2020, with nearly one in every 68 residents falling victim. Despite this, property crime rates are still the second lowest during the past 42 years.
According to the new SANDAG report, an average of $668,000 was stolen per day in 2021, and only about one-third of the value of stolen property was recovered.
Other notable findings from the report include:
• In homicide cases where motive could be determined:
o 32% were attributed to an argument
o 18% were gang-related
• Aggravated assaults with a firearm were up 18%
• Violent crime against senior citizens was up 10%
• Reported domestic violence was up 3%
• Theft of motor vehicle parts was up 71%, with catalytic converters being stolen most often
• Arsons saw an 18% decrease
Since 1980, SANDAG has reported regional crime statistics for the San Diego region, releasing reports related to crime rates, arrests, drug use, and an annual public safety spending report for the region, which will be released later this spring.
These data are used by local law enforcement, policy makers, and community leaders to examine public safety trends over time, prevention, and response efforts on regional crime rates. SANDAG is the only local entity to compile and analyze these statistics across the 18 incorporated cities and the unincorporated areas of the county.