The Santa Monica Police Department released statistics today that revealed crime was down in December in the Downtown area.
To impact crime during the holiday season, the SMPD deployed personnel (sworn, civilian, and volunteers) using statistical analysis to counter the spike in incidents.
As a result, there was a 26 percent decrease in Part 1 crimes in the Downtown area and a 5 percent decrease citywide (compared to 2010) from Nov. 25 to Dec. 27, 2011.
SMPD Sgt. Richard Lewis said the holiday deployment plan was a collaborative effort between staff from Downtown Santa Monica Inc., the Santa Monica Place, the Convention & Visitors Bureau, and business groups along Main Street and Montana Avenue.
He said additional resources were allocated to increase visibility at the busiest times.
“Officers were assigned on bicycles, foot and in vehicles on the Third Street Promenade, Main Street and Montana Avenue business districts to reduce incidents of shoplifting, auto burglary, and robbery,” Lewis said. “Volunteers staffed crime prevention information booths on the Third Street Promenade as an added component to the high-visibility approach.”
Chief Tim Jackman said, “The huge success of the 2011 holiday deployment plan is due to the focused efforts and persistence of all personnel involved and our community partners.”
