Officials said police-initiated activity has risen notably under the approach, accounting for more than half of enforcement actions in early 2026, compared with about 40% the previous year.
City officials in Santa Monica say new public safety data show a decline in crime and increased police activity following a shift in policing strategy, though the figures come as part of a city-led update highlighting the impact of recent policy changes.
According to data released this week, so-called Part I crime — which includes violent offenses and burglary — fell 12.5% in 2025 compared with the previous year, a drop of 599 reported incidents. City officials also reported a 3.1% decrease in calls for service, alongside a 22.9% increase in arrests and a sharp rise in traffic citations.
The figures were presented as part of an update on the city’s “Realignment Plan,” a policing strategy adopted by the City Council in October 2025 that emphasizes proactive enforcement, including increased patrols and earlier intervention in areas with frequent calls for service.
Officials said police-initiated activity has risen notably under the approach, accounting for more than half of enforcement actions in early 2026, compared with about 40% the previous year. They described the shift as a move away from reactive policing.
City data also point to a surge in enforcement activity following the plan’s full implementation late last year. From December through February, weekly arrests increased and traffic citations rose sharply compared with 2024 levels. Drug-related investigations also increased during that period, according to the city.
The update also highlighted staffing levels within the Santa Monica Police Department, which officials said has reached full sworn staffing for the first time in more than two decades. The department has added positions and continues to recruit, with dozens of applications and ongoing background investigations reported.
On the legal side, the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office reported an increase in criminal case submissions in late 2025 and a higher rate of filings for cases eligible for prosecution, according to city figures.
