Pasadena’s Crime Rate Declines by 7% in First Half of Year

Pasadena Police Department Crime statistics for January through June of 2021. (Credit: Pasadena police Department)

Overall crime in Pasadena dropped by 7% during the first six months of 2021, with especially pronounced declines recorded in incidents of robbery, rape and vehicle burglary, police said.

Reports of robbery declined by 14% compared with 2020, with a total of 57 such crimes reported through June of this year, according to statistics released by the Pasadena Police Department.

Rapes declined from 25 to 17, representing a decrease of 32%.

Reports of assault with a deadly weapon declined by 8%, records show.

The downturn follows a spike in violent crime last year, Pasadena police Lt. William Grisafe said.

“After experiencing 58% increase in people shot and 85% increase in gun violence in 2020, we have made several key arrests and we are continuing our intelligence-led policing strategies to catch those intent on committing violent acts,” he said.

“We are also very focused on our community outreach and youth development to help reduce crime and improve life skills and decision-making among young people,” Grisafe said. “Our [Police Activities League] programming, in partnership with the city’s human services and recreation activities, is making a difference to keep young people busy.”

Grisafe credited the decreases to an increase in patrols and a lowering of police response times to priority calls to 3.5 minutes, along with old-fashioned investigating “and catching those responsible for violence and property crime before they are able to commit more crime,” according to Grisafe.

“All of this cannot be done without community policing and building relationships with our community to call the police with unusual and suspicious activity,” he added. “Many times, the reports we receive may not be about crime, but about quality of life and public nuisances. But if we can reduce those issues early, it reduces the chance for those calls for service to turn into crime stats later, which means more crime victims.”

Not all categories were down, however.

Three homicides have been reported this year through June, compared with two last year.

Domestic assaults rose by 10%, commercial burglary climbed by 16% and vehicle thefts were up 17%.

“Stolen vehicles have been trending [up] for over a year. The price of used cars has increased dramatically. That comes with the need to have engine parts and other vehicle accessories,” Grisafe said.

“This includes the trend with catalytic converter thefts,” the lieutenant added. “It is a regional problem that police chiefs are examining and directing resources.”

Recent changes in state law and county criminal justice policy have reduced punishments for many crimes, particularly property crimes, Grisage said.

“We are challenged with the court systems and the quick turnaround in which suspects are released with no resources for jobs, outreach or alcohol-drug rehab, as well as mental health services, so it is becoming a quick revolving door, especially with property crime,” he said. “We haven’t given up. We are proactive on crime and being visible.”