The Inland Empire Crime Blog

Keith L. Kilmer, Chief Police, announced that the City of San Bernardino experienced an 8% reduction in violent crimes during 2009, including reductions in Murder, Rape, Robbery and Aggravated Assault. Overall, crime in the city was decreased by over 3%, continuing declines from recent years.

The Chief attributes the declines to effective policing and enhanced community partnerships. “Mayor Morris and the City Council have been extremely supportive of the Police Department.

With a comprehensive public safety approach, including nationally recognized Operation Phoenix, prevention and intervention efforts now compliment traditional suppression and enforcement activities. This type of approach is exactly what is needed during this time when the state has indicated inevitable decreases in the state prison population through the release of certain non-violent offenders.”

Mayor Patrick J. Morris stated “there remains a need to continue addressing crime rates in our community and in making San Bernardino safer for families and children,” The Mayor added, “we are committed to the safety of our residents and businesses and I couldn’t be more pleased than to see the work we’ve accomplished reflected in the crime statistics we are seeing. I want to especially thank the residents and employees who are working together in this effort.”

Recently the police department has expanded its gang enforcement teams to seven days a week in an effort to impact that aspect of violent crime in the city. In addition, the department has increased its efforts in developing police-community relations by conducting citizen police academies, and developing community advisory groups to provide feedback on police operations. “In order to be as effective as possible we need information and support from our community,” said Chief Kilmer.

via City of San Bernardino – News Details.