Crime & Safety

Pacifica Police Release 2012 Annual Report

"This has been a challenging year for the Pacifica Police Department filled with emotional highs and lows." — Police Chief Jim Tasa

In 2012, Pacifica experienced an overall increase in crimes such as homicide, rape, robbery, burglary of 17.2% and an increase of 19.5% in crimes like arson, assault, and vandalism, according to the Pacifica Police Department's 2012 Annual Report.

The areas that affected the increase were an 115.6% increase in Commercial Burglary, 38.6% in Residential Burglary, and a 28.6% in Robbery as well as a 92.3% increase in Neglect/Abuse, Child or Elder and a 70.8% in Other Misdemeanors.

Here's what Police Chief Jim Tasa's has to say about the Annual Report:

"This has been a challenging year for the Pacifica Police Department filled with emotional highs and lows. During the year, personnel have been faced with the on-going talks of the department being outsourced to another agency. This has left the employees with the feeling of instability and insecurity. As a result, the department has seen employees leave and go to other agencies.

"While the outsourcing of the department has resulted in some emotional lows, we recognize that our personnel are our greatest asset. The continued dedication and loyalty of our employees allows us to provide a service to the community that is unmatched. Collectively, the employees of the department have over 400 years of historical knowledge, experience and service to the City.

"During the past year, we have continued to be faced with challenging economic times. Our staffing levels have been reduced, yet we continue to provide the high level of service our citizens have come to expect. We have expanded our volunteer group within the department, which includes a number of highly talented individuals that allow us to perform some tasks and services we might not otherwise be able to offer.

"The department did see an overall increase in crime during the year, however this was not isolated to the City of Pacifica as there was an increase nationally in both violent crimes and property crimes. While the department did see an overall increase in crimes, this year the city was recognized as being one of the top 100 safest cities in America.

"Grant funding continues to be a priority for the department as it allows us to provide programs to the community that we might otherwise not be able to fund and allows us to purchase equipment we might otherwise not be able to purchase. Funding this year has allowed us to continue many alcohol and traffic enforcement programs as well as the purchase of a command trailer.

"I hope you find this annual report to be informative as you gain a glimpse of your police department. Thank you for your continued trust and support in our agency and for allowing me to serve as your Police Chief."

The Annual Report provides information about the various Field Operations Division from traffic and SWAT to Police Explorer Scouts and Volunteers. It also describes the Department's role in disaster preparedness with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s 
Office of Emergency Services and what the Criminal Investigative Division does. Read the full report here.


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