Pacific Beach: Violent Crimes Up 23% over 2008

We provide many statistics in our Key Facts page found in our top navigation area.

One latest analysis looks at 2007-2009 Federal Index crimes. These are crime numbers every major city in America sends the FBI for compilation.

A major development in our beach communities is the elimination of all legal alcohol use in the beach areas. In 2007 alcohol was allowed, in 2008 a trial period was established to investigate potential benefits of alcohol-free beaches. Then, voters across San Diego overwhelmingly declared they wanted their beaches alcohol-free for good.

One big argument we’ve had as a community in removing alcohol from the beach is that crime numbers were skewed by the obvious large number of liquor licensees in Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. When it comes to Pacific Beach however, after comparing 2007 to 2008 then 2009 numbers there is what we believe an alarming trend. One that dispels the notion that business district crime numbers were skewed by beach crimes.

As you’ll see on this chart of 2003-2009_Federal-Index-Crimes there was a reduction in many crimes initially from 2007-08 but, from 2008-09 violent crimes are up 23% over 2008. That number represents across-the-board increases in most every category tracked except murder and rape (slightly down)  including: armed robbery, strong arm robbery and aggravated assault.

The murder numbers do not include those killed by drunk drivers. As always, rape numbers are ‘reported’ rapes. There are credible studies that suggest only 1 in 17 rapes are reported. We will research and report numbers for these categories at the earliest opportunity.

Do you agree or disagree about this analysis? Please leave your comments and thoughts.