Crime down in Carlsbad through mid-2024

Recently, Carlsbad Police responded to a call about a theft occurring at one of the malls in the city. When officers arrived, they arrested two people who had allegedly stolen $2,100 worth of goods. But our Police Department knew the incident was not isolated.

Enter the Police Crime Suppression Team, a unit whose purpose is to identify and apprehend those who are suspected of committing crimes in our city. The team worked with officers to identify a crew of 15 people suspected of being responsible for 15 thefts from a local store, resulting in more than $30,000 in losses. Several members of this organized crew have since been arrested and charges are pending for the remainder.

That story is just one reason crime continues to drop in the City of Carlsbad.

From mid-year 2023 to mid-year 2024, the city saw an overall 4% decrease in crime, based on regional mid-year data released by SANDAG. The Carlsbad Police Department presented an update on the latest data, crime trends and department response at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

The data show that year-over-year Carlsbad experienced:

• A 5% reduction in crimes against property, including theft, robbery, burglary, vandalism, auto theft and fraud.
• A 5% drop in crimes against society, such as drug, weapons and prostitution violations.
• A 5% increase in crimes against persons — an uptick of 18 incidents, most of which were aggravated assaults in which the suspect knew the victim.

Based on the data, several national, statewide and regional trends are affecting the incidence of crime in Carlsbad. These include:

• Organized retail theft
• South American theft groups
• Narcotics

Police response

Carlsbad Police took a multi-faceted approach to address these problems, including proactive efforts and collaborating with local and federal agencies.

• This included increasing patrols in high-risk areas, enhancing surveillance, making use of the latest police technology, launching targeted operations to dismantle criminal networks and expanding community outreach programs to address the root causes of substance abuse and street-level crime.
• Additionally, the Police Department strengthened partnerships with social services that provide support for individuals effected by drug dependency and prostitution to reduce recidivism and improve overall public safety.

Organized retail theft

Organized retail theft, a growing problem in many parts of the nation, is often linked to larger criminal enterprises. SANDAG’s data show that 68% of the crimes reported in Carlsbad in 2023 were property related, with larceny (theft) making up about 45% of those crimes.

• In response, the Police Department partnered with retail managers and mall security teams to identify patterns of thefts, discuss preventative measures and deploy officers and the mall security teams during peak theft hours
• The police Department also conducted extra patrols and used marked surveillance trailers, the mobile command post and the department’s surveillance tower as visual deterrents at malls and shopping centers.

These efforts led to the ultimate arrest of several suspects who were operating throughout the region.

South American theft groups

South American theft groups, or theft rings, are organized crime networks primarily originating from countries in South America. These groups are known for operating in various countries worldwide, often focusing on specific types of theft and high-value targets. Some of the crimes these groups are known for include residential burglaries in affluent neighborhoods, organized shoplifting and pickpocketing or distraction theft.

In 2024, through an extensive investigation that began in late 2023, Carlsbad officers arrested three foreign national suspects, who were charged with multiple counts of burglary in multiple states. The city experienced a drastic decrease in residential burglaries in the following months.

Narcotics, Vice

The department also strives to curtail crimes against society, such as illegal narcotics and prostitution.

The current drug crisis is marked by an alarming rise in both synthetic and traditional drugs, contributing to significant public health and societal issues. Drug production and distribution remain widespread globally, and the impacts are felt in Carlsbad and across the country.

The Police Department’s Vice Narcotic Intelligence Unit conducts proactive investigations in the enforcement of drug, massage and prostitution laws. These cases are often complex and convoluted, and detectives must use various investigative techniques to identify the people who are committing these offenses, as well as conducting proactive details to apprehend them.

Community collaboration

The Police Department recognizes that building strong relationships with the community is crucial for ensuring public safety and began hosting town hall-style meetings last year.

• These meetings, some of which more than 100 members of the community attended, provide the Police Department the opportunity to discuss ongoing crime trends as well as preventative measures with residents.
• The public forum also gives residents the opportunity to ask questions and voice their concerns directly to their police department.

The department has hosted 10 community meetings over the past year focused on home burglary prevention. Officers discussed recent residential burglaries with residents, shared information on public safety initiatives, and provided prevention tips.