ENCINITAS — Law enforcement updated the Encinitas City Council this week, reporting a rise in crimes against persons and a decline in property crimes since last year while also highlighting measures to enhance community safety.
Capt. Shane Watts of the sheriff’s North Coastal Station told the council on Wednesday there has been a rise in crimes against persons, with 65 more incidents than in September 2023.
According to the sheriff’s department, crimes against persons, as defined by the National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, encompasses assault offenses, homicide, human trafficking, kidnapping, abductions and sex offenses, forcible and non-forcible. “Violent crime” is not a term or category that is used or represented in NIBRS reporting, Watts told The Coast News
The report also shows assault offenses increased by 78 incidents over the same period while sexual offense cases decreased by 40% compared to 2023.
Among 269 unique case numbers generated for 318 victims, Watts said a majority of these violent incidents (60%) involved assaults between known parties, including domestic violence, while a smaller percentage occurred between individuals with no known relationship.
In addressing property crimes, Watts pointed to an increase in burglaries early in the year due to the activity of a South American theft group that targeted various cities across Southern California, including Encinitas.
The sheriff’s department observed a brief decline in burglaries from May to July, a decrease attributed to enhanced law enforcement presence in high-risk areas. However, burglaries started trending upward again heading into August, according to law enforcement data.
Overall, property crimes in Encinitas have decreased by 9% since this time last year, according to the sheriff’s report.
Catalytic converter thefts have seen a significant decrease, with incidents down by 66% this year. Watts credited this improvement to both law enforcement efforts and significant arrests made in Long Beach, a known destination for stolen catalytic converters.
Additionally, efforts to address larceny have resulted in a 10% decrease year-to-date, although an uptick in shoplifting and bicycle thefts was noted in July and August.
In terms of traffic enforcement, DUI arrests decreased by 9%, though traffic collisions increased by 7%, particularly during the summer months. Increased tourism was identified as a contributing factor.
The sheriff’s department continues to focus on traffic safety measures, including DUI checkpoints and educational initiatives aimed at e-bike safety.
Homeless outreach was also addressed in the report, noting that 25 individuals have been referred to the Buoyant Creek Navigation Center. Watts said the sheriff’s department has issued 334 citations to recreational vehicles parked illegally, part of ongoing efforts to address parking violations and enhance neighborhood safety.
During the same meeting, Encinitas Fire Chief Josh Gordon reported 2,010 emergency incidents in the second quarter of 2024, of which 74% were EMS or service-related calls.
Gordon said the Encinitas Fire Department continues to monitor incident trends over a 36-month period to assess resource allocation and readiness. Response times remain steady, with an average of 6 minutes and 44 seconds at night and 6 minutes and 13 seconds during the day, maintaining compliance with the city’s response standards.
Lifeguard activity was also highlighted, with 2,088 rescues conducted during the summer season and 2,343 recorded year-to-date. The Fire Department has also emphasized ongoing training, preventive inspections, and a newly introduced health and wellness program for firefighters aimed at improving physical and mental health support.
Gordon told the council that the department will also be launching a new health and wellness program for firefighters and putting a new fire engine into service on Thursday.
“It’s going to Olivenhain Station 6,” Gordon said. “The current apparatus is a [San Diego] County one, which will be kept as a reserve. So you’ll now see a new red fire engine, instead of the red and green fire engine, running around.”
