Holiday Crime Down in Downtown

Residents were safer shopping in downtown over the holidays and retailers were less prone to thefts.

Crime in downtown declined in 2011, with the Santa Monica Police Department reporting its biggest dip since police began beefing up enforcement during the holidays three years ago.

Extra officers patrolled the Third Street Promenade, Main Street and Montana Avenue business districts on bicycles, on foot and in vehicles to keep shoplifting, auto burglaries and robberies at bay between Thanksgiving and just before New Year's.

As a result, there was a 26 percent decrease in Part 1 crimes in the area and a five percent decrease citywide compared to 2010, according to the police department.

"We have been working the holiday deployment for three years now. In each year, we have been successful in lowering crime stats," said Sgt. Richard Lewis.

In total, there 32 Part 1 crimes reported in the downtown area and 264 citywide between Nov. 25 and Dec. 27 in 2011.

Downtown Santa Monica Inc., Santa Monica Place, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and business groups along Main Street and Montana Avenue collaborate each year to increase security.

"The huge success of the 2011 holiday deployment plan is due to the focused efforts and persistence of all personnel involved and our community partners,"
Police Chief Tim Jackman said.