Vehicle theft reports continue downward trend, arrests jump by 60% from February
Crime report numbers released by the Alameda Police Department (APD) for the month of March 2024 continue to show improvements in several key metrics. The reduction in vehicle theft was especially notable, with reports to the department dropping by almost 25% from the previous month. This was coupled with an overall 60% increase in arrests by APD officers.
During the month of March, APD officers took 700 reports from 5,468 calls for service and issued 231 traffic citations and 106 warnings. Robberies, assaults, and catalytic converter thefts remain low, with fewer than 10 reports of each type of crime during the month.
Among other statistics the department included in their monthly crime report for March:
- Officers made 114 arrests:
- 106 adults, eight juveniles.
- 46 felony arrests, 68 for other infractions.
- Drug/narcotic and drug/narcotic equipment violation reports increased from 21 in the previous month to 38.
- Reported burglaries rose slightly to a total of 10 in March.
- Vandalism reports in March were down approximately 20% from 49 to 39.
- Nine identity theft reports were made, down from 11 in the previous month.
- APD received one report each of counterfeiting/forgery and forcible rape after none the month before.
- Officers took no reports of arson, down from two recorded in February.
- Like the month before, no reports were made of homicide, human trafficking, animal cruelty, immigration violations, espionage, prostitution, or gambling offenses.
| Oct. 23 | Nov. 23 | Dec. 23 | Jan. 24 | Feb. 24 | Mar. 24 | Change Feb. – Mar. | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrests | 90 | 67 | 68 | 84 | 71 | 114 | 43 | 60.56% |
| Collisions | 64 | 48 | 65 | 48 | 66 | 69 | 3 | 4.55% |
| Auto Thefts | 137 | 118 | 135 | 114 | 123 | 94 | -29 | -23.58% |
| Recovered Stolen Vehicles | 153 | 99 | 112 | 109 | 107 | 99 | -8 | -7.48% |
| Robberies | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 5 | -5 | -50.00% |
| Catalytic Converter Thefts | 10 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 60.00% |
| Assaults | 6 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | -1 | -12.50% |
| Calls for Service | 5,544 | 5,116 | 5,273 | 5,301 | 5,234 | 5,468 | 234 | 4.47% |
| Reports Taken | 789 | 682 | 774 | 734 | 717 | 700 | -17 | -2.37% |
APD March 2024 incidents of note
Armed Robbery: On the afternoon of March 7, officers responded to the 700 block of Central Avenue for the report of an armed robbery. A victim was sitting in their car when they were approached by two subjects who displayed a firearm and demanded the victim’s property before leaving the scene. The victim sustained minor injuries and declined medical treatment. The investigation continues.
Commercial Burglary: Before dawn on March 8, officers responded to the Nob Hill Aisle 1 Gas Station for the report of a burglary. Officers found the store’s front doors had been breached and an ATM was missing. A few minutes later, officers recovered the ATM in a neighboring jurisdiction. The investigation is ongoing; officers continue to follow up on leads.
Vehicle and Bicyclist Collision: On the afternoon of March 21, officers responded to the 3000 block of Encinal Avenue for the report of a collision between a person driving a vehicle and a pedestrian. As the motorist was exiting their vehicle, they opened their door and struck a juvenile bicyclist. The bicyclist sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
Hit and Run Collision: Later in the afternoon of March 21, officers responded to the intersection of Grand Street and Pacific Avenue for a reported hit-and-run collision in which a person driving a vehicle struck a pedestrian in a wheelchair. The pedestrian was struck as they were attempting to cross the street. The driver fled the scene. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. On March 27, the driver was arrested for felony hit-and-run charges.
Vehicle and Pedestrian Collision: On March 27, just before 2 p.m., officers were called to the intersection of Tilden Way and Buena Vista Avenue for a report of a collision involving a person driving a vehicle and a pedestrian. A motorist attempted to make a right turn and struck a pedestrian in the crosswalk. The pedestrian declined medical attention.
The City and APD make these and other statistics available on the Alameda Crime Activity page of the City of Alameda website.
Adam Gillitt is the Publisher of the Alameda Post. Reach him at [email protected]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Adam-Gillitt.
