For the second month in a row, Alameda Police Department’s October data show that reports of vehicle theft have remained low and have even decreased slightly over September’s numbers. Compared to last year at this time, however, vehicle theft has decreased even more, down by more than 61%. APD recovered nearly 40% more stolen vehicles than the previous month, as well. Catalytic converter thefts increased slightly from the previous month.
Otherwise, on Alameda’s roads, APD officers issued 133 traffic citations in October, fewer than 50% of the number issued the month before, and 98 warnings, up from 80 in September. Alameda police made 11 arrests for driving under the influence, up from seven during the previous month. Alameda drivers were involved in 16 more collisions in October, an increase of 25% over the previous month.
Officers fielded 10 reports of aggravated assault during the month, and 45 for simple assault. A total of 63 reports were made for shoplifting, down from 85 in the previous month, and vandalism reports jumped from 34 to 51. In an encouraging sign, drug/narcotic and equipment violation reports plummeted by more than 50% to only 12.
Otherwise, October’s data show one report of rape, two reports of animal cruelty, three reports of identity theft, and four reports of arson. No reports were made during the month for homicide, extortion, immigration violations, human trafficking, or prostitution.
| Oct. 23 | May 24 | Jun. 24 | Jul. 24 | Aug. 24 | Sep. 24 | Oct. 24 | Change Sep. – Oct. | Difference % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrests | 90 | 94 | 96 | 89 | 80 | 86 | 87 | 1 | 1.16% |
| Collisions | 64 | 67 | 71 | 59 | 75 | 64 | 80 | 16 | 25.00% |
| Auto Thefts | 137 | 98 | 87 | 106 | 60 | 56 | 53 | -3 | -5.36% |
| Recovered Stolen Vehicles | 153 | 94 | 90 | 93 | 82 | 49 | 68 | 19 | 38.78% |
| Robberies | 13 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 50.00% |
| Catalytic Converter Thefts | 10 | 8 | 12 | 22 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 1 | 5.56% |
| Assaults | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 42.86% |
| Calls for Service | 5,544 | 5,625 | 5,713 | 6,224 | 6,025 | 5,975 | 5,923 | -52 | -0.87% |
| Reports Taken | 789 | 707 | 655 | 702 | 625 | 616 | 643 | 27 | 4.38% |
The following incidents represent a selection of the police activity that took place last month:
Drug paraphernalia and firearms found: Early in the afternoon of October 1, an Alameda Police officer conducted a traffic stop for a cellphone violation. During the stop, the officer obtained information that the driver had court-ordered sentence stipulations directing the officer to conduct a search of the vehicle. The search uncovered a stolen firearm, narcotics, multiple denominations of cash, and digital scales. The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody for multiple violations and offenses.
Arson: Just after 5 p.m. on October 6, officers were called for a report of a brush fire at Jean Sweeney Park. The officers’ investigation determined the fire was set intentionally. A suspect was identified with the help of recorded video and witnesses’ evidence. When the suspect was seen two days later at nearby Longfellow Park, they were taken into custody.
AHS swatting incident: On October 15 at 3 p.m., APD responded to phoned-in reports of a potential armed individual inside of a restroom at Alameda High School. A shelter-in-place was initiated by Alameda Unified School District and officers searched the campus. Officers completed their search in less than an hour and determined no suspicious activities or individuals were present. Our preliminary investigations suggest the calls placed to APD were likely an incident of falsely reporting an emergency, or swatting.
Violation of restraining order leads to battery: On the morning of October 23, officers received a report of a battery in the 2200 block of Otis Drive. A suspect, who was in violation of a stay away order, struck another individual with an object when the suspect was asked to leave the area. Before leaving, they also brandished two knives. Officers observed the suspect entering the Alameda High School campus later that day and arrested them.
Residential burglary: On Halloween, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Alameda Police were called to the 800 block of Taylor Avenue for a reported in-progress burglary. Two individuals entered a home, brandished a firearm, and removed several items before leaving. A resident was injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment. APD’s Investigations Unit is following up on the case.
Traffic Enforcement: APD officers issued 133 traffic citations and 98 warnings. There were 11 DUI arrests.
A complete monthly summary of Alameda Police data can be found online at the Alameda Crime Activity page.
Adam Gillitt is the Publisher of the Alameda Post. Reach him at [email protected]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Adam-Gillitt.
