November data from APD show many improvements
The latest statistics released by the Alameda Police Department show positive trends in most areas. However, the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data are now presented by the department in a new format that omits several key data points and eliminates details that were included in the previous format. Traffic enforcement data was not included, nor is it possible to determine the division of arrests between adults vs. juveniles or felonies vs. misdemeanors and infractions.
Significantly, vehicle thefts remain as low as they have been measured since we began sharing these statistics. During November, 52 vehicles were reported stolen, one fewer than the previous month and 56% fewer than the 118 reported stolen a year ago, in November 2023. The number of recovered stolen vehicles also was down (by 10) from the previous month, with 58. Catalytic converter thefts dropped by 10 as well, with only nine reports in November.
Motorists were involved in 64 collisions during the month, down 20% from the previous month—but 33% higher than this time last year—while DUI arrests were down by two from the previous month, with a total of nine.
The total number of arrests increased dramatically, over 36%, to 119. Robberies dropped by half, with six in November, while assault reports were down slightly, with nine. Types of assaults are no longer detailed in the new reporting format.
Larceny and theft offense figures are no longer broken out in detail such as shoplifting, theft from a vehicle, and purse snatching, but overall offenses for the month were 177, down from a total of 205 in October. Stolen property offenses saw an uptick, up four to nine from the previous month. Vandalism/property damage reports decreased from 51 reports in October to 39 during November.
There were 10 reports of arson, more than twice as many as in the previous month, and reports of burglaries also were more than double the previous month with 17. Two reports of forcible sex offenses were made, while there were no reports of animal cruelty, homicide, espionage, gambling, or prostitution during November. In total, the department handled 427 cases during the month.
Nov. 23 | Jun. 24 | Jul. 24 | Aug. 24 | Sep. 24 | Oct. 24 | Nov. 24 | Change Oct. – Nov. | Δ | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arrests | 67 | 96 | 89 | 80 | 86 | 87 | 119 | 32 | 36.78% |
Collisions | 48 | 71 | 59 | 75 | 64 | 80 | 64 | -16 | -20% |
Auto Thefts | 118 | 87 | 106 | 60 | 56 | 53 | 52 | -1 | -1.89% |
Recovered Stolen Vehicles | 99 | 90 | 93 | 82 | 49 | 68 | 58 | -10 | -14.71% |
Robberies | 10 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 6 | -6 | -50% |
Catalytic Converter Thefts | 16 | 12 | 22 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 9 | -10 | -52.63% |
Assaults | 3 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 9 | -1 | -10% |
Calls for Service | 5,116 | 5,713 | 6,224 | 6,025 | 5,975 | 5,923 | 4,987 | -936 | -15.8% |
Reports Taken | 682 | 655 | 702 | 625 | 616 | 643 | 609 | -34 | -5.29% |
The following incidents represent a selection of the police activity that took place in November 2024:
Vandalism: Shortly after midnight on November 5, officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of Chestnut Avenue for a report of vandalism to five businesses in progress. The suspect was apprehended at the scene and arrested.
Armed robbery: At 1:30 p.m. on November 8, APD was summoned to the 1800 block of Poggi Street for a report of a robbery involving three individuals with a firearm. Officers arrested all three suspected individuals in a nearby residence and located a firearm.
Brandishing: On November 15 at around 2:30 p.m., a report was made of a suspect brandishing a weapon at Lincoln Middle School. The suspect was confronted by a school staff member after they were discovered riding their bicycle on the school campus. As the individual was leaving the campus, they brandished a weapon and threatened the staff member. This led to a campus lockdown. Later that afternoon, the suspect was arrested on the 1200 block of Pacific Avenue.
Assault with a deadly weapon: Early in the morning of November 23, APD responded to a report of a stabbing at the intersection of Fifth Street and Buena Vista Avenue. An individual sustained injuries after an altercation with another individual. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The other individual has not yet been located and the investigation is ongoing.
Collision: On November 29 around 10:15 a.m., a garbage truck experienced brake failure before colliding with a center median and multiple vehicles at the intersection of Harbor Bay Parkway and North Loop Road. No injuries were reported.
Investigation update: On November 13, Alameda police officers executed a search and arrest warrant in both Alameda and Oakland in connection with a string of armed robberies. Detectives have linked a suspect to five separate robberies dating back to late September. The investigation continues.
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.