by Garth Meyer
A 21 percent increase in crime in Redondo Beach over the past two years nearly offset a 24 percent decrease between 2016 and 2019, newly appointed Police Chief Joe Hoffman reported at the March 1 city council meeting.
Crime rose four percent in 2020, followed by a 17 percent jump last year.
“This is a nationwide issue,” Hoffman said, later qualifying the statistics by adding, “The city is incredibly safe, and our arrest rate, and rate that we’re solving crimes is also incredibly high.”
In 2021, 153 more thefts occurred in the city than in 2020 (from 915 to 1,068).
Reports of aggravated assault totaled 168 in 2021, after a six-year average of 97.
“It’s very troubling, based on the numbers we’re seeing,” Hoffman said.
Assault victims included police officers; 52 in 2020 and 53 in 2021. Hoffman reported that the majority of these incidents stemmed from resisting arrest, and most of the injuries to officers were minor.
In other data, in 2020, Redondo Beach Police reported 26 incidents involving firearms. In 2021, there were 140.
“That is a startling number, quite frankly,” said Hoffman.
Many are “ghost guns” – unserialized weapons made from parts kits.
“I’m constantly shocked by the number of these types of firearms our officers are routinely recovering during traffic stops and on calls for service,” said the chief.
In January of this year, Redondo police reported 18 gun incidents.
When Councilman Christian Horvath asked about the reasons for the crime increases, the chief cited reduced penalties as a result of recent legislation, and recruiting challenges.
Recruit and release
The chief reported that last week all three new recruits for the Redondo Beach P.D. bowed out in the first few days of pre-police academy. Reasons given included concern over physical demands.
The department had invested more than six months of work in each of the candidates.
“I haven’t seen three leave this early before,” said Hoffman.
The department has 89 officers, and seven openings. Three retirements are scheduled next year.
City Manager Mike Witzansky said the department plans to hire 10 to 15 officers in the next fiscal year.
“Rehousing”
Last October, after previously targeting catalytic converter thefts, the department’s special investigations added a focus on stopping commercial burglaries.
Next month, the special investigations unit will “re-house” some of its officers to the harbor area.
“We can do this almost immediately, at zero cost,” Hoffman said. “Money isn’t the issue. It’s having the personnel.”
A police captain will operate out of the department’s former substation at the Redondo Pier.
“There’s going to be a constant presence,” said the chief, noting increases in quality-of-life issues in the area, and municipal code violations, as well as the shooting last summer.
The substation was staffed seven days per week in the early 2000s.
A similar police presence is planned for city parks, using a community trailer. ER
