Crime Statistics in California

The following information was taken from the "Crime in California 2019" Report (the most current year for which data is available,) as published by the state DOJ. 

Crime Rates per 100,000 Population 

• The violent crime rate decreased 2.4 percent in 2019, while the property crime rate decreased 3.1 percent in 2019.
• The homicide rate decreased 4.5 percent in 2019.
• The robbery rate decreased 4.5 percent in 2019.
• The motor vehicle theft rate decreased 9.6 percent in 2019.
• The burglary and arson rates decreased 8.2 and 3.3 percent in 2019, respectively.

Arrest Rates per 100,000 Population at Risk 

• The 2019 total arrest rate of 3,410.9 is 3.3 percent lower than the 2018 total arrest rate of 3,527.5.
• From 2018 to 2019, the adult and juvenile total arrest rates decreased 3.5 and 5.0, respectively.
• From 2018 to 2019, the total felony arrest rate decreased 3.0 percent, while the total misdemeanor arrest rate decreased 3.3 percent.
• From 2018 to 2019, the total violent offense arrest rate decreased 3.3 percent. The homicide, robbery, and assault arrest rates decreased 4.3, 3.5, and 3.0 percent, respectively.
• From 2018 to 2019, the burglary and motor vehicle theft arrest rate decreased 4.9 and 15.0 percent, respectively.
• From 2018 to 2019, the felony forgery, checks, access cards offense arrest rate decreased 6.9 percent.
• From 2018 to 2019, the total felony drug offense arrest rate decreased 3.9 percent, with narcotics and dangerous drug offense arrest rates decreasing 5.1 and 0.8, respectively.
• From 2018 to 2019, the petty theft, assault and battery, and driving under the influence offense arrest rates decreased 4.9, 1.2, and 2.7 percent, respectively, while the misdemeanor drug offense arrest rate increased 0.7 percent. 

 

Dispositions – Adult Felony Arrests 

• In 2019, 68.4 percent of adult felony arrests resulted in conviction. 
• Probation with jail continues to be the most frequent sentence given for adult felony arrest convictions. 
• From 2018 to 2019, the percentage of convictions resulting in incarceration in a state institution have decreased from 20.1 to 17.2 percent. 
• From 2018 to 2019, the percentage of violent and drug offense convictions resulting in incarceration in a state institution have decreased from 26.0 and 13.0 to 22.6 and 11.3 percent, respectively . 

 
Adult Probation 

• In 2019, the total number of adults on active probation was 199,313 – its lowest since 1984. 
• From 2018 to 2019, there was a 4.0 percent decrease in the total number of adults placed on probation and a 10.3 percent decrease in the total number of adults removed from probation. 
• From 2018 to 2019, there was a 1.2 percent decrease in the rate of adults placed on probation for a felony offense, and a 13.0 percent decrease in the rate of adults placed on probation for a misdemeanor offense. 

 
Criminal Justice Full-Time Personnel 

• From 2018 to 2019, the total number of full- time criminal justice personnel increased 0.5 percent. 
• From 2018 to 2019, the number of law enforcement, prosecution, and public defense personnel increased 1.0, 1.3 and 2.0 percent, respectively, while the number of probation personnel decreased 3.0 percent. 

 
Civilians’ Complaints Against Peace Officers 

• The total number of reported civilians’ complaints against peace officers decreased from 16,525 in 2018 to 15,890 in 2019. 
• The total number of reported criminal complaints fell to 865, its lowest since 1987. 

 
Domestic Violence-Related Calls For Assistance 

• The total number of domestic violence- related calls for assistance decreased from 166,890 in 2018 to 161,123 in 2019. 
• The total number of domestic violence- related calls for assistance involving a firearm increased from 1,383 in 2018 to 1,388 in 2019, while the number of calls involving personal weapons (hands, fists, or feet) decreased from 60,473 to 59,525. 

 
Law Enforcement Officers Killed or Assaulted 

• The total number of law enforcement officers assaulted in the line of duty decreased from 11,148 in 2018 to 10,512 in 2019. 
• In 2019, five officers lost their lives in the line of duty, 4 feloniously and 1 accidentally. 
• From 2018 to 2019, the number of law enforcement officers assaulted with a firearm increased 3.2 percent, while the number assaulted with personal weapons (hands, fists, or feet) decreased 7.2 percent.