Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
City of Westminster Crime Statistics - Comparison Between 2024 and 2025 Third Quarter Reports.
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From: Darin Lenyi, Chief of Police
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Liz Yee, Police Crime Analyst
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Receive and file.
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BACKGROUND
A comparison between third quarters of 2024 and 2025 reveal a nearly 21% overall decrease in crime. Violent crime decreased by approximately 18%. However, there was an increase in reported rape cases. This rise is largely attributed to the adoption of the new crime data collection system, N.I.B.R.S. (National Incident-Based Reporting System). Under the new system, a single incident involving multiple offenses is recorded as multiple crime statistics, whereas in the past, it would have been counted as just one crime statistic.
Property crimes also decreased significantly by approximately 20%. The only exception was arson, which increased by 100%. The rise is influenced by the new reporting standards. Arson not only covers PC 451 (intentional and malicious burning), but now PC 452 has been added under arson, which addresses “reckless burning.”
The following table provides a detailed breakdown of crime statistics and the percent change between third quarters of 2024 and 2025:
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Crime in the third quarter of 2025 decreased overall compared to the third quarter of 2024. Ongoing efforts remain essential to maintain this positive trend.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager