The Cathedral City Police Department presented its annual crime statistics report to the City Council during Wednesday’s Study Session meeting on March 12, 2025. The presentation highlighted a significant 10% reduction in violent crime over the past year, demonstrating the effectiveness of current policing strategies and community partnerships.
Cathedral City Police is committed to transparent communication about crime statistics in our community. Regular review of monthly and annual crime data allows us to evaluate our policing model and adapt to emerging trends. By analyzing current and historical information, we can deploy personnel more effectively to help reduce crime and enhance community safety.
“The significant reduction in violent crime over the past year reflects our department’s unwavering commitment to public safety and our strong partnership with the community,” said Police Chief George Crum. “While we’re encouraged by these positive trends, we remain vigilant and focused on addressing the areas that still need improvement. Our officers work tirelessly every day to ensure Cathedral City remains a safe place to live, work, and visit.”
Crimes Against Persons: Two-Year Comparison
| Offense | 2024 | 2023 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder/Nonnegligent Manslaughter | 0 | 3 | -100% |
| Negligent Manslaughter | 0 | 1 | -100% |
| Kidnapping/Abduction | 8 | 14 | -43% |
| Rape | 12 | 10 | 20% |
| Sodomy | 1 | 2 | -50% |
| Sexual Assault with an Object | 3 | 4 | -25% |
| Fondling | 22 | 30 | -27% |
| Aggravated Assault* | 102* | 114* | -11% |
| Simple Assault | 255 | 263 | -3% |
| Intimidation | 57 | 76 | -25% |
| Purse-snatching | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| Statutory Rape | 4 | 2 | 100% |
| Totals | 466 | 519 | -10% |
*Includes Domestic Violence
National Context
In 2024, national crime statistics showed significant declines in both violent and property crimes compared to previous years. According to the FBI’s Quarterly Uniform Crime Report for the first half of the year:
- Violent crime decreased by 10.3%
- Murder dropped by 22.7%
- Rape declined by 17.7%
- Robbery fell by 13.6%
- Aggravated assault decreased by 8.1%
- Property crime declined by 13.1%
The Council on Criminal Justice reported that violent crime in major U.S. cities dropped by 6% in the first half of 2024, with homicides seeing a notable 17% reduction compared to 2023. However, while overall property crime declined, shoplifting incidents rose by 24% nationwide during this period.
Cathedral City Crime Trends
Violent Crime
Cathedral City experienced similar positive trends in crime reduction as seen nationally. Between 2023 and 2024, our city saw an overall 10% decrease in violent crime. Notable findings include:
- Zero reported homicides or negligent manslaughters in 2024 (100% decrease)
- 43% reduction in kidnapping cases
- 27% decrease in fondling incidents
- 25% drop in intimidation cases
- 11% reduction in aggravated assault
While most violent crime categories trended downward, the city did experience some increases:
- 20% increase in reported rapes
- Two purse-snatching incidents in 2024 compared to none in 2023
- Four statutory rape cases in 2024 compared to two in 2023
Property Crime
Property crime in Cathedral City declined by 11% from 2023 to 2024. However, certain categories saw increases:
- Arson cases more than doubled, rising from seven incidents in 2023 to fifteen in 2024
- This increase may be attributed to the establishment of an arson investigation unit in 2024, which likely led to more cases being identified and classified as arson
- Shoplifting saw a considerable uptick, with 88 reports in 2024 compared to 45 the previous year
Contributing Factors to Crime Reduction
The decline in violent crime throughout Cathedral City can be attributed to several key factors:
- Responsive and proactive police department
- Strong community engagement
- Collaborative efforts with other city departments
- Partnerships with allied law enforcement agencies throughout the Coachella Valley
While certain crime categories experienced increases, the overall reduction in both violent and property crimes highlights the effectiveness of our law enforcement strategies and community partnerships in promoting public safety.
Community Engagement
In 2024, the Cathedral City Police Department participated in numerous community events and attended neighborhood watch meetings throughout the city.
Get Involved: If you are interested in hosting a community meeting or having the police department provide crime prevention presentations, please contact:
Deputy Chief Rick Sanchez
Email: rsanchez@cathedralcity.gov
Phone: (760) 202-2488
