Property Crime Remains High in San Bruno

Property crime continues to be the most reported crime in the city, according to recently released data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

In 2010, the most recent year when data is available, 81 violent crimes occurred in San Bruno, a decrease of 18 percent from 2009 data. Only one homicide occurred, the first since 2008. 

But property crimes, which the FBI defines as burglary, larceny-theft, auto theft and arson, remain high. Overall, 909 property crimes were reported in 2010, with 641 incidents involving theft, 141 auto thefts and 127 burglaries. Two arsons also occurred. 

Still, San Bruno is a relatively safe city, as many officials often claim. The violent crime rate is a mere 2 per 1,000 residents. Violent crime includes murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. In California, the violent crime rate is 440 per 100,000 people. 

Meanwhile, the property crime rate is 22 per 1,000 residents, as compared with 2,635 per 100,000 people for the state overall. 

Throughout the country, violent crime has dropped by about 13 percent since 2006. Property crime, meanwhile, has dropped by about 9 percent during the same period. 

In San Bruno, violent crime and property crime have dropped 37 percent and 14 percent respectively since 2006. 

The recently released crime data could be helpful in determining the effectiveness of the city’s Police Department as it looks to . After a failed attempt to merge with the Millbrae Police Department, the city will be looking to cut down on costs through other means. Already, San Bruno’s department has lost seven officers over the last eight years along with two commanders because of retirement, and the reduction has begun to take its toll, Chief Neil Telford recently told the council. 

The San Bruno Park School District board is also looking to form a committee to study how the district could throughout the city. San Bruno doesn’t necessarily have a gang problem, board President Jennifer Blanco told Patch in an interview. But the gang issues in neighboring South San Francisco could bleed over the border if proper prevention methods aren’t put in place, she said.