SLPD's Crime Suppression Unit Reduces Crime in First Month

Last month, The Crime Suppression Unit was formed allowing San Leandro Police Department to quickly address emerging crime trends and problem areas identified through Crime Analysis.

The SLPD said in a press release that since shifting resources to form the Crime Suppression Unit, there has been a 39 percent reduction in commercial/residential burglaries, 25 percent reduction in robberies and a 23 percent reduction in auto burglaries.

The Crime Suppression Unit has allowed SLPD to direct resources to a specific problem without continually diverting patrol officers from responding to calls for service, a press release from SLPD said.

SLPD believes that crime can be deterred from occurring through highly proactive enforcement and directed enforcement following creative problem-oriented policing strategies, the press release stated.

Over the past month, The Crime Suppression unit has worked in partnership with both internal and external stakeholders to educate members of the Department, City Employees and the community regarding crime trends and problems. It has also worked closely with both Patrol and Investigations Division to identify, locate, and arrest those who are committing crimes in San Leandro.

The Crime Suppression Unit has used several tools to educate the community on local crime using social media, news/print media, educational pamphlets and community meetings to assist with the mission of deterring crime.

"A double digit decrease in crime in a 30 day period is an example of what we can accomplish when the community and the police department work hand in hand to solve and prevent crime," said Chief Sandra Spagnoli. “Our focused, no-tolerance approach to crime, increased social media presence, shifting of officers and community participation will make criminals think twice to commit a crime in San Leandro.”

Next month the department will unveil “United for Safety- San Leandro” an initiative for civic engagement, volunteerism and technology as a long-term solution to keeping San Leandro safe.

The SLPD said in a press release that since shifting resources to form the Crime Suppression Unit, there has been reductions in commercial/residential burglaries, robberies and auto burglaries.