WATSONVILLE — The City of Watsonville did not experience any homicides in 2016, and robberies declined by nearly 56 percent from the previous year, according to a report released Tuesday by the Watsonville Police Department.
Both homicides and robberies are the lowest they have been in more than a decade, the report shows. There were four homicides in 2015.
Moreover, when compared to 2015, the overall crime rates were down by just over 11 percent.
“This positive decrease in crime over the past year is attributed to the excellent work of our Police Department and community partners, and highlights Watsonville as one of the safest communities in Santa Cruz County,” Assistant City Manager Matt Huffaker said.
Watsonville Police Chief David Honda credited the decline to changes to the department, such as increased efforts in prevention and intervention, hiring more officers and training existing ones.
Honda also said that encouraging officers to build relationships and trust with the community and using social media to help solve crimes played a role.
Honda also touted Measure G, the half-cent, voter-approved sales tax created to fund fire and law enforcement services.
“The revenue generated by Measure G has allowed our police and fire departments to provide additional support and services geared at keeping our community safe,” Honda said.
Using Measure G funds, the WPD Police Activities League expanded its youth services with a Robotics Program, Homework Center and the Bike/Hiking program, among other things.
Watsonville Police Department released a chart comparing crime rates from previous years.
City officials also say that prevention and intervention programs helped in the decline, such as neighborhood watches and cleanups, National Night Out, and the city’s Parks and Community Services Neighborhood Outreach programs.
Another successful diversion program is the Caminos hacia el Éxito program for young people who commit a misdemeanor first offense.
WPD is also taking a proactive approach to mental health with a Mental Health Liaison team, formally named the Crisis Assessment, Response, Engagement Team (CARE) team, which has helped hundreds of community members in obtaining needed services, referrals, or transport to proper medical facilities.
“With the decrease in crime, we must stay vigilant and work together as a community to continue to impact these numbers,” Honda said. “Through hard work and commitment our officers, community partners and elected officials have been able to improve the safety of our neighborhoods.”
