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Crime rises in Rancho Bernardo during first half of 2015

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Rancho Bernardo experienced almost four dozen more property crimes, plus several more violent ones, for a combined total of 255 during the first half of this year, according to recently released statistics by the San Diego Police Department.

Property crimes rose by 43 incidents, going from 185 from January to June 2014 to 228 reported during the same time frame of 2015. The largest increase was thefts, which rose from 106 last year to 135 this year. Also on the rise were auto thefts (42 in 2015 versus 28 in 2014) and residential burglaries (35 so far this year compared to 30 last year). The only decline was in commercial burglaries, which went from 21 last year to 16 this year.

Due to the additional crimes, Rancho Bernardo’s property crime ranking went from 13th place citywide among San Diego’s 125 areas to 28th place this year. Its crimes per 1,000 residents rate increased from 8.91 per 1,000 in 2014 to 10.92 per 1,000 in 2015. The citywide rate was 20.47 property crimes per 1,000 San Diegans this year. Last year it was 20.83 per 1,000.

It appears violent crimes significantly rose as well, however, due to a FBI mandated change in the definition of rape for the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, officials said there can be no comparison of crime statistics for 2015 to previous years in the categories of rape, aggravated assaults, violent crime total and crime index total (violent and property crimes combined), since all four categories have been impacted.

According to the Automated Regional Justice Information System website, “The new definition of rape has been broadened to include male victims, sodomy, penetration with any body part or objects, and no longer requires force.” The new definition — posted under the “help” tab at crimestats.arjis.org — went into effect on Jan. 1.

This year, under the new guidelines, there were 27 violent crimes reported in Rancho Bernardo. They were eight robberies and 19 aggravated assaults. Rancho Bernardo ranked 18th among the city’s 125 areas, with a rate of 1.29 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. The city’s rate was 4.22 violent crimes per 1,000 San Diegans.

Last year, under the old guidelines, there were eight violent crimes reported. They were two rapes, four robberies and two aggravated assaults. The violent crime rate for the first half of 2014 was 8.91 crimes per 1,000 residents and it ranked 13th citywide. The city’s rate was 20.83 violent crimes per 1,000 San Diegans.

The crime index combines violent and property crimes. Under the new guidelines, Rancho Bernardo has 255 crimes and came in 21st among the 125 areas, with a rate of 12.22 crimes per 1,000 residents. The citywide rate was 24.69 crimes per 1,000 San Diegans.

Last year, under the old guidelines, Rancho Bernardo has 193 crimes and was 13th citywide, with a crime rate of 9.30 crimes per 1,000 residents. The citywide rate was 24.75 crimes per 1,000 San Diegans.

Car prowls — where property might not have been taken — rose during the first half of 2015. These were not included in the crime index. There were 72 reported this year, compared to 62 last year. Rancho Bernardo tied with Tierrasanta for 40th place among the city’s 125 areas this year, with a car prowl rate of 3.45 incidents per 1,000 residents. The citywide rate was 4.94 car prowls per 1,000 San Diegans. Last year, Rancho Bernardo tied for 38th place with the Azalea/Hollywood Park area, with a rate of 2.99 car prowls per 1,000 residents. The citywide rate for the first half of 2014 was 5.28 car prowls per 1,000 San Diegans.

To see the crime statistics for other City of San Diego neighborhoods, go to tinyurl.com/SDcrimes.

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