PROERTY CRIME RATES IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY HAVE BEEN STEADILY DECLINING. STASTISTICS SHOW THAT THE NUMBERS OF PROPERTY CRIMES DROPPPED 26 PERCENT FROM 2006 TO 2012 IN THE UNICORPORATED AREAS OF THE COUNTY. IN SANTA CRUZ WHICH HAD THE HIGHEST PROPERTY CRIME RATE FOR A CITY OF OVER 35 THOUSAND IN THE STATE, THE NUMBERS ARE STARTING TO COME DOWN AS WELL. ACCORDING TO POLICE THE HIGH NUMBERS WERE DUE TO VEHICLE AND AUTO PARTS THEFT RINGS THAT WERE RECENTLY BUSTED UP. THE HIGHCRIME RATE IN THE CITY IS ALSO DUE TO DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES DECISIONS TO PROSECUTE ALL SHOPLIFTING INCIDENTS. WATSONVILLE’S PROPERTY CRIME RATE HAS BEEN ABOUT HALF THAT OF SANTACRUZ OVER THE SAME PERIOD, AND OAKLAND NOW HAS THE HIGHEST PROPERTY CRIME RATE IN THE STATE.
