Merced sees nearly 15% drop in property crime, violent crime up slightly. See the numbers

According to data compiled by the Merced Police Department, the city saw a decrease in the total number of violent and property crimes reported during the 2020 calendar year.

Information from the police department is compiled by analyst Lance Eber and tracks Part 1 crimes. That data is submitted annually to the Department of Justice.

Part 1 crimes include violent crimes like murder, manslaughter, assault, rape and robbery plus property crimes like burglary, arson, larceny and auto theft.

According to the department’s data, reports of overall crimes in the city decreased 8.26% by the end of 2020 compared to the previous year. According to police department data, violent crime increased by about 5.13% while property crime decreased by about 14.72%.

“The numbers are remarkably consistent over the last two years. At least in the city,” Merced Police Chief Tom Cavallero said.

Cavallero did acknowledge the COVID-19 pandemic made for unique situations in 2020, including more people being released from state prisons back into local communities.

“Given it’s population, I think Merced is very safe. We want it to be safer,” he said.

According to Lt. Joe Weiss, police have not identified any clear reason the number of property crimes decreased in 2020. Weiss speculated that the coronavirus pandemic may have something to do with the decrease, as people may have spent more time at home and were able to better secure property.

Weiss said thieves are looking for a crime of opportunity and if people are home, thieves are more likely to move on.

It is also possible that the crimes are not being reported, according to police. “We really do think it’s likely that there has been under-reporting by the community for some reason,” Weiss said.

Weiss said police have see social media posts in which people allege crimes have occurred, but those instances are not necessarily reflected in the department’s calls for service.

The Merced Police Department’s Disruptive Area Response Team and Gang Violence Suppression Unit also stepped up enforcement during 2020 which may have led to a suppression of those types of crimes, Weiss said.

The Merced Police department’s website allows citizens to submit an electronic form for instances such as trespassing or thefts. Weiss said the department has seen an increase in forms submitted since converting to an electronic format in May 2020.

The public is encouraged to report such incidents, as it helps police target their efforts in the community, according to Weiss.

Homicides increase slightly

Merced police reported seven homicides in 2020, compared to five in the prior year. According to arrest and crime statistics reported through the Uniform Crime Report and submitted to the California Department of Justice, in 2019 the Merced Police Department recorded five deaths that were classified as murder or non-negligent manslaughter and two deaths classified as manslaughter by negligence.

The 2019 officer involved shooting death of a former Merced County Sheriff’s Deputy and Dos Palos Police officer was not included in the Merced Police Department’s murder and non-negligent homicide count.

Two deaths that occurred in Merced were not added to the city’s 2020 homicide tally. The shooting death of a 5-year-old girl in Merced on Oct. 22 considered an accidental death and thus is not reflected in the police department’s homicide numbers.

On Dec. 31 authorities discovered human remains in the rubble of a homeless encampment fire just east of Highway 99 near R Street. Due to the incident occurring on state property, the California Highway Patrol is the investigating agency and the incident was not included on the city’s homicide list.

Merced has reported one homicide so far for this year. Merced County reported 28 homicides in 2020, according to the coroner’s office.

Other crimes in the city

Aggravated assault rose slightly by 1.88% and rape increased by 29.03% compared to 2019 totals.

Aggravated assault involving a gun saw a small increase of 3.45% in 2020, while aggravated assault with a knife or cutting instrument saw a decrease of 38.71% compared to 2019. Other assaults including non-aggravated assaults saw a decrease of 12.05%, according to police department data.

Robbery crimes increased by 30.39% with armed robbery increasing by a total of 58.97%, according to the data.

Gang violence also remained about the same compared to the previous year, with fewer shootings over the summer compared to 2019, according to Capt. Jay Struble.

Burglary decreased by 1.27% compared to the same time in 2019 and larceny saw a decrease of 21.04%. Burglary with forcible entry saw an increase of 17.67%. Auto theft decreased by 14.49% compared to the previous year while arson increased by 37.68%.

Cavallero said the police department is appreciative of the interaction with the community in making Merced safer. He said the department’s effort toward taking guns out of the hands of criminals is also seeing positive results.

“When it comes to violence involving firearms, we won’t spare any resources in following up and bringing those parties to justice,” Cavallero said.

This story was originally published March 5, 2021 at 5:00 AM.