Belvedere Police Present Q4 2024 Statistics; Councilers Ask for Extra Patrol Presence at School Bus Pickup

Belvedere Police Chief Wu presented the department's fourth-quarter 2024 report to the City Council on Jan. 16, detailing routine enforcement and community-engagement activity and answering council questions about local wildlife incidents.

The chief reported that in the quarter the department handled 1,246 incidents, including three Part I offenses and one Part II offense; officers made nine traffic stops, issued nine warnings and made one arrest. The department recorded 61 coyote-related incidents during the quarter; the chief clarified that most of those'roughly 99% according to council discussion'were sightings rather than aggressive encounters.

Chief Wu said the department conducted mandated and discretionary training, implemented one new policy and updated 17 policies in line with best practices. The report also noted multiple citizen appreciations and routine professional development.

Council members raised public-safety questions tied to recent coyote sightings near a school-bus stop at San Rafael Avenue and Windward Road. Council member Mary Cooper asked whether an officer could be present at the morning bus pickup when children are waiting; Chief Wu said staff would evaluate resources and try to accommodate the request when feasible.

The quarterly report covered October through December 2024; incidents after Dec. 24 will be included in the next quarter, the chief said.

No formal action was required; council members thanked the chief for the report and asked staff to consider bike- and e-bike safety outreach (reported elsewhere in the meeting) and potential targeted patrols for school-bus pickup times as resources allow.