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Lompoc Police chief presents 2024 annual report, highlights radio upgrade, body cams and license‑plate cameras
Summary
Chief Kevin Martin summarized the Lompoc Police Department’s 2024 annual report, reporting declines in several crime categories, progress on staffing, a $4.3 million radio upgrade, full deployment of body cameras and an expanded license‑plate camera network (Flock) aimed at reducing vehicle thefts.
Lompoc Police Chief Kevin Martin presented the department’s 2024 annual report at the community luncheon, reporting declines in serious crimes against persons and property, and outlining ongoing investments in communications and recording equipment.
Martin said serious crimes against persons fell about 1% and serious property crimes fell 21% in his department’s internal comparisons. He cited improved staffing — two open officer positions remaining — and technology investments as contributors to the declines.
The chief described a $4.3 million radio‑system upgrade to meet Project 25 (P25) interoperability requirements. He said portable radios have been deployed to officers and that vehicle and tower infrastructure installs are scheduled, with completion hoped for by year‑end.
Martin said body cameras are now standard issue for sworn officers, jailers and community‑service officers, syncing with in‑car cameras. He described records and investigations workload for 2024: 5,576 reports processed, 2,612 evidence‑discovery requests, 977 investigations and 81 search warrants; the special investigations unit made 21 felony arrests. He said the jail recorded 874 bookings and passed state inspections.
Addressing homelessness, Martin said the council funded a full‑time homeless liaison officer who worked with the marijuana‑compliance officer; the department recorded 623 homeless contacts in 2024, which Martin cautioned are repeat contacts not unique individuals. He noted community outreach — 29 events last year — and a cadet program that supplied multiple current officers.
On vehicle theft, Martin credited a network of about 58 Flock license‑plate cameras and a partnership with the county for helping dispatch notice and recovery of stolen vehicles. Martin also displayed FBI‑published comparative crime data for 2022–23 to put Lompoc’s rates in county context.
Martin closed by thanking staff and partners and urging the community to consider the department’s figures when judging public safety in the city.
