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Mayor praises crime reductions and marine rescues; highlights new rescue vessels
Summary
The mayor said Laguna Beach reported a 23% decrease in FBI Part 1 crimes in 2024 versus 2023 and that marine safety responded to more than 5,000 rescues in July 2024; the city introduced WaveWatch 1 and said WaveWatch 2 will be staged at a harbor dock arranged with county support
Laguna Beach’s mayor said the city’s police department reduced overall crime, citing a 23% decrease in FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Part I offenses in 2024 compared with 2023, and described investments in technology and marine response.
The mayor credited investments in advanced camera systems on roadways, drones and automated license plate readers as tools supporting a reported 23% drop in Part I crimes in 2024. He called police funding “fully funded” and asked the audience to recognize the department’s work.
On marine safety, the mayor said the department responded to more than 5,000 rescues in July 2024 alone, an increase from “a little over 3,000” rescues in July 2023. He said the city introduced a rescue vessel called WaveWatch 1 and that WaveWatch 2 is expected later this year; the mayor said county Supervisor Katrina Foley helped secure dock space in Newport or Dana Point Harbor for the second vessel.
Why it matters: The crime-statistic change and the spike in marine rescues highlight different public-safety demands for a coastal city; the mayor framed vessel additions and technology investments as force multipliers for first responders.
What the mayor said: “For the fourth consecutive year, [the] police department has successfully reduced crime overall with a 23% decrease in FBI uniform crime reporting, part 1 crimes in 2024 compared to 2023,” he said. On marine safety he added, “WaveWatch 1 is just the beginning. We have WaveWatch 2 coming…” and thanked Supervisor Katrina Foley for assistance securing dock space.
Limitations: The mayor cited comparative monthly rescue counts for July 2023 and July 2024 but did not provide full-year marine rescue totals beyond those July figures, and he did not provide a breakdown of the crime categories included in the 23% Part I reduction. The mayor also did not provide specific operating dates for WaveWatch 2 beyond saying it is expected later this year.
Outlook: The mayor said the city will continue to invest in technology and vessel capacity to support police and marine safety operations.
