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Police chief cites multi‑year reductions, falling violent‑crime metrics and staffing gaps as budget choices loom
Summary
Police Chief Kathy Lester told council that Sacramento has seen significant declines in several violent‑crime indicators since 2022 while also carrying dozens of sworn and civilian vacancies; she described federal partnerships, technology pilots and potential program cuts tied to a 15% reduction scenario.
Police Chief Kathy Lester presented the department's five‑year crime trends, staffing levels and initiatives to the Sacramento City Council on Tuesday, saying violent‑crime indicators have decreased since 2022 even as the department carries substantial vacancies and faces possible reductions.
Lede and key point
Chief Lester said the police department received more than 600,000 incoming calls to the communications center last year that produced almost 160,000 dispatches, and that officers initiated nearly 60,000 additional contacts. She reported reductions compared with recent peak years: for example, ShotSpotter activations declined by about 45% and reported shooting victims fell from 256 in 2021 to 33 in 2024 in the area metrics she presented.
Why it matters: Lester told council that despite measurable crime reductions, the department has 87 sworn and 95…
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