Cathedral City reports declines in overall crime for 2024; police outline new enforcement and data tools

Deputy Chief Sanchez of the Cathedral City Police Department presented the city’s 2024 crime statistics at a study session and described enforcement strategies and technology partnerships intended to support continued crime reduction.

"The use of NIBRS data allows for a deeper understanding of crime trends and helps the department tailor policing efforts to the specific needs of our community," Deputy Chief Sanchez said, describing the department’s shift to National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) reporting and a two‑year apples‑to‑apples comparison with 2023 data.

Sanchez reported key totals for 2024: crimes against persons totaled 466 (down from 519 in 2023, a 10 percent decline); property crimes totaled 985 (down from 1,111 in 2023, an 11 percent decline); and crimes against society (narcotics, weapons, paraphernalia) totaled 453 (down from 518, a 13 percent decline). He said the department recorded zero homicides in 2024. The department also revised its earlier count after notification by the U.S. Department of Justice that a Thanksgiving Day fatal traffic collision met the negligent‑manslaughter classification for 2024, resulting in one negligent manslaughter being recorded for the year.

Sanchez described category‑level results and context: robberies totaled 29; arson rose to 15, which he attributed in part to a newly formed arson investigation team that increased detection and documentation of intentionally set small fires; residential burglaries were 98; shoplifting was 88 (Sanchez said many shoplifting reports are now submitted online by retailers for incident numbers and insurance needs); and motor vehicle theft totaled 95. He cautioned that criminal filing and prosecution decisions rest with the district attorney’s office and that the department continues to "stat" incidents regardless of subsequent DA action.

The presentation covered current and planned crime‑reduction strategies. Sanchez listed ongoing participation in the East PAC (post‑release community supervision accountability team), continued collaboration with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office gang impact team, contributions to the Coachella Valley Narcotics Task Force, the addition of a fifth detective to investigations, neighborhood‑watch outreach and town halls, a continued citizens academy, expanded use of Flock license‑plate reader cameras, and plans to participate in a regional real‑time operations center to be housed at the Palm Springs Police Department. Sanchez said the department is also considering a locally based street‑crimes unit staffed by a sergeant and two officers to address recurring problems such as motor‑vehicle theft and graffiti.

Councilmembers asked about how NIBRS reporting and policy changes affect statistics, how many reported incidents lead to charges or convictions, and regional comparisons. Sanchez said the department tracks incidents but that case filing and conviction data are controlled by the district attorney; he also compared several categories to neighboring Palm Springs, noting differences in homicides and other totals. A council member raised a question about whether policy changes in nearby cities could shift unhoused populations; Sanchez said Cathedral City coordinates with neighboring jurisdictions and service providers rather than attempting to "pass" unhoused individuals to other cities.

Sanchez closed by noting the department’s use of intelligence‑led policing, crime analysis, allied‑agency collaboration, and planned access to valleywide camera and AVL data through the regional center to support real‑time situational awareness.