Sheriff reports May crime statistics for Lancaster showing mixed trends, spike in some violent categories

Deputy Kit Grupey, Lancaster Sheriff Station community relations deputy, presented May 2025 ComStat (crime statistics) to the Lancaster Criminal Justice Commission, reporting 10 homicides year to date — eight in the city of Lancaster and two in the unincorporated area — a 25% year‑over‑year increase from 2024. Grupey said two homicides occurred in May in the city and that both involved firearms; no arrests had been reported for those incidents at the time of the briefing.

The sheriff's figures showed mixed trends across Part I crimes. Forcible sex offenses were reported at 41 incidents in the city and three in unincorporated areas, 44 total, with the city up 51.85% year over year and an overall station total of 44. Robberies were 119 in the city and 12 in unincorporated areas (131 total), a 14.42% increase in the city. Aggravated assaults totaled 361 in the city and 51 in unincorporated areas (412 total), a city decline of 11.3% and a net station drop of 9.25%. Burglaries were 236 in the city and 47 in unincorporated areas (283 total), down 17.19% in the city and 15.52% stationwide. Larceny thefts were 461 in the city and 58 in unincorporated areas (519 total), a city drop of 12.52% and stationwide drop of 14.07%.

Deputy Grupey reported grand thefts of 529 in the city and 97 in unincorporated areas (626 total), and arsons at 19 in the city and five in unincorporated areas (24 total), a city increase of 46.15% that contributed to a station total increase of 14.29%. He said that in May there were four arsons in the city; three incidents were at residences, one incident was in a vacant building and one in a vacant garage. Grupey said some incidents were repeat locations and that arrests were made in some of the arson incidents.

Grupey noted that the station’s Part I totals were 1,774 in the city and 275 in the unincorporated area (2,049 total) and said the stationwide total represented a roughly 9.7% decrease overall with a 5.64% decrease in the city (figures presented by the deputy). He also said May saw 422 arrests in the jurisdiction, slightly higher than the previous year's 419.

On traffic, the sheriff's report listed one fatal collision, 67 injury crashes and 84 non‑injury crashes for May; deputies issued 149 citations and recorded 16 DUI‑related arrests for the month. Grupey told commissioners that the “hot spot” map for Part I crimes closely follows calls for service.

Commissioners asked how Lancaster compares to other cities in Los Angeles County and statewide. Grupey said his crime analyst could assemble comparative ranking data for similar cities and that any comparison should account for population and area covered; he offered to provide comparable‑city data before the next meeting.

Commissioners also pressed the sheriff’s office on arson patterns and whether incidents were tied to vehicle thefts or encampments; Grupey said some arsons occurred at vacant locations and repeat sites, and that the department would provide follow‑up details. He refused to speculate on victims’ housing status without firm data.

The statistics presentation was followed by questions about differences between city and unincorporated trends; Grupey and commissioners discussed population density and patrol coverage as likely contributing factors but did not identify a specific enforcement change accounting for the improvements in unincorporated areas.