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Downtown police: thefts and burglaries down after added patrols; simple assaults have increased

Downtown Management Commission · January 14, 2026

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Summary

A downtown police representative told commissioners that proactive patrol increases corresponded with a 68% drop in reported thefts (Dec. 15–Jan. 12) but that simple assaults doubled to 16 and robberies rose by one; the department introduced a new mall sergeant, Vinny Galerani, who started Jan. 5.

Mary, a police department representative, briefed the commission on downtown staffing changes and recent crime trends and described the department’s plan to maintain a high-visibility presence downtown.

Mary said Sergeant Scaville left his downtown assignment last year and a new mall sergeant, Vinny Galerani, started on Jan. 5. "He's been around a long time, assistant commander on the SWAT team," Mary said, and staff expect him to be a visible, foot‑patrol presence and the main liaison to businesses and community members downtown.

On crime statistics for the period Dec. 15 through Jan. 12, Mary reported a decline in property crimes: overall thefts and larcenies fell from 112 to 36 (a roughly 68% decrease), motor-vehicle thefts fell from five to one, and burglaries fell to three. By contrast, violent incidents showed some increases: robberies were up by one and simple assaults doubled to 16. Mary said patrol hours are up (a roughly 61% increase in patrol presence in the downtown mall area) as the department has used overtime assignments to create a more proactive presence.

Commissioners asked whether the increased assaults were related to unhoused individuals; Mary said many of the simple assaults were confrontations among unhoused people near the library and Central Park, and that a portion of the uptick was concentrated on the north side of downtown near 1440 Pine, a housing facility for young adults transitioning back into the community.

Mary said the department is working to fill vacancies and will continue the proactive patrol pattern in coming weeks. Commissioners thanked the officer for the update and asked to be kept apprised as staffing and crime data evolve.