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Council reviews police substation options after crime data shows hotspots in Kentfield and Van Buskirk

Stockton City Council · March 31, 2026

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Summary

City staff and police presented crime data showing high property crime in Van Buskirk and higher violent‑crime rates in Kentfield; council and residents from Western Ranch debated where to place substations and how to balance mobile patrols, staffing shortages and capital costs.

Deputy City Manager Will Crew and Police presented an informational update March 31 on possible police substations, estimated one‑time setup costs and ongoing operating expenses for candidate locations including Western Ranch (Food‑for‑Less area), VanBuskirk, Conway Homes and Kentfield.

Captain Brad Burrell summarized 2025 crime statistics for the three areas staff considered: VanBuskirk showed the highest property‑crime totals, Kentfield had the highest violent‑crime totals (notably aggravated assaults and robberies), and Western Ranch showed lower totals compared with those two areas. "Kentfield had the highest aggravated assaults by a wide margin and the highest robberies," Captain Burrell said.

Residents from Western Ranch urged the council to honor a prior commitment for a substation in that neighborhood and warned that reversing the decision would erode trust. "Western Ranch remains one of the most underserved communities in this city when it comes to public safety," a resident told the council.

Chief of Police Stanley McFadden and his command staff said substations are one tool among many — including mobile community officers and focused enforcement teams — and that the department must balance limited staffing and mobile resources. The chief noted ongoing recruitment challenges and said the department will prioritize stabilizing patrol resources while seeking ways to support localized access and community engagement.

Council members asked for further analysis and directed staff to return with additional options and community briefings. Several members said they supported substations in principle and urged a data‑driven approach to site selection and a plan that preserves mobile patrol capacity.